Research Communications of the 27(th) ECVIM-CA Congress: Intercontinental, Saint Julian's, Malta, 14th to 16th September 2017

Serum choline concentrations in dogs were (median [range]) 14.8 [6.5-19.2] lM for healthy dogs, 14.7 [7.9-28.4] lM for DCM and 8.7 [5.0-13.9] lM for HBTs (but not significant between groups). There was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) on choline concentration (Mean AE SEM) in pleural fluids between dogs with DCM and HBTs; 13.5 AE 3.9 lM and 23.1 AE 8.5 lM, respectively. Choline level was higher (P < 0.05) in pleural fluid, compared to that of serum in dogs with HBTs, whereas there was not statistically significant difference between them in dogs with DCM. In all dogs (n = 19), choline level in pleural effusions (24.9 AE 6.3 lM) was higher (P < 0.001) than its serum level (10.6 AE 1.2 lM). There were no significant relationships (Pearson correlation) between choline levels in serum and pleural fluids in dogs with DCM and HBT.