A team of
veterinarians has found a surprising link between compulsive
tail-chasing in dogs and high cholesterol, according to a study
published in the March issue of the Journal of Small Animal Practice.
The finding adds
to a growing body of evidence -- mostly from studies on humans -- that
high cholesterol may be a marker for behavioral problems such as panic
attacks and obsessive compulsive disorder, which could be expressed by
frequent tail-chasing falls in dogs.
Bouts of
tail-chasing can also occur after a dog experiences physical trauma,
surgery or illness, noted Hasan Batmaz, a member of the Faculty of
Veterinary Medicine at Turkey's University of Uludag, who conducted the
study along with a team of colleagues.
Certain breeds,
such as bull terriers and German shepherds, seem to chase their tails
more often than others.
For the study,
the researchers took blood samples from 15 otherwise healthy dogs that
were compulsive tail-chasers. To serve as controls, 15 dogs that rarely
chase their tails were included in the study as well.
The tail-chasers
had significantly higher cholesterol numbers -- including both HDL and
LDL -- compared with the control dogs, the researchers found.
The reason, they
said, could be that high cholesterol levels glob up cell membranes at
the microscopic level, affecting the flow of brain hormones such as
serotonin that are involved in mood and behavior.
Female dogs were
more likely to be obsessive tail-chasers, but the researchers aren't
sure why.
Past studies
have found that people with panic disorders and certain phobias often
have higher cholesterol levels, possibly as a result of increased
activity of hormones tied to the "fight or flight" response.
Lisa Peterson, a
longtime dog breeder who is director of communications for the American
Kennel Club, was surprised by the new study.
"It's an
interesting hypothesis, especially as we don't usually test for
cholesterol in dogs," she told Discovery News.
Peterson
explained that since high cholesterol in dogs doesn't always lead to
the same health issues as it does in humans, such as clogged arteries,
dogs aren't tested for their serum lipid levels as part of their annual
wellness exams.
"Blood pressure
isn't usually measured for dogs either, unless the dog is exhibiting
extreme symptoms," she added.
As for
tail-chasing, she said, "this is usually just a puppy thing that
happens when young pups discover they have a tail."
But when
tail-chasing becomes compulsive, she said the behavior could be due to
"nature or nurture," meaning genetic or environmental causes, including
"a stressful incident trigger."
Although a
change to a lower fat diet could help alleviate compulsive tail-chasing
in dogs, Peterson doubts high cholesterol is always a result of
overeating, since "manufactured pet foods must all meet governmental
regulations for protein, ash, fat and water content, and more."
"Dogs don't
elect to gorge themselves on french fries all day," she said.
The above information is simply informational. It's intent is
not to replace the advice of a veterinarian nor to assist you in making
a diagnosis of your pet. Please consult with your own veterinarian for
confirmation of any diagnosis. Your pets life may depend on it.
