Serum α₁-antitrypsin concentration in dogs with panniculitis

Objective - To measure serum α₁-antitrypsin (α₁AT) concentration in dogs with histologically confirmed panniculitis to determine whether serum deficiency could cause or exacerbate panniculitis in dogs. Design - Cross-sectional, descriptive study. Animals - 9 dogs (5 with multiple lesions and 4 with solitary lesions). Procedure - Serum samples were obtained by means of cephalic or jugular venipuncture and frozen at -20 C until assayed. Serum α₁AT concentration was measured by means of radial gel immunodiffusion. Results - In all dogs, serum α₁AT concentration was within the previously established reference range. Clinical Implications - In the small number of dogs studied, panniculitis was not associated with serum α₁AT deficiency.