Decreased blood biotin levels may cause dermatitis and some other diseases in dogs

We conducted to observe blood levels of biotin in healthy (n = 58) and unhealthy (n = 65) dogs to assess a relation between decreased blood biotin levels and increased incidence of diseases such as dermatitis, cataract and keratitis. We also evaluated the biotin levels in dogs treated with antibiotics for the treatment of pyometra, anal sac inflammation, fever, and infectious disease. Blood levels of biotin were 3.14 +- 0.25 nmol/l in dogs with dermatitis (n = 21). The levels were significantly lower than that of healthy dogs showing 5.52 +- 0.43 nmol/l of biotin. 21 cases of cataract and 12 cases of keratitis in dogs showed 3.77 +- 0.44 nmol/l and 3.30 +- 0.50 nmol/l of biotin, respectively. These showed a slight decrease of biotin compared with that of the healthy controls. Dogs, 11 cases, subjected to antibiotic treatment, showed 3.00 +- 0.41 nmol/l of biotin. This was a significant decrease of biotin compared with that of the healthy controls. The present study indicates a possibility that some cases of dermatitis, cataract or keratitis in dogs might be caused by biotin deficiency.