Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) detects body resistance increase in dogs undergoing blood donation

Abstract

Using raw parameters of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and derived Phase Angle (PhA) has emerged as an alternative to conventional predictive BIA for body fluid volumes and body composition estimation in human patients, offering an approach independent of predictive equations. Classic predictive equation-based BIA remains unsuitable for veterinary clinical practice due to the high morphological variability within the canine species. This study aimed to validate the feasibility of BIA in dogs and assess its utility in detecting changes in body fluid volumes, particularly in blood donation. Sixty healthy blood donor dogs and ten controls were longitudinally assessed using BIA raw parameters with a portable analyzer at a 50 kHz frequency. Measurements were performed before and after blood donation in donor dogs, whereas in controls, they were carried out at two time points, approximating the timing of a donation. Significant increases in raw bioelectrical parameters were observed after blood donation in the donor group, while differences were not statistically significant in controls. Hematocrit values did not significantly differ between the two time points in both groups. These findings suggest the feasibility of using BIA to detect changes in body fluid volumes in dogs undergoing blood donation, highlighting its potential application in veterinary medicine. Further research should explore the applicability of BIA in spontaneous pathological conditions involving fluid loss or retention and investigate the potential utility of PhA as a prognostic or monitoring tool in veterinary clinical practice. This study provides valuable insights into using BIA in canine medicine, paving the way for enhanced diagnostic and monitoring strategies in clinical practice.