USEFULNESS OF ALPHA-1-ACID GLYCOPROTEIN (ALPHA-1-AG) VALUES IN SCREENING POUND DOGS ACQUIRED FROM ANIMAL SHELTERS FOR EXPERIMENTAL USE

The usefulness of alpha 1 acid glycoprotein (alpha1-AG) levels in selecting pound dogs from animal shelters for experimental use, was assessed in 1,013 dogs. The mean (+/-SD), minimum, and maximum alpha1-AG values were 375.9(+/-244.8), 20, and 1,650mug/ml. The alpha1-AG value exceeded 500 mug/ml, the cut-off value for the normal range, in 219 dogs. There was little correlation between alpha1-AG values and any of 15 blood chemistry parameters or with hematocrit values. Of the 176 dogs that died within 2 weeks after arrival at our institution, the alpha1-AG concentration was abnormal in one-third. These findings confirm that measurement of alpha1-AG is extremely useful in identifying desperate dogs and in confirming of the prognosis.