Cotinine as a sentinel of canine exposure to tobacco smoke
Smoking is a global health problem, recognized as being responsible for increased risk for many diseases. The adverse health effects of both active and passive tobacco smoke have been well-known in humans for a long time. It is presumable that even pets, which intimately share the owner's lifestyle, may be exposed to the same risks. This study aimed to detect and quantify cotinine, a metabolite of nicotine, in the serum and hair of dogs using a specific commercial ELISA immunoassay kit.
The researchers said that this is the first study that evaluates cotinine concentration in dogs that are exposed to environmental tobacco smoke. To date, only one other study that reports canine plasma cotinine evaluation has been published. The experimental model of the other study cannot be considered an actual model of smoke exposure in pets.
Researchers enrolled 32 dogs, 16 exposed and 16 unexposed to the owner's smoke, in the study. The cotinine concentration was higher in the exposed than the unexposed group in both matrices (p < 0.001), with greater values in serum than in hair (p < 0.001).
Exposed female dogs had higher hair cotinine than male dogs (p < 0.001). Conversely, serum and fur cotinine concentrations were lower in female than male dogs of the unexposed group (p < 0.01). The exposure intensity, age and weight of the dogs did not affect cotinine concentrations.
A cut-off value of 2.78 ng/mL and 1.13 ng/mL cotinine concentration in serum and fur, respectively, was estimated to distinguish between the exposed and unexposed dogs.
The research team concluded that cotinine was confirmed as a valuable marker of passive smoking also in dogs. Although owners do not perceive secondhand smoke as a risk for their dogs, greater awareness should be advisable, especially in pregnant animals. Further studies are needed to investigate the relationship between cotinine uptake and some variable such as breed, age, weight, diet, and hair constitution.
Debora Groppetti, et al. “Cotinine as a Sentinel of Canine Exposure to Tobacco Smoke.” Animals (Basel). 2023 Feb 16;13(4):693. doi: 10.3390/ani13040693.
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