Corneometry and transepidermal water loss measurements in the canine species : validation of these techniques in normal beagle dogs

• Published in: Annales de médecine vétérinaire Vol. 144; no. 5
• Main Authors: Beco, L. (Clinique veterinaire, Spa (Belgium)), Fontaine, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: 01.09.2000
• Subjects: CHIEN; DOGS; FONCTION PHYSIOLOGIQUE; FUNCION FISIOLOGICA; INSTRUMENT DE MESURE; INSTRUMENTOS DE MEDICION; MEASUREMENT; MEASURING INSTRUMENTS; MEDICION; MESURE; PEAU; PERRO; PHYSIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS; PIEL (ANIMAL); SEBUM; SECRECION SEBACEA; SKIN
• ISSN: 0003-4118

In humans, stratum corneum hydration is evaluated by means of non invasive techniques such as corneometry and transepidermal water loss determination. To validate these methods in the canine species (intra and interessay variations), repeated measurements were made at different body sites on 5 normal beagle dogs with commercially available corneometers and tewameter. Corneometer readings were significatively different between dogs and body locations. However, this method was reproducible for each animal at each body site except for the concave ear pinna. Transepidermal water loss values, measured multiples times in each dog during 3 minutes, were similar, except for one beagle. In contrast, measurements made in the same dog 3 days apart were significatively different. Similarly, values were significatively different between dogs. In conclusion, corneometry can be validated for use in the dog at the same body site. Conversely, transepidermal water loss measurements do not appear reproducible enough to be compared between different animals, body sites or days of assessment. Corneometry, therefore, can be validated for the estim.