Comparison of serum trace elements and antioxidant levels in terrier dogs with or without behavior problems

Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate the amounts of serum trace elements (copper, iron and zinc) and antioxidants (malondialdehyde, total antioxidant capacity and thiol group) in terrier dogs with six common behavior problems, namely, excessive activity, inappropriate elimination, fearfulness, destructiveness, aggression towards people, and aggression towards dogs. Information was collected from successfully completed questionnaires and two groups of dogs were selected: control group (dogs without any behavior problem, n = 14) and test group (dogs with at least one common behavior problem, n = 16). Serum total antioxidant capacity and zinc concentration in terrier dogs with behavior problem was significantly lesser than those in the control dogs (p