Serum fructosamine: a reference interval for a heterogeneous canine population.

Eighty-nine healthy dogs (44 males, 45 females) of different breeds, 1-12 years of age, living under varied feeding and environmental conditions, were sampled to evaluate a reference interval for serum fructosamine using a nitroblue tetrazolium photocolorimetric method. The analytical assay was evaluated by calculation of within-run and between-day variations. The results were approximately normally distributed and the calculated reference interval was 192.6-357.4 mumol/L (mean 275.0 mumol/ L, standard deviation 41.2 mumol/L). No significant differences attributable to sex or age were observed. This reference interval is wider than those previously reported in less heterogeneous groups of dogs and in those from other geographical zones. The fructosamine values in serum from 3 diabetic dogs all exceeded the upper limit of the reference interval.