Transepidermal water loss in cats: comparison of three differently clipped sites to assess the influence of hair coat on transepidermal water loss values

• Published in: Veterinary dermatology 2013-08, Vol.24 (4), p.450-e101
• Main Authors: Momota, Yutaka, Shimada, Kenichiroh, Takami, Akina, Akaogi, Harumi, Takasaki, Mariko, Mimura, Kana, Azakami, Daigo, Ishioka, Katsumi, Nakamura, Yuka, Sako, Toshinori
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Cats - physiology; Female; Hair - physiology; Male; Skin Physiological Phenomena; Water Loss, Insensible - physiology
• ISSN: 0959-4493; 1365-3164
• DOI: 10.1111/vde.12050

Background The measurement of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) is one of the parameters that can be used to assess skin barrier function. The variability and reliability of TEWL measurements in dogs have been controversial, and the hair coat has been considered as one of the factors that may cause variation of TEWL values. Hypothesis/Objectives The aims of the study were to establish a suitable procedure for measuring feline TEWL, to evaluate the influence of hair coat on TEWL measurements and to assess variations of TEWL at different anatomical sites. Methods Transepidermal water loss was measured using a closed‐chamber evaporimeter, the VapoMeter®. We compared three adjacent sites in the groin area of 10 clinically normal, domestic short hair cats. One site was unclipped, the second was trimmed with scissors and the third was shaved using electric clippers. Values of TEWL were obtained for 48 h after trimming with scissors and clippers. Five sites were clipped (upper back, lumbar back, lateral thigh, axillae and groin), and the TEWL was measured. Results The mean and SD of TEWL values of the clipper‐trimmed site were the smallest, followed in order by the site trimmed with scissors and the unclipped site. The TEWL values were statistically constant in the clipper‐trimmed site, while the values in the unclipped sites were not. There was no statistically significant difference in TEWL values between all of the anatomical sites except for the axillae. Conclusions and clinical importance Hair clipping of sites with electric clippers is recommended for TEWL measurement in cats. Résumé Contexte La mesure de la perte hydrique transépidermique (TEWL) est un des paramètres qui peut être utilisé pour évaluer la fonction de barrière cutanée. La variabilité et la fiabilité des mesures du TEWL chez le chien ont été controversées et le pelage a été considéré comme un des facteurs entrainant une variation des valeurs de TEWL. Hypothèses/Objectifs Les buts de cette étude étaient de déterminer une procédure valable de la mesure du TEWL chez le chat, d'évaluer l'influence du pelage sur les mesures du TEWL et de mesurer les variations de TEWL sur différentes zones anatomiques. Méthodes La perte en eau transépidermique a été mesurée par un évaporomètre en chambre close, le VapoMeter®. Nous comparons trois zones adjacentes dans la zone de l'aine de 10 chats européens à poil court, cliniquement normaux. Un site n'était pas tondu, le second était coupé aux ciseaux et le troisi