Prognostication of haemato-biochemical, electrolyte and blood gas parameters in canine parvoviral enteritis

Abstract

Canine parvovirus (CPV) infection remains as a major threat to canine practitioners as well as pet owners as it requires intensive care for at least seven days and is associated with a high rate of fatality. This study conducted on 40 dogs with diarrhoea revealed a prevalence of 35 per cent (14/40) for CPV infection in Thissur, Kerala. Aetiology was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the VP2 gene of CPV to get amplicon of approximately 583 bp length. Alterations in various blood parameters like blood gases, electrolytes, metabolites, haematological parameters and serum biochemical parameters are analysed and accessed as prognostic markers. Notable variations could be detected in the levels of pCO2, pO2, pSO2, HCO3-, base deficit, per cent of granulocytes, total erythrocyte count (TEC), haemoglobin (Hb), volume of packed red cells (VPRC), total protein, albumin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and alkaline phosphate (ALP). Mortality was associated with major decrease in the levels of HCO3- and a greater base deficit as evidenced from the blood gas analysis values. No correlation could be obtained for hypokalaemia and elevated levels of lactate in relation with mortality.

Keywords

• canine parvoviral enteritis
• pcr
• base deficit
• mortality