Assessment of hematological and serum biochemistry parameters in dogs with acute diarrhea due to different etiologies

Abstract

Acute diarrhea (AD) has a complex etiology and may lead to life-threatening conditions. Hematological and serum biochemistry analyses can be useful for a differential diagnosis and for determining the severity of diarrhoea. Dogs with AD (n=72) were divided into Isospora (n=18), Toxocara (n=18), Parvoviral Enteritis (n=18), and Dietary Diarrhea (n=18) subgroups following clinical and laboratory examinations. The study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of certain hematological and serum biochemistry parameters. Clinical examinations, rapid diagnostic tests, complete blood count (CBC), and biochemical analyses were performed. White blood cell count (WBC), granulocyte, and mean hemoglobin concentration (MCH) levels were lower in the Parvoviral Enteritis Group compared with the other groups (p<0.01). Isospora, Parvoviral Enteritis, and Toxocara groups had lower glucose and total protein, and higher creatinine levels than those of the Control and Dietary Diarrhea groups (p<0.0001). The albumin level of the Dietary Diarrhea Group was higher compared with the other groups (p<0.0001). Parvoviral Enteritis and Isospora groups had higher ALP levels than those of the other groups (p<0.0001). Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), C-reactive protein (CRP), and cholesterol levels were determined to be highest in the Parvoviral Enteritis Group (p<0.0001). The total bilirubin level was higher in Parvoviral Enteritis and Toxocara groups compared with the Control, Isospora, and Dietary Diarrhea groups (p<0.0001). As a result, it was concluded that in cases of AD due to parvoviral enteritis and Toxocara canis, serum biochemistry abnormalities may be more severe, can provide more clinical information than CBC, and can be useful in forming a differential diagnosis list, especially in triage.

Keywords

• parvoviral enteritis
• toxocariasis
• isosporiasis
• dietary diarrhea
• dog