Ultrasound, Hematological and Biochemical Analysis in Canine with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in dogs is a group of disorders characterized by persistent gastrointestinal clinical manifestations. The goal of this study was to investigate the hematobiochemical alterations in association with the clinical outcomes and prognostic markers including cobalamine, folate and vitamin D3 in dogs with IBD. A total of 23 IBD dogs with symptoms of chronic gastrointestinal diseases were chosen for the study, these include vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, weight loss and abdominal pain. Ultrasonographically, the most common IBD-related abnormalities were dilated intestinal loops with hypermotility, as well as thickening and loss of wall layers in the stomach, duodenum, and jejunum. Hematological findings showed significant increase in the total white blood cell count (14.58 ± 0.49) and neutrophils (69.8 ± 1.6), and significant decrease in hemoglobin (9.83 ± 0.44) and Hematocrit value (30.30 ± 1.24). Biochemical analysis revealed significant increase in serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), blood urea nitrogen and blood creatinine compared to the controls. Whilst significant decrease in serum 25(OH)D, folate and cobalamin levels in IBD dogs was observed which indicate intestinal malabsorption, and these markers are good predictors of IBD.