Prognostic Roles of Trace Element and Cobalamin Concentrations in Dogs With Parvoviral Enteritis

Background

The trace elements copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and selenium (Se) have been the focus of research into their potential roles in the prognosis of gastrointestinal disorders in humans.

Objective

Evaluation of the predictive potential serum concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cu/Zn, Se, and cobalamin as possible prognostic indicators in dogs with parvoviral enteritis (CPV).

Animals

Client-owned dogs diagnosed with CPV (n = 20) and healthy controls (n = 10).

Methods

A case-controlled study. Serum concentrations of Cu and Zn were measured using a spectrophotometric method; serum Se levels were determined by mass spectrophotometry; and serum cobalamin concentrations were assessed using a chemiluminescent immunoassay method. The Mann–Whitney U test was employed to compare subgroup medians.

Results

Upon admission, surviving dogs with CPV (n = 10) exhibited higher serum Cu concentrations (median = 154.24; range = 60.15–188.46 μg/dL) and Cu/Zn ratios (median = 1.52; range = 0.67–2.45), alongside lower serum Zn concentrations (median = 88.05; range = 51.3–129.2 μg/dL) and cobalamin levels (median = 252.5; range = 111–396 pg/mL), compared to the control group (Cu, median = 72.12; range = 47.04–90.26 μg/dL), Zn (median = 184.2; range = 73.0–262.7 μg/dL), Cu/Zn (median = 0.37; range = 0.26–0.73), cobalamin (median = 638.5; range = 306.0–1016 pg/mL). Additionally, non-surviving dogs (n = 10) exhibited markedly higher serum Cu concentrations (median = 193.5; range = 125.0–229.0 μg/dL) and Cu/Zn ratios (median = 5.45; range = 1.95–9.23), and significantly lower serum Zn (median = 37.75; range = 24.8–71.6 μg/dL), Se (median = 52.45; range = 21.27–91 μg/L), and cobalamin levels (median = 52.2; range = 20.0–147.0 pg/mL) compared to both survivors and controls.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Statistical variations in serum concentrations of Cu, Zn, and cobalamin, alongside Cu/Zn ratios, were observed among survivors, non-survivors, and controls (control-survivor and survivor-non-survivor: p < 0.05 and control-non-survivor: p < 0.01), which might suggest their potential prognostic value in CPV.