Serum gastrointestinal biomarkers are transiently affected by elective orthopedic surgery and acute enteropathy in dogs.

Objective: To investigate changes in gastrointestinal biomarkers over time in dogs undergoing elective orthopedic surgery and in dogs with acute nonspecific diarrhea (AD).

Methods: Prospective cohort study of 20 dogs undergoing surgical repair of cranial cruciate ligament disease (CCL cohort) and 8 dogs with AD. Serum concentrations of cobalamin, folate, methylmalonic acid, and C-reactive protein and fecal calprotectin concentrations were measured before and 12 to 18 hours, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after surgery in the CCL group. These biomarkers were also measured in AD dogs at initial evaluation and 4 and 8 weeks postrecovery.

Results: Serum cobalamin (437 ± 186 ng/L) and folate concentrations (10.5 ± 4.8 ng/mL) at 12 to 18 hours were lower than corresponding cobalamin (630 ± 235 ng/L; P < .001) and folate concentrations (14.61 ± 6.3 ng/mL; P = .001) before surgery in CCL dogs. However, serum cobalamin (637 ± 195 ng/L) and folate concentrations (13.8 ± 5.7 ng/mL) at 4 weeks were higher than at 12 to 18 hours (P < .001 and P = .01, respectively) and similar to baseline. All 3 AD dogs with serum cobalamin concentrations below the reference interval at baseline had serum cobalamin concentrations within the reference interval at 4 weeks.

Conclusions: Major orthopedic surgery and acute nonspecific enteropathy transiently lowered serum cobalamin and folate concentrations in dogs.

Clinical relevance: Serum folate and cobalamin should be interpreted cautiously in the immediate postoperative setting or during acute gastrointestinal illness. Abnormalities should be reevaluated at a later date before pursuing other diagnostics or instituting supplementation.