Serum cobalamin concentrations in dogs infected with canine parvoviral enteritis

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To compare the serum cobalamin concentrations in canine parvovirus (CPV)–infected dogs with those of healthy control dogs. Animals 45 dogs with CPV enteritis and 17 healthy age-matched control dogs. Procedures Infection was confirmed by visualization of CPV-2 through fecal electron microscopy. All dogs received supportive care. Serum samples taken at admission were used to determine cobalamin, C-reactive protein, and albumin concentrations. Results Serum cobalamin concentrations were significantly lower in the CPV-infected group (median [interquartile range], 173 pmol/L [< 111 to 722 pmol/L]) than in healthy control dogs (379 pmol/L [193 to > 738 pmol/L). There was no association between cobalamin concentration and C-reactive protein or albumin concentration. Clinical Relevance While hypocobalaminemia was common in CPV-infected dogs, the clinical relevance of this finding remains to be determined. Studies assessing markers of cellular cobalamin deficiency in dogs with CPV infection appear warranted.

Serum cobalamin and methylmalonic acid concentrations in juvenile dogs with parvoviral enteritis or other acute enteropathies

“…Our results mirror a previous study in which dogs with CPV had lower serum cobalamin concentrations than healthy dogs 20 . The previous study did not measure MMA or any other markers for cellular cobalamin deficiency, such as homocysteine.…”

“…This observation could explain the difference in serum cobalamin concentrations between the healthy dogs and dogs with CPV. A significant difference however was not found between NPVAD dogs and other groups, nor was an overall difference noted between serum cobalamin concentrations in juvenile dogs and adult reference ranges noted in a previous study 20 . Also, we did not distinguish among types of diarrhea.…”

“…Our results mirror a previous study in which dogs with CPV had lower serum cobalamin concentrations than healthy dogs. 20 F I G U R E 3 Serum MMA concentrations among the 3 groups. Note that the y-axis is broken (0-2000 nmol/L and 3000-4000 nmol/ L).…”

Hypocobalaminaemia in dogs with acute gastrointestinal diseases

“…Hypocobalaminaemia is not usually expected in acute diseases because of the cobalamin metabolism and the body's storage capacity in dogs (Berghoff et al, 2013;Kather et al, 2020a). Recent studies have identified hypocobalaminaemia in young dogs with acute gastroenteritis (Engelbrecht et al, 2022;Hung et al, 2023). The half-life of cobalamin in healthy dogs is approximately 6 to 16 weeks (Glass & Mersheimer, 1958).…”

“…As hypothesised by Berghoff et al (2013), the half-life of cobalamin in circulation may be decreased due to a reduction in cobalamin absorption in the face of normal biliary excretion and enterohepatic circulation in gastrointestinal diseases. The cause of hypocobalaminaemia during acute disease is likely multifactorial; increased cobalamin utilisation, increased renal and intestinal loss, and reduced ability of plasmatic transport due to hypoproteinaemia are all elements to take in consideration in these complex patients (Engelbrecht et al, 2022).…”