Haemato-biochemical Alterations and Significance of Prognostic Indicators in Dogs with Canine Parvoviral Infection

Abstract

Background: Canine parvoviral (CPV) infection is an important cause of acute haemorrhagic enteritis in dogs and may be accompanied by marked haematological, biochemical, and metabolic disturbances. Aims: The present study was conducted to diagnose canine parvoviral infection by amplification refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR) and to evaluate haematological, serum biochemical and prognostic indicators in CPV-infected dogs. Study Design: A prospective clinical study was conducted in client-owned dogs suspected of canine parvoviral infection. Further, certain haematological, serum biochemical and prognostic parameters were investigated in CPV-positive dogs and compared with apparently healthy control dogs. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Veterinary Clinical Complex, College of Veterinary Science, Proddatur, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Andhra Pradesh, from July 2025 to May 2026. Methodology: A total of 122 dogs exhibiting symptoms such as vomiting, haemorrhagic diarrhoea, pyrexia, inappetence and dehydration were included in the study group. Faecal samples from all 122 dogs were subjected to ARMS-PCR analysis for the detection of CPV infection. Whole blood and serum samples were collected for analysis of haemato-biochemical and prognostic indicators. Parameters such as haemoglobin, TEC, PCV, TLC, platelet count, DLC, ALT, ALP, total protein, albumin, BUN, creatinine, CRP, CK-MB, sodium, potassium, chloride and lactate were included. Results: Upon ARMS-PCR, 59 out of 122 faecal samples were positive for canine parvovirus, with an overall prevalence of 48.36 per cent in the study area. CPV-infected dogs showed significant (P<0.01) decreases in haemoglobin, TEC, PCV, TLC and platelet count, with an increased neutrophil percentage and a decreased lymphocyte percentage. Significant (P<0.01) increases in ALT, ALP, BUN, creatinine, CRP, CK-MB and lactate, along with decreases in total protein, albumin, sodium, potassium and chloride, were observed in CPV-infected dogs compared with healthy controls. Conclusion: ARMS-PCR confirmed canine parvoviral infection and identified CPV-2c among the evaluated dogs. Significant haematological, biochemical and prognostic alterations indicated systemic involvement and were associated with disease severity. Increased CRP, CK-MB and lactate concentrations, along with decreased serum electrolyte concentrations, may serve as useful indicators for assessing disease severity and predicting clinical outcome in CPV-affected dogs.