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.