Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Glucose and lactate levels in dogs with severe babesiosis
By Jacobson, Linda S & Lobetti, Remo G·Published in American journal of veterinary research·2005·Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Glucose, lactate, and pyruvate concentrations in dogs with babesiosis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 20 dogs with severe babesiosis (a serious blood infection caused by parasites) were studied to understand how their blood sugar levels and other substances changed during the illness. Many of these dogs showed low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and high levels of lactate, which can indicate how sick they are. The study found that dogs with low blood sugar were more likely to have other serious health issues and that those who survived had different blood test results compared to those who did not. The researchers emphasized the importance of treating low blood sugar quickly in affected dogs to improve their chances of recovery.
People also search for: dog babesiosis symptoms · low blood sugar in dogs treatment · high lactate levels in dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To document changes in glucose, lactate, and pyruvate concentrations in dogs with severe or complicated babesiosis; assess relationships among glucose, lactate, and pyruvate concentrations in those dogs; and compare clinical and laboratory variables in dogs with and without hypoglycemia and hyperlactatemia. ANIMALS: 20 dogs with naturally developing severe or complicated babesiosis. PROCEDURE: Samples and measurements were obtained before treatment was initiated. Babesiosis was diagnosed by examination of blood smears. Arterial blood pressure measurement, parasite quantification, CBC count, serum biochemical analysis, urinalysis, venous blood gas analysis, and acid-base determination were performed. Glucose, lactate, and pyruvate concentrations were measured in samples of venous blood. RESULTS: We detected a significant negative correlation between glucose and lactate concentrations. Glucose, lactate, and pyruvate concentrations all differed significantly between dogs that died and those that survived. Three of 5 dogs that died had concurrent hypoglycemia, hyperlactatemia, and hyperpyruvatemia. Hypoglycemic dogs differed significantly from normoglycemic dogs with regard to lactate, urea, and bicarbonate concentrations; lactate-to-pyruvate ratio; percentage parasitemia; and PCO2. Dogs with hyperlactatemia differed significantly from normolactatemic dogs with regard to clinical collapse; alanine transaminase activity; concentrations of bilirubin, urea, creatinine, and bicarbonate; percentage parasitemia; and PCO2. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Abnormal carbohydrate metabolism is commonly evident in dogs with severe or complicated babesiosis and is often associated with changes in other clinical and laboratory variables. Significant differences were found between survivors and nonsurvivors. Hypoglycemia should be assessed and aggressively treated in dogs with babesiosis. Lactate concentration can be used as an indicator of disease severity.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15757122/