Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Survival signs in dogs with parvovirus infection at hospital admission
By Chalifoux, Nolan V et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001)·2021·Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Canada·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Prognostic indicators at presentation for canine parvoviral enteritis: 322 cases (2001-2018).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 322 dogs diagnosed with parvovirus, a serious intestinal infection, were treated in a veterinary hospital. Most of these dogs, about 91%, survived after an average hospital stay of about 79 hours. Key factors that affected their chances of survival included low blood sugar levels, high magnesium levels, and low hematocrit (a measure of red blood cells). Dogs that presented with diarrhea, especially severe cases, had a tougher time recovering. Fortunately, with prompt treatment, many dogs were able to overcome this dangerous illness.
People also search for: dog parvovirus symptoms · dog diarrhea treatment · parvovirus survival rate in dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinicopathological prognostic indicators associated with survival based on hematology and serum biochemistry profile findings at presentation of dogs with canine parvoviral enteritis (CPE). Secondary objectives were to describe the signalment, history, physical examination findings, and progression of disease while in hospital and correlate them to survival. DESIGN: Retrospective study from medical records of dogs diagnosed with CPE between 2001 and 2018. SETTING: University teaching hospital. ANIMALS: Three hundred twenty-two dogs diagnosed with CPE that received in-hospital treatment. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of 322 hospitalized dogs, 294 dogs (91%) survived infection with a median hospitalization time of 79 hours. Multivariable analysis showed that glucose (P = 0.04), total magnesium (P = 0.011), and the dichotomized variable of a low HCT (P = 0.033) on presentation were significantly associated with survival. For every 1 mmol/L (18 mg/dL) decrease in glucose concentration, cases had 1.85 lower odds of survival. For every 0.1 mmol/L (0.2 mEq/L) increase in total magnesium concentration, cases had 2.50 lower odds of survival. Cases with a low HCT had 10.69 lower odds of survival. On univariable analyses, non-survivors had a lower median body weight (P = 0.006) and presented more commonly for diarrhea (P = 0.015). At least 1 episode of diarrhea (P = 0.003) and hematochezia or melena (P < 0.001) in hospital were negatively associated with outcome, in addition to the persistence of diarrhea (P = 0.026) and hyporexia (P = 0.018) in hospital for 5 to 6 days. CONCLUSIONS: Survival rates of 91% were achieved with in-hospital treatment in this cohort of dogs. Negative biochemical prognostic indicators affecting survival include a low HCT, decreased blood glucose concentrations, and increased total serum magnesium concentrations at presentation.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33792158/