Prognostic indicators for canine parvoviral enteritis in a Teaching Hospital in Italy: a retrospective study of 76 cases.

ABSTRACT

Potential prognostic indicators have been associated with decreased survival during canine parvoviral enteritis (CPE), such as body weight, sex, and clinicopathological parameters. Few studies reported the prognostic factors for CPE in Italy; therefore, the aim of this study was to identify prognostic factors associated with the survival of dogs admitted to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Perugia University, naturally infected with canine parvovirus. Seventy-six medical records of dogs with a definitive diagnosis of parvoviral infection admitted from 2017 to 2021 have been reviewed and included in the study. From medical records were extracted data on signalment, history, clinical examination, hematology, serum biochemistry, treatments, progression of clinical signs during hospitalization and outcome. The data have been subjected to univariate and multivariate statistical analysis. Our results showed winter season, male sex, dog ownership, small breed, normal sensory status, normal heart rate, normal hydration status, abdominal pain, increased capillary reperfusion time, and normal white blood cell count as positive prognostic factors. The survival model confirmed that parameters such as male sex, small breed, and ownership increased the survival rate during hospitalization. Data reported in the present study are partially in agreement with previous studies and added new information on the possible prognostic factors in dogs affected by CPE in Italy.