Comparative study on laboratory findings associated with natural occurring azotemia in dogs in South- Eastern Nigeria
摘要
Naturally occurring azotemia in dogs causes changes in hematology and serum biochemistry which may vary depending on the breed and sex. This study evaluated the comparative changes in hematology and serum biochemistry associated with naturally occurring azotemia in two breeds of dogs (Caucasians and Nigerian Indigenous dogs) and sexes (male and female) when compared to apparently healthy dogs, from a tertiary veterinary hospital in Nigeria. Renal dysfunction was determined by evaluation of serum creatinine levels, which was set at a cut-off value of ≥ 1.4 mg/dl. Based on the breeds and sexes of the dogs sampled, the hemogram showed significantly lower (p < 0.05) PCV (29%), RBC count (3.49 (106/μl) and hemoglobin concentration (11.36 g/dl) than the control which had mean values of PCV (42.43%), RBC count (6.42(106/μl) and hemoglobin concentration (14.91 g/dl), while the MCV (86.90 fl) and MCH (43.25 pg) were significant (p < 0.05) higher in dogs with azotemia when compared with the control which had mean values of MCV (70.28 fl) and MCH (24.60 pg). There was no significant (P > 0.05) difference in the mean values of with WBC count (16.68 (103/μl) neutrophils (10.02 (103/μl), lymphocytes counts (6.60 (103/μl) and MCHC (38.49 g/dl) of the azotemic dogs when compared with the control which had WBC count ( 13.89(103/μl) neutrophils (8.19 (103/μl), lymphocytes counts (5.60 (103/μl) and MCHC (38.49 g/dl). While for the serum biochemistry, dogs of the different breeds and sexes with azotemia there was significantly (P < 0.05) higher mean value of creatinine(2.05 mg/dl), urea (38.92 mg/dl), AST (86.77 IU/L), ALT (63.41 IU/L), total protein (6.19 g/dl), globulin (2.98 g/dl), than the control which had mean value of creatinine(0.67 mg/dl), urea (20.65 mg/dl), AST (29.95 IU/L), ALT (18.04 IU/L) and total protein (5.08 g/dl), the azotemic dogs had no significant (P > 0.05) difference between the mean values of ALP(53.93 IU/L), cholesterol (150 mg/dl), total bilirubin (0.87 mg/dl) and albumin (3.44 g/dl) when compared with the control which had means of ALP(53.93 IU/L), cholesterol (178 mg/dl), total bilirubin (0.52 mg/dl) and albumin (2.73 g/dl). It was concluded that naturally occurring azotemia in dogs was accompanied with anemia and increased urea, total protein, globulin, ALT and AST activities,