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

Potential prognostic indicators, such as body weight, sex, and clinicopathological parameters, have been associated with decreased survival during canine parvoviral enteritis (CPE). Few studies reported the prognostic factors for CPE in Italy; therefore, this study aimed to identify prognostic factors associated with the survival of dogs admitted to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Perugia who were naturally infected with CPV infection. Seventy-six medical records of dogs with a definitive diagnosis of CPV infection admitted from 2017 to 2021 were reviewed and included in the study. Data on signalment, history, clinical examination, hematology, serum biochemistry, treatments, progression of clinical signs during hospitalization, and outcomes were extracted from medical records. The data were subjected to univariate and multivariate statistical analysis. Our results showed winter season, male sex, dog ownership, small breed, normal sensory status, heart rate and 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 partially agrees with previous studies and adds new information on the possible prognostic factors in dogs affected by CPE in Italy.