Canine parvoviral enteritis is a viral infection characterized by severe hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, leading to metabolic and electrolyte disturbances and high mortality. The study aimed to evaluate blood gas parameters and the bicarbonate-to-lactate (HCO₃/lactate) ratio for predicting mortality in dogs with parvovirus. The study population consisted of 35 dogs, 25 with parvoviral enteritis and 10 clinically healthy dogs. Venous blood gas analysis, including acid-base parameters, electrolytes, and lactate concentrations, was performed at time of admission. Lactate concentrations were significantly higher in non-survivor (n=12) dogs compared to survivor (n=13) and healthy dogs (p0.001), while base excess in blood concentrations were lower (p=0.018). Additionally, the HCO₃/lactate ratio was significantly lower in non-survivor dogs compared to survivors. In dogs with parvoviral enteritis, pCO2, sodium and chloride levels were significantly lower compared to the healthy group (p0.05). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed cut-off values of 6.03 for the HCO₃/lactate ratio (area under the curve AUC: 0.763, p = 0.014) and 3.29 mmol/L for lactate (AUC: 0.776, p = 0.009) for predicting mortality. In conclusion, the HCO₃/lactate ratio is a valuable prognostic marker reflecting the metabolic acidosis and poor tissue perfusion. This ratio is a useful parameter in clinical practice and can be evaluated together with individual blood gas parameters to improve mortality prediction.
Durgut et al. (2026) studied this question.