Serum D‐lactate concentrations in dogs with parvoviral enteritis

Background Dogs infected with canine parvovirus (CPV) have compromised intestinal epithelial barrier integrity. Production of D‐lactate by enteric bacteria may directly reflect disease severity or contribute to metabolic acid‐base status in these dogs. Hypothesis Serum D‐lactate concentration will be increased in CPV dogs compared to healthy controls and correlate with markers of disease severity and acid‐base status. Animals Dogs with CPV undergoing treatment (n = 40) and healthy control dogs (n = 9). Methods Prospective observational study. Dogs with CPV had a baseline and daily CBC, venous blood gas with serum electrolyte concentrations, composite clinical severity score, and serum D‐lactate concentration performed. A single serum D‐lactate measurement was obtained from healthy control dogs. Results The CPV dogs had a higher D‐lactate concentration (mean ± SD) of 469 ± 173 μM compared to controls, 306 ± 45 μM (P