Investigation of Serum Cyanocobalamin and Folate Levels in Dogs with Canine Parvoviral Enteritis

Canine parvoviral enteritis (CPV) is an acute and often fatal viral disease that targets the intestinal crypt epithelial cells, resulting in severe villous atrophy and the profound destruction of the mucosal barrier. This study aimed to investigate serum cyanocobalamin and folate levels in dogs diagnosed with CPV.The study material consisted of 50 dogs of various breeds and sexes, aged 0–6 months, divided into Group I (infected, n=40) and Group II (control, n=10). Serum cyanocobalamin and folate levels were measured from venous blood samples, tabulated, and statistically compared between groups. The mean folate levelsin Group I and Group II were recorded as 19.30 and13.43, respectvly, while the mean cyanocobalamin levels were measured at 2.20 and 2.12. It is hypothesized that the limited sample size of control group (n=10) relative to the patient group (n=40) may have contributed to the lower observed cyanocobalamin levels in former. Nevertheless, the statistical signifance achieved in cyanocobalamin levels (p < 0.01) reinforces the reability of the current data and strenghens the evidence regarding the biochemical underpinnings of the disease. Future studies encompassing broader populations will be essential to further elucidate the clinical significance of the numerical disparity in folate levels.In conclusion, this study demonstrates that CPV infection is not merely a digestive tract disorder but a systemic metabolic crisis that paralyzes micronutrient absorption pathways from the proximal to the distal segments. Future longitudinal monitoring of these vitamin levels (e.g., on days 15 and 30) would be beneficial in determining the exact duration of mucosal restoration. Furthermore, investigating the impact of regional strain variations within our country on these biomarkers will significantly contribute to the veterinary gastroenterology literature.