Evaluation of urinary liver type fatty acid binding protein (uL-FABP) levels in dogs with parvoviral enteritis

EVALUATION OF URINARY LIVER TYPE FATTY ACID BINDING PROTEIN (uL-FABP) LEVELS IN DOGS WITH PARVOVIRAL ENTERITIS Sağlam Y. Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Health Science Institute, Veterinary Internal Medicine Program, Master's thesis, Aydın, 2025. Objective: This study, it aimed to evaluate urinary L-FABP (uL-FABP) levels and the effect of the presence of SIRS and hypovolemia, either alone or together, on uL-FABP in dogs with CPE. Material and Methods: The study material consisted of 28 dogs with CPE (INF) and 10 healthy dogs (CON). The dogs in the INF group were divided into four subgroups based on the presence or absence of SIRS (S+/-) and hypovolemia (H+/-). These groups were S-H- (n=6), S-H+ (n=6), S+H- (n=6), and S+H+ (n=10). Descriptive characteristics and detailed physical examination findings of the dogs included in the study were recorded at admission. Total leukocyte count (TLC) and hematocrit (HCT) were measured from blood samples within the scope of hematological examinations, and serum Cr and urea concentrations were measured within the scope of biochemical examinations. uL-FABP, uCr, and uALB concentrations were measured from the urine supernatant, and the uL-FABP and uALB concentrations were divided by the uCr concentration and presented as uL-FABP/Cr and uALB/Cr. Results: No significant difference was found in the statistical evaluation of TLS levels evaluated between the groups and between the subgroups. Although HCT levels were found to be statistically higher in the INF group compared to the CON group, there was no significant difference in HCT values in the statistical evaluation of the subgroups. There were no significant differences in serum urea and sCr values among the serum biochemical parameters between the study groups or subgroups. Significant differences were found in the urinary markers uL-FABP/Cr and uALB/Cr levels in the statistical evaluations between the groups and subgroups. uL-FABP/Cr and uALB/Cr concentrations were significantly higher in the ENF group compared to the CON group. In the inter-subgroup evaluation, it was noted that these increases were largely due to the dogs in the S+H+ group, where SIRS and hypovolemia coexisted. Conclusion: uL-FABP/Cr levels were evaluated for the first time in dogs with CPE in this study. Although no significant difference was observed in the traditional renal markers, sCr and urea, between dogs with CPE and CON, uL-FABP/Cr and uALB/Cr levels were found to be elevated, particularly in cases where SIRS and hypovolemia were present together. These findings suggest that urinary biomarkers (uL-FABP and uALB) may have a potential role in the early identification of acute kidney injury that may develop secondary to CPE. Keywords: Acute Kidney Injury, Canine Parvoviral Enteritis, Liver Type Fatty Acid Binding Protein, Dog