Changes in Hematological and Biochemical Parameters and Levels of Malondialdehyde, Reduced Glutathione, and Catalase in Dogs with the Neurological Form of Canine Distemper

This study compared oxidative stress, hematological parameters, and biochemical alterations between dogs with neurological-form canine distemper virus (CDV) and healthy controls. Twenty dogs aged 1-12 months diagnosed with neurological-form CDV on the basis of clinical findings and a rapid antigen test, together with 10 clinically healthy control dogs, were included. Body temperature, pulse rate, and respiratory rate were recorded in all animals. Hematological variables [white blood cell count (WBC), lymphocyte count (LYM), monocyte count (MON), granulocyte count (GRA), red blood cell count (RBC), hematocrit (HCT), hemoglobin (HGB), and platelet count (PLT)], serum biochemical parameters [alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), urea, and creatinine], and oxidative stress markers [malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), and catalase (CAT)] were analyzed. Compared with controls, dogs with neurological-form CDV did not differ significantly in body temperature (P > .05), whereas pulse rate (P < .01) and respiratory rate (P < .05) were significantly increased. They also had significantly reduced WBC, MON, and GRA counts (P < .001), reduced LYM counts (P < .01), and lower RBC, HCT, HGB, and PLT values (P < .001). Serum ALT and AST increased (P < .05), as did creatinine (P < .01) and urea (P < .001). MDA concentrations were higher (P < .05), whereas GSH and CAT concentrations were lower (P < .05). These findings indicate that neurological-form CDV is associated with hematological suppression, biochemical changes suggestive of hepatic and renal involvement, and impaired oxidant-antioxidant balance, supporting a possible role for oxidative stress in disease pathophysiology.