Use of selected biochemical indices in blood/peritoneal effusion in diagnostics of gastrointestinal tract damage in dogs

This study evaluated selected biochemical indices in blood/peritoneal fluid in dogs with and without gastrointestinal tract damage. Blood and peritoneal fluid samples of 29 dogs presented to the Small Animal Clinic at the University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno were obtained as a part of the diagnostic approach and were subsequently biochemically analysed. The biochemical indices analysed were potassium, total protein, glucose, lactate and creatinine. Effusion-to-blood concentration ratios of selected indices were obtained for higher data validity and this ratio was then compared between two groups: patients with gastrointestinal tract damage and patients without gastrointestinal tract damage. There were 11 dogs in the study group of patients with gastrointestinal tract damage and 18 dogs in the study group of patients without gastrointestinal tract damage. Subsequent statistical data analysis did not show any significant difference between these two groups in any of the selected indices. According to our study results, selected biochemical indices cannot be considered as decisive for diagnosing gastrointestinal tract damage.