Research Communications of the 27(th) ECVIM-CA Congress: Intercontinental, Saint Julian's, Malta, 14th to 16th September 2017

Dogs with babesiosis (n = 35) had significantly lower 25(OH)D concentrations than the control group (n = 24) (24.05 AE 17.71 vs. 88.75 AE 38.25, P < 0.001). ANCOVA analysis demonstrated that the effect of babesiosis on 25(OH)D concentrations compared to control dogs was still significant after considering the effect of age and weight. In addition, hypovitaminosis D was not significantly affected by serum creatinine and ALT concentrations, thereby eliminating the effect of renal insufficiency or liver damage, respectively. Moreover, correlation analysis revealed that hypovitaminosis D was not significantly correlated with the time from last meal (anorexia). Yet, hypovitaminosis D, was significantly influenced by hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia and hypoglobulinemia. Finally, among the babesiosis cases, the severity score had a significant inverse correlation (r = À0.39, P = 0.04) with serum 25 (OH)D concentrations.