RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS OF THE 28th ECVIM-CA CONGRESS

This study evaluated cobalamin, folate and the iron status in pregnant bitches and their association with pregnancy‐related anemia (PRA) and neonatal survival (NS). Complete blood count, serum folate and cobalamin concentrations and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) were measured in 48 bitches at mid‐ and late‐pregnancy. The effects of the pregnancy stage, breed, age, parity and breeder on these variables were determined by generalized estimating equation test. Linear correlations between variables were assessed by Pearson's correlation test. Serum cobalamin (mean±SD) decreased (434±143 vs. 335±104; P<0.001), TIBC increased (3.6±0.6 vs. 4.2±0.7; P<0.001), while serum folate decreased insignificantly (13.4±3.5 vs. 12.5±3.3; P=0.1) at late pregnancy. The breed significantly (P<0.001) affected serum cobalamin and folate concentrations and TIBC, while the breeder significantly (P <0.001) affected folate concentration and TIBC. The neutrophil, platelet and leukocyte counts significantly increased, while the red blood cell count (RBC) significantly decreased (P<0.001 for all) at late pregnancy. The decrease in RBC was significantly, albeit weakly, correlated with the serum folate decrease (r=0.33; P=0.023) and the serum TIBC increase (r=0.40; P=0.004). None of the measures was associated with NS. In conclusion, although serum cobalamin had significantly decreased during pregnancy, this decrease was unassociated with PRA or NS. In pregnant bitches, contrary to pregnant women, TIBC increases as pregnancy progresses. Prospective studies are warranted to investigate whether prophylactic folate administration mitigates PRA, considering the significant correlation between the decreases of serum folate concentration and RBC with progression of pregnancy as noted herein.