Influence of Breed Size, Age, Fecal Quality, and Enteropathogen Shedding on Fecal Calprotectin and Immunoglobulin A Concentrations in Puppies During the Weaning Period

Grellet, A.; Heilmann, R.M.; Polack, B.; Feugier, A.; Boucraut-Baralon, C.; Grandjean, D.; Grützner, N.; Suchodolski, J. S.; Steiner, J.M.; Chastant-Maillard, S.

Among the 254 puppies included in the study, 180 (71%) were large breed puppies. Puppies were between 5 and 11 weeks of age (mean, 7.7 weeks). The mean number of puppies included in each kennel was 8 (range, 1-18). A median fecal score of 8 was obtained (range, 1-12; Fig 1) . In general, 2 different enteric viruses and 4 parasites were identified (Table 1) . At least 1 enteropathogen was identified in 75.6% (192/254) of the puppies. 71.7% (182/254) of puppies were infected by ≥1 parasite and 37% (94/254) by ≥1 of the 2 viruses tested. One-third (84/254) of the puppies were infected simultaneously with ≥1 virus and 1 parasite ( Table 2 ). Puppies between 5 and 8 weeks of age had a significantly higher prevalence of C. ohioensis complex and a lower prevalence of CCV and G. duodenalis than puppies between 9 and 11 weeks of age (Table 1) .