Objective.

The purpose of the present study was to test the hypothesis that cardiac alterations participate within different stages of CVL.

Materials and methods.

Twenty-eight dogs were diagnosed with CVL, were classified [based on clinical signs, rapid ELISA/IFAT, hematological and serum biochemical tests, urinary protein/creatinine ratio, ECG and ECHO]. As follows; group I (mild disease), group II (moderate disease), group III (severe disease), group IV (very severe disease) and group V included healthy controls.

Results.

IgG antibodies against leishmaniasis as tested by IFAT, were deemed 1/64 to 1/16000 among infected groups. There were statistical significance regarding mean values for WBC [among healthy control group (V.) and other groups (p=0.049)], RBC [among stage III-stage IV and other groups (p=0.001)], Hb [between stage I and stage III-stage IV (p=0.008), HCT [between stage I and other groups (p = 0.001)] MCHC [between stage I and stage II- stage IV (p=0.046)], serum creatinine [(p=0.008) stage IV and stage I-II within group V], serum protein [(p=0.002) among stage IV and stage I-III- healthy control groups] and serum albumine [(p=0.004) among stage IV and stage I-II]. There was no alteration in CTnI concentrations, among groups. UPC analysis revealed statistical difference among control group and stage II to IV dogs (p=0.000). Moderate or severe ECG abnormalities were detected in 6/28 of diseased dogs. Regarding ECHO examination LA/Ao value presented significant difference (p=0.003) among stage IV and other groups.

Conclusions.

It may be suggested that establishing Leishvet Working Group to those of dogs classified into stage I to IV, ECG [left atrial/ventricular enlargement, myocardial hypoxia] and ECHO [left atrial dilation, decrased/increased LVIDs, decrased/increased LVIDd, shortened FS and EF (systolic dysfunction)] alterations must be taken into account along with hematological and serum biochemical analysis.

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