The Effects of Oral Probiotic Supplementation on Liver Enzyme Activities (ALP, ALT, AST, and GGT) and Serum Magnesium and Phosphorus Concentrations in Cats Infected with Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV)

Abstract

Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) is one of the most important viral infections in cats due to its high contagiousness and severe clinical course, particularly in young animals. This DNA virus, belonging to the Parvoviridae family, is highly resistant to environmental conditions, which facilitates the rapid spread of the infection within cat populations. The disease primarily causes severe clinical manifestations in unvaccinated, young, or immunocompromised cats and is associated with high mortality rates.

The main clinical signs observed in feline panleukopenia infection include anorexia, depression, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and hyperthermia. Severe gastrointestinal losses that develop during the course of infection affect not only the hematological system but also biochemical homeostasis. Fluid and electrolyte losses resulting from vomiting and diarrhea may lead to metabolic disturbances. In addition, systemic inflammation and circulatory disorders may impair liver function, resulting in alterations in serum liver parameters.

In this study, 18 cats infected with FPV were used and randomly assigned to either a Control group (n = 9) or an Experimental group (n = 9). While animals in the Control group received routine FPV treatment, cats in the Experimental group received routine FPV treatment plus oral probiotic supplementation for five days. Blood samples were collected from the cats before and after treatment, and the effects on serum liver enzymes, including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), as well as magnesium (Mg) and phosphorus (P) levels, were investigated.

Statistical evaluation of the results revealed that before treatment, only the phosphorus (P) parameter was significantly higher in the Control group (P < 0.05), whereas all other parameters were similar between the groups (P > 0.05). Following treatment, ALP and Mg levels were found to be significantly lower in the Experimental group (P < 0.05), while the remaining parameters did not differ significantly between the two groups (P > 0.05).