Clinical Application
Pre-anesthesia screen
Dogs in an inflammatory state are at higher risk for postoperative complications due to coagulation compromise
and the potential for organ failure. CRP added to the presurgical panel can rule-out the presence of sub-clinical
disease, including the early stages of cardiac disease.
Detect and Gauge Disease
In situations where the dog presents with non-specific
signs such as lethargy, inappetence or weight-loss, CRP
can rule-in the presence of underlying disease. CRP
levels correlate with disease severity and duration.
Apparently
Healthy Dog
Dog
With Illness
Wellness Screen
While APPs are non-specific, they are very sensitive to
systemic inflammation. Their non-specificity is a benefit
for a general wellness screen as one test covers many
diseases. Low levels then become a “rule-out“ for serious
disorders, and moderate to high levels become a call-toaction for further diagnostic workups.
Pre-Anesthesia
Screen
Detect & Gauge
Inflammatory
Disease
General Wellness
Screen
Monitor Treatment
& Recovery
Monitor Therapy & Recovery
Rapid responding CRP allows for near “real-time” monitoring, used to quickly assess the effectiveness of treatment.
• Treatment independent; unbiased by therapy
• Effectiveness / ineffectiveness indicated in 2-3 days
• Detect relapse during tapering of immunosuppressive therapy
Postoperatively, CRP levels will indicate quickly whether recovery is normal or an infection has set in. CRP is highly responsive in
monitoring antibiotic treatment vs the traditional white count (WBC).
Response of WBC Count vs. CRP in Monitoring Recovery from Infection
30
30
CRP
WBC
25
25
20
CRP
(mg/L)
20
15
15
WBC Normal
Range
10
WBC Count
(x109/L)
10
5
5
CRP Normal Range
0
0
1
2
3
4
Day
5
8
11