CHANGES IN SERUM C-REACTIVE PROTEIN-LEVELS IN DOGS WITH VARIOUS DISORDERS AND SURGICAL TRAUMAS

The serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) produced as an inflammato ry response in dogs with various disorders and surgical traumas were m easured by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay and slide reversed pass ive latex agglutination test (RPLA). The CRP levels were greatly incre ased 1-2 days after surgery in most of the dogs (n = 29) subjected to surgery. These levels had markedly decreased by the time the sutures w ere removed. In dogs with various disorders (n = 58), the serum CRP le vels at first diagnosis were high in infectious diseases. In dogs from which paired serum samples were examined, the serum CRP usually showe d a decrease with improvement in the condition (n = 11) or a terminal increase (n = 4) but, conversely, some showed an increase with improve ment in the condition (n = 3).