Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Using C-reactive protein to predict survival in dogs with sepsis
By Gebhardt, Constance et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001)·2009·Small Animal Clinic, Germany·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Use of C-reactive protein to predict outcome in dogs with systemic inflammatory response syndrome or sepsis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 61 dogs with serious infections or systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) were monitored to see if changes in a blood test called C-reactive protein (CRP) could predict their chances of recovery. The study found that while initial CRP levels didn't directly relate to survival, dogs that showed a significant drop in CRP levels over three days had a much higher chance of surviving. In fact, the changes in CRP levels could accurately predict survival in 94% of the dogs. This information can help veterinarians make better treatment decisions for dogs facing these serious health issues.
People also search for: dog sepsis treatment · dog SIRS symptoms · CRP levels in dogs · how to treat dog infections · dog recovery from sepsis
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is a high mortality rate in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) or sepsis. Therefore, an early diagnosis and prognostic assessment is important for optimal therapeutic intervention. The objective of the study was to evaluate if baseline values and changes in serum C-reactive protein (CRP) might predict survival in dogs with SIRS and sepsis. DESIGN: Prospective study; July 2004 to July 2005. SETTING: Small Animal Clinic, Berlin, Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Munich. ANIMALS: Sixty-one dogs. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: For the CRP analysis blood was drawn on day 0, 1, and 2; CRP was measured using a commercial ELISA test kit. Thirteen dogs suffered from nonseptic SIRS and 48 dogs from sepsis. The 14-day survival rate was 61% (69% nonseptic SIRS, 58% sepsis). Serum CRP was higher in sick dogs compared with controls (P<0.001). Over the 3-day period surviving dogs (n=31) displayed a significantly greater decrease in CRP than nonsurvivors (n=10) (P=0.001). No correlation was found between the initial CRP concentrations and the survival rate. The changes in CRP corresponded to the survival rate (P=0.01). CONCLUSION: There was no significant relationship between the survival rate in dogs with nonseptic SIRS or sepsis and the initial serum CRP concentrations. There was a correlation between decreasing CRP concentrations and recovery from disease. However, the changes in CRP concentrations over a 3-day period correctly predicted survival in 94% of dogs and death in 30% of the dogs (false positive rate 22%).
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19821886/