FASTest CRP Canine

Why Test?

Why is it important to test for C – reactive protein?

As a response to tissue injury and inflammation, the body produces, among others, so-called acute-phase proteins or APP in the liver. The C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is the most sensitive and fastest acute-phase protein of the dog, with low serum concentrations during normal homeostasis and a quick answer during and after inflammation. The function of CRP is, among others, stimulation of the unspecific immune defence by activation of scavenger cells and the complement cascade.

The measurement of CRP in dogs is useful for the diagnostics and follow-up of inflammatory diseases and also antibiotic treatment. In healthy dogs, there is a low CRP level below 5mg mg/l. A drastic increase in the CRP level occurs in inflammatory processes within a few hours due to infections, immune disorders, neoplasia and traumata. As soon as the inflammation subsides, the CRP level decreases rapidly. Therefore CRP can be regarded as a real-time marker. Indicating inflammations, CRP is more sensitive than the determination of rectal temperature or leucocyte differential diagnostics. Another advantage of CRP determination is its independence to endogenous or iatrogenic disturbing factors (e.g. glucocorticoids, stress).

By the veterinarian using FASTest CRP Canine they are able to prove (positive FASTest CRP Canine: CRP ≥ 5mg/l) or rule out (negative FASTest CRP Canine ≤5mg/l) the suspicion of an inflammatory event on-site and without technical equipment.