Investigation of serum procalsitonin and C-reactive protein levels in bitches after ovariohysterectomy

This study was aimed to investigate two significant indicators CRP and PCT in evaluation of recovery period and possible post operative complications appeared after ovariohysteroctemi operation. Although these two parameters were discussed and compared in several studies, trials subjecting post operative period is rare and result of the study is thought to serve significant knowledge to veterinarian clinicians. 13 adult clinically healthy female crossbreed dogs-aged between 7-24 mounths were used in the study. Ovariohysterectomy was performed via medial laparotomy by routine methods. Blood samples were collected from the cephalic vein at 1, 4 and 7 days postsurgery. Serum CRP concentrations were determined by use of a solid phase sandwich immunoassay kit; procalcitonin concentrations were measured using dog spesific Procalcitonin kit and WBC levels were determined by using automatic blood counter. Mean serum concentration of PCT, CRP and WBC levels were increased after surgery. CRP concentrations and WBC counts were increased significantly (p<0.001) on first day after operation and decreased to basal values but PCT rise was not significant. Serum CRP level was correlated with WBC positively. Serum PCT level was not correlated with CRP and WBC levels. As a result of this study, CRP and WBC levels increased rapidly and decreased to normal values in dogs with ovariohysterectomy. CRP and WBC may be help to determine the postoperative complications. Besides, aseptic surgical trauma did not affect the PCT levels in dogs and future studies needed to canine PCT response that focused on spesific bacterial infections.