MegaELISA® CRP canine is an enzyme immunoassay for the quantitative detection of C-reactive protein in plasma or serum of the dog.

As response to tissue injury and inflammation, the body produces, among others, so-called acute-phase proteins (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 beginning of inflammation. The function of CRP is, among others, stimulation of the unspecific immune defence by activation of phagocytes and the complement cascade.

The measurement of CRP in dogs is useful for the diagnostics and follow-up of inflammatory diseases. In healthy dogs, there is a low CRP level below 10 mg/l. A drastic increase in the CRP level occurs on inflammatory processes within few hours (Ø 24–28 h by a factor of 10 to 100) due to infections, immune disorders, neoplasia and traumata.

As soon as the inflammation subsides through a successful therapy, the CRP level decreases rapidly within Ø 24–28 h.

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 endogeneous or iatrogenic disturbing factors (e.g. glucocorticoids, stress).

The MegaELISA® CRP canine is based on highly specific antibodies against canine CRP. It can be carried out with dog plasma or serum in the veterinary practice and / or in the laboratory.