C-Reactive Protein
Sushant Sadotra The acute phase response (APR) is the early typical systemic response prompted by homeostasis disturbances such as injuries, infection, neoplasia, and other pathologies. Acute phase proteins get released from the liver into the blood after such stimulations. Therefore, elevated levels of such proteins can be used to indicate systemic inflammation. C-reactive protein, also called CRP, is an acute-phase protein synthesized in the liver and acts as a marker of the innate immune system response during inflammatory reactions. It is a 120 kDa composed of five identical subunits to form a pentamer structure. In Dogs, proinflammatory cytokines cause a rapid rise in the blood CRP concentration that also returns to normal without the provocative cause. Therefore it serves as an indicator and a crucial biomarker of inflammation. Besides projecting the degree of inflammation, CRP is helpful as a marker to examine the severity of a specific disease, such as gastrointestinal issues or diseases of other organs. Some of the biological functions of CRP are mentioned below: Factors inducing acute phase response, including CRP: CRP has been widely used in Europe and Japan to examine dogs with gastrointestinal and nongastrointestinal disorders. Some of the pathophysiologic conditions where CRP is frequently used as a biomarker are: CRP is a marker for chronic gastrointestinal signs, mucosal inflammation, systemic or gastrointestinal diseases, etc. Measurement of CRP and pancreatic lipase provide more sensitive and specific results. CRP can provide predictive information in dogs with CPV-2 infection. Dogs with hepatic disease have shown evaluated serum CRP levels. CRP is also the indicator of an acute abdomen in dogs with symptoms of abdominal pain, gastric dilatation or volvulus, small bowel obstruction, and peritonitis. CRP concentrations are higher in dogs with PLE, a disorder where excessive protein loss occurs through gastrointestinal mucosa. Dogs with Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia have high CRP levels. Tumor-associated inflammation or cytokine production leads to higher CRP concentrations in dogs with cancer of hematopoietic origins, such as lymphoma and leukemia. Measurement of canine CRP: POCTs track the inflammatory response in dogs as a rapid ancillary test or emergency. Evaluating CRP levels can be tested using available POCTs like the Point Strip canine CRP assay, LifeAssays canine CRP test, EURO-Lyser solo CRP test, and TECOdogCRP-quant. This commercially available test can estimate the scattering of light from a laser interacting with the CRP and anti-canine CRP antibody complex. This test is developed as Laser CRP-2 by Arrows Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan. Many laboratories can estimate CRP at a large scale using commercially available multiple canine-specific CRP ELISA Tests such as Phase Range canine CRP ELISA37 (developed by Tridelta Development Ltd, Kildare, UK) and test invented by Waritani et al. Measurement of CRP in dogs can also be done through many automated immunoturbidimetric assays like the Turbovet canine CRP assay by Acuvet Biotech, Zaragoza, Spain; the Gentian canine CRP assay by Gentian AS, Moss, Norway; and TR-IMFA developed by Parra et al. Reference:
Progesterone, PG (ECB007)
Progesterone, PG (ECB007) Progesterone, PG Specimen type Serum Contents Reference range: 10-50 ng/mL Progesterone levels in dogs are crucial for determining the optimal breeding time and monitoring pregnancy health. It typically peaks during the luteal phase of the estrous cycle. This test is used for breeding and also diagnosing reproductive issues.
Total Testosterone, TT (ECB006)
Total Testosterone, TT (ECB005) Total Testosterone, TT Specimen type Serum Contents Reference range: 0.5-9.0 ng/mL Total testosterone hormone in dogs is key for reproductive health, influencing behaviors such as aggression and marking. Measuring total testosterone levels helps diagnose reproductive issues and monitor the effectiveness of treatments like neutering.
Estradiol, E2 (ECB005)
Estradiol, E2 (ECB005) Estradiol (E2) Specimen type Serum Contents Reference range: 25-65 pg/mL Serum estradiol concentration is used to assess the stage of the estrous cycle in female dogs and to diagnose hyperestrogenism in dogs with suspected testicular tumors. Additionally, estradiol levels are measured as part of an adrenal panel to diagnose atypical Cushing’s syndrome and other endocrine disorders in canines
Cortisol (ECB004)
Cortisol (ECB004) Cortisol Specimen type Serum Contents Reference range: 0.8-6.0 μg/dL Cortisol hormone in dogs plays a vital role in managing stress, metabolism, and immune response. Dogs with hyperadrenocorticism show clinical signs of an increase in appetite, increase in water consumption, and urinating more. Many of these dogs develop a bloated or “pot-bellied” appearance to their abdomen. Hypoadrenocorticism is a deficiency in adrenocortical hormones. Affected dogs may present with lethargy, diarrhea, vomiting, increased thirst, increased urination, and unplanned weight loss. Intermittent shaking episodes are sometimes seen.
Free Thyroxine, Free T4 (ECB003)
Free Thyroxine, Free T4 (ECB003) Free Thyroxine (Free T4) Specimen type Serum Contents Reference range: 0.57-2.93 ng/dL Free Thyroxine is the biologically active form of the T4 hormone and most accurately reflects thyroid function in dogs. Hypothyroid dogs have low serum concentrations of free T4.
Thyroid-stimulating hormone, TSH (ECB002)
Thyroid-stimulating hormone, TSH (ECB002) Thyroid-stimulating hormone, TSH Specimen type Serum Contents Reference range: 0.00-0.45 ng/mL Hypothyroid dogs have high serum concentrations of TSH. Normal or low TSH levels do not necessarily exclude the condition.
Thyroxine, T4 (ECB001)
Thyroxine, T4 (ECB001) Thyroxine (T4) Specimen type Serum Contents Reference range: 0.8-5.0 μg/dL Thyroxine (T4) hormone in dogs is crucial for regulating metabolism, growth, and energy levels. Evaluating total T4 (TT4) is effective for ruling out hypothyroidism or monitoring dogs on levothyroxine supplementation. Hypothyroidism is a common condition in dogs that can lead to unexplained weight gain, skin and coat issues, as well as behavioral changes and reduced energy.
Elderly endocrine panel (ECS003)
Elderly endocrine panel (ECS003) Thyroxine (T4) Cortisol Specimen type Serum Contents Canine elderly endocrine panel includes thyroxine and cortisol that helps assess thyroid and adrenal gland function in older dogs. This testing is crucial for detecting age-related endocrine disorders such as hypothyroidism and Cushing’s disease, which are common in senior dogs. Early detection through this panel allows for timely treatment that will improve the quality of life for aging pets.
Canine endocrine panel (ECS002)
Canine endocrine panel (ECS002) Thyroxine (T4) Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) Free Thyroxine (Free T4) Cortisol Specimen type Serum Contents Canine endocrine panel includes Thyroxine, TSH, free thyroxine, and cortisol that provides a thorough evaluation of both thyroid and adrenal gland function in dogs. This test helps veterinarians to diagnose various endocrine disorders such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and Cushing’s disease. Regular monitoring through this panel is crucial for managing dogs with existing endocrine issues and for adjusting therapies as needed.
