CRP (C-Reactive Protein) in Veterinary Diseases: Understanding Its Roles

C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is a blood biomarker that is generated by the liver when the body releases infl ammatory markers. It belongs to the acute phase reactant proteins because levels of this protein increase when there is inflammation at any part of the body. Thus, although in human medicine, the oxidized lipid, CRP is often used to identify and monitor inflammation and infections, in veterinary medicine, CRP testing is also used more often with similar goals.

In animals it can be quantified in the sera and be used as to indicate levels of inflammation or infection within the animal. Chronic low-grade inflammation is associated with a number of disorders as indicated by increased serum levels of CRP in animals– bacterial and viral infections, inflammation, trauma and neoplastic disease. Therefore, it is recommended that veterinarians use CRP levels in diagnosing and managing different incidences in pets as well as other animals.