Procalcitonin is not a marker of sterile inflammation in dogs after ovariohysterectomy

CRP and WBC are the most widely used markers of inflammation in veterinary clinical diagnosis. Also, PCT is a specific APP marker of bacterial diseases in humans. This study evaluated the levels of PCT, CRP and WBC during postoperative monitoring of bitches undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Thirteen adult clinically healthy female crossbreed dogs aged between 7-24 months were used in the study. Ovariohysterectomy was performed via medial laparotomy using routine procedures. Blood samples were collected from the cephalic vein at 1, 4 and 7 days after surgery (post-op period). Mean serum concentration of PCT, CRP and WBC levels were increased after the surgery. CRP concentrations and WBC counts were increased significantly (p<0.001) on the first day after the operation and decreased to basal values. However, the PCT rise was not significant. CRP and WBC levels increased rapidly and decreased to normal values in dogs with ovariohysterectomy. CRP and WBC may be of help to determine the possible postoperative complications. Besides, aseptic surgical trauma did not affect PCT levels in dogs. Future studies are needed on canine PCT response focusing on specific bacterial infections.