CRP — C-Reactive Protein (Canine)¶
1. What is CRP?¶
C-reactive protein (CRP) is the major acute-phase protein in dogs, synthesized by the liver in response to inflammation. Canine CRP rises within hours of an inflammatory stimulus and falls rapidly with resolution — making it the premier real-time inflammation monitor in veterinary medicine.
2. Data Card¶
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Biomarker | CRP (C-Reactive Protein) |
| Organ | Systemic — acute-phase reactant |
| Species | Canine |
| Specimen | Serum / Plasma |
| Method | FICT (Fluorescence Immunochromatography) |
| Analyzer | FIA680 / FIA880 |
| Unit | mg/L |
3. Reference Range (Canine)¶
| CRP (mg/L) | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| < 10 | Normal |
| 10–40 | Mild inflammation |
| 40–100 | Moderate inflammation |
| > 100 | Severe inflammation / sepsis |
4. Clinical Significance¶
- Inflammation detection: distinguishes inflammatory from non-inflammatory disease.
- Treatment monitoring: serial CRP tracks antibiotic/therapy response (falls with effective treatment).
- Post-operative monitoring: detects surgical complications earlier than clinical signs.
- Immune-mediated disease: aids diagnosis of IMHA, polyarthritis, steroid-responsive meningitis.
5. Analytical Performance (Migibio Assay)¶
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| LOD | 0.5 mg/L |
| LOQ | 1.0 mg/L |
| Linear range | 1–300 mg/L |
| Intra-assay CV% | < 8% |
| Inter-assay CV% | < 10% |
6. Interpretation Guide¶
| CRP (mg/L) | Action |
|---|---|
| < 10 | Normal — investigate other causes |
| 10–100 | Inflammatory process — identify source + treat |
| > 100 | Severe — aggressive diagnostics + therapy |
7. FAQ¶
Q1. What does an elevated CRP mean in dogs?
An elevated canine CRP indicates systemic inflammation. It rises within hours of an inflammatory stimulus and falls with resolution, making it a real-time inflammation monitor — but it does not identify the specific cause.
Q2. How fast does CRP rise and fall?
CRP rises within 4–24 hours of an inflammatory stimulus and falls rapidly once the inflammation resolves, typically within 24–48 hours of effective treatment.
Q3. What is the normal CRP range for dogs?
The reference range is below 10 mg/L. Values of 10–40 mg/L indicate mild inflammation, 40–100 mg/L moderate, and above 100 mg/L severe inflammation or sepsis.
Q4. Can CRP diagnose a specific disease?
No. CRP indicates the presence and severity of inflammation, not its cause. It is used alongside other tests to localize the disease and to monitor treatment response.
8. References¶
- Nakamura M, Takahashi M, Ohno K, et al. C-reactive protein concentration in dogs with various diseases. J Vet Med Sci. 2008;70(2):127-131. PMID: 18319571
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Authored by: Migibio Clinical & Scientific Affairs, Guangzhou Magic Biotech Co., Ltd.
Reviewed by: Migibio R&D Quality Committee
Last updated: 2026-08-13
Disclosure: Migibio (Guangzhou Magic Biotech Co., Ltd.) is the manufacturer of the FIA680/FIA880 analyzers and FICT reagents referenced in this content. See our Editorial & Review Policy.