Serum acute-phase protein concentrations following uncomplicated total hip arthroplasty in dogs

Objectives To establish preoperative and postoperative serum C reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA) levels in dogs undergoing uncomplicated total hip arthroplasty (THA). Study design Prospective clinical trial. Animals Eighteen client-owned dogs. Methods Dogs undergoing THA were recruited. Serum CRP and SAA levels were measured in all dogs the day prior to surgery, and 3 and 6 months following surgery. All dogs received a physical examination and underwent radiography at each visit, and dogs with complications were excluded from the study. For continuous numeric data, histograms were generated and evaluated for normality. A 1-way repeated measures ANOVA was performed to find differences between time points. Results No complications were encountered in any of the recruited dogs. Median age was 30 months (12-66), and the median bodyweight was 27.3 kg (22.3-40.2). Mean CRP concentrations in the preoperative, 3-month, and 6-month periods were 3.8 mg/L +/- 4.4, 0.8 mg/L +/- 1.9, and 1.4 mg/L +/- 1.4, respectively. The mean SAA concentrations in the preoperative, 3-month, and 6-month periods were 13.9 mg/L +/- 8.8, 14.1 mg/L +/- 12.6, and 18.4 mg/L +/- 15.1, respectively. There were no differences for each parameter between time points. Conclusion C-reactive protein and SAA levels were consistent with levels previously established for noninflammatory and normal conditions in dogs. Clinical significance Postoperative CRP and SAA concentrations were low by 3 months following uncomplicated THA.