Measurement of serum acute phase proteins to monitor postoperative recovery in anoestrous bitches after ovariohysterectomy.

Six healthy bitches underwent ovariohysterectomy, performed by medial laparotomy according to routine methods. Blood samples were taken by venepuncture just before and 24, 48 and 72 hours and seven days after surgery. The serum C-reactive protein (CRP) (P<0.001), haptoglobin (P<0.001) and caeruloplasmin (P<0.05) levels were all significantly higher in the postoperative period than in the samples taken before surgery. The CRP levels increased rapidly and dramatically, while the levels of haptoglobin and caeruloplasmin rose more gradually.