Evaluation of Relationship Between C-Reactive Protein, Leukocyte Count and Platelet Indices in Dogs with Leukocytosis

A complete blood count and acute-phase protein analyses are the laboratory tests that are used in veterinary medicine practice. Leukocytes, also known as white blood cells (WBCs), are the primary biological components of inflammatory and immunological responses. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a powerful predictor of inflammation and/or infection in veterinary medicine. Starting at that point, the investigation of the alterations and relationship between WBC count, platelet indices, and blood serum CRP levels in dogs with leukocytosis was the aim of this study. A total of 135 bloodwork records, from January 2018 to December 2022, of dogs were analyzed. The inflammatory panel of complete blood count data, including WBC, PLT, MPV, PDW, PCT, and MPV/PLT, and CRP levels in blood serum chemistry analyses were investigated. The inflammatory panel of complete blood count data was categorized according to CRP levels in blood serum chemistry analyses. There was no significant difference in platelet indices according to the blood serum levels of CRP in the dogs’ bloodwork records. The WBC count in dogs with an equal or above 10 mg/dL CRP level was significantly higher than the other levels of CRP. A moderately positive correlation was detected between CRP and WBC in the bloodwork of all dogs, undivided according to inflammatory status, and of dogs with an inflammatory status. Consequently, in veterinary clinical practice, C-reactive protein measures in dogs may be more applicable in cases where an important rise in WBC over the cut-off value is observed in the complete blood count, commonly used to diagnose inflammatory or infectious status.