The purpose of the study reported here was to determine whether dogs with chronic valvular disease have increased plasma Creactive protein concentration, compared with that in clinically normal dogs. Blood was collected from 47 dogs with physical and echocardiographic evidence of chronic valvular disease and from 20 healthy controls. C-reactive protein concentration was determined with a commercial canine C-reactive protein enzyme immunoassay. Compared with controls, dogs with chronic valvular disease had higher plasma concentration of C-reactive protein (median 2.17 mg/mL [range, 0.86-33.8 mg/mL]) versus 1.43 mg/mL [range, 0.84-4.99 mg/mL]; P , .001). C-reactive protein concentration was not related to the presence of congestive heart failure or murmur grade. The results of this study suggest that increased concentration of C-reactive protein is found in dogs with chronic valvular disease.

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