Development of a clinical severity index for dogs with acute pancreatitis.
OBJECTIVE
To establish a clinical severity index that correlates severity of body system abnormalities with outcome in dogs with acute pancreatitis (AP) and determine the usefulness of serum C-reactive protein (C-RP) concentration as an objective measure of AP severity.


METHODS
Retrospective cohort study.


METHODS
61 client-owned dogs with ultrasonographically or histologically confirmed AP.


METHODS
Medical records of AP-affected dogs were reviewed, and signalment, physical examination findings, clinicopathologic data, and outcome (death or discharge from the hospital) were evaluated. The correlation of specific abnormalities in endocrine, hepatic, renal, hematopoietic, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems; local pancreatic complications; and intestinal integrity were evaluated, and a clinical severity index was developed for AP in dogs. The severity index score was compared with outcome and, for 12 dogs, with serum C-RP concentration.


RESULTS
The clinical severity index had a good correlation with outcome and interval from hospital admission until end point (days until outcome), but there was no difference in days until outcome between survivors and nonsurvivors. All 12 dogs evaluated had high serum C-RP concentration, but this variable was not related to outcome; however, within a 2-day period after onset of clinical signs, serum C-RP concentration in survivors and nonsurvivors differed significantly.


CONCLUSIONS
Among AP-affected dogs, the clinical severity index may be useful for treatment comparisons and prediction of intensive management requirements. Serum C-RP concentration was best related to AP severity within a 2-day period after onset of clinical signs, but daily measurement may be more useful for monitoring progress.
Mansfield
Caroline S
CS
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia.
James
Fleur E
FE
Robertson
Ian D
ID
D000818:Animals; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000145:classification* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000097:blood / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002097:C-Reactive Protein