Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, and C-reactive protein concentration in female domestic cats subjected to ovariohysterectomy

Abstract

This study assessed hematological parameters (especially the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio) and the C-reactive protein concentration in the plasma of female cats subjected to ovariohysterectomy: prior to surgery as well as 2 and 10 days after surgery. The animals (n = 26) were patients of a private veterinary clinic between July 2019 and March 2021 and were brought there for ovariohysterectomies. The blood was sampled from the cephalic vein into two tubes. One of the tubes was sent to a commercial veterinary laboratory, where a hematological examination was performed. The second tube was centrifuged (2000 g, 10 min). After separation, plasma samples were stored at –80°C. Next, the CRP concentration was determined using an ELISA kit. We noted a statistically significant increase in NLR two days after surgery. The difference in the NLR value before the surgery and after a 10-day recovery period failed to reach statistical significance. Changes in PLR and the CRP concentration during the experiment were insignificant. The results indicate that NLR is an effective marker of stress and inflammation caused by surgery in female cats, whereas the CRP concentration is of no use in this species.