Tissue hypoperfusion, cellular necrosis, and ischemia-reperfusion injury are the main triggers of SIRS in the perioperative period (3, 4), and increased plasma concentrations of SIRS-associated biomarkers, such as C-reactive protein and high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) have been reported in GDV dogs (4, 5). The gene discussed is HMGB1; the disease is systemic inflammatory response syndrome.