Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Coagulation disorders in dogs with hepatic disease.
- Journal:
- Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
- Year:
- 2010
- Authors:
- Prins, M et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals · Netherlands
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
In this study, researchers looked at 42 dogs with confirmed liver disease to see how it affected their blood clotting. They found that more than half of these dogs had some kind of clotting problem. Specifically, dogs with chronic hepatitis (a long-term liver inflammation) and cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) had longer clotting times and lower levels of certain blood components compared to dogs with other liver issues. Interestingly, only a few dogs showed signs of a serious condition called disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), which is a severe clotting disorder. Overall, the findings suggest that liver disease, especially cirrhosis, can lead to problems with blood clotting mainly because the liver isn't making enough of the necessary factors.
Abstract
Liver disease has been associated with abnormalities in haemostasis. In this study, coagulation times, platelet counts, platelet activity parameters, activities of individual coagulation factors, D-dimers, antithrombin (AT) and protein C activity were measured in 42 dogs with histologically confirmed liver disease. Outcome was correlated with histological diagnosis. One or more coagulation abnormalities were present in 57% of dogs with hepatic disease. Activated partial thromboplastin time was significantly prolonged in dogs with chronic hepatitis (CH), with or without cirrhosis. Mean platelet numbers, AT and factor IX activity were significantly lower in dogs with CH plus cirrhosis, compared to dogs with other hepatopathies. D-dimers were not significantly increased in any group. Only three dogs, all with different histological diagnoses, satisfied the criteria for disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Haemostatic abnormalities were primarily seen in dogs with cirrhosis and this may be due to reduced synthesis rather than increased consumption of coagulation factors.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19487141/