Journal article

Publication year: 2008

Pages: 235-23+

Journal: Tierärztliche Praxis, Ausgabe K: Kleintiere, Heimtiere

Volume number: 36

Issue number: 4

ISSN: 1434-1239

eISSN: 2567-5842

Publisher: Thieme Publishing

Abstract: 
Coagulation consists of three phases, primary haemostasis and secondary (plasmatic) haemostasis, as well as the inhibition of haemostasis/fibrinolysis. Different definitions of coagulopathies exist. According to the more recent definition of coagulopathies, they are divided up into "minus coagulopathies" and "plus coagulopathies". "Minus coagulopathies" are defined as reduced secondary haemostasis, whereas "plus coagulopathies" are consistent with thrombophilia i.e., the risk of thrombosis. Minus coagulopathies may be congenital or acquired. The most important congenital coagulopathies in dogs include Factor VIII and IX deficiency (haemophilia A/B). In cats, Factor XII deficiency has been established, however, it is not associated with severe clinical signs. The most important acquired minus coagulopathy is disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) followed by cumarin intoxication, severe liver failure or treatment with heparin. The aetiology of plus coagulopathies includes renal protein lost, neoplasia, immune mediated anaemia, and vasculitis. Clinical signs of patients with minus coagulopathies are haematoma, epistaxis, or haemorrhage in body cavities. In contrast to this, primary haemostasis disorders are characterized by petechiae/ecchymoses. There are various signs of disorders in the inhibition of coagulation/fibrinolysis, i.e. thrombosis, depending on the site of thrombus formation. They may include lameness (aortic thrombosis) or dyspnea in the case of pulmonary thromboembolism. Important diagnostic testsfor patients with bleeding tendency include platelet count, determination of the thromboplastin time (PT), and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). In dogs with suspected DIC, D-dimers and fibrinogen should be measured in addition. Elevated D-dimers indicate fibrinolysis of cross linked fibrin clots and may also be elevated in dogs with thromboembolism, recent surgery or haemorrhage in body cavities. The type of therapy varies and mainly depends on the underlying aetiology of the coagulopathies.

Harvard Citation style: Bauer, N. and Moritz, A. (2008) Coagulopathies in the dog and cat, Tierärztliche Praxis, Ausgabe K: Kleintiere, Heimtiere, 36(4), pp. 235-23+

APA Citation style: Bauer, N., & Moritz, A. (2008). Coagulopathies in the dog and cat. Tierärztliche Praxis, Ausgabe K: Kleintiere, Heimtiere. 36(4), 235-23+.