Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Blood clot risks and blood changes in dogs with cancer tumors
By Pazzi, Paolo et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2023·Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: A prospective evaluation of the prevalence of thromboemboli and associated hemostatic dysfunction in dogs with carcinoma or sarcoma.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study found that over half of the dogs with cancer (either sarcoma or carcinoma) had small blood clots called microthrombi, which can lead to serious health issues. These dogs showed changes in their blood tests, including higher levels of D-dimer, a marker that can indicate clotting problems. The researchers suggest that if a dog with cancer has a D-dimer level above 500 ng/mL, it could mean they have microthrombi. While the exact impact of these findings is still unclear, it highlights the need for careful monitoring of dogs with cancer for potential clotting issues.
People also search for: dog cancer blood clots · D-dimer levels in dogs · symptoms of cancer in dogs · treatment for dog with sarcoma · dog with thrombosis treatment
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the prevalence of thromboemboli and the associated hemostatic status in dogs with carcinoma or sarcoma is unknown and might allow earlier intervention. OBJECTIVES: Estimate prevalence of thromboemboli and their association with hemostatic changes in dogs with carcinomas or sarcomas; estimate predictive values of hemostatic variables for thromboembolic disease in tumor-bearing dogs. ANIMALS: Thirty-two dogs with sarcoma, 30 with carcinoma, 20 healthy age-controlled dogs. METHODS: Prospective cross-sectional study. A hemostasis panel (platelet concentration, thromboelastography, fibrinogen and D-dimer concentration, factor X, VII and antithrombin activity) was performed in all dogs. Tumor-bearing dogs underwent complete post mortem and histopathological evaluation. Comparisons between healthy dogs and tumor-bearing dogs with and without intracavitary hemorrhage; and tumor-bearing dogs with and without microthrombi were analyzed. RESULTS: Thromboembolic disease was identified in 32/62 (52%, 95% CI: 39%-65%) tumor-bearing dogs. Microthrombi were identified in 31/62 (50%, 95% CI: 37%-63%) dogs, 21/31 (68%, 95% CI: 49%-83%) had exclusively intra-tumoral microthrombi, 10/31 (32%, 95% CI: 17%-51%) had distant microthrombi. Macrothrombi were identified in 3 tumor-bearing dogs. Hemostatic changes potentially consistent with overt and non-overt disseminated intravascular coagulation were identified in some tumor-bearing dogs. D-dimer concentrations were significantly higher (P = .02) and platelet concentration significantly lower (P = .03) in tumor-bearing dogs with microthrombi compared to tumor-bearing dogs without microthrombi. D-dimer concentration above 500 ng/mL was 80% sensitive and 41% specific for the prediction of microthrombi presence. CONCLUSION: The high microthrombi prevalence and concomitant hemostatic dysfunction in dogs with carcinomas or sarcomas has not previously been reported, though the clinical importance is unknown. Increased D-dimer concentration might increase suspicion of microthrombi.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37548637/