Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Blood clotting changes in dogs with septic peritonitis and survival
By Bentley, Adrienne M et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001)·2013·Department of Clinical Studies, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Alterations in the hemostatic profiles of dogs with naturally occurring septic peritonitis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 27 dogs with septic peritonitis (a serious abdominal infection) were treated with fluids, antibiotics, and sometimes surgery. The study found that dogs who survived had better blood clotting factors, specifically protein C and antithrombin, compared to those who did not survive. In fact, most of the dogs that did not make it had very low levels of these proteins before surgery. The researchers suggest that checking these blood factors could help predict which dogs are more likely to recover from this condition.
People also search for: dog septic peritonitis treatment · dog blood clotting factors · signs of infection in dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To characterize derangements in the hemostatic profiles of dogs with naturally occurring septic peritonitis and determine if such derangements were predictive of survival. DESIGN: Prospective, observational single cohort study. SETTING: University veterinary teaching hospital. ANIMALS: A total of 27 client-owned dogs with naturally occurring septic peritonitis. INTERVENTIONS: Standard treatment included fluid resuscitation, antimicrobial therapy, supportive care, and surgery provided at the discretion of the primary clinician. Blood was collected preoperatively and on days 1 and 3 postoperatively for platelet count, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, D-dimer and fibrinogen concentrations, total protein C (PC) and antithrombin (AT) activities, and thromboelastography. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Sixteen of 27 (59%) dogs survived. Preoperative PC deficiency was identified in 10 of 11 (91%) nonsurvivors and 2 of 15 (13%) survivors. Preoperative AT deficiency was identified in 10 of 11 (91%) nonsurvivors and 14 of 15 (93%) survivors. Compared to survivors, nonsurvivors had lower mean preoperative PC (98 ± 24% versus 49 ± 26%; P < 0.001) and AT (53 ± 9% versus 32 ± 16%; P < 0.001) activities. Anticoagulant activities decreased on day 1 postoperatively. As a predictor of survival, preoperative PC activity of more than 60% achieved a sensitivity of 93% and specificity of 82%. Preoperative AT activity of more than 41.5% achieved a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 82%. The maximum amplitude, α angle, and coagulation index from preoperative thromboelastograms of survivors were significantly greater (more hypercoagulable) than nonsurvivors (P < 0.01), with the maximum amplitude being the most specific predictor of survival (100%). CONCLUSIONS: Deficiencies of PC and AT and hypercoagulability appear to be consistent features of naturally occurring canine sepsis and may be useful prognostic indicators in canine septic peritonitis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23317011/