Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Blood clotting problems in cats after recent trauma and related lab
By Gustin, Ursina et al.·Published in Veterinary and comparative orthopaedics and traumatology : V.C.O.T·2022·Department for Small Animals·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Characterization of Acute Traumatic Coagulopathy in Cats and Association with Clinicopathological Parameters at Presentation.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A cat with recent trauma was found to have a condition called acute traumatic coagulopathy (ATC), which affects the blood's ability to clot. In a study of 53 injured cats, about 15% showed signs of ATC, primarily indicated by prolonged clotting times. Interestingly, some cats without ATC also had similar clotting issues, making it hard to predict who would develop ATC based on other health indicators. The research highlighted that while autoheparinization (a condition where the body produces heparin, affecting clotting) was common, it wasn't the only factor involved in ATC. Treatment options were not specified, but recognizing ATC is crucial for managing injured cats effectively.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE:  This study aimed to document rotational thromboelastometric (ROTEM) characteristics of traumatized cats and to investigate associations between clinicopathological parameters and acute traumatic coagulopathy (ATC). A secondary goal was to determine the relevance of autoheparinization in injured cats. STUDY DESIGN:  Cats presenting with acute (<12 hours) trauma were eligible. Cats were allocated to the ATC group (≥2 hypocoagulable parameters) or non-ATC group (≤1 hypocoagulable parameter) based on ROTEM analysis. Clinicopathological parameters were compared between groups and regression was used to find variables associated with ATC. Heparinase-modified ROTEM (HepTEM) was used to assess for heparin effects in a subgroup. RESULTS:  Fifty-three cats were included, and the incidence of ATC was 15%. Prolongation of both intrinsic and extrinsic clotting times (CT) was the most frequently altered ROTEM variable in the ATC group, but CT-prolongation also occurred in 47% of non-ATC cats. The incidence of autoheparinization, defined as concurrent CTprolongation and CTratio >1.1, was 41% and was observed in both cats with and without ATC. None of the evaluated clinicopathological parameters were different between groups or associated with ATC. CONCLUSION:  Acute traumatic coagulopathy in cats is mainly characterized by prolonged CT. No relationship between clinicopathological variables and ATC was identified and prediction of ATC based on these variables was not possible. While autoheparinization is important in cats, it is not the sole cause for ATC.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35148544/