Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Blood clotting factors in ascitic fluid of 70 dogs studied
By Zoia, A et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2017·San Marco Veterinary Clinic, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Hemostatic Findings in Ascitic Fluid: A Cross-Sectional Study in 70 Dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 70 dogs with fluid buildup in their abdomen (ascites) was studied to understand the blood clotting factors in the fluid. The dogs were divided into groups based on the cause of their ascites, such as liver disease or heart problems. The results showed that the fluid contained lower levels of fibrinogen (a protein important for blood clotting) and higher levels of breakdown products, indicating that the blood clotting process was activated. This finding suggests that dogs with ascites may have ongoing issues with blood clotting, regardless of the cause of the fluid buildup.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Ascitic fluids of horses and humans have fibrinolytic activity, independent of the underlying mechanism of fluid formation. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether coagulation and fibrinogenolytic/fibrinolytic activity (ie, low fibrinogen and increased fibrin-fibrinogen degradation products [FDPs], D-dimer, or both) occur in all types of ascitic fluid in dogs. ANIMALS: A total of 70 client-owned dogs with ascites. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, dogs were categorized based on the pathophysiology of fluid formation into 4 groups: transudates due to decreased osmotic pressure, transudates due to increased hydrostatic pressure, exudates, and hemorrhagic ascites. Fibrinogen, FDPs, and D-dimer concentrations were measured and then compared in both ascitic fluid and plasma. RESULTS: Ten dogs had transudates due to decreased colloid osmotic pressure, 18 had transudates due to increased hydrostatic pressure, 13 had exudates, and 29 had hemorrhagic ascites. Ascitic fibrinogen concentrations (n = 70) were significantly lower (median = 59 mg/dL; range: 59-122 mg/dL) than those in the plasma (median = 168 mg/dL, range: 59-879 mg/dL; P < .0001). Ascitic FDPs concentrations (n = 70) were significantly higher (<5 μg/mL: 3/70 dogs, ≥5 to <20 μg/mL: 11/70 dogs, ≥20 μg/mL: 56/70 dogs) than those in the plasma (<5 μg/mL: 17/70 dogs, ≥5 to <20 μg/mL: 28/70 dogs, ≥20 μg/mL: 25/70 dogs; P < .0001). Ascitic D-dimer concentrations (n = 70) were significantly higher (median = 3.98 μg/mL, range: 0.02-9.19) than those in the plasma (median = 0.11 μg/mL, range: 0.01-4.08; P < .0001). Analysis of the data for each of the 4 different types of ascites showed similar results to those of all the data analyzed together. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Ascitic fluid of dogs has evidence of coagulation activation and fibrinogenolytic/fibrinolytic activity and that this phenomenon occurs independent of the underlying mechanism that leads to the formation of ascites.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27862300/