Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Blood clotting risk in dogs with protein-losing kidney disease
By Lennon, E M et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2013·North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Hypercoagulability in dogs with protein-losing nephropathy as assessed by thromboelastography.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 28 dogs with protein-losing nephropathy (PLN), a condition that causes them to lose protein in their urine, were studied to see how their blood clotting was affected. Many of these dogs showed signs of hypercoagulability, meaning their blood was more likely to clot than normal, which can lead to serious issues like blood clots. The study found that while these dogs had abnormal clotting measurements, factors like serum albumin levels and antithrombin activity did not reliably predict their clotting risk. This suggests that each dog may need a thorough evaluation to determine if they need treatment to prevent blood clots.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Dogs with protein-losing nephropathy (PLN) are at risk of thromboembolic disease, but the mechanism leading to hypercoagulability and the population of dogs at risk are unknown. OBJECTIVES: To characterize thromboelastography (TEG) and its association with serum albumin (SALB), UPC, and antithrombin activity in dogs with PLN. ANIMALS: Twenty-eight client-owned dogs with PLN (urine protein:creatinine ratio [UPC] > 2.0) and 8 control dogs were prospectively enrolled in this observational study. METHODS: TEG parameters, antithrombin activity, serum biochemical profiles, and UPC were measured. TEG analyses were run in duplicate with kaolin activation; reaction time (R), clot formation time (K), α-angle (α), maximal amplitude (MA), and global clot strength (G) were analyzed. RESULTS: Dogs with PLN had lower K (P = .004), and higher α (P = .001), MA (P < .001), and G (P < .001) values than controls. No significant correlation between TEG parameters and UPC, SALB, or antithrombin was noted. Twelve PLN dogs (42.8%) were azotemic and 19 (67.8%) were hypoalbuminemic (SALB < 3.0 g/dL); 11 had SALB < 2.5 g/dL. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: These results indicate that dogs with PLN have TEG values that demonstrate hypercoagulability compared with a control population but that antithrombin, SALB, or UPC cannot be used in isolation to predict this result. A comprehensive evaluation of the coagulation system in individual patients may be necessary to predict the point at which anti-thrombotic therapy is indicated.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23528002/