Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Severe airway blockage in brachycephalic dogs linked to blood clot
By Crane, Courtney et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc·2017·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Severe brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome is associated with hypercoagulability in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Five dogs with severe brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), a condition that affects their breathing, were found to have a higher tendency for blood clotting compared to healthy Labrador Retrievers. Tests showed that these dogs had faster clotting times and other signs of increased clot strength, which could lead to serious health issues. This suggests that dogs with more severe breathing problems may be at greater risk for complications related to blood clots. It's important for owners of brachycephalic breeds to be aware of these risks and discuss any concerns with their veterinarian.
People also search for: dog breathing problems · brachycephalic airway syndrome treatment · dog blood clotting issues
Abstract
We evaluated whether dogs with severe brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) developed a hypercoagulable state similar to people with obstructive sleep apnea. Five dogs with grade 3 BOAS were included as well as 5 healthy control Labrador Retrievers. Venous blood samples were collected from each dog for performance of thromboelastography and determination of hematocrit and platelet count. Groups were compared using a t-test, with p < 0.05 considered significant. Thromboelastography results identified that all BOAS dogs were hypercoagulable compared to the Labradors, having significantly shortened clotting time with increased angle, maximal amplitude, and clot rigidity. BOAS dogs also had evidence of delayed fibrinolysis. These results are consistent with, but more severe than, those previously documented in apparently healthy Bulldogs. Together, these findings support the presence of a hypercoagulable state in brachycephalic dogs, and suggest that this state is amplified by increasing severity of BOAS.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28381131/