Rivaroxaban used to treat blood clots in four dogs

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical use of rivaroxaban in the treatment of 4 dogs with vascular thrombosis, 2 with pulmonary thromboembolism and 2 with systemic thrombosis. CASE SERIES SUMMARY: This report describes the use of a direct factor Xa anticoagulant newly approved in human patients for the treatment or prevention of arterial or venous thrombosis. The use of this medication in a clinical setting for canine patients with thromboembolism has not been described before. Two patients were treated with rivaroxaban for pulmonary thromboembolism. Decreases in thrombus size were seen in both patients, but one patient suffered acute respiratory distress and was euthanized while the other continued to do well at the time of this writing. The other 2 patients were treated for systemic thrombosis. Decreases in thrombus size were also noted. One patient later suffered hematochezia of unknown cause, and the other continued to do well at the time of this writing. NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: This is the first published report of the use of a new oral direct factor Xa anticoagulant in dogs in a clinical setting for the treatment of both pulmonary and systemic thrombosis. In this case series, we share our limited experience in the use of this new medication, our strategy in determining appropriate dosages, and our monitoring protocol.