Tranexamic acid use in dogs with immune thrombocytopenia

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this feasibility study is to evaluate the use of tranexamic acid and its safe use alongside standard therapy in dogs with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). DESIGN: This is a cohort feasibility study involving 10 dogs diagnosed with primary ITP that received standard therapy for ITP including corticosteroids, a single dose of vincristine, and omeprazole. Dogs were randomly divided into either the control group (= 6) or the group receiving tranexamic acid (TXA group,= 4). KEY FINDINGS: The mean time from the start of treatment until remission was 5 days in the TXA group and 6 days in the control group (= 0.69). Two dogs, one in each group, did not achieve remission. Clinical bleeding scores were not significantly different between both groups (= 0.43), and the median blood volume administered was 37.5 ml/kg for the TXA group and 9.72 ml/kg for the control group (= 0.084). Three out of the four dogs receiving TXA of 20 mg/kg IV started vomiting within 15 min of administration and were given a reduced dose of 15 or 10 mg/kg IV. CONCLUSION: Tranexamic acid did not confer a clinical benefit in this small cohort study and was associated with a high incidence of vomiting. This study provides useful information for the design of future trials in dogs with ITP receiving tranexamic acid including outcome measures and safety.