Thromboelastography in Dogs with Chronic Hepatopathies

Abstract

Background The coagulation status of dogs with liver disease is difficult to predict using conventional coagulation testing. Hypothesis/Objectives To evaluate thromboelastography (TEG) results and associations with conventional coagulation results and indicators of disease severity and prognosis in dogs with chronic hepatopathies (CH). Animals Twenty‐one client‐owned dogs. Methods Dogs with CH were prospectively (10 dogs) and retrospectively (11 dogs) enrolled from 2008 to 2014. Kaolin‐activated TEG was performed and compared with reference intervals by t‐tests or Mann‐Whitney tests. Correlation coefficients for TEG results and conventional coagulation and clinicopathologic results were determined. Significance was set at P 3.04%; 5 of 21) had significantly higher serum transaminase activities. Dogs with portal hypertension had significantly lower G, MA, and angle and prolonged, K, R, and PT. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance Dogs with CH have variable TEG results. Negative prognostic indicators in CH correlate with hypocoagulable parameters on TEG. Hyperfibrinolysis in dogs with CH is associated with high disease activity.

Keywords

• Coagulation
• Fibrinolysis
• Hemostasis
• Liver