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.