Kaolin activation of recalcified citrated whole blood in a point-of-care viscoelastic coagulation test.

The viscoelastic coagulation monitor (VCM) is described as a point-of-care analyzer relying on activation of fresh whole blood (FWB) contact between 2 glass plates. Kaolin is used as an activator in thromboelastography to reduce variability and shorten clotting times. The goal of this study was to compare VCM results from kaolin-activated, recalcified citrated samples with that from FWB.

Early career clinicians euthanize more dogs with nontraumatic hemoabdomen but not gastric dilatation and volvulus than more experienced clinicians.

Objective: To determine if clinician experience influenced the euthanasia rate in 2 common surgical emergencies.

Animals: 142 dogs with nontraumatic hemoabdomen (NTH) due to suspected ruptured splenic mass and 99 dogs with gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) where the owner either elected surgery or euthanasia.

Procedures: Medical records were reviewed for dogs that had either NTH or GDV.