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.

Effect of time until sample analysis on lactate in dogs with shock.

Introduction: Lactate concentrations can increase with hypoperfusion in dogs and could be used as a prognostic indicator in sick dogs. In a busy emergency service, sample evaluation could be delayed. However, sample evaluation delays have been shown to cause lactate concentration increases in healthy dogs.

Clinical application of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (ACVECC) Consensus on the Rational Use of Antithrombotics in Veterinary Critical Care (CURATIVE) guidelines to small animal cases.

Objective: To illustrate the application of the Consensus on the Rational Use of Antithrombotics in Veterinary Critical Care (CURATIVE) guidelines to the management of dogs and cats at risk of developing thrombosis using a case-based approach.

Etiology: Dogs and cats become at risk of developing thrombosis from a wide range of conditions. These conditions often involve a specific insult followed by an inflammatory response and when combined with other contributing factors (eg, hypercoagulability, vascular endothelial injury, hemodynamic changes) create favorable conditions for thrombosis.

Effect of urinary bladder lavage on in-hospital recurrence of urethral obstruction and durations of urinary catheter retention and hospitalization for male cats.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of urinary bladder lavage on in-hospital recurrence of urethral obstruction (UO) and durations of urinary catheter retention and hospitalization for male cats. DESIGN Randomized controlled clinical trial. ANIMALS 137 male cats with UO.

American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (ACVECC) Consensus on the Rational Use of Antithrombotics in Veterinary Critical Care (CURATIVE) guidelines: Small animal.

Objectives: To systematically review available evidence and establish guidelines related to the risk of developing thrombosis and the management of small animals with antithrombotics.

Design: Standardized, systematic evaluation of the literature (identified by searching Medline via PubMed and CAB abstracts) was carried out in 5 domains (Defining populations at risk; Defining rational therapeutic use; Defining evidence-based protocols; Refining and monitoring antithrombotic therapies; and Discontinuing antithrombotic therapies). Evidence evaluation was carried out using Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome generated within each domain questions to address specific aims.

Consensus on the Rational Use of Antithrombotics in Veterinary Critical Care (CURATIVE): Domain 4-Refining and monitoring antithrombotic therapies.

Objectives: To systematically review the evidence for therapeutic monitoring of antithrombotic drugs in small animals, develop guidelines regarding antithrombotic monitoring, and identify knowledge gaps in the field.

Design: First, a standardized, systematic literature review was conducted to address predefined PICO (Population/Patient, Intervention, Control, Outcome) questions, with categorization of relevant articles according to level of evidence and quality. Preliminary guidelines were developed by PICO worksheet authors and the domain chair.

The Essential Ectoenzyme SmNPP5 from the Human Intravascular Parasite Schistosoma mansoni is an ADPase and a Potent Inhibitor of Platelet Aggregation.

Schistosomes are intravascular parasitic platyhelminthes infecting > 200 million people globally and causing a debilitating disease, schistosomiasis. Despite the relatively large size of the adult worms and their disruption of blood flow, surprisingly, they do not appear to provoke thrombus formation around them in vivo. We hypothesize that proteins expressed at the host-parasite interface are key to this ability.

Effect of transoral tracheal wash on respiratory mechanics in dogs with respiratory disease.

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of a transoral tracheal wash (TOTW) on respiratory mechanics in dogs and to describe the use of a critical care ventilator (CCV) to determine respiratory mechanics. Fourteen client-owned dogs with respiratory diseases were enrolled. Respiratory mechanics, including static compliance (C) and static resistance (R), were determined before and after TOTW.

Assessment of hemostatic changes in a model of acute hemorrhage in dogs.

Objective: To evaluate hemostatic changes following experimental acute hemorrhage in dogs using traditional coagulation tests (eg, platelet count, prothrombin time [PT], and activated partial thromboplastin time [aPTT]), kaolin-activated thromboelastography (TEG), and whole blood multiple electrode impedance platelet aggregometry.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Research laboratory.

Clinical experience of anti-Xa monitoring in critically ill dogs receiving dalteparin.

Objectives: To describe a population of critically ill dogs receiving dalteparin monitored with an anti-Xa assay, to assess the potential utility of serial monitoring, and to investigate the association between pre-treatment thromboelastography (TEG) and the ability to achieve targeted anti-Xa activity.

Design: Descriptive retrospective study.

Setting: Veterinary teaching hospital.

Kaolin-activated thromboelastography in echocardiographically normal cats.

Objective: To determine reference values for kaolin-activated thromboelastography in echocardiographically normal cats.

Animals: 30 healthy cats without evidence of cardiomyopathy on echocardiographic examination.

Procedures: All cats underwent echocardiographic examination, the findings of which were reviewed by a board-certified cardiologist.

Investigating hypercoagulability during treatment for immune-mediated thrombocytopenia: a pilot study.

Background: Thromboembolism has recently been described as a complication following treatment for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). This pilot study was undertaken to determine whether dogs suffering from ITP experience hypercoagulability during treatment and recovery.

Study Design: Thromboelastograms (TEG) were performed on dogs with ITP within 24 hours of admission to the hospital, the first day the platelet count exceeded 40 × 10(9) /L (Day 1), and on Days 4, 7, and 14.

Identification of hypercoagulability in dogs with primary immune-mediated hemolytic anemia by means of thromboelastography.

Objective: To evaluate whole blood hemostasis by means of thromboelastography in dogs with primary immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) to determine whether these dogs had evidence of hypercoagulability prior to the administration of immunosuppressant medications, blood transfusion products, or anticoagulant agents.

Design: Evaluation study.

Animals: 11 client-owned dogs admitted to a teaching hospital for management of primary IMHA and 20 clinically normal dogs.

Treatment and predictors of outcome in dogs with immune-mediated thrombocytopenia.

Objective: To characterize the clinical course of disease and identify prognostic indicators for immune-mediated thrombocytopenia in dogs.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Animals: 73 dogs treated for immune-mediated thrombocytopenia at the Foster Hospital for Small Animals at the Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and the Tufts Veterinary Emergency Treatment and Specialties Hospital.

Use of human immunoglobulin in addition to glucocorticoids for the initial treatment of dogs with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia.

Objective: To determine the utility of human intravenous immunoglobulin (hIVIG) for the initial treatment of canine immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA).

Design: Blinded, randomized, clinical trial.

Setting: Veterinary teaching hospital.

Evaluation of use of human albumin in critically ill dogs: 73 cases (2003-2006).

Objectives: To evaluate the use of human albumin in critically ill dogs. Design-Retrospective case series.

Animals: 73 client-owned hospitalized dogs.

Incidence and clinical relevance of hyperglycemia in critically ill dogs.

Background: Hyperglycemia associated with critical illness in nondiabetic human patients is a common occurrence in the intensive care unit (ICU), with a reported incidence as high as 71%.

Hypothesis: Hyperglycemia in critically ill dogs increases the risk of morbidity and mortality.

Animals: Two hundred forty-five dogs hospitalized in the ICU over a 2-month period were evaluated.