In vitro effects of the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists abciximab and eptifibatide on platelet aggregation in healthy cats.

Objective: To determine effects of the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists abciximab and eptifibatide on in vitro inhibition of cat platelets.

Sample: Venous blood samples from 10 healthy cats.

Procedures: Blood samples were anticoagulated with hirudin.

In vitro effect of pimobendan on platelet aggregation in dogs.

Objective: To determine whether pimobendan has in vitro antithrombotic properties through inhibition of platelets in canine blood samples.

Animals: 10 healthy adult dogs.

Procedures: Blood samples were collected from each dog into tubes containing hirudin or sodium citrate.

Dose determination of fondaparinux in healthy cats.

Objective: To establish practical doses and administration frequencies of fondaparinux for cats that would approximate human therapeutic peak and trough plasma anti-factor Xa activities for thromboprophylaxis (TP) and thrombosis treatment (TT) protocols.

Animals: 6 healthy adult purpose-bred cats.

Procedures: Dosage protocols for TP and TT were selected on the basis of a single compartment pharmacokinetic model incorporating data from humans but modified to account for the higher body weight-normalized cardiac output of cats.