Trauma is a major reason for admission to small animal veterinary hospitals, and can lead to acute traumatic coagulopathy (ATC) which increases the risk of mortality and need for large blood transfusions. ATC is identified by assessing platelet function and fibrinolysis, and if diagnosed can help guide therapeutic interventions and potentially improve clinical outcomes.
A BSAVA PetSavers-funded study at the RVC investigated platelet function and fibrinolysis using multiple electrical impedance aggregometry and a modified thromboelastographic technique, respectively, in 20 dogs that had sustained a traumatic injury in the preceding 24 hours. A control group of 10 healthy dogs was included.
In contrast to studies in humans, there were no significant differences in coagulation variables between the trauma and control groups, nor was the severity of shock in dogs with trauma correlated with platelet function or fibrinolysis. However, a moderate negative correlation was detected between the Animal Trauma Triage score (which assesses the extent of traumatic injury) and area under the curve for ADP, which may suggest decreased platelet function with increased injury severity.
This paper was published open access in the December 2023 issue of the Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care and can be read here.