title: Clinical and laboratory diagnosis of bleeding disorders.
abstract: The diagnosis of hemostatic abnormalities requires a detailed clinical and laboratory evaluation of the patient. The clinical assessment includes a detailed history and a thorough physical examination. The patient's history may provide clues as to the time of onset of the bleeding tendency, the clinical severity of the abnormality, and the possible contributing role of other disease processes or of drugs. The nature of the bleeding symptoms may provide clues as to the nature of the hemostatic defect. Hemostatic screening tests are invaluable in helping to differentiate between platelet, vascular, coagulation, and fibrinolytic abnormalities. Specific tests, including specific factor assays, platelet aggregometry, and antiplatelet antibody assays are usually required to characterize the exact nature and severity of hemostatic defects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, Guelph, Canada.
authors.forename: I B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Johnstone
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D001780:Blood Coagulation Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000662:veterinary; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002415:Cats; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004285:Dogs; D006487:Hemostasis; D008487:Medical History Taking / Q000662:veterinary; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000662:veterinary; D010976:Platelet Count / Q000662:veterinary; D010979:Platelet Function Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D011786:Quality Control