Effect of carprofen on hemostatic variables in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of carprofen on hemostatic variables in clinically normal dogs.


METHODS
12 clinically normal Labrador Retrievers.


METHODS
10 dogs (6 females, 4 males) received carprofen (2.2 mg/kg of body weight, PO, q 12 h) for 5 days. Two dogs (untreated control group; 1 female, 1 male) did not receive carprofen. Hemostatic variables (platelet count, activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time, fibrinogen, platelet aggregation, and bleeding time) were assessed for all dogs prior to treatment, on day 5 of treatment, and 2 and 7 days after discontinuation of the drug (days 7 and 12). Serum biochemical variables and Hct were assessed prior to treatment and on days 5 and 12.


RESULTS
In dogs receiving carprofen, platelet aggregation was significantly decreased, and onset of aggregation was significantly delayed on days 5, 7, and 12, compared with pretreatment values. Activated partial thromboplastin time was significantly increased on days 5, 7, and 12 over pretreatment values in treated dogs, but values remained within reference ranges. Significant differences were not detected in buccal mucosal bleeding time, other serum biochemical and hemostatic variables, or Hct, compared with pretreatment values and the internal control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Administration of carprofen for 5 days causes minor but not clinically important alterations in hemostatic and serum biochemical variables in clinically normal Labrador Retrievers. Carprofen is commonly used to treat osteoarthritis and chronic pain in dogs, but prior to this study, its effect on platelet aggregation and hemostatic variables was unknown.
Hickford
F H
FH
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
Barr
S C
SC
Erb
H N
HN
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D002227:Carbazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004285:Dogs / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism; D006400:Hematocrit / Q000662:veterinary; D006487:Hemostasis / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D010314:Partial Thromboplastin Time / Q000662:veterinary; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects*; D011517:Prothrombin Time / Q000662:veterinary; D011897:Random Allocation; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D002227:Carbazoles; D005340:Fibrinogen; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; C007005:carprofen