title: Independent and combined effects of prednisone and acetylsalicylic acid on thromboelastography variables in healthy dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the effects of prednisone and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) on results of thromboelastography in healthy dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  16 male mixed-breed dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dogs were randomly assigned to 3 treatment groups (4 dogs/group) that received prednisone (median dose, 2.07 mg/kg), ASA (median dose, 0.51 mg/kg), or both drugs, PO, every 24 hours from days 0 through 6. Another group received no treatment (control dogs; n = 4). Thromboelastography variables (reaction time, clotting time, α-angle, maximum amplitude [MA], global clot strength, coagulation index, and percentage of clot lysis at 60 minutes [CL(60)]) were evaluated in blood samples collected (prior to drug administration in treated dogs) on days 0 (baseline), 2, 4, and 6.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Administration of ASA alone did not alter TEG variables. For treatment effect, mean global clot strength was increased in the prednisone and drug combination groups, compared with values for control dogs; MA was also increased in the prednisone and drug combination groups, compared with that of controls. For treatment-by-time effect, median CL(60) was increased in the prednisone group on day 6, compared with baseline value in the same dogs and with median CL(60) of the control group on day 6. Median CL(60) was also increased in the drug combination group on day 6, compared with the baseline value and with that of the control group on day 6.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prednisone administered at approximately 2 mg/kg/d, PO, for 7 days with or without concurrently administered ASA increased clot strength and decreased clot lysis in healthy dogs.
authors.affiliation: Guardian Veterinary Centre, 5620 99th St NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 1V2, Canada. sarah.flint@guardianvetcentre.com
authors.forename: Sarah K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Flint
authors.forename: Anthony C G
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Abrams-Ogg
authors.forename: Stephen A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Kruth
authors.forename: Alexa M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bersenas
authors.forename: R Darren
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Wood
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000187:drug effects; D004285:Dogs; D004338:Drug Combinations; D008297:Male; D011241:Prednisone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects; D013916:Thrombelastography / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000662:veterinary*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D001241:Aspirin; D011241:Prednisone