title: In vitro evaluation of the effect of hypothermia on coagulation in dogs via thromboelastography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of temperature alterations on in vitro coagulation in healthy dogs using thromboelastography (TEG).
  
  
  METHODS
  In vitro study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University teaching hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six healthy purpose-bred laboratory dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thromboelastograph tracings were created daily for all test subjects and used to generate control values for R, K, α, and MA. Control values were compared to test samples incubated at 42, 39, 36, 33, 30, and 27°C. At temperatures ≤ 30°C, a significant increase in K values and a significant decrease in the α values were noted. There were no significant differences detected for R and MA among any of the test temperatures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hypothermia results in in vitro coagulation changes in healthy dogs as determined by whole blood analysis using TEG. The data suggest that while clots may form more slowly at decreased temperatures, the ultimate strength of the clot appears unaffected.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA. rtaggart@purdue.edu
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Taggart
authors.forename: Brenda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Austin
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hans
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hogan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000502:physiology*; D001780:Blood Coagulation Tests / Q000662:veterinary*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D013916:Thrombelastography / Q000662:veterinary*