title: Hypercoagulability in dogs with protein-losing nephropathy as assessed by thromboelastography.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dogs with protein-losing nephropathy (PLN) are at risk of thromboembolic disease, but the mechanism leading to hypercoagulability and the population of dogs at risk are unknown.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To characterize thromboelastography (TEG) and its association with serum albumin (SALB), UPC, and antithrombin activity in dogs with PLN.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-eight client-owned dogs with PLN (urine protein:creatinine ratio [UPC] > 2.0) and 8 control dogs were prospectively enrolled in this observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  TEG parameters, antithrombin activity, serum biochemical profiles, and UPC were measured. TEG analyses were run in duplicate with kaolin activation; reaction time (R), clot formation time (K), α-angle (α), maximal amplitude (MA), and global clot strength (G) were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dogs with PLN had lower K (P = .004), and higher α (P = .001), MA (P < .001), and G (P < .001) values than controls. No significant correlation between TEG parameters and UPC, SALB, or antithrombin was noted. Twelve PLN dogs (42.8%) were azotemic and 19 (67.8%) were hypoalbuminemic (SALB < 3.0 g/dL); 11 had SALB < 2.5 g/dL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate that dogs with PLN have TEG values that demonstrate hypercoagulability compared with a control population but that antithrombin, SALB, or UPC cannot be used in isolation to predict this result. A comprehensive evaluation of the coagulation system in individual patients may be necessary to predict the point at which anti-thrombotic therapy is indicated.
authors.affiliation: North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA.
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Lennon
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Hanel
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Vaden
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D013916:Thrombelastography / Q000662:veterinary*