Alterations in some blood coagulation parameters in naturally occurring cases of canine babesiosis

Rafaj, Renata and Matijatko, Vesna and Kiš, Ivana and Kučer, Nada and Živičnjak, Tatjana and Lemo, Niksa and Žvorc, Zdravko and Brkljačić, Mirna and Mrljak, Vladimir (2009) Alterations in some blood coagulation parameters in naturally occurring cases of canine babesiosis. Acta Veterinaria Hungarica, 57 (2). pp. 295-304. ISSN 0236-6290

Text avet.57.2009.2.10.pdf Restricted to Repository staff only until 30 June 2029. Download (240kB)

Abstract

Changes in coagulation parameters were studied in dogs naturally infected with Babesia canis canis (n = 30), and haemostasis was evaluated and compared to values obtained from healthy dogs (n = 29). To date, there have not been any studies examining the dynamics of thrombin-antithrombin complex formation in cases of canine babesiosis. Coagulation parameters evaluated before (day 0) and on days 1, 2, and 3 after treatment with imidocarb (6 mg/kg inj. s.c.) included the determination of platelet counts, the formation of thrombin-antithrombin complexes (TAT), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and antithrombin III (AT III) activity. TAT complexes were significantly elevated in animals with babesiosis on days 0 and 2 (mean 49.7 and 87.7 μg/L vs. control, 7.2 μg/L). AT III activity was significantly decreased at all time-points examined. There were no differences in PT. On days 2 and 3 the APTT was significantly shortened in the infected dogs when compared to control animals (means of 21.3 and 19.2 s vs. control, 30.0 s). Our analysis demonstrated that infected dogs had significant thrombocytopenia during the course of the study (mean day 0 − 29 × 109/L, day 1 − 48 × 109 /L, day 2 − 47 × 109/L and day 3 − 87 × 109/L, vs. control −259 × 109/L). These data suggest that babesiosis in dogs compromise primary and secondary haemostasis and that induction of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) occurs in canine babesiosis.

Actions (login required)

Edit Item