Grant Amount: $33,002

Dr. Cynthia M. Otto, DVM PhD, University of Pennsylvania

May 22, 2002 - June 30, 2004

Sponsor(s): Collie Health Foundation, Flat-Coated Retriever Foundation, Versatility in Poodles, Inc.

Breed(s): -All Dogs

Disease(s): Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia

Abstract

The formation of excessive blood clots (thrombosis) is a major cause of mortality in a variety of diseases that affect purebred and mixed breed dogs. Two very common conditions are immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA; a disease in which the dog�s immune system destroys its own red blood cells) and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC; a syndrome in which inflammation initiates systemic coagulation, with subsequent depletion of clotting factors and inhibitors and the ultimate development of bleeding). Once thromboses form, specialized or invasive procedures must be used to confirm their presence and define the extent of organ involvement. Even with definitive diagnosis, treatment is limited. This study is designed to test the ability of a specialized clotting test, thromboelastography, to identify increased coagulation (hypercoagulability) in dogs with IMHA, and early DIC associated with a primary diagnosis of pancreatitis. Through our studies of the mechanisms of hypercoagulability in IMHA and DIC, we can design specific treatment strategies for the prevention of the devastating syndromes of thromboembolic (inappropriate formation and migration of clots) disease in IHMA and DIC. The ability to diagnose animals at risk for the complications of hypercoagulable states is revolutionary and will change critical care practice and treatment of these potentially fatal syndromes.