02238-A: Effect of Platelet Count on Platelet Function Tests in Dogs
Grant Status: Closed
Abstract
Platelets are small blood cells that function to stop excessive bleeding by forming blood clots when injury occurs. Diseases can affect both the number of platelets in the blood stream, as well as how well these platelets work. Both types of disease can cause bleeding which can be life threatening in any dog. Tests that measure platelet function can be affected when the number of platelets is also low. This makes it difficult to assess platelet dysfunction in healthy or sick dogs that also have low platelet counts. The MultiplateTM platelet analyzer measures platelet function. This test is commonly performed in people and there has been a much research into interpreting results from human patients with different diseases, including low platelet counts. Reference intervals exist for healthy dogs but there is no available data on its use in dogs with decreased platelet counts. This study is important because the effect of low platelet counts on the reliability of this platelet function test has not been studied in dogs. This project will result in important information to help veterinary clinicians accurately assess platelet function in dogs with low platelet counts, thus ensuring proper treatment of canine patients.
Publication(s)
Nash, K. J., Bacek, L. M., Christopherson, P. W., & Spangler, E. A. (2017). In vitro effect of blood cell counts on multiple-electrode impedance aggregometry in dogs. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 78(12), 1380–1386. https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.78.12.1380
Help Future Generations of Dogs
Participate in canine health research by providing samples or by enrolling in a clinical trial. Samples are needed from healthy dogs and dogs affected by specific diseases.
