Canine parvoviral (CPV) enteritis is associated with severe inflammation and the possible development of sepsis. Inflammation and sepsis are associated with activation of systemic haemostasis with subsequent hypercoagulability, previously described in 9 dogs with CPV enteritis. The effect of crystalloid fluid resuscitation on haemostasis in dogs with CPV has to date not been investigated.

The aims of the study were to; a) confirm a hypercoagulable state in dogs with CPV enteritis at admission, compared to healthy control dogs; b) assess the change in haemostatic status after treatment with crystalloid resuscitation fluids in dogs with CPV enteritis; and c) determine if haemostatic changes before and after fluid resuscitation are correlated to inflammatory markers and specific coagulation variables.

This prospective study included 27 client-owned dogs with naturally occurring CPV enteritis and 15 healthy control dogs. Blood samples were collected in all the dogs at admission, as well as immediately after fluid resuscitation in the CPV group. The volume of resuscitation fluid for each case was recorded. Thromboelastography (TEG), antithrombin (AT) activity, fibrinogen concentration, haematocrit (HCT), and platelet count were measured.

For the TEG variables, the median maximum amplitude (MA) was significantly increased (p<0.001), reaction time (R) and clotting time (K) significantly longer (p<0.05), and the angle significantly smaller (p<0.05) in the CPV group compared to the controls. Fibrinogen was significantly increased in the CPV group compared to the controls (p<0.001). There was a significant increase in MA, angle and platelet count and a significant decrease in R, K, HCT, and AT after fluid resuscitation (p<0.05 for all). MA was moderately correlated to the platelet count at admission (r_s=0.464, p<0.05), as well as after fluid resuscitation (r_s=0.448, p<0.05) in the CPV group. R was moderately correlated with AT activity at admission (r_s=­0.405, p<0.05). The decrease in HCT after fluid resuscitation correlated moderately (r_s=0.431, p<0.05) with the volume of fluid administered. The decrease in AT activity correlated strongly with the volume of fluid administered (r_s=0.754, p<0.001).

In conclusion, based on MA, CPV enteritis is associated with a hypercoagulable state at admission, compared to healthy control dogs, that is exacerbated after crystalloid fluid resuscitation.

Disclosures

No disclosures to report.