Podcasts

What does a shortened PT/PTT mean in dogs? Hypercoagulability in dogs with Dr. Jennifer Song | VETgirl Veterinary Continuing Education Podcasts

In today’s VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we interview Dr. Jennifer Song, who recently finished her surgical residency at the Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center. Dr. Song, a board-eligible veterinary surgeon, discusses a retrospective study that she performed while at PennVet entitled “Retrospective evaluation of shortened prothrombin time or activated partial thromboplastin time for the diagnosis of hypercoagulability in dogs: 25 cases (2006-2011)” in the Journal of Veterinary Emergency Critical Care. Previously, we didn’t pay much heed to a shortened PT/PTT; we generally only looked at prolongation as an indicator of hypocoagulability (the inability to clot). However, in recent human studies, there may be some evidence that a shortened PT/PTT is suggestive of hypercoagulability! While thromboelastography (TEG) is traditionally looked at – along with increased fibrin (or fibrinogen) and D-dimers – to evaluate hypercoagulability, Song et al’s new evidence may prove otherwise. So, start paying attention to your shorter PT/PTT readings after all!

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