What does a shortened PT/PTT mean in dogs? Hypercoagulability in dogs with Dr. Jennifer Song

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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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