Coagulation status, fibrinolysis, and platelet dynamics in dogs with chronic inflammatory enteropathy

Abstract Background Coagulation status is poorly understood in dogs with chronic inflammatory enteropathy (CIE). Fibrinolytic activity and platelet dynamics have not been evaluated in CIE dogs. Objectives To assess coagulation status and fibrinolysis in normoalbuminemic CIE dogs (CIE‐N) and CIE dogs with protein‐losing enteropathy (CIE‐PLE) compared to healthy controls (HC). To evaluate thromboelastography (TEG) variable differences between groups and for correlations with clinicopathologic data. To report platelet dynamics in CIE dogs. Animals Twenty‐five client‐owned dogs with CIE (n = 16 CIE‐N; n = 9 CIE‐PLE); 14 HC beagle dogs. Methods All dogs had tissue factor + tissue plasminogen activator TEG. Nine of 25 CIE dogs had whole blood impedance platelet aggregometry. The TEG variables and coagulation data were compared between all CIE vs HC dogs, CIE‐N dogs vs HC, and CIE‐PLE dogs vs HC. Clinicopathologic and coagulation data were available for CIE dogs and assessed for correlation to TEG variables. Results Dogs with CIE had higher maximum amplitude (MA; P < .001), longer clot lysis times (CLTs; P < .001), lower % lysis after 30 minutes (LY30; P < .001), and % lysis after 60 minutes (LY60; P < .001) compared to HC, suggesting hypercoagulability and hypofibrinolysis. When separated out, both CIE‐N and CIE‐PLE dogs had higher MA, longer CLT, and lower LY30 and LY60 compared to HC. Serum albumin and 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) concentrations, and plasma antithrombin and fibrinogen concentrations moderately correlated with MA. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Normoalbuminemic and hypoalbuminemic CIE dogs were considered hypercoagulable based on TEG compared to HC. Some CIE dogs displayed hypofibrinolytic phenotypes on TEG.