Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2026
Assessment of Plasma Coagulation on Liver Tissue in a Large Animal Model In Vivo
Published on: August 4, 2018
Disseminated intravascular coagulation in cats
Michael A Estrin1, Conni E Wehausen, Carl R Jessen
1Division of Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA. estri010@umn.edu
Insights
Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in cats is often fatal, stemming from various diseases like cancer and sepsis. Prolonged prothrombin time (PT) was linked to a higher risk of death in feline DIC cases.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Hematology
- Oncology
Background:
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a complex syndrome with significant morbidity and mortality in veterinary medicine.
- Understanding the clinical profile and risk factors for DIC in cats is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the clinical features of feline DIC.
- To identify associated diseases and hemostatic abnormalities.
- To determine risk factors for mortality and potentially influential treatments.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective evaluation of medical records for cats diagnosed with DIC between 1990 and 2004.
- Inclusion criteria involved an underlying disorder and specific diagnostic findings (postmortem or coagulation profiles).
- Data collected included signalment, history, clinical and clinicopathologic findings, underlying diseases, management, and outcomes.
Main Results:
- Forty-six cats met the DIC criteria, with a median age of 9 years.
- Common underlying conditions included lymphoma, neoplasia, pancreatitis, and sepsis.
- The overall survival rate was low (7%), with 93% of cats dying or being euthanized. Prolonged prothrombin time (PT) was significantly associated with non-survival.
Conclusions:
- Feline DIC is associated with a high mortality rate and can arise from diverse neoplastic, infectious, and inflammatory conditions.
- While many factors were not associated with outcome, prolonged PT emerged as a significant predictor of death.
- Further research may elucidate more specific therapeutic targets for improving survival in cats with DIC.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics of cats with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), including associated diseases and hemostatic abnormalities, and to identify risk factors for death and treatments that potentially altered outcome. Medical records for cats with DIC from 1990-2004 were evaluated retrospectively. Inclusion criteria were the presence of an underlying disorder associated with DIC and either postmortem examination findings of intravascular fibrin deposition or thrombosis, or both of 2 or more organs or coagulation profiles that meet 3 of 5 criteria: prolonged prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), presence of fibrin degradation products (FDP), low plasma fibrinogen (FIB) concentration, and thrombocytopenia (<160,000 platelets/microL). Signalment, historical data, clinical findings, clinicopathologic data, underlying disorders, management, and outcome were recorded. Forty-six cats fulfilled the criteria for DIC. Cats ranged in age from 7 weeks to 17 years (median, 9 years). Hemorrhage was noted in 7 of 46 cats (15%). Three of 46 cats (7%) survived, whereas 43 of 46 (93%) died or were euthanized. The most common underlying disorders were lymphoma, other forms of neoplasia, pancreatitis, and sepsis. There was no association detected between outcome and signalment; underlying disease; hemorrhage; abnormalities in aPTT, FIB, FDPs, platelet count; transfusion of blood products; and heparin therapy. However, the median PT of nonsurvivors was more prolonged than in survivors (P < .005). DIC in cats can result from a variety of neoplastic, infectious, and inflammatory disorders, and is associated with a high case fatality rate.
