Differences between coagulation and cytokine profiles in dogs of different ages

In human medicine, age is a risk factor for thromboembolic diseases associated with hypercoagulable and antifibrinolytic states, but information in veterinary medicine is limited. This study compared the thromboelastometric (TEM) profiles of two groups of dogs of distinct ages. Ten healthy old (>10 years) Beagles and 10 healthy young (<3 years) Beagles were recruited. White blood cell counts and haematocrit were significantly lower in the old group compared to the young group, and fibrinogen, total proteins, globulins and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 plasma concentrations were significantly higher in the old group. Comparisons of the TEM profiles indicated a hypercoagulable profile and a decrease in fibrinolytic activity in all old Beagles. The findings support the need to consider age as a possible risk factor for thrombosis in dogs.