Thromboelastographic evaluation of mini-dose heparin in minor surgical procedures

Five dogs weighing approximately 10 kg were anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium 30 mg/kg intravenously (IV) and an initial sample of blood was drawn by jugular venipuncture for control values of thromboelastography (TEG). Immediately after venipuncture, mini-dose heparin (80 units/kg) was administered subcutaneously. One hour later, 0.5 ml blood was obtained by (A) jugular venipuncture for TEG, and an indwelling catheter immediately introduced into a femoral vein by cut-down. Blood samples for TEG were obtained via cut-down at (B) 15 min (C) 30 min, and (D) 60 min after cut-down. Low-dose heparin had no effect on the hemostatic parameters as measured by TEG and did not prevent the accelerated coagulation associated with surgery.