Plasma coagulation factor abnormalities in dogs with naturally occurring hepatic disease

The plasma values for factors (F)VII, FVIII:C, FVIIIR:Ag, FIX, FX, and FXI and the thrombin clotting time (TCT) were determined for 28 dogs with naturally occurring hepatic disease. The major morphologic type of hepatic disease present in a given dog, as determined by hepatic biopsy and histopathologic examination, was degeneration (12 dogs), inflammation (9 dogs), cirrhosis (3 dogs), or neoplasia (4 dogs). A specific morphologic diagnosis also was made for each dog in the study. Plasma coagulation factor values and screening tests were consistently abnormal in greater than 50% of the dogs with each type of hepatic disease as follows: degeneration--decreased FXI; inflammation--increased FVIIIR:Ag; cirrhosis--shortened TCT, decreased FIX, FX, and FXI, and increased FVIIIR:Ag; and neoplasia--shortened TCT, decreased FVIII:C, and increased FVIIIR:Ag. The plasma coagulation factor values were compared with serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities, fibrinogen-fibrin degradation product (FDP) concentration, and the prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) to determine the sensitivity and specificity of each test in detection of hepatic disease. Of all dogs with hepatic disease, 93% had at least 1 abnormal coagulation test value. The PT and APTT were abnormal in 50% and 75%, respectively, of these same dogs. Increased serum ALT and ALP activities were present in 61% and 50%, respectively, and FDP concentrations were increased in 14% of dogs with hepatic disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)