Blood coagulation studies in domestic pigs (Hanover breed) and minipigs (Goettingen breed)

Blood coagulation studies were performed on 60 Hanover domestic pigs ready for slaughter and a total of 84 Goettingen minipigs. A tendency to hypercoagulability was found in these pigs, expressed in a shortened PTT, r- and k-time in the thromboelastogram and a slightly reduced plasminogen and plasmin level. Many values were similar to those of man. Thrombin time was longer. This may be due more to enhanced formation of fibrin degradation products (anti-thrombin VI) than to greater amounts of endogenous heparin being released. The longer reptilase and thrombin coagulase times support this. The thrombocyte count differed only slightly. The findings suggest that the Goettingen minipigs and Hanover domestic pig are suitable animals for comparative blood coagulation studies.