Blood coagulation of the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus)

Blood was obtained from 10 clinically normal West Indian manatees. Many coagulation screening tests were performed on the blood as well as specific clotting factor assays. All clotting factors were present and their activities compared to those of the dog. The clotting factor activities of the intrinsic system of the manatee are much higher than those of the dog. Factor X activity is about the same as that of the dog. The clotting factor activities of the extrinsic system seems to be less than that of the the dog.