[Hemostatic disorders as a complication of autoimmune hemolytic anemia in dogs]

In eleven of 15 investigated dogs suffering from autoimmune haemolytic anaemia an increased concentration of soluble fibrin (p < 0.001) and in all of these 15 dogs an increased concentration of fibrin(ogen) degradation products was observed. The increased turnover indicated by these markers of intravascular coagulation and hyperfibrinolysis was decompensated in approximately the half of the patients which was shown by a decrease of platelet count, activity of different coagulation factors as well as of the inhibitor antithrombin III. The consumption induced decrease of activity was especially related to prekallikrein and high molecular weight kininogen reflecting an activation mainly of the initial intrinsic system by the haemolytic anaemia and was also indicated by the activated partial thromboplastin time which was distinctly prolonged in some cases. The results of this study demonstrate the necessity of an anticoagulant therapy in dogs suffering from autoimmune haemolytic anaemia.