Results indicated ATT and MGCS scores were useful for prediction of outcome for dogs evaluated because of trauma. Penetrating trauma, low blood lactate concentration, and performance of surgical procedures were predictive of survival to hospital discharge. The methods enabled collection of data for a large number of dogs in a short time.

In dogs with severe traumatic injuries and hypoperfusion, measurement of thromboelastography and aPTT should be considered to support clinical assessments in predicting the need for blood product administration and nonsurvival.

Administration of larger doses of other non-packed RBC blood products was a risk factor for transfusion-associated complications, and a higher pretransfusion PCV and larger dose of packed RBCs administered were risk factors for nonsurvival. Prospective randomized studies are needed to determine whether conservative transfusion strategies will reduce transfusion-associated complications and improve outcome in dogs.

Objective To systematically examine evidence surrounding definitions and reporting of data for viscoelastic testing in veterinary medicine. Design Standardized, systematic evaluation of the literature, categorization of relevant articles according to level of evidence and quality, and development of consensus on conclusions for application of the concepts to clinical practice. Setting Academic and referral veterinary medical centers. Results Databases searched included Medline, CAB abstracts, and Google Scholar. Conclusions All 4 standard thromboelastography (TEG) and rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) variables should be universally reported, and the reporting of shear elastic modulus in addition to maximum amplitude (MA) is encouraged. There is insufficient evidence to support universal usage of the coagulation index at this time. The K value and clot formation time are the most variable of the 4 parameters, with alpha angle, MA, and maximum clot firmness generally the least variable. Individual studies should report sufficient data on patients and institutional controls to enable definitions of hypo‐ and hypercoagulability to be evaluated post‐hoc, and it is recommended that all studies specifically report how these conditions were defined. In reporting data relating to fibrinolysis, the TEG variables LY30, LY60, CL30, CL60, and the ROTEM variables LI30, LI60, ML, LOT, and LT should be documented. Studies should report sufficient data on patients and controls to enable definitions of hyper‐ and hypofibrinolysis to be evaluated post‐hoc, and we suggest that standard TEG/ROTEM assays may be unable to detect hypofibrinolysis in companion animals. We recommend that every center establish reference intervals, which are specific to either TEG or ROTEM. These reference intervals should be established using veterinary clinical pathology guidelines, standardized protocols, and a minimum of 40 healthy animals. There are currently insufficient data in companion animals to suggest a utility for Vcurve variables beyond that of standard TEG variables.

Dogs that did not survive following head trauma were more likely to have poor perfusion, severe concurrent injuries reflected by increased ATT scores, severe traumatic brain injury as evidenced by decreased MGCS or increased mentation scores, or requirement for HS administration or endotracheal intubation.

BackgroundSynthetic colloids are often used during fluid resuscitation and affect coagulation.ObjectiveTo compare the effects of an isotonic crystalloid and synthetic colloid on coagulation in healthy dogs and dogs with systemic inflammation.AnimalsSixteen adult purpose‐bred Beagles.MethodsRandomized, placebo‐controlled, blinded study. Dogs were randomized into one of two groups receiving fluid resuscitation with either 40 mL/kg IV 0.9% NaCl or tetrastarch after administration of lipopolysaccharide or an equal volume of placebo. After a 14‐day washout period, the study was repeated such that dogs received the opposite treatment (LPS or placebo) but the same resuscitation fluid. Blood samples were collected at 0, 1, 2, 4, and 24 hours for measurement of coagulation variables.ResultsAdministration of either fluid to healthy dogs and dogs with systemic inflammation resulted in similar increases in prothrombin time and activated clotting time. In comparison to saline administration, tetrastarch administration resulted in significantly decreased R (P = .017) in healthy dogs, as well as significantly increased activated partial thromboplastin time (P ≤ .016), CL30% (P ≤ .016), and K (P < .001) and significantly decreased platelet count (P = .019), α (P ≤ .001), MA (P < .001), and von Willebrand factor antigen (P < .001) and collagen binding activity (P ≤ .003) in both healthy dogs and dogs with systemic inflammation.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceTetrastarch bolus administration to dogs with systemic inflammation resulted in a transient hypocoagulability characterized by a prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time, decreased clot formation speed and clot strength, and acquired type 1 von Willebrand disease.

Although some transfusion practices including the method and length of storage of blood products, use and screening of blood donors, and administration methods varied between VTH and PRH, most transfusion practices were similar. The information reported from this survey could aid the development of future veterinary transfusion consensus statements.

BackgroundSerum N‐terminal pro‐C‐natriuretic peptide (NT‐proCNP) concentration at hospital admission has sufficient sensitivity and specificity to differentiate naturally occurring sepsis from nonseptic systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). However, little is known about serum NT‐proCNP concentrations in dogs during the course of sepsis.ObjectiveTo determine serum NT‐proCNP and cytokine kinetics in dogs with endotoxemia, a model of canine sepsis.SamplesEighty canine serum samples.MethodsEight healthy adult Beagles were randomized to receive Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 5 μg/kg) or placebo (0.9% NaCl) as a single IV dose in a randomized crossover study. Serum collected at 0, 1, 2, 4, and 24 hours was stored at −80°C for batch analysis. Serum NT‐proCNP was measured by ELISA and 13 cytokines and chemokines by multiplex magnetic bead‐based assay.ResultsSerum NT‐proCNP concentrations did not differ significantly between LPS‐ and placebo‐treated dogs at any time. When comparing serum cytokine concentrations, LPS‐treated dogs had higher interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), IL‐10, TNF‐α and KC‐like at 1, 2, and 4 hours; higher CCL2 at 1, 2, 4, and 24 hours; and higher IL‐8 and CXCL10 at 4 hours compared to placebo‐treated dogs. There were no differences in serum GM‐CSF, IFN‐γ, IL‐2, IL‐7, IL‐15 or IL‐18 between LPS‐ and placebo‐treated dogs.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceSerum NT‐proCNP concentration does not change significantly in response to LPS administration in healthy dogs. Certain serum cytokine and chemokine concentrations are significantly increased within 1–4 hours after LPS administration and warrant further investigation as tools for the detection and management of sepsis in dogs.