HEMATOLOGIC, HEMOSTATIC, AND BIOCHEMICAL EFFECTS IN DOGS RECEIVING ANORAL CHONDROPROTECTIVE AGENT FOR 30 DAYS

Objective-To evaluate the effect of a chondroprotective agent on hemat ologic, hemostatic, and biochemical variables in clinically normal dog s when administered over 30 days. Animals-13 clinically normal Beagles of either sex. Procedure-Hematologic and hemostatic variables were as sessed prior to treatment and on days 3, 14, and 30 of treatment. Bioc hemical variables were assessed before treatment and on day 30 of trea tment. Results-Significant (P < 0.05) decreases were noted in hematocr it, hemoglobin, WBC, and segmented neutrophil variables on days 3 and 14 of treatment. A significant decrease in red distribution width was noted on days 3 and 30, in RBC count on day 3, and in lymphocyte numbe rs on day 30. There were also significant reductions of aggregation in response to adenosine diphosphate and collagen on days 14 and 30. Sig nificant decreases were noted in total ATP release in response to coll agen on days 14 and 30, as well as significant decrease in platelet co unt on days 14 and 30. No changes were noted in prothrombin time, acti vated partial thromboplastin time, mucosal bleeding time, or biochemic al variables during the study. Conclusions-Administration of this chon droprotective agent causes minor but not clinically important changes in hematologic and hemostatic variables in young, clinically normal do gs. Clinical Relevance-Oral chondroprotective agents are widely prescr ibed in veterinary medicine for the treatment of degenerative joint di sease; however, to date, little is known about safety of their use.