A REVIEW OF HEMOSTATIC ABNORMALITIES IN DOGS AND CATS

Abnormalities of hemostasis can occur either as primary inherited cond itions or more commonly as acquired disorders. The disorders can prese nt as decreased function leading to hemorrhage or increased function l eading to thrombosis. A common sequela to many different diseases is d isseminated intravascular coagulation, a syndrome where both hypercoag ulability and bleeding tendencies coexist. Assessment of a patient's h emostatic system is vital for proper identification and management of hemostatic abnormalities which can significantly affect the survival o f the small animal patient. Easily performed in-hospital tests include bleeding time, platelet count, platelet morphology, and activated coa gulation time. Treatment of hemostatic abnormalities varies depending on the etiology of the disorder.