Evaluation of kits for the detection of fibrin(ogen) degradation products in dogs

The sensitivities and specificities of 3 commercial serum fibrin(ogen) degr adation product (FDP) kits and 1 plasma FDP kit for the detection of FDPs i n dogs were determined. Blood was collected for measurement of serum and pl asma FDP concentrations from 30 healthy dogs and from 20 dogs that fulfille d clinical and laboratory criteria for disseminated intravascular coagulati on. To determine the effect of hemolysis on FDP results, blood was collecte d simultaneously into Bothrops atrox venom-based and thrombin-based serum c ollection tubes for measurement of FDPs using a single serum FDP kit. The s ensitivity (80-95%) and specificity (90-100%) for a positive or negative FD P result, regardless of concentration, was similar for all kits. Kits yield ed discordant results in individual dogs and FDP concentrations obtained fr om 1 serum FDP kit were consistently higher than those from the other kits. Serum prepared from venom-based collection tubes was significantly more he molyzed than serum prepared from thrombin-based collection tubes or citrate d plasma. Hemolysis did not affect the FDP results. On the basis of these r esults, we conclude that commercial latex agglutination kits for detection of FDPs in serum and plasma samples from human patients are valid for use i n dogs. The plasma FDP assay is a viable alternative to currently used seru m FDP assays and has the advantage of using a single (citrated plasma) samp le for measuring coagulation parameters and FDP concentration.