Platelet function in dogs treated for lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma and supplemented with dietary n-3 fatty acids

A prospective randomized, double-blind clinical trial was performed to test the hypothesis that dogs with malignancies that are supplemented with n-3 fatty acids do not have clinical or laboratory evidence of coagulation diso rders or altered platelet function when compared with unsupplemented dogs w ith similar malignancies. Thirteen dogs with hemangiosarcoma and 66 dogs wi th lymphoma were evaluated. Coagulation status of the dogs with lymphoma an d hemangiosarcoma was evaluated with prothombin time, partial thromboplasti n time, platelet count, and in vitro platelet aggregometry using the whole- blood method. These tests were performed at 5 time points: before beginning the diet (week 0), at weeks 3, 15, and 21, and at 1 year or when progressi ve disease was evident. Alterations in platelet function in dogs receiving a diet supplemented with dietary,n-3 fatty acids were not identified when c ompared to dogs fed a control diet. Dietary n-3 fatty acid supplementation using this dosage and ratio in dogs with lymphoma or hemangiosarcoma did no t induce clinically significant hemorrhage in these animals. Therefore, sup plementation with n-3 fatty acids did not result in clinical or laboratory evidence relating to uncontrolled hemorrhage in these dogs.