Twenty-two cats with liver disease were evaluated for coagulation abnormalities including alterations in prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time, factor VII activity, and platelet count. The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of coagulation abnormalities in this population of cats, classify abnormalities according to underlying pathogenesis, and determine if serum biochemical parameters typically used as indication of liver disease showed any correlation with the coagulation abnormalities present. Study results indicated that at least 1 coagulation abnormality was present in 82% of the cats. Prolongation of prothrombin time was most common (16/22 cats) and factor VII activity was below reference range (<60%) in 15 cats. When classified according to underlying pathogenesis, vitamin K deficiency was the most common abnormality found (1 1/22). Other abnormalities were less common and included hepatic synthetic failure (3/22), indeterminate (3/22), and disseminated intravascular coagulation ( 1/22). Increase in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was the only biochemical abnormality that showed statistically significant correlation with coagulation abnormalities ( P = ,023). Cats with marked increases in ALP activity were more likely to have coagulation abnormalities than those with only mild increases in ALP activity.Key words: Coagulopathy; Disseminated intravascular coagulation; Hepatic synthetic failure; Vitamin K deficiency.emostasis is a complex process in which the liver H plays a central role; consequently, liver disease is a common cause of hemostatic abnormalities in several species including humans' and dogs.' These abnormalities are attributed to impaired factor synthesis, synthesis of structurally abnormal factors, increased consumption of coagulation factors, impaired hepatic clearance, and abnormalities of fibrinolysis.z,3 Although hemostatic abnormalities infrequently cause overt bleeding tendencies in humans and domestic animals with liver disease, prolongation of coagulation times including prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) have been reported in as many as 85% of humans and 66% of dog^.^-^ A more recent study in dogs with liver disease indicated that 93% had at least 1 coagulation test abnormality.' In a retrospective study of cats with hepatic lipidosis, 45% had an abnormal coagulation profile.' The limited information about coagulation abnormalities in cats with liver disease prompted us to evaluate cats with hepatopathies examined at the Animal Medical Center (New York, NY). The purpose of the study was 3-fold: to determine the prevalence of alterations of coagulation times including PT, APTT, and thrombin time (TT) in cats with liver disease and to determine coagulation factor VII activity in these cats; to attempt to classify the coagulation abnormalities according to the underlying pathogenesis (eg, hepatic synthetic failure, vitamin K deficiency, or disseminated intra- Materials and MethodsAll cats with ev...

Background: Ultrasonographically detected gallbladder wall edema (GBWE) is a marker for anaphylaxis in dogs. Cardiac disease can cause GBWE with similar signs and should be included as a differential diagnosis to prevent interpretation errors.Hypothesis/Objectives: Document GBWE associated with cardiac disease.Animals: Fourteen client-owned animals.Methods: Prospective case series with abdominal focused assessment with abdominal sonography in trauma, triage and tracking (AFAST), and thoracic focused assessment with abdominal sonography in trauma, triage, and tracking (TFAST) performed at triage. Animals with GBWE and cardiac disease were enrolled. A board-certified radiologist reviewed images to confirm cardiac disease, GBWE, and characterize the caudal vena cava (CVC) and hepatic veins.Results: Thirteen dogs and 1 cat had GBWE associated with cardiac disease. Gallbladder findings included mural thickness ranging from 3 to 5 mm, mild to moderate sludge (n = 3), and mild to moderate luminal distension (n = 6). CVC and hepatic venous distension were found in 5/6. Cardiac diagnoses in dogs included 11 with pericardial effusion (PCE) and 1 each with dilated cardiomyopathy and right-sided myocardial failure. Severity of PCE was rated as mild (n = 1), moderate (n = 6), or severe (n = 4). Seven of 11 had pericardiocentesis performed. Nine of 13 had ascites with 4 having abdominal fluid scores of 1 (n = 2), 2 (n = 2), 3 (n = 1), and 4 (n = 0). Lung ultrasound findings were as follows: dry lung (n = 6), B-lines (n = 4), and nodules (n = 1). The cat had moderate PCE, ascites scored as 1, and severe rightsided ventricular enlargement associated with a ventricular septal defect. Primary presenting complaints included acute weakness (n = 9), acute collapse (n = 5), gastrointestinal signs (n = 3), respiratory distress (n = 2), and need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (n = 1).

Objective To describe the finding of the lung ultrasound (LUS) “wedge sign” in dogs with presumptive pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). Case Series Summary This case series describes 2 dogs with predisposing risk factors of (1) right transvenous pacemaker terminating in its right ventricle, severe protein‐losing nephropathy, and glucocorticoid therapy, and (2) caval syndrome, each having the LUS “wedge sign” in upper lung regions, a sign consistent with pulmonary infarction and peripheral PTE. New or Unique Information Provided Historically, the diagnosis of canine PTE has been made through supportive findings because the gold standard test, computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA), poses limitations. The use of LUS has shown promise in people for detecting PTE, with the advantages of availability, being radiation‐ and contrast medium‐sparing, rapid (<90 s), point‐of‐care, real‐time information. Our cases suggest a possible new first‐line approach for suspecting canine PTE by using LUS and the finding of the “wedge sign” in nongravity‐dependent caudodorsal and perihilar lung regions.

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