BackgroundViscoelastic analysis provides information on the dynamics and strength of clot formation as well as clot stability. A novel point‐of‐care viscoelastic test (Viscoelastic Coagulation Monitor Vet, VCM Vet) could be more cost‐effective, simpler to use, and more portable than thromboelastography (TEG).ObjectivesThe primary aim of this study was to establish a feline reference interval (RI) for the VCM Vet. A secondary aim was to compare VCM Vet analysis with TEG in healthy cats.MethodsFifty‐six healthy cats were enrolled in this study. Linear regression was completed to determine whether age and CBC parameters were associated with the VCM Vet parameters and if TEG parameters were correlated with VCM Vet data. Statistical significance was set at P < .05.ResultsFifty‐three VCM Vet tracings were used to determine RIs for healthy cats. The determined RIs were: clot time (CT) 104‐438 seconds; clot formation time (CFT) 104.5‐488 seconds; alpha angle (AA) 30.5°‐70°; a10 13.8‐32.7 VCM units; a20 19.2‐40.1 VCM units; maximum clot formation (MCF) 22.5‐44.8 VCM units; Lysis Index 30 (Li30) 92.9%‐100.9%; and Lysis Index 45 (Li45) 92%‐100%. Linear regression identified a strong positive correlation between the CT and R‐time measured using the VCM Vet and TEG methods, respectively; no other parameters were correlated.ConclusionsThe use of VCM Vet is feasible in cats, and we determined the first described feline RIs for this test. In general, the VCM Vet data did not correlate with TEG in healthy cats.

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate a novel flow cytometry-based assay of quantifying platelet phosphorylation of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (P-VASP) in cats that received clopidogrel treatment. Eight healthy cats received 18.75 mg PO q24h of clopidogrel for 7 days. Prior to and after clopidogrel treatment, blood was collected for ADP-induced light transmission aggregometry (LTA) and P-VASP measurement by flow cytometry. Flow cytometry measurement of P-VASP levels was used to derive platelet reactivity index (PRI) before and after clopidogrel treatment. Based on P-VASP and LTA findings, platelet response to ADP was significantly attenuated after 7 days of clopidogrel treatment. By eliciting the competing platelet pathways of P2Y 12 and cAMP using ADP and PGE 1 , respectively, ADP had no effect on P-VASP levels following clopidogrel treatment (p = 0.94). Clopidogrel also significantly decreased PRI from 28.84 ± 28.52% to 1.69 ± 12.39% (p = 0.0078). PRI on day 8 correlated moderately with the degree of slope inhibition on LTA (r = −0.4, p = 0.4). Flow cytometry analysis of P-VASP is effective at monitoring the inhibitory effects of clopidogrel on feline platelets.

A six-month-old neutered male German shepherd dog/husky cross was presented for investigation of a progressive dyspnoea and regurgitation. A circumferential cervical wound had been identified and closed following debridement by the primary care veterinarian when the dog was three months old. There was an extraluminal tracheal compression on radiographs. Surgical exploration revealed a plastic band tied and embedded in the dorsal musculature of the neck. The band had been increasingly constricting the trachea and the oesophagus ventrally as the animal grew. Segmental tracheal resection and anastomosis and removal of the band and associated scar tissue resulted in sustained resolution of clinical signs.