Talking about diffuse intravascular coagulation (DIC)
In most cases, DIC is caused by the occurrence of other diseases, and the conditions that can cause DIC can include:
· Pancreatitis
· Gastric dilatation and torsion (GDV)
· Cancer, especially angiosarcoma
· Liver disease
· Kidney disease
· Heart disease
· Overwhelming infection (sepsis)
· Trauma, especially burns and crush injuries
· Blood transfusion reaction
· rattlesnake bites
· Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia
· Heart filariasis
How does DIC develop on dogs?
To understand how DIC develops, it is first necessary to understand how the coagulation system works.
In normal animals, there are always tiny gaps in small blood vessels. The coagulation system in the body uses various proteins in the blood (called "coagulation factors") to produce a substance called "fibrin" that closes the gap in the blood vessels. Platelets are very small, special cells that circulate in the blood and they also help to "block" the gap. Once the blood vessels have healed, the blood clots are broken down by the body.
In DIC, blood clotting systems are activated and begin to form blood clots in small blood vessels throughout the body due to damage from blood vessels and other causes, which can lead to impaired tissue blood flow and ultimately multiple organ damage. In addition, since the coagulation process consumes coagulation factors and platelets, normal coagulation is destroyed and severe bleeding may occur from various sites.
What are the symptoms of DIC?
DIC signs may include: nosebleeds, blood stasis, urine, blood in stool or vomit, small red spots on the skin, internal bleeding, pale mucous membranes (eg gums), lethargy, weakness, increased heart rate, breathing The frequency increases and so on.
How is DIC diagnosed?
There are currently no clinically specific tests to specifically identify DIC. Rather, it is based on medical history and physical examination results as well as certain laboratory abnormalities associated with coagulation. Testing may include:
Complete blood count
Platelet assessment
The coagulation test is called prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and fibrinogen (FIB)
Detection of clot decomposition products ("fibrin degradation products" or "D-dimers")
Hematocrit (PCV) or hematocrit (HCT)
How is DIC treated?
The main goals of DIC treatment include:
Find the primary disease, symptomatic treatment;
Through supportive therapy, if necessary, blood transfusion to restore enough blood to support the basic operation of the body and reduce damage to organs;
Reversing bleeding by replacing already used clotting factors and platelets;
Regular monitoring to assess the success of treatment;
The use of heparin for the treatment of DIC remains controversial.
Prognosis of DIC dogs
DIC is a very serious disease, and the prognosis of canine DIC is good, which is related to the severity of DIC and its underlying causes. The rapid and successful treatment of primary disease is the key to the success of DIC.
