Objective

To measure and compare viscoelastic coagulation in 2 canine blood donor populations using a novel, point-of-care device (VCM Vet Analyzer, VCM).

Design

Cohort study.

Setting

Academic and commercial veterinary blood banks.

Animals

Non-Greyhounds from community-based blood donor program and Greyhounds from a blood bank colony.

Intervention

Blood was collected from all dogs via direct venipuncture for a complete hemogram, biochemistry, and point-of-care viscoelastic coagulation.

Measurement and main results

All biochemical measurements for all dogs in Group NG (n = 38, non-Greyhounds) and Group G (n = 53, Greyhounds) were within local reference intervals. Hematology data showed significant statistical differences between groups in hemoglobin, RBC, platelet, and WBC concentrations. Group G demonstrated lower maximum clot firmness (MCF) with 17 VCM units (26 VCM units in Group NG), increased lysis with 30 VCM units at 30 minutes (LI30) and 27 VCM units at 45 minutes (LI45) (86 VCM units LI30 and 85 VCM units LI45 in Group NG), and decreased amplitude of 13 VCM units 10 minutes (A10) after clot time (CT) and 6 VCM units 20 minutes after CT (A20) (18 VCM units [A10] and 22 VCM units [A20] in Group NG).

Conclusion

This study found differences between healthy Greyhound and non-Greyhound blood donors in measures of clot strength and fibrinolysis as measured by the VCM. Whereas Greyhound have unique hematologic and hemostatic profiles, these measured viscoelastic differences are important to note prior to and following surgical intervention to aid in clinical decision-making if bleeding complications develop.