There are also "bleeders" among animals: animals with blood clotting disorders. These are either congenital or caused by another underlying disease. They are rare in animals, but can quickly become life-threatening in the event of major injuries.
To limit blood loss in the event of an injury, thrombi (=blood clots) form in the blood vessels. The interaction between factors that promote and inhibit coagulation is important here. Neither severe bleeding nor excessive clotting should occur. Both would quickly become life-threatening.
When a blood vessel is injured, it first contracts. The resulting slowdown in blood flow activates the adhesion of thrombocytes (=blood platelets). A thin covering forms over the wound. More thrombocytes adhere to this covering. Together with fibrinogen (=a protein soluble in blood, precursor of fibrin) they form a network. This creates an initial white thrombus. The bleeding is stopped after one to three minutes. The actual blood clotting then takes another six to ten minutes. Fibrinogen is converted into fibrin. A solid fiber network forms, into which erythrocytes (=red blood cells) are also deposited. The red thrombus is formed.
Once the blood vessel has healed, the thrombus is broken down again. Enzymes split the fibrin so that it dissolves.
Rare congenital coagulation disorders include hemophilia and Von Willebrand disease. Affected animals do not produce certain coagulation factors, or do not produce them in sufficient quantities. In dogs, Labradors, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Havanese (hemophilia) and Dobermans, Scotch Terriers and Shelties (Von Willebrand disease) are increasingly affected. In horses, it is Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds. In cats, hereditary coagulation disorders are not well known.
Severe diseases with high-grade inflammatory reactions can lead to complete depletion of platelets and coagulation factors. This disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) can occur in the following cases:
Liver disease can also lead to impaired production of coagulation-promoting and anticoagulant factors.
Thrombocytopenia (=too few platelets) also leads to a coagulation disorder. Either too few platelets are produced in the bone marrow or they are consumed or destroyed at an increased rate due to an underlying disease. Thrombocytopenia is often a incidental finding during a blood test.
Coumarin poisoning from rat poison or vernal gras and sweet clover leads to reduced coagulation. This is also the case with medications such as heparin.
The following signs indicate a coagulation disorder:
If anticoagulation is impaired, thrombi form more easily. The symptoms depend on which blood vessel is affected. The area downstream is no longer supplied with blood, or not sufficiently. For example, lameness of the hind limbs occurs when the aorta is affected. A pulmonary embolism (=blockage of a blood vessel in the lung) causes shortness of breath.
Following your preliminary report of noticeable bleedings and/or hematomas and a general examination, blood will be taken from your pet. In addition to a blood count with platelet count, various coagulation tests will be performed and individual coagulation factors will be measured.
Genetic tests are available for various diseases and breeds of dogs.
If there is an underlying condition, this is treated. A congenital coagulation disorder cannot be cured. However, there are important precautions to take. Surgery should only be performed if absolutely necessary. Medications that further reduce coagulation must not be used. Injections should also be kept to a minimum and administered with the smallest needles possible.
If surgery is urgently necessary, special medications are administered. Careful hemostasis, tight wound closure, and the use of tissue adhesive instead of sutures help to prevent bleeding as much as possible. A padded pressure bandage is applied for a few days after the operation.
If heavy bleeding occurs, a blood plasma or blood transfusion (see corresponding article) may be necessary. Platelet or coagulation factor concentrates may also be used.
The prognosis depends on the cause and severity of the coagulation disorder. Mild forms usually go unnoticed. However, if more severe coagulation disorders remain undetected, they can be life-threatening. Despite treatment, the prognosis for DIC is cautious to poor. The survival rate is 40 percent. Animals with severe Von Willebrand disease usually do not reach the end of their first year of life. They often die in the womb.
Animals with hereditary coagulation disorders must be excluded from breeding. Genetic testing is useful in this case.
The most important precaution for animals with coagulation disorders is to avoid injury. For example, avoid rough play with your dog. Regular check-ups by a veterinarian allow you to monitor your pet's health and respond to symptoms of bleeding at an early stage.
Lyme disease is a globally widespread infectious disease transmitted by ticks that can affect both humans and our pets, especially dogs but also horses. Even though the disease is very rare in horses, Lyme disease should always be considered in cases of long-standing lameness, neck pain, or coordination disorders with no clear cause.
It's good that our dogs need to go outside regularly! This gives us the opportunity to take a break from our everyday routine of work, household chores, and everything else, to get some fresh air, relax, and do something for our bodies. Your dog can also be your exercise partner! There are various sports that are suitable for this. Make sure that you adapt the activity and level of exertion to your dog's breed, age, and health. It is also important that you do not overtax your dog and adapt the training to the circumstances. For example, a jog in the summer can push him to his physical limits, but you may not even notice because he is faithfully following you. Unfortunately, this can also have fatal consequences for your four-legged friend. So always be mindful—towards yourself and your faithful companion.
For many people, vacation time is the best time of the year. Spending time with family, friends, or simply relaxing on your own. Getting away from everyday life, unwinding, or experiencing something completely different. Everyone has their own idea of the perfect vacation. For dog owners, there is an additional question to consider: Should you travel with your dog, or have a plan B ready? For most people, their best friend is part of the trip—after all, they are a loyal companion in everyday life.
This disease, also known as piroplasmosis or canine malaria, is widespread worldwide, but especially in the tropics and Mediterranean countries. Due to increasing travel and the import of rescue dogs from southern Europe, independent infections are now also being detected in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The pathogen is transmitted to dogs by ticks and causes anemia and jaundice.
According to the American Kennel Club, the Beagle is one of the top 10 most popular dog breeds worldwide. With its friendly nature and even temperament, it is suitable for many families. Its active nature, history as a hunting dog, and independence make it an exciting dog breed with special needs.
Equine viral arteritis (EVA) in horses, donkeys, and zebras is also known as horse morse, red fever, or pink eye. The main carriers are infected stallions, which continuously excrete the virus in their semen. Due to the typical inflammation of the blood vessels, it was given the name equine arteritis virus (EAV). The disease is notifiable.
Piroplasmosis, also known as babesiosis, is a parasitic infection transmitted by ticks that is particularly prevalent in warm climates. Horses, dogs, and humans are all susceptible to this infection. If left untreated, the disease can be fatal.
Ehrlichiosis is a bacterial infectious disease transmitted by ticks. It was named after its discoverer, the German physician Paul Ehrlich. The disease, also known as tick fever, is endemic in the tropics and subtropics, but also in the Mediterranean region. It is therefore important to be aware of it when traveling to southern destinations. Ehrlichiosis became known during the Vietnam War, when several German shepherd dogs belonging to American soldiers fell ill and died. German shepherds, Dobermans, and huskies are still particularly susceptible to this disease.
The word acupuncture comes from Latin and is composed of the words for "needle" and "prick." Classical acupuncture is one of the oldest therapeutic methods in traditional Chinese medicine and has also been practiced on animals in Europe since the beginning of the 18th century. It belongs to the field of complementary medicine, which means that it supplements the treatment methods of conventional medicine.
The term "cat flu" or "cat flu complex" refers to all infectious diseases of the upper respiratory tract and mucous membranes of cats, with the nose, mouth, and eyes being affected in most cases. Since the interaction of various factors leads to the onset of symptoms, this is referred to as a multifactorial disease. Cats that live in shelters, breeding facilities, multi-cat households, or under very poor hygienic conditions are particularly susceptible to cat flu.
Horses and humans speak different languages. While humans primarily communicate through spoken language, horses mainly communicate through body language. It is important that you understand your horse in order to work together harmoniously. Here is a little translation guide to help you.
Danger can lurk anywhere, whether at the side of the road, in forests, or even in your own pasture. Eating poisonous plants can be fatal for horses. But plants are not the only source of danger when it comes to poisoning.
