Evaluation of a canine D-dimer point-of-care test kit for use in samples obtained from dogs with disseminated intravascular coagulation, thromboembolic disease, and hemorrhage

Authors:
  • MCMary Beth Callan
    Mary Beth Callan
  • FSFrances S. Shofer
    Frances S. Shofer
  • UGUrs Giger
    Urs Giger
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Abstract
Objective—To evaluate a canine D-dimer point-of-care (cD-d POC) test kit for use in healthy dogs and dogs with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), thromboembolic disease (TED), and hemorrhage. Animals—12 healthy dogs, 18 dogs with DIC, 23 dogs with TED (19 acute and 4 chronic), and 18 dogs with hemorrhage. Procedure—The cD-d POC, canine D-dimer ELISA (cD-d ELISA), human D-dimer latex agglutination (hD-d LA), and fibrin degradation product (FDP) tests were performed on citrated plasma. Results—All healthy dogs had negative cD-d POC test results and mean cD-d ELISA value of 0.2 U/mL. All dogs with DIC had positive cD-d POC test results and mean cD-d ELISA value of 44 U/mL. Dogs with acute TED had a mean cD-d ELISA value of 34 U/mL, and 17 of 19 had positive cD-d POC test results. Mean cD-d ELISA value in dogs with hemorrhage was 14 units/mL, and 15 of 18 had positive cD-d POC test results. The cD-d ELISA values in dogs with hemorrhage were significantly higher than those of healthy dogs but lower than those of dogs with DIC and acute TED. The cD-d POC, cD-d ELISA, and hD-d LA tests were comparable in differentiating healthy dogs from dogs with DIC, acute TED, or hemorrhage and appeared to be superior to measurement of FDPs. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The cD-d POC test kit can be quickly and easily used and reliably detects dogs with DIC or acute TED. Positive results may also be seen in dogs with internal hemorrhage. (Am J Vet Res 2003;64:1562–1569)

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