Hemostatic abnormalities in dogs with primary immune-mediated hemolytic anemia.

Hemostatic parameters were prospectively measured in 20 dogs with primary immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. Eight of 20 dogs had received prior treatment with prednisone. Activated partial thromboplastin time was increased in nine dogs; one-stage prothrombin time was increased in two dogs; fibrinogen concentration was increased in 17 dogs; and antithrombin activity was decreased in 10 dogs. Fibrin(ogen) degradation products concentration was increased in 12 dogs, and D-dimer concentration was increased in 16 dogs. Four or more laboratory criteria of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) were present in nine dogs, and three criteria of DIC were found in four additional dogs. Thromboembolism was the most common finding in the dogs that died. In this study population, mortality was not significantly associated with any clinical finding or laboratory variable.

Hyperadrenocorticism associated with excessive sex hormone production by an adrenocortical tumor in two dogs.

An 11-year-old spayed female Labrador Retriever and a 9-year-old castrated male miniature Poodle were evaluated because of clinical signs of hyperadrenocorticism. Cortisol testing did not support a diagnosis of hypercortisolemia in either dog; however, imaging studies revealed unilateral adrenal tumors in both dogs. Serum concentrations of 17-hydroxyprogesterone, progesterone, and estradiol were high in both dogs, and androstenedione concentrations were also high in 1 dog. It is suspected that sex hormone secretion by the adrenal tumors in these dogs resulted in clinical signs of hyperadrenocorticism. Clinical signs and hormonal abnormalities resolved in the male dog after surgical resection of the tumor. There was no improvement in clinical signs after treatment with mitotane in the female dog, which died 2 months after diagnosis. Histologic evaluation confirmed the presence of adrenocortical carcinoma in both dogs.