Thrombosis is a potentially devastating complication of a number of acquired conditions in the dog including IMHA, protein-losing nephropathy (PLN), protein-losing enteropathy (PLE), hyperadrenocorticism, neoplasia and pancreatic disease and is likely under-recognised particularly in critically ill patients. The decision to institute anti-thrombotic therapy is relatively clear-cut when a thrombotic event has occurred, but more complex when managing a patient with a prothrombotic disease, but where there are no actual signs of thrombosis. In this situation the decision to institute thromboprophylaxis involves assessment of the risk of thrombosis, balanced against the risk of complications of anti-thrombotic therapy (particularly haemorrhage) and cost.

In this session we’ll discuss the current CURATIVE guidelines on the use of anti-thrombotic therapy and discuss the options available.