Disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome as a complication in acute spontaneous canine babesiosis

Abstract

The polyetiological syndrome of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is characterized by changes in haemostasis in the patient’s body. The aim of the work was to establish the criteria for DIC in acute spontaneous canine babesiosis and its’ connection with shock. We involved 2 groups of dogs (n=50) different breeds and sex, weighing 10–40 kg, 2–7 years old. Oscillometry (blood pressure, pulse rate), assessment of vascular-platelet haemostasis, coagulogram, as well as haematological, biochemical (fibrinogen, fibrin degradation product, soluble fibrin-monomer complex) and hemodynamic (circulating blood volume) research methods were used. It was proved that in dogs with 5–7% of erythrocytes affected by Babesia spp., the main criteria for DIC are already manifested – a significant increase in soluble fibrin-monomer complex and fibrin degradation product (p<0.001), hypofibrinogenemia (p<0.001), thrombocytopenia (p<0.001), an increase indicators of spontaneous aggregation ability of platelets and red blood cells (p<0.001). Significant hemodynamic disorders were found in dogs infected by Babesia: a decrease in circulating blood volume, circulated erythrocytes volume (p<0.05), specific circulating blood volume and haematocrit value (p<0.001) were observed. The average blood pressure in acute babesiosis was reduced (p<0.001), and the Allgöwer’s shock index was increased 2 times (p<0.05). Also, in the group of sick dogs, a shock of the II degree (medium, subcompensated) was established. Therefore, the presence of complications in the DIC form at the stage of consumption coagulopathy and shock of the II degree in acute spontaneous dogs’ babesiosis determines the pathological condition of the body as an emergency.