All Cats Considered – Episode 323
In this episode of All Cats Considered, host Kelly St. Denis, DVM, DABVP (Feline), is joined by Ronald Li, DVM, MVetMed, PhD, DACVECC, and Joseph Evans, DVM, of North Carolina State University to discuss their recent JFMS Clinical Spotlight article, Clotting and Coagulation Disorders in Cats: A Clinical Review of Causes, Diagnosis and Management. The conversation provides a practical review of feline hemostasis, including primary, secondary and tertiary coagulation pathways, while highlighting the unique features of both bleeding and hypercoagulable disorders in cats. Drs. Li and Evans explore common causes of thrombosis, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, review current approaches to thromboprophylaxis in high-risk patients, and discuss emerging insights into the interplay between coagulation and inflammation in feline medicine.
The discussion also addresses real-world diagnostic challenges encountered in general practice, including platelet clumping, pseudothrombocytopenia, and the interpretation of coagulation testing. The guests share practical recommendations for blood sample collection and handling, discuss the advantages and limitations of point-of-care versus reference laboratory testing, and emphasize the importance of integrating laboratory findings with the clinical picture. Together, they provide clinicians with a practical framework for recognizing, diagnosing and managing coagulation disorders in cats.
Additional Resources:
JFMS Clinical Spotlight article: Clotting and coagulation disorders in cats: a clinical review of causes, diagnosis and management