Most dogs generally have good health throughout their lives, especially if they are well cared for. However, some problems can still arise when least expected, as is the case with thrombosis in animals. Although it is not such a common condition, it is important to know everything about the disease, because depending on the region that has been affected, the dog can have its quality of life quite a bitTo understand more about this health problem, the Paws of the House talked to Dr. Claudia Calamari, who is a veterinarian from São Paulo. Get all your questions about the subject below!

What is thrombosis in dogs and what causes it?

As the expert explains, thrombosis is the solidification of blood inside a blood vessel by the excessive activation of normal homeostatic processes, thus forming a solid plug, which is called a thrombus. These processes, in turn, are defined as the body's natural "responses" to the stimuli around it, such as when it is too hot and the animal begins to sweat through the blood vessels."The thrombus can consist of fibrin and blood cells that obstruct blood flow, occurring in arteries (arterial thromboembolism) and veins (venous thromboembolism)."

As for the causes of this condition, the specialist clarifies: "Canine thrombosis can occur due to increased hypercoagulation, vascular stasis (when blood flow decreases) and changes in the vascular endothelium (layer that lines the inside of the vessels). Thrombosis is a complication that can come from many diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, endocrine diseases, inflammatory thrombosis,hepatic and renal thrombosis and even as a result of neoplasms".

Thrombosis: dogs can have different symptoms depending on the region affected

Symptoms of the condition will depend mainly on where the canine thrombosis has formed. "Thrombus in the heart and lung regions can cause fainting, shortness of breath, paralysis, pale gums and coughing. In the brain region, we can observe changes in behavior, step, loss of reflexes, eye changes, tremors and convulsions ", warns Claudia.

In addition, the professional also points out that in the case of a more specific thrombosis, such as aortic thromboembolism, the condition can trigger occlusion of the iliac and femoral arteries, causing ischemia of the hind limbs. In practice, this means that the patient may have paralysis with a change in limb temperature.

Is thrombosis in dogs curable? Learn how the disease is diagnosed and treated

If there is any suspicion that your pooch has thrombosis, it is important to consult a veterinarian to investigate this properly. "Diagnosis of thrombosis can be done by ultrasound to identify the presence and location of a vascular thrombus, with radiology or by means of CT scan to determine the extent of the thrombus," explains the expert. In addition, examinationsSimple tests such as blood count and coagulation factors can also help with targeting.

The treatment of thrombosis in dogs will depend a lot on the location and severity of the lesions in the animal's body. "Treatment with specific medications and surgical removal of thrombi can be used," he says. To understand which is the best option for your dog, it is essential to talk to your veterinarian to answer all questions.

Prevention of canine thrombosis consists of regular visits to the veterinarian

To take care of your dog's health, the best way to prevent both canine thrombosis and other diseases is to take your puppy to the veterinarian annually, even if it's just to make sure everything is fine with him. "Routine consultations and exams can help prevent canine thrombosis, as they help identify changes that favor thrombus formation. It is very important thattutors perform routine tests on their animals such as blood count, biochemical, cardiological and imaging tests", advises Claudia.