Canine Research Foundation *DGR

• Home
• About CRF
  • Founder of the CRF - Mr Bob Maver
  • Trustees
  • Roger Bridgford
  • Ms Louise Brodie
  • Assoc Prof Jan West
  • Professor Brian Corbitt
  • Dr Steven Holloway
  • Mr John Chapman
  • Vale ~ James Rodger
• Celebrating 25 years
• Projects Funded in 2023
• Successful Grants for 2024
• Research UPDATES
  • Effectiveness of aspirin vs. clopidogrel
  • Canine Cancer Project
  • 1st complete GSD DNA - Tool to fight disease
• Topics of Interest
  • Indoscipine poisoning in dogs
  • Heartworm in Dogs
  • Blood Types in Humans and Dogs
  • Onion Toxicity in Dogs
• Publications from CRF funded projects
• Meet The Researchers
  • Dr Chris Weir - Kolling Institute
• Projects funded (2016-2018)
  • 2018 Funded Projects
  • 2017 Funded Projects
  • 2016 Funded Projects
• Donation to charity
• Bequests - Gifts for the future
• Forms for Grant Recipients
• Links
• Contact Us

Effectiveness of aspirin vs. clopidogrel

Effectiveness of aspirin vs. clopidogrel in dogs with immune mediated haemolytic anaemia evaluated by serial thromboelastography and platelet mapping

This research work was funded by the Canine Research Foundation and published in The Veterinary Journal - Congratulations to Christine Griebsch and her research team.

To read more click on the link below

 C. Griebsch,  E. Hall,  V.R. Barrs 10.1016/j.tvjl.2022.105882

Immune mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA) is an autoimmune disease in which the  immune system attacks and destroys red blood cells resulting in anaemia. Most dogs with IMHA have a high tendency to develop blood clots (hypercoagulability) which can result in life threatening complications if these blood clots obstruct important blood vessels, eg in the lungs (pulmonary thromboembolism). Blood platelets (thrombocytes) play an important part in clot formation.

To determine if hypercoagulability is present platelet function analyzers such as thromboelastography (TEG) are used which give a graphical overview of clot formation over time. To prevent clot formation antiplatelet drugs such as aspirin or clopidogrel have been used however it is unknown which drug is more effective. Thromboelastography-platelet mapping (TEG-PM) has been used to assess platelet function in human patients treated with aspirin or clopidogrel.

The aim of this study was to do the same in dogs and compare the effectiveness of aspirin versus clopidogrel in inhibiting platelet function in dogs with IMHA.

Overall, there was no significant difference in efficacy between aspirin and clopidogrel based on results of TEG-PM however in some dogs, there was a discrepancy between TEG-PM results and clinical response with some dogs developing thromboembolism despite seemingly responding well to treatment with aspirin or clopidogrel. In summary, TEG-PM might be useful to monitor response to treatment and adjust therapy however further studies are needed.