Research project
A research project that is currently being funded by donations to the Caring for Pets Program is “Adverse effects of artificial colloids in dogs with haemorrhagic shock”.
Haemorrhagic shock, or shock caused by bleeding, is one of the most common problems encountered in dogs presenting to emergency rooms. Treatment of haemorrhagic shock includes blood volume expansion with intravenous fluids and stopping the bleeding.
Ideally, bleeding patients would receive blood transfusions to restore their blood volume. However, blood products are not always readily available and may cause allergic reactions. Therefore, fluids have been created that contain synthetic proteins, called colloids, which are hoped to be the next best thing to infusing blood.
Unfortunately, some studies have demonstrated that colloid fluids adversely affect blood clotting, suggesting that these fluids could be harmful if given to bleeding patients. In human medicine, colloids have been associated with increased bleeding risk and greater need for blood transfusions.
Few studies have evaluated all of the possible effects of colloids on blood clotting in dogs; existing studies tend to focus on just one aspect of clotting (such as platelets), were performed in vitro, or didn’t evaluate the current types of colloids available.
The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of the two most commonly used colloids (hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 and 4% succinylated gelatine), when compared to fresh whole blood and plain crystalloid fluids, on coagulation in a clinically relevant model of haemorrhagic shock in dogs.
In order to evaluate all aspects of coagulation researchers will use a technique called rotational thromboelastometry to assess platelet plug formation, clot formation, and clot breakdown.
If researchers can establish which colloid product causes the least effects on clotting, while maintaining blood volume expansion, the clinical application of this product could improve survival in bleeding dogs.