Viscoelastic Coagulation Testing in Exotic Animals

Abstract

Whole blood viscoelastic coagulation testing (VCT) allows global assessment of hemostasis and fibrinolysis. Although not widely used in exotic animal practice, VCT has been used in exotic animal research settings. Differences in patient demographics and analytical variables can result in dramatically different results with the same analyzer. To improve the utility of VCT in exotic animal medicine, standardization of protocols is necessary to facilitate the establishment of reference intervals. Despite these challenges, the quantitative/qualitative nature of VCT has already proved its real-world value to some clinicians.

Keywords: Clotting; Coagulopathy; Hemostasis; Sonoclot; Thromboelastography; Thromboelastometry; Zoological medicine.