Blood thinning

Why do dogs need blood thinning?

There are various situations in which blood thinning may be indicated for dogs. For example:

• If your dog suffers from a heart condition that makes the blood thicker or obstructs blood flow. This can lead to heart failure or a heart attack.
• If your dog suffers from a kidney disease that impairs the elimination of waste products from the blood. This can lead to poisoning or kidney failure.
• If your dog suffers from a liver disease that reduces the production of clotting factors in the blood. This can lead to an increased tendency to bleed or cirrhosis of the liver.
• If your dog suffers from an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack its own blood. This can lead to anemia or thrombocytopenia.
• If your dog has an injury or surgery that causes severe bleeding. This can lead to shock or organ failure.

In all these cases, blood thinning can help to keep the blood more fluid and improve oxygen transport. It can also prevent dangerous blood clots from forming, which can block important blood vessels.

How is blood thinning carried out in dogs?

There are various methods to achieve blood thinning in dogs. The most common are:

• The administration of medication that inhibits the blood's ability to clot. These include, for example, aspirin, heparin or warfarin. These drugs must be administered regularly and require precise dosing and monitoring by the vet.
• The administration of natural substances that influence the blood's ability to clot. These include, for example, garlic, ginger or fish oil. These substances can be used as a supplement to drug therapy, but not as a substitute. They can also have side effects and interact with other medications.
• Performing a blood transfusion, where healthy donor blood is given to the dog. This may be necessary in acute emergencies if the dog has suffered a high blood loss or has a severe coagulation disorder. A blood transfusion must be carried out under sterile conditions and requires precise typing and compatibility testing of the donor blood.

What are the risks of blood thinning in dogs?

Blood thinning in dogs is not without risks. The most important are

• The risk of overdosing or underdosing the medication or natural substances. This can lead to too strong or too weak an inhibition of coagulation and result in either increased bleeding or increased clotting.
• The risk of side effects or interactions of the medication or natural substances. This can lead to gastrointestinal complaints, liver damage, kidney problems or allergic reactions.
• The risk of infections or rejection reactions during a blood transfusion. This can lead to fever, chills, shock or organ failure.

To minimize these risks, it is important that you follow your vet's instructions and have your dog examined regularly. You should also look out for signs of bleeding or clots in your dog, such as

• Blood in the urine, feces or vomit
• Bleeding from the nose, mouth or eyes
• Bruising or swelling on the skin
• Lethargy, weakness or shortness of breath
• Lameness, cramps or paralysis

If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, you should contact your vet immediately.