Haemostatic abnormalities in canine Cushing's syndrome.

Selected parameters of the haemostatic system were evaluated in 12 consecutive cases of canine Cushing's syndrome. The dogs did not exhibit evidence of thromboembolic complications. Levels of factors V and X were increased significantly (P less than 0.01) and fibrinogen concentration was increased modestly (P less than 0.05) in these dogs. Levels of factors IX and VIII:C remained in the reference range. Antithrombin III (ATIII) and plasminogen concentrations were markedly elevated (P less than 0.001). The low factor VIII:C and elevated ATIII levels in the plasma were not consistent with characteristics of a hypercoagulable state. These results demonstrated that haemostatic abnormalities which occur in canine Cushing's syndrome do not necessarily represent a state predisposed to thrombosis.