Naturally occurring canine nephrotic syndrome is a potentially hypercoagulable state.

Fourteen dogs with naturally occurring nephrotic syndrome were evaluated for abnormalities in the hemostatic system. Histopathologic diagnoses included 8 dogs with membraneous glomerulonephritis, 1 dog with acute glomerulon-ephritis, 2 dogs with idiopathic glomerulopathy, and 2 dogs with amyloidosis. The coagulation protein assays performed included concentrations of factors V, VII, VIII: C, IX, X, fibrinogen (I), anti-thrombin III, and plasminogen. Thrombocyte counts were also performed. All of these analytes were significantly elevated (P < 0.05) with the exception of ATIΠ which was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Five of the dogs had histologic evidence and 1 dog had angiographic evidence of thrombosis and thromboembolism. Naturally occurring canine nephrotic syndrome thus represents a potentially hypercoagulable state and may serve as a valuable model in the study of certain components of the human disease.