Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a syndrome in which widespread activation of coagulation forms microthrombi and consumes platelets and clotting factors. It is never a primary disease. In cats it is often subtle and thrombotic rather than hemorrhagic, so it is easily missed, and survival is poor.
Key facts
Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) at a glance- Species and system: cat; hemostasis and every organ perfused by small vessels.
- Cause: always secondary: neoplasia (especially lymphoma), pancreatitis, sepsis and other severe inflammatory disease (Estrin 2006).
- Classic presentation: a very ill cat with an underlying disease and abnormal coagulation tests, often without obvious bleeding.
- Diagnosis: a predisposing disease plus three or more abnormal hemostatic tests (MSD).
- Treatment: treat the underlying disease; fluids; plasma if bleeding; heparin only when hypercoagulable (MSD).
- Prognosis: poor. Not zoonotic or reportable.
What's inside
14 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention, control and public health
- Prognosis
- Working through a case
- Common pitfalls
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 5 tables, 3 self-test questions and 4 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.