Clinical Studies

• Vet Med A to Z Index

The formation of a blood clot is a devastating complication of heart disease in cats. At this time there is no method to predict cats at risk for developing blood clots and the to determine the best time to initiate preventive medications. We propose that platelet factor 4, soluble P-selectin and 11-deydro-thromboxane B2, markers of endothelial and platelet activation, can be used to predict cats at risk for development of blood clots. Our goal in this study is to evaluate cats with heart disease and determine if a difference in the level of these values exists from normal cats for these markers. This study is funded by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Cardiology).

Eligibility requirements

• Cats must have structural cardiac disease (hypertrophic, restrictive or dilated cardiomyopathies) that can be detected via echocardiography. 
• Cats must NOT be on antigoagulant therapy at the time of enrollment (a 2 week anticoagulant free period is required for enrollment for cats previously treated with anticoagulants)
• Cats must be free of systemic disease (neoplasia, asthma, hyperthyroidism, etc)
• Cats greater then 16 years are not eligible for enrollment.
• Cats with previous thromboembolic events may be enrolled if not currently on an anti-coagulant (must be anticoagulant free for 2 weeks prior to enrollment)
• Cats must be able to be handled with manual restraint only – cats that are to fractious for manual restraint are not eligible.

Cats will receive the following diagnostics as part of the study at no charge to the client if the cat meets all of the eligibility requirements

• Echocardiogram
• ECG
• Doppler blood pressure
• Cardiovascular physical exam
• Complete blood count
• Chemistry panel
• Free T4 (thyroid function test)
• Urinalysis
• Urine creatinine level

All of the aforementioned tests will be available to the owner and will be faxed to the referring veterinarian as part of the patient’s medical record.  All experimental data will be excluded from review by the owner and referring veterinarian as their clinical significance is not yet know. 
 
All owners will be required to sign a consent form prior to enrollment. If echocardiography does not reveal cardiac disease then no further testing will be performed but the owner will NOT be charged the echocardiogram fee.   
 
There is no time limit for the study; cats may be enrolled until we have reached the number of funded patients.

For more information

Please email Dr. Sara Bordelon (Sbordelon@vetmed.wsu.edu) or call to speak with Miss Aubrey Christiano @ 509-335-3265.