Contribuição ultrassonográfica para diagnóstico de trombose em canino - relato de caso

Abstract

A thrombus is an intravascular solid or semisolid structure composed of fibrin and blood cells, that tends to obstruct blood flow and factors that predispose to thrombus formation are known as hypercoagulable state, vascular stasis and damage to the vascular endotheliun. Although thrombosis in dogs is a relatively uncommon occurrence, many disease processes are reported to predispose to thrombus formation. Aortic thromboembolism leading to occlusion of the distal aorta and often the iliac and femoral arteries with subsequent ischemia of the hind limbs is frequently mentioned in textbooks as a cause of acute posterior paresis and paralysis in the dog. Abdominal ultrasound is the most practical diagnostic tool available for definitively diagnosing dogs with thrombus and allows for accurate identification of the location and extent of thrombus formation in the major vasculature. In this article we describe the case of a 8-year-old male canine, castrated, with a history of apathy, anorexia, emesis and lameness of the left hind limb. Ultrasound examination revealed two thrombi, one located at the bifurcation of the caudal aorta and another involving part of the internal iliac arteries. The presence of thrombi was confirmed at necropsy and the diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia was established. It is concluded that aortic thromboembolism in dogs should be investigated with greater caution and that vascular ultrasonography is an important diagnostic tool for the location, identification, evaluation and follow-up of thrombus treatment.