Thrombotest (PIVKA) Test Results in 25 Dogs with Acquired and Hereditary Caogulopathies

In the veterinary literature, it has been suggested that a prolongation in the thrombotest (PIVKA test) is a sensitive and diagnostic indicator of anticoagulant rodenticide intoxication. We evaluated prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromoplastin time (aPTT), and PIVKA indicator in 25 bleeding dogs: 7 with inherited coagulopathies. All dos with acquired coagulopathies had prolonged PIVKA values when compared to the normal controls. Factor VII deficient dogs had a prolonged PIVKA and PT test result, whereas dogs with intrinsic coagulopathies only had an aPTT prolongation. A three-fold increase of the PIVKA or PT values was highly suggestive of an anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning compared to other acquired coagulopathies. Prolonged PIVKA resuls were not specific for anticoagulant rodenticide intoxication in our group of bleeding dogs.