Reference Range of Kaolin-Activated Thromboelastography (TEG) Values in Healthy Pet Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Coagulation is a protective mechanism that prevents blood loss. The prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin clotting time are the most used laboratory tests used to assess coagulation status in all mammals. However, these tests do not accurately reflect the in vivo coagulation process due to complex interactions between blood cells and coagulation elements. New cell-based models incorporate the role of cells to explain the formation/destruction of the blood clot through viscoelastic laboratory techniques, such as thromboelastography (TEG). Thromboelastography reference ranges have been determined for humans, dogs, cats, horses, rats, mice, and laboratory rabbits but they have not been previously defined in pet rabbits. The aim of the article is to establish the reference-range values for TEG parameters in pet rabbits. Included in this study were 24 healthy rescue pet rabbits. A TEG 5000 Thromboelastograph Hemostasis System with citrated kaolin-activated blood was used. The reference ranges obtained for reaction time (R) were 1.4–6.9 min; clot formation time (K) was 0.8–2.2 min; α-angle was 65.8–82.2 degrees; maximal amplitude (MA) was 53.7–73.5 mm; measure of clot strength/firmness (G-value) was 5796.6–13,885.9 dyn/cm(2); the percentage of clot lysis in 30 min (LY30%) was 0–41.5%. This study provides the reference ranges of TEG in pet rabbits. ABSTRACT: Thromboelastography (TEG) is a viscoelastic technique that allows the examination of both cellular and plasma protein clotting factors. Thromboelastography helps to investigate the underlying coagulopathy and to monitor therapeutic modalities. Although viscoelastic techniques have been used in human and veterinary medicine, reference ranges in pet rabbits are missing. The objective of this study is to establish the reference-range values of TEG parameters in healthy pet rabbits. 24 healthy pet rabbits of different breeds were included: 16 crossbreeds, four Californians, two lops, one lionhead, and one angora. Four rabbits were less than one year old and 20 were older than one year. Twelve rabbits were neutered females, 10 neutered males, and two were intact females. Health status was assessed through a physical examination, a complete blood work, and a coagulation profile. A TEG 5000 Thromboelastograph Hemostasis System was used with kaolin-activated citrated whole blood. All samples were analysed 30 min postextraction. The TEG reference ranges were reaction time (R) 1.4–6.9 min; clot formation time (K) 0.8–2.2 min; α angle 65.8–82.2 degrees; maximal amplitude (MA) 53.7–73.5 mm; measure of clot strength/firmness (G-value) 5796.6–13,885.9 dyn/cm(2); and percentage of clot lysis in 30 min (LY30%) 0–41.5%. This study provides the reference ranges of TEG in pet rabbits.