Altered platelet aggregation and coagulation disorders related to clinical findings in 30 dogs naturally infected by Leishmania infantum

Haemostatic disorders such as epistaxis, haematuria and haemorrhagic diarrhoea, have been reported in canine leishmaniasis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate platelet function and secondary haemostasis in dogs naturally infected by Leishmania infantum with varying degrees of clinical involvement, in order to improve knowledge of the haemostatic disorders associated with this protozoan disease. This study demonstrates that in natural canine leishmaniasis there are primary and secondary haemostatic alterations, which are more evident in the markedly symptomatic dogs, in which a compromised immune state, an inveterate inflammatory process and liver and renal damage can all influence platelet function and the synthesis and metabolism of the clotting factors.