Investigation of Pathological Haemorrhage in Maine Coon Cats

Objective: Afibrinogenaemic haemorrhage was previously reported in a Maine Coon cat. Two littermates subsequently died from surgical non-haemostasis, suggesting a hereditable coagulopathy. Methods: We prospectively recruited cats which were: a) Maine Coons with pathological haemorrhage (Group 1, n=8), b) healthy familial relatives of Group 1 (Group 2, n=13) and c) healthy Maine Coons unrelated to Groups 1 and 2 (Group 3, n=12). Coagulation tests: prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and thrombin clotting time (TCT) were performed on citrated plasma along with quantification of fibrinogen. Routine haematological examination was performed on EDTA-anticoagulated blood collected contemporaneously. Results: Thirty-three blood samples were analysed. Fibrinogen concentrations were significantly reduced in Groups 1 (p<0.01) and 2 (p<0.01) compared to Group 3. Similarly, TCT was found to be significantly extended in Group 1 (p<0.01) and Group 2 (p=0.02) with respect to Group 3. Conclusions and relevance: Dysfibrinogenaemia was identified in clinical cases and their healthy relatives, suggesting that this may represent a hereditary condition of Maine Coon cats. Clinicians should be aware of the increased potential for non-haemostasis in this cat breed and consider assessing clotting function prior to (elective) surgery.