Plasma D-dimer for the diagnosis of thromboembolic disorders in dogs

D-dimer is a degradation product released by the action of plasmin on cross-linked fibrin and is a specific indicator of fibrinolysis. D-dimer testing is still in its infancy in veterinary medicine. Most studies have evaluated D-dimer for the diagnosis of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in dogs, where it seems to be a sensitive test for identification of excessive fibrinolysis. Nevertheless, D-dimer is not specific for DIC; increases are seen after surgery or in dogs with thromboembolic disease, neoplasia, heart disease, renal disease, or liver disease. It is recommended that D-dimer be used together with plasma fibrin(ogen) degradation products to identify fibrinolytic disorders in dogs.