Successful treatment of acute portal vein thrombosis after upper abdominal surgery in an Irish-Setter using dalteparin and phenprocoumon

Portal vein thrombosis has been rarely described in the dog. It had been associated with hepathopathy, nephropathy, steroid administration, immune mediated anaemia, pancreatitis, neoplasia and vasculitis due to chronic ehrlichiosis. This is the first description of treatment of portal vein thrombosis after abdominal surgery using dalteparin and phenprocoumon in a dog. Portal vein thrombosis developed after "repair of diaphragmatic hernia and small bowel resection in an eight month old Irish-Setter. Thrombosis resulted in ascites formation, portal hypertension, formation of pleural effusion and pancreatic oedema and was treated using dalteparin and phenprocoumon. A loading dose of 0.14 mg/kg BW phenprocoumon once daily on five consecutive days resulted in remarkable changes of the prothrombin time (PT) exceeding the target range. Fortunately, no obvious bleeding or other substantial side effects were observed. The dog showed complete recovery and full re-canalisation of the portal vein was achieved within 19 days. In conclusion, use of phenprocoumon in dogs must be closely monitored with PT and a reduced loading dose should be used in future cases.