A 16-year-old spayed female Pomeranian dog was presented to the hospital with an acute onset of
pain and non-weight-bearing lameness in the right forelimb. On physical examination, knuckling, coolness,
pain, and
cyanosis were observed in the affected forelimb. Peripheral
blood glucose concentration and body surface temperature differed between the right and left forelimbs. Hypercoagulable thromboelastographic results and increased
D-dimer levels were suggestive of
thrombus. Accordingly, recombinant
tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) was administered intravenously. Prompt clinical improvements (including restored warmth of the affected limb) occurred, and rtPA was discontinued after two shots administered 2 h apart owing to concerns of
bleeding side effects. The dog was discharged 6 days after admission, and outpatient treatment with
clopidogrel was continued for the prevention of re-
thrombosis. Following patient stabilization, further examinations for underlying diseases of
hypercoagulability were conducted;
hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) was diagnosed, and oral
trilostane therapy was thus administered. Eight weeks later, the patient regained normal mobility. Finally, in the present canine patient with arterial
thrombosis, thrombolysis with rtPA successfully improved clinical symptoms and the following administration of
clopidogrel inhibited the formation of additional
thrombus.