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 with 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: 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 before (elective) surgery.

Animal Health Trust Newmarket Suffolk UK

Axiom Veterinary Laboratories Ltd and Finn Pathologists Norfolk UK

Brilthor Maine Coons Huntly UK

Hospital for Small Animals The Royal Dick School of Veterinary Studies University of Edinburgh Easter Bush Campus UK

School of Veterinary Medicine Ross University Basseterre St Kitts West Indies USA

Small Animal Clinic University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno Brno Czech Republic

Strathbogie Veterinary Centre Ltd Huntly UK

The Roslin Institute University of Edinburgh Roslin UK

Veterinary Specialists Roslin Livingston UK

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