Emergency & Critical care, Session 9

Bleeding

Acute bleeding disorders in small animals can arise from trauma, hyperfibrinolysis, or underlying coagulation abnormalities, and they often present as life-threatening emergencies. The emergency clinician must be able to rapidly identify the underlying cause, stabilize the patient, and determine the most effective therapeutic strategy under time-critical conditions.
In this case-based webinar we will revisit the pathophysiology of bleeding disorders, highlighting the differences between trauma-associated hemorrhage, hyperfibrinolysis, and primary or secondary coagulation abnormalities. We will discuss the diagnostic approach, including point-of-care tests, and how to prioritize stabilization measures such as fluid resuscitation, transfusion strategies, and antifibrinolytic therapy. Special attention will be given to recognizing when conventional therapy may be insufficient and when advanced interventions or surgical hemostasis are required.

Learning outcome:
After this webinar, participants will be able to differentiate between the main causes of acute bleeding in dogs and cats, apply a structured diagnostic and stabilization approach, and implement targeted therapeutic strategies to control hemorrhage and improve patient outcome.