What are coagulation factors?
Coagulation factors are substances that are made by the liver and circulate in the blood stream. The coagulation factors become ’activated’ when blood vessel or tissue injury occurs, and in co-operation with platelets, produce a clot at the site of injury There are thirteen different coagulation factors. These factors are activated in a specific sequence, following two different pathways or sequences (the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways), and a final common pathway. In the body, there is interaction between the intrinsic and extrinsic coagulation pathways. In the laboratory, the activity of the coagulation factors comprising these pathways is measured separately. When are coagulation tests performed? Coagulation tests may be undertaken for a variety of reasons. Some breeds of dogs are known to have a higher incidence of clotting factor deficiencies and so coagulation tests may be used for ’screening purposes’ prior to diagnostic or surgical procedures. If a dog experiences episodes of
