Disseminated intravascular coagulation in six horses.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) was diagnosed as a secondary disease in 6 horses. Four horses had localized and/or systemic sepsis, one horse had disseminated neoplasia, and one had idiopathic ulcerative enteropathy. The diagnosis of DIC was based on the finding of at least 3 of 4 abnormalities: thrombocytopenia, prolonged prothrombin time, prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time, and a high concentration of fibrinolytic degradation products. The most common clinical signs other than those attributable to the primary disease process were abnormal hemorrhage (4 hours) and venous thrombosis (4 horses). All horses eventually died or were euthanatized because of the severity of the primary disease.