Delayed postoperative hemorrhage (DEPOH)
Also known as 'Delayed Bleeding Syndrome or hyperfibrinolysis'
Delayed postoperative hemorrhage (DEPOH) is recognized as an important health problem in certain breeds, including Scottish deerhounds.
Signs of abnormal bleeding ranged from severe skin bruising around the surgical site to frank oozing of blood from the wound.
It is important to point out that this is a disorder of clot stability, not the hemostatic clot formation . In affected dogs, bleeding is usually (but not always) delayed, typically starting within 24–48 hours after surgery or major trauma. This is due to reduced alpha-2 antiplasmin activity (hyperfibinolysis) resulting in premature lot dissolution.
DEPOH can be prevented or treated with antifibrinolytic drugs such as EACA (Epsilon-aminocaproic acid) or tranexamic acid.
DEPOH is a totally separate problem from Factor VII Deficiency — in fact, it is possible for a dog to be affected with both problems.
