Effects of omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and aspirin, alone and combined, on canine platelet function

• Published in: Journal of small animal practice 2018-05, Vol.59 (5), p.272-280
• Main Authors: Westgarth, S., Blois, S. L., D. Wood, R., Verbrugghe, A., Ma, D. W.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adenosine; Arachidonic acid; Aspirin; Blood; Blood platelets; Collagen; Epinephrine; Fish; Fish oils; Inhibition; Oils & fats; Platelets; Polyunsaturated fatty acids
• ISSN: 0022-4510; 1748-5827
• DOI: 10.1111/jsap.12776

Objectives To compare haemostatic function in healthy dogs after treatment with low‐dose aspirin alone, fish oil alone or a combination of these two therapies. Materials and Methods Double‐blinded randomised controlled clinical trial on 16 healthy client‐owned dogs. Comprehensive haemostatic testing was performed at baseline and after 7 days of therapy with low‐dose aspirin in all dogs. Following a 14‐day washout, six dogs received fish oil, and nine dogs received combination therapy of aspirin plus fish oil; haemostatic testing was performed before and at 7 and 28 days after treatment initiation. Results Aspirin was associated with significantly decreased platelet function as measured by a collagen‐epinephrine cartridge and inhibited arachidonic acid‐induced whole‐blood platelet aggregometry. Fish oil alone did not significantly affect any haemostatic tests. The combination of aspirin plus fish oil therapy caused a significantly greater inhibition of adenosine diphosphate and collagen‐induced whole blood aggregometry compared to aspirin alone. Clinical Significance Fish oil added to aspirin therapy appears to augment inhibition of some measures of platelet function in healthy dogs.