We are mindful of sharing third-party information and strive to avoid any scaremongering among dog owners. However, we've received some information that could potentially save dogs' lives. We want to ensure this potentially vital information is widely available to XL bully owners.
The campaign group, 'The Official Bully Collective', encountered severe complications with their own dogs during their routine spaying surgery, including extreme blood loss. Upon further investigation, they discovered a solution that could potentially help dogs in these situations.
After further research into the topic, and discussing with their vet, a document was written by the vet explaining how Tranexamic acid can potentially help with excessive blood loss. We believe it is worthwhile to share a copy of this document with you, and ensure that it is easily accessible should you wish to provide it to your vet when discussing your dog's procedure.
Please click here to download the document.
Disclaimer: We are not veterinary professionals, and we are not claiming this is a solution necessary for all or any dogs. However, we wanted to make this information available in case it helps to save a life. Please always discuss your dog's health and any treatments they are receiving with your veterinary professional.
Tranexamic Acid For XL Bully Spays
By Dr Ashleigh Howells - The Vet Nottingham
What is it?
- Tranexamic Acid (TXA) is a human anti-thrombolytic drug used to help heavy bleeding during periods and nosebleeds.
- It comes in injectable and tablet formation, we are offering the tablet formulation.
Why are we recommending it?
- There have been some reports online of XL bullies having a clotting disorder, although this has not been proven in the majority of cases, we have had a large number of unexplained ‘oozing’ during surgery.
- TXA can help to prevent delayed post operative bleeding (seen in Greyhounds) by promoting clotting.
- Neutering, especially spays, although a routine procedure, is still a major abdominal surgery where we ligate major blood vessels, if we can prevent these from bleeding post operatively and during the operation we can reduce anaesthetic time and decrease the risk to pets.
- Using TXA should also reduce the need to go back in for revision surgery
– which if it is done at VetsNow can cost owners thousands and put the dogs life at risk.
- It also reduces the inflammatory response following tissue injury or surgery therefore could reduce the amount of swelling and pain in the area.
- A review of randomized trials using tranexamic acid in humans undergoing elective surgery showed tranexamic acid treatment led to a reduction in transfusion requirements by a third over non-treated controls; and in trauma patients, all-cause mortality rate and bleeding-associated deaths were significantly lower in tranexamic acid-treated patients.
How do we use it?
- It may take up to 24hrs to work therefore if we have the chance we can use it prior to surgery.
- Useful for dogs with breed disposition to delayed post-operative bleeding such as sighthounds, and possibly XL Bullies.
- The dose range is from about 10mg/kg-30mg/kg from the literature, this is taken three times daily. I have worked out costs and doses for 15mg/kg.
- The first dose should be taken the day before major surgery, and then on the day of the surgery, and then as long as no complications arise for 4 days after.
How much will it cost?
Remember to remind owners that we can do written prescriptions for the drug, this may be useful if their dog is particularly large, these are a cost of £24 and in order to ensure their pet has it well in advance they need to request this early on. These are just a rough guide so that owners know costs ahead and can plan without any surprises, they may change based on actual dose given.
What are the risks?
- Due to it being ‘off license’ (a human drug) the risks in dogs has not been fully explored, however it is used routinely by humans for things such as heavy periods and nosebleeds.
- Possible reports of gastrointestinal signs (diarrhoea/vomiting)
- Both very treatable in the vet practice especially if we know the cause.
- In a study where TXA was administered IV there were reports of one single patient developing anaphylaxis.
- Increased risk of thromboembolism (blood clot in the veins), this is why I have worked out doses on the lower end.
What if I don’t decide to use it for my pet?
- As with all medications it is the owners choice as to whether they give TXA, especially as this is a prophylactic (preventative) treatment.
- If it is not used, then there is a chance of peri-operative (during the operation) and postoperative (after the operation) bleeding, which may require revision surgery, intense hospitalisation and even out of hours care.
- We have had plenty of neutering’s that have not had TXA and have been absolutely fine, however recently with the increase of XL Bullies being neutering we have noticed increased ‘oozing’ during and after the surgery and it is something we feel owners should be made aware of.
Dr Ashleigh Howells
The Vet Nottingham
Comments