The use of intravesicular alteplase for thrombolysis in a dog with urinary bladder thrombi

Objective: To describe the use of alteplase for intravesicular thrombolysis in a dog after development of urinary tract obstruction from a blood clot in the urinary bladder. Case Summary: A 5.8 kg, 6.5-year-old female neutered Bichon Frise was presented for signs of acute hematuria. A complete blood count (CBC) revealed marked thrombocytopenia and leukopenia, and nonregenerative anemia. Bone marrow aspirate cytology revealed mild hypercellularity, mild megakaryocytic hyperplasia, mildly left-shifted erythroid maturation, and moderately left-shifted myeloid maturation, suggesting ongoing recovery from an acute bone marrow insult. Thrombocytopenia and hematuria resolved concurrently; however, stranguria and oliguria developed acutely. Ultrasonography identified two large presumed thrombi within the urinary bladder. A urinary catheter was placed and 4 doses of 0.5 mg of alteplase diluted in 10 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride were instilled into the bladder with a 4-hour dwell time at 12-hour intervals. Prothombin and activated partial thromboplastin times were monitored during therapy and remained within normal limits. One thrombus was successfully dissolved after 48 hours of therapy and the remaining thrombus was reduced in size and was voided upon removal of the urinary catheter. New or Unique Information Provided: This report describes the use of alteplase in a dog for thrombolysis of intravesicular thrombi. In patients that develop intravesicular thrombi, intravesical instillation of alteplase can be considered as a method for dissolution of these thrombi.