You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

The clinical use of thrombolytic drugs is not widely practised in veterinary medicine

Thrombolytic drugs "dissolve" thrombi that have formed in blood vessels. Examples are :

• Anistreplase - anisoylated plasminogen streptokinase activator complex  - a synthetic thrombolytic drug that is injected intravenously. Bleeding complications, arrhythmias and hypotension may occur in humans..
• Ateplase (previously called "tissue-type plasminogen activator" - has complications including gastrointestinal and cerebral haemorrhage because "normal" thrombi are removed as well as abnormal ones. In human medicine this drug is considered superior at dissolving older clots.
• Streptokinase - administered under general anaesthesia via an aortic catheter. Bleeding disorders may occur, and hypersensitivity occurs occasionally in humans.
• Urokinase - administered under general anaesthetic via an aortic catheter. Bleeding complications can occur

In veterinary medicine the most common form of thrombus is aortic thromboembolism, a complication of cardiomyopathy, in cats. Thrombolytic drugs have been used with limited success. In addition these drugs are expensive.

Provet Feedback request

Thrombolytic drugs are not licensed for use in veterinary patients and they have only been used sporadically. Provet would like to compile a dossier on cases in which these drugs have been used - so if you have experienced their use please let us know the details through feedback@provet.co.uk 

Thank You

Updated October 2013