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

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.