Therapeutic levels of aminocaproic acid in asian elephants (Elephas maximus)

Drugs that inhibit fibrinolysis, such as epsilon aminocaproic acid (EACA), are of increasing interest in human and companion animal medicine to prevent bleeding due to surgery, trauma, and other causes. These drugs may be especially valuable in elephants, as banked blood products are not available and therapeutic transfusions can be logistically challenging. Scientists used an in vitro model of hyperfibrinolysis to estimate the plasma level of EACA that effectively inhibits fibrinolysis in Asian elephant plasma. The results of this study provide necessary groundwork for safely applying EACA in clinical situations in elephants decreasing morbidity and mortality due to hemorrhagic disorders, which include EEHV and reproductive tract disease.

IEF #EX1023

Project Years: 2015

Project Partners:
Dr. Noha Abou-Madi, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine