Changes

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

The absolute or relative deficiency of vitamin K can give rise to defective coagulation.

The absolute or relative deficiency of vitamin K can give rise to defective coagulation.

[[Anticoagulant Rodenticide Toxicity|Anticoagulant rodenticide toxiticy]] is one of the most common causes of acquired coagulopathy in small animals. Warfarin itself has a short half-life and a fairly low toxicity in non-rodent species, so unless large or repeated doses are consumed clinical bleeding is rare. However, the second generation anticoagulant rodenticides are far more potent, and it is possible for a domestic animal to acquire secondary poisoning by ingesting a poisoned rodent¹. Dogs are most commonly effected, but predator species such as cats and owls do occaionally suffer from secondary poisonings.

[[Anticoagulant Rodenticide Toxicity|Anticoagulant rodenticide toxiticy]] is one of the most common causes of acquired coagulopathy in small animals. Warfarin itself has a short half-life and a fairly low toxicity in non-rodent species, so unless large or repeated doses are consumed clinical bleeding is rare. However, the second generation anticoagulant rodenticides are far more potent, and it is possible for a domestic animal to acquire secondary poisoning by ingesting a poisoned rodent¹. Dogs are most commonly effected, but predator species such as cats and owls do occasionally suffer from secondary poisonings.

The [[Normal_Mechanisms_of_Haemostatic_Control#Coagulation_physiology|clotting factors]] - factor VII, factor XI and factors II and X in the extrinsic, intrinsic and common pathways respectively are dependent on Vitamin K when activated by the coagulation cascade.

The [[Normal_Mechanisms_of_Haemostatic_Control#Coagulation_physiology|clotting factors]] - factor VII, factor XI and factors II and X in the extrinsic, intrinsic and common pathways respectively are dependent on Vitamin K when activated by the coagulation cascade.