Immune Mediated Thrombocytopaenia
Clinically it is associated with acute or chronic bleeding due to a reduction in the number of circulating blood platelets, which are the small blood cells whose function is to plug gaps in any damaged blood vessels.
Clinical signs:
Clinical signs include the presence of blood in urine and faeces, nose bleeds (epistaxis), excessive bruising from the slightest blow or knock and the presence of small haemorrhages on the gums. Excessive bleeding from any wound, surgical or traumatic, is also a feature. It should be borne in mind that similar clinical signs could be due to ingestion of Warfarin, a commonly used rat poison, in certain circumstances. Diagnosis depends on sophisticated laboratory tests.
Treatment::
Treatment, as with all the autoimmune diseases, depends upon administration of corticosteriods and other immunosuppressive drugs. Treatment is usually successful in those animals that do not have serious underlying disease or organ failure.
Taken from “Veterinary Notes for Dog Owners” Edited by Trevor Turner Bvet Med, MRCVS
See also Archie's Story
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