Thrombocytopenia

Causes of thrombocytopenia

There are several possible causes of thrombocytopenia in dogs. Some of these are:

• Infections, such as parvovirosis, ehrlichiosis or leptospirosis
• Autoimmune diseases in which the immune system attacks the dog's own platelets
• Medication that inhibits or destroys platelet formation, such as certain antibiotics or painkillers
• Poisoning, e.g. by rat poison, onions or garlic
• Cancer that impairs bone marrow function or depletes blood platelets
• Congenital disorders in which the dog has too few or defective platelets from birth

Symptoms of thrombocytopenia

Symptoms of thrombocytopenia can vary depending on the severity and cause. Some common signs are:

• Bleeding from the nose, mouth, anus or urethra
• Blood in the urine, feces or vomit
• Small red spots on the skin or mucous membranes (petechiae)
• Larger bruises under the skin or in the eyes (ecchymoses)
• Weakness, lethargy or loss of appetite
• Paleness of the mucous membranes
• Rapid breathing or heartbeat

Diagnosis of thrombocytopenia

To diagnose thrombocytopenia in your dog, your vet will need to carry out a blood test. This will measure the platelet count and compare it to the normal reference range. Your vet may also order further tests to determine the cause of the thrombocytopenia. These may include a blood smear, a bone marrow aspirate, an antibody test or an x-ray.

Treatment of thrombocytopenia

The treatment of thrombocytopenia depends on the cause and severity of the disease. In some cases, drug therapy may be sufficient to fight the underlying infection or inflammation and increase the platelet count. In other cases, a blood transfusion may be necessary to compensate for the acute blood loss and save the dog's life. In rare cases, surgery may be required to remove a bleeding source or to remove a spleen that is responsible for the breakdown of platelets.

Prognosis of thrombocytopenia

The prognosis of thrombocytopenia in dogs depends on many factors, such as the cause, severity, response to treatment and the occurrence of complications. Some dogs may recover completely, while others may be chronically affected or even die. This is why it's important to have your dog examined regularly by your vet and monitor their symptoms. If you notice any signs of bleeding in your dog, you should take him to the vet immediately.