Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat diagnosed with essential thrombocythemia and died of sepsis
By Hammer, A S et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·1990·Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Essential thrombocythemia in a cat.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A cat was diagnosed with essential thrombocythemia, a condition where the body produces too many platelets, leading to potential health issues. The diagnosis was confirmed through several tests, including a very high platelet count and normal iron levels. Unfortunately, treatment with melphalan, a medication intended to lower the platelet count, did not work, and the cat ultimately passed away due to sepsis, a severe infection.
People also search for: cat high platelet count symptoms · essential thrombocythemia in cats · cat sepsis treatment · cat blood disorder treatment
Abstract
The diagnosis of essential thrombocythemia in a cat was made by fulfilling the five applicable criteria set forth by the Polycythemia Vera Study Group for use in humans. The criteria were 1) a platelet count persistently above 600,000/microL, 2) a normal initial hematocrit that did not rise in response to iron therapy, 3) normal serum iron concentration, 4) absence of collagen fibrosis of the bone marrow, and 5) no cause for reactive thrombocytosis. In addition, normal thrombopoietin concentrations and splenic hypofunction were demonstrated. Melphalan was not effective in decreasing the platelet count and the cat died of sepsis.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2342025/