Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Persistent thrombocytopenia in a case of equine infectious anemia.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1991
- Authors:
- Cohen, N D & Carter, G K
- Affiliation:
- Department of Large Animal Medicine and Surgery · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A horse with equine infectious anemia (EIA), a viral infection, was found to have low platelet levels, which can lead to bleeding problems. The horse experienced nosebleeds, small spots of bleeding on the skin, bruises, and swelling, but these issues improved after treatment with corticosteroids, a type of medication that reduces inflammation. Despite this improvement, the owners chose to have the mare euthanized due to the serious nature of the EIA infection. While treatment can help with the bleeding issues, horses with this condition often have a poor outlook because the infection can come back and can spread to other horses.
Abstract
Persistent thrombocytopenia was detected in a horse with equine infectious anemia (EIA). The thrombocytopenia was considered to be immune-mediated, developing secondary to infection with EIA virus. Epistaxis, petechial hemorrhages, subcutaneous hematomas, and edema resolved after treatment with corticosteroids; however, the owners requested that the mare by euthanatized because of infection with EIA virus. Although clinical signs attributable to immune-mediated thrombocytopenia may resolve with appropriate treatment, horses with immune-mediated thrombocytopenia secondary to EIA have a guarded to grave prognosis, because of the risk of recurrence and transmission of the EIA virus.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1955366/