Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Treatment and outcome predictors for immune-mediated low platelets
By O'Marra, Shana K et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2011·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Treatment and predictors of outcome in dogs with immune-mediated thrombocytopenia.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 73 dogs, mostly Cocker Spaniels, were treated for immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, a serious condition where the immune system attacks platelets, leading to bleeding issues. Symptoms included signs of bleeding, and some dogs had high blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels, which indicated a poorer chance of recovery. Most dogs, about 84%, survived their hospital stay, but some experienced relapses. The study found that while this condition is serious, it can be treated effectively, and the recurrence rate may be lower than previously thought.
People also search for: dog immune-mediated thrombocytopenia treatment · Cocker Spaniel bleeding issues · high BUN in dogs prognosis
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To characterize the clinical course of disease and identify prognostic indicators for immune-mediated thrombocytopenia in dogs. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. ANIMALS: 73 dogs treated for immune-mediated thrombocytopenia at the Foster Hospital for Small Animals at the Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and the Tufts Veterinary Emergency Treatment and Specialties Hospital. PROCEDURES: Medical records from the period of January 2002 through June 2008 were reviewed to identify dogs with a diagnosis of immune-mediated thrombocytopenia. Data collected included signalment, clinical signs, results of initial diagnostic tests, treatment, complications, and survival duration. RESULTS: Dog ages ranged from 5 months to 15 years (median, 8.1 years). Cocker Spaniels were overrepresented, compared with their distribution in the entire hospital population during the same period. Sixty-one of the 73 (84%) dogs survived to discharge. Seven (11 %) of those dogs were lost to follow-up. Five of the remaining 54 (9%) dogs had a relapse of the disease. The presence of melena or high BUN concentration at admission to the hospital was significantly correlated with a decreased probability of survival. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia is a serious yet treatable disease, which may have a lower rate of recurrence than previously reported. The presence of melena or high BUN concentration in the study suggested a poor prognosis for affected dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21281218/