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Thrombocytopenia
Thrombocytopenia is a low platelet count that impairs blood clotting ability. It can range from mild (incidental finding) to severe (life-threatening bleeding).
Key Facts
- Platelets are produced in bone marrow and are essential for blood clot formation
- Signs: petechiae (pinpoint hemorrhages), nosebleeds, bloody urine/stool, bruising, bleeding into joints
- Major causes: immune-mediated (autoimmune), bone marrow cancer, infections (tick-borne), drug reactions, disseminated-intravascular-coagulation
- Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (ITP): most common cause; body destroys its own platelets
- ITP treatment: corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs, possibly blood transfusions
- Diagnosis: platelet count on CBC, bone marrow aspirate, infectious disease testing
- Prognosis varies widely depending on cause
- Species: dogs and cats