Disease Description: A functional abnormality of small blood cells (thrombocytes or platelets) which are needed to control bleeding

Inherit Mode: -

Disease Symptom: The normal platelet level has to be above 40,000 per micro liter of blood. Under this level bleeding and bruises will easily appear. Some symptoms of thrombocytopenia are:Loss of appetite;Lethargy;Weakness;Larger hemorrhages under the skin, especially on the ventral abdomen;Bleeding from the mucous membranes;Nose bleed (epistaxis);Small red spots on the white part of the eyes, the skin or gums;Bruises on the skin (ecchymosis);Pale mucous membranes;Blood in the urine;Blood in the stool or black, tarry stool;Prolonged bleeding after an injury or a surgery;Hemorrhages in the eye, in very severe cases

Disease Cause: There are four main processes that can cause thrombocytopenia:The production of a smaller number of platelets by the bone marrow;The destruction of the platelets by the immune system; the immune system destroys the platelets because it doesn’t recognize them as useful cells;The use of a larger number of platelets in the clotting process;The removal of the platelets from the general circulation

Disease Diagnose: To identify the disease correctly and to exclude other diseases multiple diagnostic tests can be done:A complete history;A thorough physical examination to detect the signs of other diseases;A complete hemogram including a platelet count;A coagulation profile which tests the presence of the clotting factors;Serum biochemistry tests to evaluate general health and to detect abnormalities in other organs;Immune system function tests;Bone marrow aspiration;X-ray of the chest or abdomen also to check the presence of other diseases such as infections or cancer;Specific tests for infectious diseases like tick-borne diseases;Urinalysis to detect infections, bleeding (hematuria) or protein loss

Treat Method: It is very important to identify the cause of thrombocytopenia, since different causes have to be treated differently. The treatment depends not only on cause, but also on the severity of the condition.If the platelet level is very low a platelet transfusion can be done. However, transfused platelets don’t last very long.If the dog is affected by infections, antibiotics would be prescribed. Tetracyclines are known to be effective against rickettsia, which is a bacterial agent that may trigger thrombocytopenia as well.For immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, you may use corticosteroids combined with other immuno-suppressive drugs.The treatment of cancer generated thrombocytopenia will depend on the type of cancer and its location.

Breeder Advice: -

Disease Description Source: Link