What causes immune thrombocytopenia in dogs?
ITP is caused by an autoimmune attack against the dog’s own platelets, and usually the initial cause of this is unknown. It can be a primary problem or a secondary problem, triggered by other diseases. In the case of a dog with abnormal bleeding, your vet will need to run some tests to establish the cause.
Can thrombocytopenia in dogs be cured?
The mainstay of treatment for ITP is immunosuppressive corticosteroid therapy, usually given as prednisone starting at 2 mg/kg/day (or 30 mg/m2 for larger-breed dogs). This dose is gradually reduced once the platelet count has returned to normal, typically with dose reductions of 25% every two to four weeks.
What is Evans disease in dogs?
Evan’s syndrome is a particularly serious and sometimes life-threatening immune-mediated/auto-immune condition in which the immune system attacks and destroys a patient’s red blood cells AND platelets, putting the patient at risk of spontaneous bleeding and profound anemia.
Can pancreatitis cause low platelets in dogs?
Many severe diseases have thrombocytopenia as one component of the condition. For example, certain infections, neoplasia (cancer), immune system disorders, and pancreatitis can result in thrombocytopenia, as can drug therapies such as some anti-cancer treatments.
How is immune-mediated thrombocytopenia diagnosed in dogs?
Diagnosis. The diagnosis of ITP or IMHA requires evaluation of blood smears, complete blood count, chemistry panel and urinalysis. Specialized blood tests such as a Coombs’ test and titers for certain tickborne diseases are often necessary.
Can Lyme disease cause low platelets in dogs?
Lyme disease can also affect the eyes, heart, and possibly the central nervous system (not well documented in dogs). How is Lyme Disease diagnosed? Blood counts may show anemia, low platelets, and low white blood cells. The biochemical profile may show low blood proteins, high kidney values, and other abnormalities.
What infection causes low platelets?
Infections with protozoa, bacteria and viruses can cause thrombocytopenia with or without disseminated intravascular coagulation. Commonly dengue, malaria, scrub typhus and other rickettsial infections, meningococci, leptospira and certain viral infections present as fever with thrombocytopenia.
Does Lyme disease cause low platelets in dogs?
A very small number of infected dogs can develop kidney failure, which is usually fatal. Lyme disease can also affect the eyes, heart, and possibly the central nervous system (not well documented in dogs). How is Lyme Disease diagnosed? Blood counts may show anemia, low platelets, and low white blood cells.
What are the signs of an autoimmune disease in dogs?
This occurs most commonly in dogs and attacks the joints, causing an inflammatory response with the following clinical signs:
- Reluctance to walk.
- Altered gait or lameness.
- Multiple swollen painful joints.
- Fever.
- Lethargy.
- Inappetance (lack of appetite)
- Vomiting or diarrhoea.