Disorder - Autoimmune thrombocytopoenia

Organ Systems Involved
Immune

Alternative Names
Thrombocytopathy
Thrombocytopoenia
Immune mediated thrombocytopoenia
Platelet Function Defect
Autoimmune thrombocytopoenia
Platelet Disorder

Brief Description

A condition where the animal has excessive bleeding due to a deficiency of the cells known as thrombocytes or platelets, which are responsible for the clotting of blood.

Presenting Signs

Autoimmune thrombocytopoenia is a condition in which the immune system mistakenly recognises its own normal platelets as foreign. Because of this, the body attacks the platelets and destroys them. As these cells are necessary for the formation of blood clots, the deficiency causes a delay in blood clotting and the animal bleeds for much longer than usual. In severe cases, massive bleeding can occur either from wounds or internally. The resulting blood loss causes the animal to be lethargic, weak and to have a reduced appetite. As the blood is responsible for the transport of oxygen around the body the dog will try to compensate by increasing the heart rate and panting, in an attempt to carry more oxygen around the body. In severe cases the blood loss may be so extreme that it causes death.

Dogs at Risk

Females are three to four times more prone to this condition than males.

Groups Affected
Gundog
Hound
Non Sporting
Terrier
Toy
Utility
Working dog


Breeds Affected
Akita
American cocker spaniel
Australian silky terrier
Bearded collie
Cavalier King Charles spaniel
Dachshund (long, smooth and wire haired)
Dachshund (miniature - long, smooth and wire-haired)
Ibizan hound
Irish setter
Italian greyhound
Kerry blue terrier
Maltese
Newfoundland
Old English sheepdog
Pekingese
Pharaoh hound
Poodle (Miniature)
Poodle (Standard)
Poodle (Toy)
Pyrenean mountain dog
Rottweiler
Saluki
Samoyed
Schnauzer (Giant)
Schnauzer (miniature)
Shih Tzu
Swiss mountain dog


Treatment

Medical

Related Disorders

Autoimmune Hemolytic Anaemia Haemophilia Von Willebrand's disease

PubMed References
Autoimmune thrombocytopoenia

Further Reference Material [OMIA Number]
95


Contributor
Anupam Sharma