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Also known as: '''''ITP — Idiopathic Thrombocytopaenic Purpura — [[Evan's syndrome|Evan’s Syndrome]]

Also known as: '''''ITP — Idiopathic Thrombocytopaenic Purpura — [[Evan's syndrome|Evan’s Syndrome]]

===Laboratory Tests===

===Laboratory Tests===

Haematological analysis of a blood sample will show '''thrombocytopaenia''', often with extremely low platelet counts (e.g. 1-5x10^9/l). There may be a reactive [[Neutrophilia|neutrophilia]] and other features of a stress leucogram. Examination of a blood smear may show evidence of '''microthrombocytes''' (small platelets that have been partially phagocytosed by cells of the MPS, similar to spherocytes in IMHA) or immature '''macrothrombocytes''' (a sign of bone marrow platelet regeneration). The patient may be anaemic in cases of Evan’s syndrome or if significant haemorrhage has occurred.

Haematological analysis of a blood sample will show '''thrombocytopaenia''', often with extremely low platelet counts (e.g. 1-5x10^9/l). There may be a reactive [[Neutrophilia|neutrophilia]] and other features of a [[Stress Leucogram|stress leucogram]]. Examination of a blood smear may show evidence of '''microthrombocytes''' (small platelets that have been partially phagocytosed by cells of the MPS, similar to spherocytes in IMHA) or immature '''macrothrombocytes''' (a sign of bone marrow platelet regeneration). The patient may be anaemic in cases of Evan’s syndrome or if significant haemorrhage has occurred.

===Other Tests===

===Other Tests===

Definitive diagnosis relies on the detection of serum anti-platelet antibodies but this test is not widely available.

Definitive diagnosis relies on the detection of serum anti-platelet antibodies but this test is not widely available.

Other tests may also be used to exclude potential infectious causes of thrombocytopaenia such as ''[[Ehrlichia platys]]'' and ''Anaplasma phagocytophilum''.   

Other tests may also be used to exclude potential infectious causes of thrombocytopaenia such as ''[[Ehrlichia platys]]'' and ''[[Anaplasma phagocytophilum]]''.   

Faecal occult blood tests represent an unreliable way of detecting gastro-intestinal haemorrhage in cases of mild melaena. The animal must be deprived of meat, bismuth subsalicylate and ferrous sulphate for 3 days before the faecal samples are taken for analysis.

Faecal occult blood tests represent an unreliable way of detecting gastro-intestinal haemorrhage in cases of mild melaena. The animal must be deprived of meat, bismuth subsalicylate and ferrous sulphate for 3 days before the faecal samples are taken for analysis.

Similarly to IMHA, mortality is most likely in the initial stages of the disease and the mortality rate is approximately 30% in this period. Beyond this, the majority of animals recover well although they usually require tapered immunosuppressive treatment for roughly six months to completely control the disease. Initial responses to treatment are relatively quick, so if no increase in platelet number is seen within 1 week of initiating treatment, investigate further for an underlying cause which requires treatment.

Similarly to IMHA, mortality is most likely in the initial stages of the disease and the mortality rate is approximately 30% in this period. Beyond this, the majority of animals recover well although they usually require tapered immunosuppressive treatment for roughly six months to completely control the disease. Initial responses to treatment are relatively quick, so if no increase in platelet number is seen within 1 week of initiating treatment, investigate further for an underlying cause which requires treatment.

==References==

==References==

Ettinger, S.J, Feldman, E.C. (2005) '''Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine''' (6th edition, volume 2) Elsevier Saunders Company

Ettinger, S.J, Feldman, E.C. (2005) '''Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine''' (6th edition, volume 2) Elsevier Saunders Company

[[Category:Antibody Mediated Autoimmune Diseases]]

[[Category:Antibody Mediated Autoimmune Diseases]]

[[Category:Immunological Diseases - Dog]][[Category:Lymphoreticular and Haematopoietic Diseases - Dog]][[Category:Immunological Diseases - Cat]][[Category:Lymphoreticular and Haematopoietic Diseases - Cat]][[Category:Expert Review]]

[[Category:Immunological Diseases - Dog]][[Category:Lymphoreticular and Haematopoietic Diseases - Dog]][[Category:Immunological Diseases - Cat]][[Category:Lymphoreticular and Haematopoietic Diseases - Cat]][[Category:Expert Review - Small Animal]]