Changes

==Description==

==Description==

Platelets (or thrombocytes) are responsible for primary haemostasis, the formation of a temporary platelet plug that initially seals any breach to a blood vessel wall.  Bleeding disorders may occur if platelets are deficient ('''thrombocytopenia''') or if the platelets are unable to function adequately ('''thrombocytopathia''').  Thrombocytopenia may be a '''primary disease''' due to disease of the bone marrow that reduces the production of platelets or it may occur '''secondary''' to another insult.

Platelets (or thrombocytes) are responsible for primary haemostasis, the formation of a temporary platelet plug that initially seals any breach to a blood vessel wall.  Bleeding disorders may occur if platelets are deficient ('''thrombocytopaenia''') or if the platelets are unable to function adequately ('''thrombocytopathia''').  Thrombocytopaenia may be a '''primary disease''' due to disease of the bone marrow that reduces the production of platelets or it may occur '''secondary''' to another insult.

===Primary Thrombocytopenic Disease===

===Primary Thrombocytopaenic Disease===

The aetiology of primary thrombocytopenic disease is often uncertain and it is therefore also known as '''idiopathic''' thrombocytopenia.  Some cases of primary thrombocytopenia may occur due to autoimmune responses directed at platelets and, although the [[Bone Marrow - Anatomy & Physiology|bone marrow]] may contain adequate normal megakaryocytes, this disease results in a reduced peripheral blood thrombocyte count.  [[Immune Mediated Thrombocytopaenia|Immune-mediated thrombocytopaenia]] occurs most commonly in young animals.

The aetiology of primary thrombocytopenic disease is often uncertain and it is therefore also known as '''idiopathic''' thrombocytopaenia.  Some cases of primary thrombocytopaenia may occur due to autoimmune responses directed at platelets and, although the [[Bone Marrow - Anatomy & Physiology|bone marrow]] may contain adequate normal megakaryocytes, this disease results in a reduced peripheral blood thrombocyte count.  [[Immune Mediated Thrombocytopaenia|Immune-mediated thrombocytopaenia]] occurs most commonly in young animals.

===Secondary Thrombocytopenic Disease===

===Secondary Thrombocytopaenic Disease===

Secondary thrombocyopaenic disease is fairly common in adult domestic animals and it may be associated with diseases that depress the production of platelets or increase their consumption or sequestration:

Secondary thrombocyopaenic disease is fairly common in adult domestic animals and it may be associated with diseases that depress the production of platelets or increase their consumption or sequestration:

*Diseases that cause '''[[Bone Marrow - Anatomy & Physiology|bone marrow]] suppression'''

*Diseases that cause '''[[Bone Marrow - Anatomy & Physiology|bone marrow]] suppression'''