Disease associated with platelet abnormalities
Primary Thrombocytopenic Disease
- The aetiology of primary thrombocytopenic disease is often uncertain.
- It is therefore also known as idiopathic thrombocytopenia.
- The cause may be automimmune - see Immune Mediated Thrombocytopaenia.
- Although the bone marrow contains adequate normal megakaryocytes, there is a reduced peripheral blood thrombocyte count.
- Usually seen in young animals.
Secondary Thrombocytopenic Disease
- Secondary thrombocyopaenic disease is fairly common in adult and older domestic animals.
- Associated with diseases which cause bone marrow depression.
- The bone marrow is depleted or devoid of megakaryocytes, and there is a nil or markedly reduced peripheral blood thrombocyte count.
- Secondary thrombocyopenic disease is seen in the following conditions:
- Severe viral infections.
- For examople, ICH, feline panleucopenia, mucosal disease, swine fever.
- Severe protozoal infections.
- For example, in the UK, Haemobartonella may be a cause.
- Plant intoxications.
- For example, bracken, kale, or ragwort poisoning.
- Drug-induced conditions.
- High doses of oestrogens and salicylate.
- Prolonged use of phenyl butazone.
- bone marrow neoplasia.
- For example, lymphosarcoma or myeloid leukaemia.
- Radiation.
- May cause damage to the bone marrow if it is severe and generalised.
- Other miscellaneous causes.
- Severe bacterial infections.
- For example, Staphylococci, and those Gram -ve bacteria producing endotoxins (e.g. Pseudomonas or Salmonella spp.).
- Liver disease.
- Severe bacterial infections.
- Severe viral infections.
Thrombocytopathia
- A rare inherited condition.
- Recorded in the dog.
- Characterised by defective thrombocyte formation.
- Poor adhesiveness.
- Poor aggregations.
- Poor platelet factor release.