Immune Mefiated Thrombocytopenia

Question 1

ITP / IMT

Answer 1

• Premature destruction of platelets due to
• overactive immune system
• snake envenomation
• neoplasia
• inflammatory or infectious diseases
• platelet autobodies attach to platelet antigens= forms antibody-antigen complex=attracts macrophages for destruction

Question 2

How low does platelet have to be to be considered ITP?

Answer 2

Decreased platelet counts of <200,000uL

*Spontaneous bleeding only occur when <50,000uL

Question 3

Clinical signs of ITP

Answer 3

• platelets = most important part of primary hemostasis
• decreases= bleeding, bruising, and other coagulopathies
• petechiation, ecchymosis, epistaxis, hematochezia, hematemesis, melena, hematuria
• lethargy, vomiting and dyspnea
• common in dogs, rare in cats

Question 4

Tx of ITP

Answer 4

• depends on the cause
• platelet, whole blood or plasma transfusions, glucocorticoids, immunosuppresive therapy (azathioprine), IV immunoglobulins, doxycycline, vincristine