ITP in Animals

ITP in animals is common. It occurs mostly in dogs, is rare in cats and horses and can appear in cows and pigs. It is more common in female dogs than males. Like humans, the first signs of ITP may be hemorrhages of the skin and mucus membrane without any other signs of disease. The pet owner may also notice bleeding in the urine and the animal can have severe anemia. ITP is diagnosed on the basis of low platelet counts. Some veterinarians ask for a bone marrow sample to make sure the animal does not have any other disease or disease process.

The treatment for ITP is similar to the treatment in humans. High dose steroids, in the acute stage, low dose in the chronic stage. Some animals do not respond. The course of treatment is to try cytoxan, Imuran, in addition to steroids. If ITP is still not responsive, than a combination of vincristine and steroids is tried. The last suggested treatment is to remove the spleen.

As in humans you must be very mindful of the side effects of these drugs and be very careful to report any thing that is different than normal for any animal. Your pet could have excessive weight gain, bloating, shortness of breath, urinate excessively, develop eye problems, excessive thirst, diabetes, high blood pressure. Confusion could set in and your pet could lay around and sleep more than normal. This would be the same for dog or cat.

One of several possible mechanisms by which infectious diseases can cause ITP is viral infections and could follow after a vaccination with modified live viruses(canine distemper and infectious canine hepatitis. Drugs have been reported to cause ITP in humans and therefore are potential causes for ITP in animals. Examples are gold compounds, antithyroid drugs, and penicillin. In addition eating certain grasses like sweet clover and grasses that contain fertilizers, as well as chewing on certain tree bark and leaves can cause the disease. Drinking contaminated water from creeks or streams and or drinking antifreeze can cause ITP and death. Using dips and sprays more frequently than suggested to rid the pet of fleas and ticks could also lead to ITP.

Bacteremia (infection)or endotoxin (a toxic substance found in disease producing bacteria) is due in part to sequestration of damaged platelets in organs such as the lungs, liver and spleen. This is not a disease that should be taken casually.

Organizations

American Holistic Veterinary Medicine Association
2214 Old Emmorton Road
Bel Air, Maryland 21015
Phone: (410) 569 - 0795

American Veterinarian Chiropractic Association
P O Box 249
Port Byron, Illinois 61275
Phone : (309) 523 - 3995

Reference

The Merck Veterinary Manual 8th Edition

Lazarus, Pat. Keep Your Pet Healthy The Natural Way. CT: Keats Publishing, 1986.

Pitcairn, Richard DVM. & Hubble, Susan DVM. Complete Guide To Natural Health for Dogs and Cats, PA: Rodale Press, 1982 and 1992 .