Thrombocytopenia in Felines

Thrombocytopenia is a rare but serious condition in cats that occurs when a cat has a low platelet count. Platelets are produced in the bone marrow and circulate in the body for about a week. When platelet counts drop below 200,000 microliters per liter, it's called thrombocytopenia.

Symptoms of thrombocytopenia include:

Bruising

Uncontrollable bleeding

Red spots on the skin or gums

Lethargy

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Pale gums

Vomiting blood

Bloody diarrhea

Black, tarry stools

Nosebleeds

Many cats with thrombocytopenia don't show any obvious signs, so blood testing is important.

Possible causes of thrombocytopenia include:

Autoimmune diseases, Infections, Cancer, Toxicity, Medications, Rodenticide toxicity, and Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).

Treatment depends on the cause of the thrombocytopenia. For example, if the cause is immune-mediated, medications or surgery to remove the spleen may be used to stop the spleen from removing platelets. A mild cause has an excellent prognosis, while a more severe cause has a more guarded prognosis.