Author: Megan Hill, RVN
ABSTRACT Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (IMTP) is a serious canine haemostatic disorder caused by immune destruction of platelets, leading to severe thrombocytopenia and risk of life-threatening bleeding. This case study describes Peach, a 2-year-old female neutered cockapoo, who presented with lethargy, hyporexia, melaena, oral bleeding, anaemia and marked thrombocytopenia, and was later referred for specialist treatment after relapsing while on prednisolone treatment. Diagnostic testing ruled out infectious disease, and findings of regenerative anaemia, hypoproteinaemia, low packed cell volume and a platelet count of 3 × 109/l supported the diagnosis of IMTP. Treatment focused on immunosuppression with intravenous dexamethasone and oral ciclosporin, as well as omeprazole and sucralfate for gastroprotection, with careful nursing, reverse barrier precautions and frequent monitoring. Because Peach became haemodynamically unstable, she also received a transfusion of packed red blood cells, after which she improved clinically and showed no transfusion reaction. The case highlights the importance of prompt recognition, stabilisation and skilled nursing care in supporting recovery from IMTP.
Keywords immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, IMTP, platelets, regenerative anaemia, haemostasis, immunosuppressive
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56496/TNHD3532
To cite this article: Hill, M. (2026) Nursing the patient with immune-mediated thrombocytopenia: A case study. VNJ 41(4) pp28-32.
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