Rosie, a lively and affectionate Cocker Spaniel, had always been in excellent health. So when her owner noticed alarming signs—blood in her eyes and urine—it was clear something was wrong. Her primary vet quickly identified tiny pinprick bleeds on her gums (petechiae) and ran blood tests, which revealed a shocking discovery: Rosie’s platelets had vanished.
Platelets help prevent bleeding by forming clots in response to minor injuries. Without them, even tiny traumas can lead to significant bleeding, as seen in Rosie’s eyes, urinary tract, and gums. Severe cases can quickly become life-threatening.
Rosie was referred to ChesterGates as an emergency, where she received a blood transfusion and a special platelet concentrate to stabilize her condition. Further testing ruled out infections or other underlying causes, leading to a diagnosis of Immune-Mediated Thrombocytopenia (IMTP)—a condition where the immune system mistakenly destroys platelets.
Thankfully, Rosie responded well to immunosuppressive treatment. Her platelet count returned to normal, and she is now thriving as we carefully reduce her medication. While IMTP can be severe, with prompt diagnosis and treatment, most dogs recover well and can lead happy, healthy lives.
