Thrombocytosis in 715 Dogs (2011-2015)

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Hematology
• Canine Pathology

Background:

• Thrombocytosis, a hematologic abnormality in dogs, is associated with neoplastic, metabolic, and inflammatory conditions.
• Understanding the severity of thrombocytosis and its relation to underlying diseases is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To classify canine thrombocytosis by severity.
• To investigate associations between thrombocytosis severity and specific underlying disease processes in dogs.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study analyzed medical records of 715 dogs with thrombocytosis and 1,430 control dogs.
• Dogs were categorized by platelet count severity (thrombocytosis >500 × 10^3/μL) and diagnosed conditions (neoplasia, endocrine, inflammatory, miscellaneous).

Main Results:

• No correlation was found between thrombocytosis severity and specific diagnoses.
• Neoplasia (55.7%), inflammatory disease (46.6%), and endocrine disease (12.0%) were common causes of secondary thrombocytosis.
• Immune-mediated diseases showed a significantly higher median platelet count compared to other inflammatory conditions.

Conclusions:

• Thrombocytosis in dogs is frequently associated with carcinoma and immune-mediated diseases.
• The study highlights the importance of identifying underlying causes for thrombocytosis in canine patients.