ACVIM Consensus Statement on Immune Thrombocytopenia in Dogs and Cats

A collection of vocabulary flashcards related to the ACVIM Consensus Statements on Immune Thrombocytopenia, diagnosis, and treatment in dogs and cats.

Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP)

The most common acquired primary hemostatic disorder in dogs, characterized by low platelet counts due to immune-mediated destruction.

Thrombopoietin (TPO)

The major regulator of platelet production, crucial for the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of megakaryocytes to platelets.

Platelet Count <100,000 /μL

A threshold used to confirm thrombocytopenia in the diagnosis of ITP.

Complete Response (CR)

A treatment outcome category in which the platelet count reaches 100,000/μL or higher with no active bleeding.

Vincristine

An initial treatment used in dogs with primary immune thrombocytopenia that improves platelet count and shortens hospitalization.

Primary ITP

Immune thrombocytopenia that occurs without an underlying disease, diagnosis made by exclusion.

Partial Response (PR)

A treatment outcome indicating that platelet count is between 30,000/μL and 100,000/μL with no bleeding.

Clinical Signs of ITP

Variable symptoms in animals that do not correlate directly with platelet counts; can include severe bleeding or asymptomatic cases.

Autoantibodies targeting Platelet Glycoproteins

Antibodies that lead to platelet destruction in the immune response seen in ITP.

Secondary ITP

Immune thrombocytopenia that occurs due to a secondary cause such as infection or underlying disease.

Reticulated Platelets

Young platelets that may be elevated in dogs with ITP and can help support the diagnosis.

Diagnosis of ITP

Requires an exclusion of other causes, commonly confirmed by platelet counts, blood smear, and sometimes additional testing.

Treatment Goal for ITP

To achieve and maintain a platelet count ≥100,000/μL with no clinical signs of bleeding.

Cytotoxic T cell-mediated destruction

A mechanism of platelet destruction in ITP where T cells attack megakaryocytes.

Biomarkers for Disease Severity

Needed to assess the severity of ITP and guide treatment decisions.

Spurious Thrombocytopenia

A false low platelet count due to platelet activation during blood collection or processing.

Complement Activation in ITP

An additional pathway that may contribute to platelet clearance in some cases of immune-mediated thrombocytopenia.

Mucosal Exposure

A route of infection for leptospirosis, applicable to both dogs and humans.

Recurrent Seizure Activity

Seizures that reoccur after an initial response to treatment, indicative of ongoing neurological issues.

Seizure-related neuronal damage

Brain injury that may result from prolonged seizure activity.

Adverse Effects of Benzodiazepines

Side effects including sedation and respiratory depression; important to monitor during seizure treatments.

Zoonotic Potential of Leptospirosis

The ability of Leptospira bacteria to infect humans, primarily through contact with contaminated water or urine.