Corticosteroid-responsive thrombocytopenia in two beef cows.
Corticosteroid-responsive thrombocytopenia was identified in 2 beef cows. Clinical findings in 1 cow included hematoma formation, petechiation of mucous membranes, anemia, and persistent thrombocytopenia. Cow 2 was in its fourth month of gestation and had epistaxis, nasal mucosal petechiation, anemia, and thrombocytopenia. Treatment included parenteral administration of corticosteroids at immunosuppressive dosages. Cow 1 had a history of chronic hematoma formation and responded to long-term treatment with dexamethasone, but it relapsed 2 months after treatment was discontinued. Cow 2 had acute onset of clinical signs, responded to short-term treatment with prednisone, delivered a full-term, healthy calf, and remained clinically normal for at least 1 year after treatment was completed. Reported causes of thrombocytopenia in ruminants were ruled out or seemed unlikely; a definitive cause for thrombocytopenia in the 2 cows could not be established.
Hoyt
P G
PG
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge 70803, USA.
Gill
M S
MS
Angel
K L
KL
Gaunt
S D
SD
Dial
S M
SM
Landreneau
R M
RM
D000740:Anemia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004844:Epistaxis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006406:Hematoma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone; D011241:Prednisone