title: Platelet distribution width and mean platelet volume in the interpretation of thrombocytopenia in dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the use of platelet volume indices in the interpretation of thrombocytopenia in dogs with systemic disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case records of 80 control dogs and 159 thrombocytopenic dogs with systemic disease were reviewed retrospectively. The relationships between mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width and platelet count in systemically well dogs were established. Knowledge of these relationships was used to interpret thrombocytopenia in terms of the underlying disease process.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a positive relationship between platelet distribution width and mean platelet volume. Both platelet distribution width and mean platelet volume varied in a negative relationship with platelet count, which was unaffected by signalment, underlying disease, variations in haemotological parameters or serum proteins.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The interpretation of mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width in dogs requires simultaneous reference to the platelet count. Platelet volume indices did not aid interpretation of thrombocytopenia in terms of underlying pathological processes in the population studied.
authors.affiliation: Division of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Roslin, Midlothian, UK.
authors.forename: N X
authors.initials: NX
authors.lastname: Bommer
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Milne
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Ridyard
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010976:Platelet Count / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012606:Scotland; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000097:blood / Q000662:veterinary*