Evaluation of the Risk of Relapse of Canine Immune Mediated Thrombocytopenia After Routine Vaccination

Vaccination has been suggested as a cause of immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (ITP), although this has not been definitively established in dogs. This study aimed to identify cases of primary ITP that were vaccinated after treatment withdrawal to assess for subsequent relapse.

Records of animals diagnosed with ITP between 2004 and 2014 were retrospectively reviewed at a multi-disciplinary hospital. Cases with a thrombocytopenia <50x109/l (ref 200 – 500) were included unless underlying disease was identified. Cases that did not have assessment for underlying disease were excluded (minimum investigation comprised haematological and biochemical assessment including blood film evaluation, abdominal ultrasonography and thoracic radiography). Infectious disease PCR tests were performed at the discretion of the clinician. Referring practices were contacted for follow-up information. […]