Corticosteroid-responsive thrombocytopenia in two beef cows

J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2000 Sep 1;217(5):717-20, 674. doi: 10.2460/javma.2000.217.717.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anemia / complications
  • Anemia / drug therapy
  • Anemia / veterinary
  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Dexamethasone / therapeutic use*
  • Epistaxis / complications
  • Epistaxis / drug therapy
  • Epistaxis / veterinary
  • Female
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use*
  • Hematoma / complications
  • Hematoma / drug therapy
  • Hematoma / veterinary
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / drug therapy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / veterinary*
  • Thrombocytopenia / complications
  • Thrombocytopenia / drug therapy
  • Thrombocytopenia / veterinary*

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Dexamethasone
  • Prednisone