Acute Thrombocytopenia Induced in Dogs by Administration of Urethane (Ethylcarbamate)

Abstract

1. Dogs treated for one to two weeks with daily injections of urethane (ethyl carbamate) subcutaneously, in doses of 0.4 Gm. per Kg. of body weight, presented a typical picture of thrombocytopenic purpura. 2. The pathologic changes consisted in numerous purpuric lesions in the small intestine and a smaller number on the skin, heart, lung, cortical zone of the kidney, epiploon, and, rarely, on the stomach and large intestine. 3. The hematologic changes occurred in the following sequence: leukocytosis, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia, and finally acute anemia coinciding with severe intestinal hemorrhage. In the final phase, the coagulation time was normal and the bleeding time very much increased.

Contribution on the Thrombocytopenic Action of Urethane in Dogs*

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Thrombocytopenic purpura in dogs has been obtained by subcutaneous urethane administration (Cruz and Moussatch6, 1948). Suppurative reactions commonly occur in the skin ofthe experimental animals after a few injections.

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