Severe thrombocytopenia due to subinvolution of placental sites in a Maltese terrier

Abstract

A 2‐year‐6‐month‐old, primiparous, female, entire Maltese terrier presented 4 weeks after whelping with an acute history of lethargy and vulval haemorrhage. It was found to be anaemic and severely thrombocytopenic, which raised the concern about thrombocytopenia being the primary cause of the profuse haemorrhage. The dog received a packed red blood cell transfusion that resulted in the improvement of the anaemia. The platelet count normalised without a specific intervention. Abdominal ultrasound revealed changes consistent with subinvolution of placental sites. An ovariohysterectomy was performed and the dog recovered uneventfully. This case has shown unusually severe thrombocytopenia secondary to haemorrhage, which should be considered a differential diagnosis for severe thrombocytopenia in dogs.