Platelets are cells in your cat's bloodstream that help blood clot or stop bleeding. When your cat has a low platelet count, which is sometimes called thrombocytopenia, it is at risk for developing symptoms and complications due to the condition unless treated.
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Identification
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Platelet levels of less than 40,000 per microliter of blood indicate a serious shortage of blood platelets that poses a high level of risk to your cat, according to PetPlace.com.
Types of Symptoms
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Symptoms of low platelets in a cat include small red spots on the white part of the eyes or on the gums or skin, bruises on the skin, nosebleeds or blood in the urine or stool.
Risks
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The largest risks associated with low platelet counts in your cat are sudden hemorrhages and uncontrollable bleeding following an injury.
Diagnosis
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To diagnose the cause of the low blood platelet level in your cat, your veterinarian is likely to collect blood, perform a urine test, X-ray the abdomen and chest and perform bone marrow testing.
Treatment
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When the cause of low platelets is destruction of cells by the immune system, the veterinarian may prescribe a corticosteroid to suppress the functioning of the immune system. If the cause is a bacterial infection like Rocky Mountain spotted fever, antibiotics will be used for treatment. Blood transfusions are another treatment for low platelets, according to PetPlace.com.
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