Internal Medicine Korea Animal Medical Center Cheongju, Ch'ungch'ong-bukto, Republic of Korea
Abstract: Background – Eltrombopag, a thrombopoietin receptor agonist, increases platelet counts in humans with immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (IMT). However, studies on the effectiveness of eltrombopag in veterinary medicine are lacking. Hypothesis/Objectives – It is hypothesized that eltrombopag-based combination treatment would more effectively correct platelet counts in dogs with primary IMT. Animals –Twenty-six client-owned dogs with IMT. Methods – A retrospective observational study was conducted. IMT was diagnosed based on platelet counts Results – Twenty-six dogs included in the study, with six in the eltrombopag treatment group and twenty in the control group. There was no significant difference in the time to reach a platelet count ≥40,000/μL between the treatment group (median 4 days, range 3.75-8) and the control group (median 4.5 days, range 3-5.75) (P=0.710). Furthermore, there was no significant difference in transfusion requirements between groups (P=0.407). Of the total 26 dogs, 5 (19%) died, with 1/6 in the treatment group and 5/20 in the control group. No significant difference in mortality was observed between the treatment group and the control group (odds ratio 8%, 95% confidence interval [0.7-89.1], P=0.856). Conclusions and clinical importance – Administration of eltrombopag demonstrated no significant difference in dogs with IMT who were concurrently administered prednisone, mycophenolate mofetil, vincristine, and human intravenous immunoglobulins.
