Abstract

Background: Feline platelet aggregation often results in falsely low automated platelet counts in this species. A combination of optical platelet counting to detect even large platelets and the use of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) to inhibit platelet clumping may increase the accuracy of feline platelet counting. Objective: The objective of this study was to compare platelet counts in whole blood samples with and without the addition of PGE1 and using different analytical methods in cats in a clinical setting. Methods: Platelet counts were determined in 10 feline patients in a referral veterinary hospital using 2 sample types (EDTA, EDTA with PGE1) and 2 methods of analysis (optical counting [PLT-O] and impedance counting [PLT-I]) on the Sysmex XT 2000 iV analyzer. Results: All PGE1–PLT-O samples had platelet counts of > 200 x 109/L and mean platelet count (410,256 ± 178 X 109/L) was significantly higher (P < .03) compared with PGE1–PLT-I (256 ± 113 X 109/L), EDTA–PLT-O (238 ± 107 x 109/L), and EDTA–PLT-I (142 ± 84 x 109/L). Depending on the method, platelet counts in 2 to 7 of 10 cats were < 200 x 109/L when PGE1-PLT-O was not used. An increased platelet count in response to treatment of a feline patient with thrombocytopenia would have been missed without use of PGE1–PLT-O. Conclusions: Using PLT-O analysis on EDTA samples containing PGE1 provides higher and therefore likely more accurate feline platelet counts in a clinical setting

Keywords

Platelet count

Published in

Veterinary Clinical Pathology
2010, volume: 39, number: 2, pages: 190-192

Authors' information