Platelet Function Defect in a Thoroughbred Filly

Abstract

A2-year-old Thoroughbred filly presented to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) at the University of California, Davis, for evaluation of a bleeding disorder. The bleeding tendency was 1st noted 3 weeks before presentation on the morning after the horse was pin fired. Prolonged bleeding was noted after intramuscular injection of procaine penicillin G, and the trainer noted blood from the horse's right nostril 2 days before presentation. The filly had been seen by a referral practice, which found a prolonged prothrombin time but no other problems. The horse received an injection of vitamin K intravenously the day before presentation. The current owners purchased the horse ˜1 year before the initial bleeding episode, during which time she had not injured herself or had any intramuscular injections. The filly had received 1 dose PO of a dexamethasone (5 mg) and trichlormethiazide (200 mg) combinationa and 1 or 2 doses of phenylbutazone (unknown amount) but had not received aspirin. The exact dates of administration of these drugs were not known, but they were not within the week before presentation. She had never bled from venipuncture sites