Thrombocytopenia and hindlimb paraplegia in a Hungarian vizsla with right-to-left patent ductus arteriosus

Authors: Ayukai M, Fry DR
Publication: Australian Veterinary Practitioner, Volume 55, Issue 2, pp 54-60, Jun 2025
Publisher: Australian Veterinary Association

Animal type: Dog
Article class: Clinical Article

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Abstract:

Case report: A four-year-old female neutered Hungarian vizsla was referred for acute onset hindlimb paraplegia. Paraplegia was preceded by increasingly prolonged episodes of exercise induced hindlimb collapse. On physical examination there were gingival petechial haemorrhages and neurological evidence of a T3-L3 myelopathy. A complete blood count was performed that documented mild erythrocytosis (67.6%; reference interval [RI]: 37.3 to 61.7) and thrombocytopenia (2K/μL; RI: 148 to 484). The significance of the thrombocytopenia was unknown at the time. Computed tomography (CT) of the head and whole spine with IV contrast was performed that showed hyperattenuating material on the dorsal aspect of L2 and vascular changes in the included dorsal thorax and abdomen. The vascular changes included distension of the caudal vena cava, azygous vein and pulmonary vessels. The CT changes identified at L2 were suspicious for the presence of a subdural haematoma. Echocardiography and an agitated saline study supported a diagnosis of right to left shunting patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).

Conclusion: Thrombocytopenia associated with congenital cardiac disease is rarely reported in companion animals, despite being widely recognised in humans with right to left cardiac shunting.

Keywords: Eisenmenger, dog, congenital, cardiac

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