Carica papaya leaf extracts have been used orally to recover platelet counts and to control bleeding in human patients with Dengue fever. The active components of papaya carica extract have been proved earlier to inhibit immune-mediated platelet destruction and possible bone marrow suppression to fasten the natural course of recovery by increasing the platelet counts. In this report we studied the effect of Caprica papaya in the treatment of infectious thrombocytopenia in dogs. During a one-year period 60 thrombocytopenic dogs with ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, and/or leptospirosis referred to Madras Veterinary College Teaching Hospital were studied. They had mild (platelets 50,000–100,000/µl) to severe (platelets 25,000–50,000/µl) thrombocytopenia and evidence of bleeding. In addition coagulation profiles, buccal mucosal bleeding times, saline agglutination tests, spherocyte reviews, direct Coombs' (direct antiglobin) tests, von Willebrand Factor assays, platelet-associated antibody (PSAb) assays, bone marrow aspiration cytology, and DEA 1 typings were determined. Platelet-rich plasma or fresh whole blood were transfused in case of severe (platelets <20,000 cells/µl) thrombocytopenia and/or anemia and all dogs received doxycycline and prednisone for ehrlichiosis and leptospirosis, imidocarb for babesiosis. Carica papaya leaf extract was administered at 5 ml per 10 kg body weight twice a day for 3 weeks. Platelet counts increased significantly faster in dogs receiving Carica papaya from day 2–7 compared to those receiving only other treatments. Also the bleeding signs appear to improve more rapidly with Carica papaya, and no side effects were observed. In conclusion Carica papaya may be an inexpensive, easily available thrombopoietic supplement to more rapidly control thrombocytopenia and bleeding in dogs with haemoprotozoan diseases along with transfusions, specific infectious disease and immunosuppression.

Disclosures

No disclosures to report.