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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1037
 
| Took my puppy into the vet for her spay this morning. She is a 5.5lb mix breed (chi and something else) that we have had since Christmas Eve. She was dropped off at the local pet shop and we adopted her. Everything has been normal with her since we have had her. All previous vet appointments have been great.
Vet just called and said her platelets were 16,000 (should be 150,000+). Of course she cant have surgery with those numbers. Sending off blood for more tests.
Anyone know what could be going on with her? No signs of lethargy, etc. She has been a very happy puppy.
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 Expert
Posts: 1898
 
| I had never heard or it until my sister gave a puppy to her ex's mother. The dog came into heat early and never went out. When she was taken to the vet she was diagnosed with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). I believe her's was treated with a blood transfusion and some sort of immunosuppresent drug.
ETA:
I don't know about dogs but my daughter was diagnosed with ITP when she was a year old. They believe her immune system went crazy after her immunizations. I know that ITP can occur just by having a sever cold. Anything that disturbs the immune system can cause ITP to delevelope.
Edited by cyount2009 2014-03-12 10:35 AM
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boon
Posts: 3
| It's called thrombocytopenia in humans. There are many causes that can be determined- some are caused by leukemia, automimmune disorders and sometimes it happens without a reason. I have this disorder. Basically, I don't have any symptoms when they are around 90-100. When they get below that, I feel sick at times- dizzy, headaches, sometimes sick to my stomach, bruise easily- if they get really low I get put on a steroid. I will be this way for a week or two and then the count comes back up and I go back to normal. I would think this would be the same with your dog. With this condition, I was told to be careful and minimize risk- probably same with your dog. Otherwise, there isn't much you can do. In humans, one solution is to have a splenectomy- I have avoided this because research is showing this is only a temporary (5-6 year) fix and then the low counts return. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 331
Location: Loma Linda, CA | Kudos to you for actually doing the blood work prior to surgery!
A lot of people don't realize how important it is. Whenever I tell people it isn't required for pets under a year of age, but highly recommended, almost everyone opts out.
Unfortunately, I've lost pets due to conditions that could have been diagnosed through bloodwork prior to surgery! Sucks for both parties involved.
As for low platelets, if it wasn't a machine error (can happen), or draw error, sometimes the person who draws the blood didn't roll the blood tube and it can clot and give wonky results, serum was hemolyzed etc.
There could be a myriad of reasons beyond thrombocytopenia, good luck with the tests! Definitely keep us updated! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1037
| Thank you for the replies. Vet got the blood results back from "lab" today and said they do not know what is causing low platelets. Called puppy in a script for antibiotics and steroids. I just dont like not knowing what is causing this and treating something "unknown."
Edited by kboltwkreations 2014-03-13 4:43 PM
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 Expert
Posts: 1566
Location: WV | Hubby is a veterinarian and most of the time on a healthy puppy like that it's a bad blood stick/draw. |
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  Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
 
Location: Florida.. | Id restick |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 331
Location: Loma Linda, CA | Im in the vet field myself.
I'd redraw as well. Have the lead tech do it. They are the ones that dothe most (not the vet, who is usually sucked into rooms or surgery... in fact sometimes we are playing angry birds while our techs do all the work :P)
Especially if it is an unknown. That is just too inconspicuous. |
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 It Goes On
Posts: 2262
Location: Muskogee, OK | In an otherwise healthy puppy the most likely culprit would be the blood draw/ clotting in the tube. I'd re-draw and see where you are. |
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