*Lakey* Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 (edited) Hi Everyone, This is the first time I've ever come here, let alone posted! What has driven me here is our 9 year old pure bred boxer had a routine blood test a week ago before the removal of a skin tag. The blood test showed everything normal except his platelets, these were extremely low, 14 when the number should be a minimum of 150 if not double that. The sample was sent to another pathologist which also screened the blood, they too got the same extremely low count. Another 2 samples were taken over the next 3 days and the levels continued to drop, down to 7. The dog seems well in himself, there are no lesions in his mouth, good colour, no lethargy but the vet is concerned. She has put him onto Prednisolone tablets for 10 days which will hopefully bring up the platelet levels, if not it looks like there is some pretty serious testing ahead. I was wondering if anyone else had ever experienced this? Might be able to short cut the process somewhere hopefully. I hope there's nothing wrong with our dog, we've had him since he was 8 weeks old, we care for him a lot! Thanks for reading. Edited February 11, 2014 by *Lakey* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 Prednisolone and similar drugs are the most common type used for immune-mediated diseases. They suppress the immune system so the vet must feel there is a fair chance that its an immune system related cause. If this is the case the dog's body actually attacks its own blood etc as if its a disease. its sort of like the immune defence system is turned on due to a variety of reasons including over vaccination or use of some heart worm meds, exposure to viruses etc and it gets stuck and doesnt turn off . Prednisolone has some pretty big potential side affects too including a higher susceptibility to infections so anything you can do to keep the dog stress free and not exposed to anything you can to avoid that would push his immune system is a good thing. There are some herbal supplements which you can try as well if you are interested in looking at that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCresties Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 Not wishing to scare you but my Louis has just pulled through 8 months of treatment for Immune Mediated Haemolytic Anaemia (IMHA), which at it's most basic is destruction of the red blood cells in the blood. Immune Mediated Thrombocytopenia (IMT) is I believe similar except that the platelets are destroyed in the blood, not the red blood cells. Treatment for both are very similar, high doses of pred and other immune suppressant drugs - Atopica in Louis's case. Your boy isn't showing any other symptoms, so hopefully it isn't - but it's worth knowing about these conditions. Louis went downhill very rapidly, very lethagic and listless. The pred knocked him for six at the initial high doses, but it also saved him until the Atopica kicked in. As Steve said, keep him stress free and away from other dogs until you know more about what is going on. All the best for your boy, and keep us updated :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Lakey* Posted February 13, 2014 Author Share Posted February 13, 2014 Thank you both so much for replying. I hope we'll find out more tomorrow, he will have had his initial 10 day dose of the pred. Fingers crossed platelets have increased in numbers. I contacted his breeders to find out if there was any history, he'll be lucky to make it to 12 years old! I knew boxers were renowned for cancer, but every single one related to him has gone at around the age of 12 due to cancer, no blood cancers though. His sire died at 8 1/2 of cancer, very young But they did give me a name of a specialist veterinary hospital to contact if the vet gets stuck. I'll let you know what happens tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCresties Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Thanks for the update Lakey - all the best for the results tomorrow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tassie Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Good luck with the results tomorrow. Human case - friend's daughter had Thrombocytopenia - platelet count dangerously low - eventually fixed by removal of spleen - not something you want, and there are some countries she now can't travel to - but she's well. Not sure if dogs work the same way - but some googling mightn't hurt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiecuddles Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 This is exactly what I had in human form :) I was treated with prednisolone short term and when it became apparent that it was to be an ongoing issue and my platelets were at 9000(that 15 refers to 15,000) and they should be at 150-400,000 for a human they took out my spleen, within 24 hours my platelets were heading for normal again and I've never had an issue since! If the vet feels it's an ongoing issue maybe discuss a splenectomy as an option is considered standard treatment for ongoing ITP in humans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiecuddles Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Tassie I can travel anywhere, you just need to make sure you get all your shots regularly :) It's not recommended within the first year or so but now I can do anything and go anywhere the same as anyone else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiecuddles Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Oh and Lakey, try not to stress about the platelet levels, 15 isn't actually too bad! Mine sat at around the 20-30 mark for a couple of years and the doctors were OK with that level, they did recommend that I shouldn't take up boxing but they weren't too concerned, under ten they said they would start to get concerned and most people I know who had their spleens out ended up in the 3-5 sort of range first! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moosepup Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Zoe had IMT several years ago and was on pred for quite awhile but her platelet count steadily rose, no issues since. Be very careful with him as knocks could cause internal bleeding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 There are some herbal supplements which you can try as well if you are interested in looking at that. I would be doing this to help his system recover beyond the prednisolone and hopefully so that the prednisolone is no longer required. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ams Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 I've read that whilst the spleenectomy is successfully used in humans, it does not seem to have the same outcome in dogs and is a last resort option for dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Lakey* Posted February 13, 2014 Author Share Posted February 13, 2014 There are some herbal supplements which you can try as well if you are interested in looking at that. I would be doing this to help his system recover beyond the prednisolone and hopefully so that the prednisolone is no longer required. What sort of herbs? And yes, have now been careful to ensure he's not too exuberant. The weather has helped keep him quieter than normal, but at 9 he no longer acts quite like the puppy he was :) Unfortunately there will be no 'play dates' with his one and only friend for a while They play very rough when they get together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trinabean Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Hi Lakey, I just wanted to wish you luck with the results today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffyluv Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 If you are interested in alternative treatments, it is best to consult with a good holistic vet - they can recommend any supplements and herbs in the correct dose for your dog, with his symptoms. They will often use the test results from your vet or do their own blood work to determine what is going to be the best route to take. I know there are supplements you can buy on line but in all honesty, I think it is better to go through an holistic vet. I used All Natural Vet Care in Sydney (I am in Canberra) - they were awesome and my old stafford was treated for mast cell tumours. His prognosis was 12-18 months and he lived 6 years.. He also had chemo for his cancer as it was the best course of treatment to put him into remission. The holistic stuff kept him well the rest of the time.. At first I put my boy into cotton wool but then decided that his quality of life was the most important. We still went to the park every day, he swam in his clam shell, dug holes and continued to live his normal life as much as possible. He was much happier, not changing his life due to his treatments.. If your lad is well enough for his play date - personally, I would continue it.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 (edited) There are some herbal supplements which you can try as well if you are interested in looking at that. I would be doing this to help his system recover beyond the prednisolone and hopefully so that the prednisolone is no longer required. What sort of herbs? And yes, have now been careful to ensure he's not too exuberant. The weather has helped keep him quieter than normal, but at 9 he no longer acts quite like the puppy he was :) Unfortunately there will be no 'play dates' with his one and only friend for a while They play very rough when they get together. For my dog, for my Mum and now for me ….. I had hair samples DNA'd for the purpose of targeting what my dog's body, my Mum's body and my body actually needed. I have found this works very well. I go through Ross Wilson (works from Coburg Health and Nutrition Store, Victoria) for this. The test is simple - just post in a sample of hair. The analysis is not alarmingly expensive. The natural supplement/s can work out costly but that depends on what your dog's hair reveals that he needs. In the long term, I find it works out the most economical as I know from first hand experience how much money (not to mention valuable time) is spent dotting here and there, trying this and that, without some sort of firm, clear direction. ETA : When you find out what herbal supplements are required, Steve may be able to provide you with some of those :) . Edited February 14, 2014 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 You do need to see a holistic / herbalist vet .I can blend some known to help in this type of thing but I only put together blends that are really safe and have no known side effects I wont give you anything that has precautions on it without a vet advising its O.K. to use them. The blend I use for immunity boosting has Echanacea, Lemon Myrtle, astragalus, Calendula and Siberian Ginseng. Aloe vera Juice is noted to help in this type of thing too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Lakey* Posted February 14, 2014 Author Share Posted February 14, 2014 Thankyou all so much, I really appreciate your thoughts and advice. Rocky's platelets have increased dramatically~! Up to 125, so still a tiny bit low but the vet was really happy with how far they've come in 10 days. I thought he had lost weight over the week so put him on the scales whilst there, 2kg in 10 days. So that is a bit concerning, but she did say the pred. can knock them around a bit. We will now halve the dose and have another test next Friday and see what's happening then. I asked whether he would need to be on the drugs long term and she said it would be a fair while, I asked about long term affects but we got side tracked as I mentioned his parents and 1/2 brothers/sisters etc, none had made it past 12 years (father died at 8 1/2), so long term effects may not be much of a consideration She is sending the results to a specialist to find out whether he thinks it's worth having a full body scan to see if they can see why it's happening. I guess being a boxer, there is always the concern that cancer has started and it's his body's way of trying to fight the cancer off. This sounds like it could be quite an expensive exercise, we'll see what it comes back at and have a think. I would hate to think we decided not to go ahead because of the cost and then find out later it was the start of something we could have stopped or slowed dramatically as we've found it early. So bit more wait and seeing but so far looking reasonably positive. I'll post back next week with another update :) Thankyou all again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 Thankyou all so much, I really appreciate your thoughts and advice. Rocky's platelets have increased dramatically~! Up to 125, so still a tiny bit low but the vet was really happy with how far they've come in 10 days. I thought he had lost weight over the week so put him on the scales whilst there, 2kg in 10 days. So that is a bit concerning, but she did say the pred. can knock them around a bit. We will now halve the dose and have another test next Friday and see what's happening then. I asked whether he would need to be on the drugs long term and she said it would be a fair while, I asked about long term affects but we got side tracked as I mentioned his parents and 1/2 brothers/sisters etc, none had made it past 12 years (father died at 8 1/2), so long term effects may not be much of a consideration She is sending the results to a specialist to find out whether he thinks it's worth having a full body scan to see if they can see why it's happening. I guess being a boxer, there is always the concern that cancer has started and it's his body's way of trying to fight the cancer off. This sounds like it could be quite an expensive exercise, we'll see what it comes back at and have a think. I would hate to think we decided not to go ahead because of the cost and then find out later it was the start of something we could have stopped or slowed dramatically as we've found it early. So bit more wait and seeing but so far looking reasonably positive. I'll post back next week with another update :) Thankyou all again. Thats great news! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 That sounds good ! Playdates, here we come ! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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