Low platelets in dogs (i.e. thrombocytopenia in dogs) can be a symptom of many conditions—some more serious than others. Integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby explains the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis for low platelets in dogs. Armed with this information, you will know what to expect should your dog have a low platelet count.
It’s not unusual for me to wake up to a random bruise on my knee or shin. Busy clinic life just seems to lend itself to knocking my knees on the edge of an exam table or hitting my shins on open cage doors.
If you are like me, and you wake up with a mysterious bruise, generally there is no need to panic. But did you know that mysterious bruises in our beloved canine companions are much less common, and something you shouldn’t ignore?
Bruises are not always related to a significant underlying health problem. But, finding one or more bruises on your furry family member can be a sign of low platelets in dogs.
What are platelets and why are they important?
Platelets are one of the three main cell types produced in the bone marrow, along with red blood cells and white blood cells. Out of the three cells lines, platelets tend to be like the demure supporting actor. They stay out of the limelight, but they play an incredibly important role—helping the blood clot. Platelets are like little disc-shaped cellular Band-Aids that rush to the scene of an injury and help form a protective plug to stop the bleeding.
And platelets don’t just help stop the dramatic bleeding from gashes or surgery. They also prevent the constant tiny bits of bleeding that would occur from the daily wear-and-tear to all the blood vessels in the body. Without platelets, these inconspicuous micro-injuries would lead to devastating bleeding throughout the body.
Low platelets in dogs
The scientific term for low blood platelets is thrombocytopenia. It is important to remember that thrombocytopenia is a symptom, rather than a diagnosis. There are many possible causes of low platelets. To determine the best course of treatment, it is crucial to identify and address the underlying cause.
But prior to jumping into the causes of thrombocytopenia in dogs, you need to know some background information. First let’s talk a little bit about what “low platelets” means in a practical sense. And then we will get to the signs you might see if your dog has thrombocytopenia.
What is thrombocytopenia (i.e. low platelets) in dogs?
A piece of good news related to low platelets in dogs is that the platelet count must drop substantially below normal before causing serious problems. The normal platelet count in dogs ranges from 200,000-500,000 platelets per microliter. This means there are many extra tiny disc-shaped “Band-Aids” available to rush to the scene of troublesome bleeding and save the day.
When platelet numbers drop somewhere below about 100,000 platelets per microliter, the risk of bleeding after an injury, medical procedure, or surgery increases substantially. And the platelet count must drop even lower—below 30,000-40,000 platelets per microliter— before you see spontaneous signs of bleeding.
It is great that there is some cushion built into the system. But this also means that your dog’s platelet numbers can be silently dropping without you knowing there is anything wrong. In fact, it is not unusual for your veterinarian to pick up a low platelet count on routine screening lab work. Often this happens before the thrombocytopenia starts causing any problems that even the most vigilant dog parent would notice.
What are the symptoms of low platelets in dogs?
Once the platelet count is low enough to cause spontaneous bleeding, all of the dog’s symptoms come from two problems:
- Bleeding in a particular location
- Low red blood cell count (i.e. anemia in dogs) due to the bleeding
If you notice any of the symptoms outlined below, and especially if you notice more than one of them, take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
Symptoms that are related to bleeding in a particular location
Sometimes you may notice signs that your dog is bleeding somewhere, including:
Bruising
Dogs with low platelets bruise more easily, and they can even bruise with no inciting injury. These bruises might appear as dark reddish-brown or purple patches (i.e. ecchymoses) or small pinprick red spots (i.e. petechiae).
These bruises are often most visible on areas with less hair, like the inside of a dog’s ears or on the hairless portion of the belly. You can also sometimes notice red splotches on the white portions of the eyes, or on the gums and/or tongue.
Nose bleeds
Thrombocytopenia can cause spontaneous dog nose bleeds, which may appear as blood dripping from one or both nostrils. While nosebleeds can be normal in people and not related to an underlying medical issue, this is not the case with dogs. If your dog has a nosebleed, this warrants a visit to your veterinarian.
Bleeding gums
If you notice your dog’s gums bleeding, it may just be related to severe dental disease in dogs. But it also could be a sign of a low platelet count. Dogs with severe thrombocytopenia might have bleeding from their gums when they eat. Or you might notice blood on their toys and bones or bloody drool.
Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding
The gastrointestinal tract is one of the more common sites of bleeding in dogs with very low platelet counts. This can mean bright red blood in the stool if the source of the bleeding is lower down in the colon or rectum. Or the stool can look tarry or black if the bleeding is in the stomach or small intestine. Bleeding from the stomach can also cause the dog to vomit up black specks that look like coffee grounds.
Bloody urine
Dogs with a low platelet count can also bleed from the lining of their bladder, causing red or brown urine. It is important to note that there are other less worrisome causes of bloody urine, including a run-of-the-mill urinary tract infection (UTI in dogs). But regardless of the cause, bloody urine should earn your pup a ticket for a prompt veterinary visit.
Excessive bleeding
Dogs with thrombocytopenia may also experience prolonged bleeding from minor cuts or wounds.
Symptoms due to anemia from blood loss
Additionally, low platelets are one of the causes of anemia in dogs. Therefore, you may see signs that are related to the low red blood cell count, including:
Pale or white gums
Any area on your pup that is normally pink or red can become pale, or even white, when the red blood cell count is very low. If you ever notice that your canine companion’s gums or tongue are white, this is a medical emergency.
Rapid heart rate
The heart tries to compensate for a low red blood cell count by pumping harder and faster. You might notice this as a rapid heartbeat that you can feel, or even see, on the outside of the dog’s chest.
Rapid breathing
Without enough red blood cells, your dog’s organs are not able to get sufficient oxygen. To compensate for this, you might notice your dog breathing faster or harder than normal.
Lethargy
Your dog might appear tired and less energetic than usual. Lethargic dogs may be reluctant to go on their normal walk or they may seem less interested in playing.
Weakness or collapse
In severe cases, dogs with extremely low platelet and red blood cell counts may be weak or even collapse.
Take your dog to the vet when you see signs of low platelets
Almost all of these symptoms can be caused by other health issues. So if you observe any of these signs in your dog, the first step is to consult your veterinarian. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can help your pup get back to his or her happy and healthy self.
How will your vet diagnose your dog with low platelets?
If you end up in your veterinarian’s office for any of the signs discussed above, knowing what to expect can help ease some of your understandable anxiety. Diagnosing low platelets in dogs involves a series of steps that veterinarians use to understand what is happening with the dog’s platelet count. Let’s break it down into the main diagnostic process:
1. Evaluating the dog’s history and symptoms
When you get to the veterinarian’s office, a member of the veterinary team will perform a brief exam. This is a quick way to determine if your dog is stable, or if the situation warrants more urgent evaluation and care.
If your dog is stable, your veterinarian, or the veterinary nurse, will ask you about your pup’s medical history. This may include the symptoms you are seeing, and any recent illnesses, medications, or other changes in behavior or health you have noticed at home.
But should your dog’s condition require immediate intervention, the veterinarian may start to stabilize your dog while another team member discusses your dog’s medical history with you.
2. Performing a physical examination
After getting a history, your veterinarian will conduct a thorough physical examination. He or she will check for any signs of bruising, bleeding, or abnormalities that might indicate low platelets. And the vet will also be looking for any changes that might point toward other causes of your dog’s symptoms.
3. Evaluating a complete blood count (CBC)
The initial diagnostic test for low platelets is the complete blood count (CBC). This test measures the levels of the different cell types within dog’s blood, including the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and, of course, platelets.
If the platelet count is normal, your veterinarian will start investigating what else might be causing your pup’s clinical signs. But if the CBC reveals a low platelet count, your vet will move on to the next step in the process.
4. Performing a blood smear examination
Platelets are sticky little guys. This helps them do their job and stick to the site of injuries to prevent bleeding. But it also means that sometimes they can stick together so the blood analyzer cannot accurately measure the platelet count. This may lead to a false low platelet count in dogs.
If the platelet count is low on the CBC, it is always a good idea to confirm if this is a real finding with a blood smear examination. To perform a blood smear, your veterinarian will spread a drop of blood thinly on a glass slide. Then he or she will examine this slide under a microscope to see if the platelet count is truly low, or if there are lots of sneaky giant platelet clumps falsely lowering the machine count.
5. Selecting the appropriate additional diagnostic tests
Low platelets are just a symptom of a bigger problem. And your vet’s end goal is to understand the underlying cause of your pup’s thrombocytopenia. To do this, he or she will probably suggest additional tests. These could include:
- Blood chemistry tests
- Blood testing for infectious diseases
- Imaging tests like X-rays and ultrasound
- Evaluating a bone marrow sample (e.g. bone marrow aspirate or biopsy)
Which of these tests your vet starts with will depend on what he or she suspects the underlying cause of the low platelets might be.
What causes low platelets in dogs?
Before we jump into the individual causes, I think it is useful to zoom out and look at the bigger picture. If your dog’s platelet count is low, there are really only three overarching reasons this might be the case:
- The bone marrow is not making enough platelets
- Platelets are being destroyed somewhere in the body
- Platelets are being lost, used up, or are hiding somewhere other than in the bloodstream
This sounds simple. But when you zoom back in, lots of specific medical conditions fall into each of those big categories. And to make things even cloudier, some conditions lower platelets by more than one of those overarching mechanisms.
Now that you have an idea of what the big picture looks like, let’s take a look a some of the more common causes of low platelets in dogs.
Breed-related causes
Macrothrombocytopenia is a mouthful of a name that means giant platelets. This condition has been documented in several breeds of dogs. Most notable is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (CKCS), where idiopathic thrombocytopenia is an autosomal recessive trait. But it has also been documented in Norfolk Terriers and Cairn Terriers.
Dogs with macrothrombocytopenia have a decreased number of platelets overall, but the platelets they do have are super-sized. The happy news is that their giant platelets seem to get the job done. And affected dogs tend to not have any negative repercussions from their low platelet counts—which can range from 30,000 to 150,000 platelets per microliter.
Greyhounds also often have slightly lower platelet counts than other breeds. The cause of this is unknown and they too are generally asymptomatic.
Immune mediated thrombocytopenia
Sometimes, your dog’s immune system mistakenly identifies the platelets as “bad guys” and attacks them, reducing their numbers. This condition is known as immune mediated thrombocytopenia (ITP in dogs). It is one of the more common causes of severely low platelets in dogs and may also cause an enlarged spleen in dogs.
Infections
Certain viral, bacterial, and tick-borne infections can all decrease the platelet count. They may either reduce the production of platelets or trigger the immune system to destroy platelets (which may also lead to an enlarged spleen). Some infections that can cause low platelet counts are:
- Tick-borne disease in dogs such as Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Babesiosis
- Bartonella
- Leptospirosis
- Parvovirus
- Distemper
- Heartworm disease in dogs
- Systemic fungal infections
Cancers
Cancers like lymphoma in dogs and hemangiosarcoma in dogs can trigger the immune system to attack platelets and lead to secondary ITP. And leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma can crowd out the normal cells in the bone marrow, leading to decreased production of platelets.
Bone marrow diseases
Since the bone marrow is the “platelet factory” where platelets are produced, anything that negatively affects how the bone marrow functions can decrease platelet production and lead to low platelet counts. Bone marrow disease is another one of those overarching categories.
Several types of bone marrow disease can lead to low platelets, including:
- Cancer within the bone marrow (as noted above)
- Immune-mediated disease at the level of the bone marrow
- Scarring or fibrosis of the bone marrow (which can occur secondary to some medications and infections)
Medications
Certain medications can cause low platelet counts in dogs, although this is a relatively rare medication side effect. Below are some types of medication that have been associated with thrombocytopenia in dogs:
Certain antibiotics
Some antibiotics, especially certain types of penicillin, cephalosporin, and trimethoprim-sulfonamide combination antibiotics have been known to trigger immune-mediated destruction of platelets. Rifampin, an uncommonly used antibiotic, has also been linked to low platelet counts in dogs.
Chemotherapy drugs
Some chemotherapy medications used to treat cancer in dogs can suppress bone marrow activity, affecting the production of platelets. However, it is much more common for chemotherapy medications to lead to low white blood cell counts than it is to lead to low platelet counts.
Estrogen-containing medications
Estrogen-containing medications, either administered as prescribed, or consumed by your pup accidentally, can sometimes lead to bone marrow damage and thrombocytopenia. This is especially true at high doses.
Talk to your vet about medication concerns
It’s important to note that not all dogs will experience low platelet counts when taking the medications we just discussed. In most cases, the benefits of these drugs outweigh the potential risks. Your veterinarian will carefully consider the specific medical needs of your dog before prescribing any medication. But if you have concerns about your dog’s medications or notice any unusual symptoms, always consult with your veterinarian for further evaluation and guidance.
Snake bites
When a venomous snake bites a dog, the venom can lead to clotting abnormalities and low platelet counts. The venom of these snakes contains toxins that can disrupt the normal blood clotting process and lead to bleeding disorders. Some of the snake species that are known to potentially cause thrombocytopenia in dogs include:
- Rattlesnakes
- Cottonmouths (also known as Water Moccasins)
- Copperheads
- Vipers
Disseminated intravascular coagulation
Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), is a serious medical condition that can occur in dogs (and humans too) secondary to infections, toxins, cancers, severe inflammation, or other serious illnesses.
Whatever the underlying cause, the consequence of DIC is that the normal clotting mechanisms go haywire. This leads to lots of tiny blood clots forming inside the blood vessels all over the body. And when these tiny clots form, they use up all the platelets and clotting proteins quickly, leading to thrombocytopenia.
What is the treatment for low platelets in dogs?
Now that you know about the potential causes of low platelets, you are probably wondering what options your veterinarian has for treating the causative condition and your dog’s low platelets. Your vet will need to tailor a unique treatment plan to fit your pup’s needs based on the severity of the thrombocytopenia and the underlying cause.
This plan will include:
- Treatment of the underlying disease and/or withdrawal of any potential triggering agents
- General supportive care
- Emergency control of bleeding and/or correction of severe anemia (if needed)
Let’s quickly look at each of those tactics.
Prescribing or withdrawing medications
Your veterinarian may prescribe medications to treat whatever condition he or she has diagnosed your dog with. For example, if an immune-mediated disorder is the cause of the low platelets, the vet may prescribe immunosuppressive drugs to regulate the immune system. Or the vet may use antibiotics to eliminate an infection or chemotherapy medications to target cancer.
On the other hand, if certain medications might be causing the low platelet count, your veterinarian may recommend discontinuing or adjusting those medications to see if your dog’s platelet count improves.
Supportive care
While addressing the underlying cause, your dog may need supportive care. This can include:
- Anti-nausea medications like Cerenia for dogs
- Pain medications
- IV fluids
- Rest
- Limiting physical activity that might lead to injuries
- Avoiding situations that may lead to bleeding
Transfusions
Dogs with very low platelets can sometimes experience significant enough blood loss that they need a blood transfusion.
Packed red blood cell transfusions are the most common type of blood transfusions performed in veterinary medicine. These transfusions don’t provide any platelets or stop the bleeding. Instead, they are aimed at stabilizing the patient. This buys more time for other treatment options to take effect and improve the platelet count.
Whole blood transfusions are another option to help with anemia and ongoing life-threatening bleeding. While whole blood contains both red blood cells and platelets, the platelets don’t survive for very long in circulation. This means they may temporarily help with severe bleeding, but the effect is short-lived.
Although the original problem was low platelets, veterinarians uncommonly administer platelet transfusions, even in dogs with severe thrombocytopenia. This is the case due to limitations in the availability of effective platelet products for dogs.
What is the prognosis for dogs with low platelet counts?
In general, dogs with low platelet counts can have a range of outcomes. A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with macrothrombocytopenia has a great prognosis and will suffer no ill effects from a low platelet count.
On the other hand, the prognosis for the rest of the dogs with low platelets will depend on how low the platelet count is, the underlying cause of the low platelet count, and how the individual dog responds to treatment.
If the low platelet count is mild, or even moderate, and there are no significant clinical signs, the prognosis is usually favorable. With appropriate treatment and management of the underlying cause, many dogs can recover fully and lead a normal, healthy life.
However, severe thrombocytopenia, especially when accompanied by significant bleeding or other complications, can be life-threatening. The prognosis becomes more guarded in these cases. And immediate and aggressive treatment is crucial. Dogs with severe thrombocytopenia may require hospitalization and intensive care.
How can you prevent thrombocytopenia in dogs?
With all this talk of the dangers of low platelets, you may be wondering if there is anything you can do to keep your dog safe. Not all cases of thrombocytopenia can be prevented. But there are steps you can take to promote your dog’s overall health and decrease the risk that your dog might be negatively affected by a low platelet count.
Diligent use of flea, tick, and heartworm preventives can help prevent causes of thrombocytopenia like flea and tick-borne diseases or heartworm disease. And routine check-ups with your veterinarian can allow him or her to detect early signs of health issues, including low platelet counts, before your dog is outwardly showing signs of illness.
Work with your veterinarian
Remember, though, that while taking these preventive measures can reduce the risk of low platelet counts, some factors are just beyond your control. If you do notice any unusual symptoms or signs of illness in your dog, the most important thing you can do is to promptly consult your veterinarian for guidance.
The sooner you detect the problem the better, which is why I always recommend dog parents doing a weekly at-home examination of their dogs. You can learn the basics in my article on the 5-Minute Dog Wellness Scan. Or for a more in-depth explanation (complete with videos), check out my master course, Dr. Buzby’s Tip-To-Tail Health Scan™.
Luckily, with early diagnosis (thanks in part to you recognizing the problem or bringing your dog in for regular wellness visits) and prompt treatment, many dogs with low platelet counts have an excellent chance of recovering and living a normal, healthy life. Hopefully if your dog has low platelets, the vet will be able to find and treat the cause easily. And your dear canine companion will be on the road to recovery before you know it.
Has your dog ever been diagnosed with low platelets in dogs?
Please feel free to share his or her story below.
My 13 year old mini poodle/bichon just passed today and I have some insight. I’m trying to make sense of what occurred- the vet could not find ANY platelets and he was anemic. This battle lasted two days then he passed away.
Sunday I noticed his breath was funky and he was grooming himself more than usual. I bought a toothbrush and went to town on his teeth and gums. I’m now realizing the “tartar” was coagulated blood. Just one more reason why dental heath is so important.
Monday he was peeing blood. Two vet visits where I got his prognosis (no platelets found, anemia). He continued to pee and leak blood. Tuesday I went to the vet to get his blood tested again. Bad results, no progress.
Today is Wednesday and he passed away. It’s strangely making me feel better learning about this condition. I’m glad that he was not in much pain and that he went quickly. I’m devastated. I live alone and he was my best friend. My son.
I guess the main thing I learned was that I should have been brushing his teeth for years and I regret not doing that. Rest in peace, Lamb. He was older, so do not take this as a general circumstance please. Do whatever you can to save your baby!
Dear Cody,
My heart goes out to you with the recent loss of your beloved pup. It is clear he was a big part of your life, and I am certain he knew how much he was loved. I hope with time your heart can begin to heal, and comfort will replace the grief. May his memory stay with you always. ♥
Hi! My Timber is 5 and started showing signs of ITP in early August. She had bleeding gums, blood in the eyes, bruised stomach and very lethargic. The gums was the first sign and she was scheduled to get a dental cleaning. A week after the bleeding gums the other signs appeared almost immediately and I took her to the ER vet right away. Timber had 0 platelets detected and stayed in the ICU/internal medicine for 4 days. Timber went from 0 to 6k to 60k platelets and was released to go home under very close watch. Timber was put on Presnidone and Cyclosprine and went back for blood work in one week. Timbers platelets shot up to over 700k. We were so happy! Our doctor knocked her prednisone down to half and in two weeks we went back and she dropped to 150k. I was devastated. Then we went back up to the full dose and two weeks later she dropped even more. Today she was at 130k. Our vet said we will give her two more weeks then look into changing her cyclosporine. I am heart broken and scared for my girl. Any insight would be immensely appreciated. Thank you!
Hi Emily,
I am so sorry Timber is battling this difficult condition. I understand your concern and am glad your vet is keeping a close watch on her platelet numbers. Here is a link to another article with more information and great comments from other readers: ITP in Dogs: Through the Eyes of a Veterinarian and Dog Mom
Hoping you will receive favorable results at the next recheck and praying for healing for your girl. Feel free to leave an update and let us know how things are going. Bless you and Timber. ♥
Hello- keep in mind my dog was 13- but I just lost him today to this condition. Started with gums, then eyes and belly bruises, then urinating blood. I’m so sorry for what you’re going through. It shows promise that the platelets are up though! I think it was too late for my boy as he didn’t respond to meds. I pray that your pup is doing well today!
My 6 year old Norfolk Terrier and labs drawn before a scheduled teeth cleaning procedure. Vet cancelled procedure stating Chole’s platelets were too low. She has no signs or symptoms of thrombocytopenia. So far labs continue to show her platelets remain low.
Still trying to figure out why?
Hi Karyn,
I am sorry Chloe is having this ongoing issue with low platelets. I understand how frustrating it can be to still have more questions than answers. Hoping your vet will be able to narrow down a cause quickly and praying for a positive outcome for your sweet girl. Bless you both.
My 3 year old suffered a heat stroke and when he went into the vet to be checked bloodwork showed a low platelet count. Is there any chance he will recover from the low platelet count and what are some options to boost his platelets while he recovers?
Hi Tracy,
I am sorry your young dog endured this worrisome episode of heat stroke. Damage to the platelets and blood cells is fairly common with this condition. Because this situation was caused by injury and not due to the immune system attacking the blood cells, you should see an improvement with treatment as your dog’s body recovers. Praying for healing and hoping for a full recovery.
hi ma’am
my dog Leo is 3 yrs old, he got a red patches on skin and clogs under his skin. checked with vet, she said he is having low platelets (30,000) and she said he is in risk condition, there is very low cases of rise in platelets. is he will be ok ma’am?
Hi Ramya,
I am sorry Leo is dealing with this difficult condition. I understand why you are concerned and wish I could tell you what to expect. Unfortunately, there is no way to know if Leo will be able to recover. You have to take things one day at a time and see how his body responds to the treatment. Hoping Leo can start to improve. Praying for a positive outcome for your sweet boy.
My 10 year old chihuahua, Zero, started bleeding excessively from his gums yesterday. After a visit to his vet he was diagnosed with ITP and placed on steroids (prednisone) to hopefully boost his platelet count; as well as given strict instructions to rest and avoid any situation that could cause injury or bleeding. He had shown no sign of lethargy. He eats and drinks well. He is urinating and defecting fine with no blood in either. What are the odds that my little guy pulls through this? And is there anything I can do at home to better support him while he’s healing?
Hi Tammy,
I understand your concern for Zero and think it is great you acted so quickly to get him evaluated by your vet. I am hopeful that since you caught this issue early there is a good chance for recovery. Here is a link to an article with more information and great advice from other readers: ITP in Dogs: Through the Eyes of a Veterinarian and Dog Mom
Wishing you all the best of luck and praying for a positive outcome for your sweet boy.
Hi
My lhasha is 17 year old and is suffering from extremely low platelets, she can’t walk and stand properly. she has bloody stool
will she survive, fight the situation and come back to normal
Hi Stacy,
I am sorry your senior girl is battling this difficult condition. While there is no way to know how things will progress, we can always cling to hope. Wishing you strength and a clear path forward. Praying for healing for your sweet girl. ♥
stacy passed away today morning
My deepest sympathies to you with the loss of your beloved girl. May her memory stay with you always and be a blessing in your life. ♥
My Lab x Collie Murphy started bleeding from his gums spontaneously yesterday. He is 13 and had slowed down a lot over the past few weeks but we thought was old age. He has been diagnosed with autoimmune thrombocytopenia and we are trialing vitamin k and a high dose of steroids to see if he makes any progress. He has perked up a bit over the last couple of hours so we are hopeful
Hi Katie,
My heart goes out to you as you face this scary situation with Murphy. I am glad you were able to get a diagnosis and start treatment so quickly. Hoping your boy will respond favorably to the medications. Wishing you continued success and praying for a positive outcome.
I brought my Molly in today for a fairly normal procedure. Protocol blood work before hand- Thank God. Her platelets should be around/above 50k. She was at 42. They checked her a while later she was down to 32!
Needless to say, no procedures done today but I am one worried mama. They’re treating her with two medications and rechecking her tomorrow and Monday but what can I do to help her! She’s always a princess on a pillow because she’s my baby but honest to goodness, what are the chances she pulls through these extremely critical hours!?
Hi Ashley,
I understand your concern for Molly and this scary situation she is facing. What a blessing this issue was caught in time to intervene! I am not exactly sure what is causing this decrease in her platelets, but one common diagnosis is immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (ITP). Here is a link to another article that discusses ITP in more detail: ITP in Dogs: Through the Eyes of a Veterinarian and Dog Mom
I encourage you to read through the comments section as it contains many personal stories and may offer some hope. Hoping the medications will start to work and can turn things around quickly. Praying for a full recovery and wishing Molly many happy years ahead.
My 12.5 year old Airedale presented with Haematuria about three weeks ago and after a visit to the emergency vet they diagnosed UTI and prescribed 5 days of anti biotics. A retest if his urine a week later showed no abnormalities blood it otherwise. He had blood test for a geriatric profile which showed normal kidney function and little else. The haematuria has returned with a vengeance but he has no temp or frequency. Vet has taken a urine sample trans abdo from his bladder which they have sent off for a culture. Someone else has suggested it could be thrombocytopenia do you think this could be a cause. He is eating normally . Thanks
Hi Julie,
I understand your concern for your Airedale with these episodes of blood in his urine. While this can be a sign of thrombocytopenia, I am less suspicious of this condition since there was not an abnormally low platelet count on your boy’s lab work. Blood in the urine without the presence of bacteria can have many different causes. Some things to rule out would be bladder stones, a mass in the bladder, or prostate issues. Also, if the recheck urinalysis showed no bacteria, it could be that a new infection has started or that the previous one was a bit resistant to the antibiotic that was used. In this case a culture would be the best way to proceed and that is exactly what your vet has already begun to pursue. It sounds like the medical staff is on the right track and I am certain you will get the answers you need. Hoping all is well and wishing you the best of luck. Feel free to leave an update and let us know how things are going.
My 3 yr.pup Luna was perfectly fine one day , the next day not eating and very lethargic. Her platelets at the Hospital were 55,000 and then went to 26,000. She did show slightly more energy and no more fever after a day of antibiotics. The doctor is perplexed as to why the numbers went down and she looked better
Hi Phyllis,
I am sorry Luna is having issues with her platelets and the cause is still a mystery. I too am puzzled by this strange situation. What a blessing Luna is showing improvement despite the abnormalities on her lab work. Hoping she will continue to heal and praying for a full recovery. Bless you and your sweet girl.
Hi Julie,
My rescue dog, roughly 3 years old, has been diagnosed with very low platelets and a very enlarged spleen. He has had 2x doxycycline treatments for ehrlichiosis, but is still showing signs of swelling in the spleen (bloated belly and tender to touch).
I have him booked in to see the vet again in a week and a half (we live remote and the nearest/only vet is nearly 4 hours away).
Is there anything else you would recommend that I get him tested for, or any questions or advice I can ask for from the treating vet?
Aside from the tenderness and slight change in personality (he is less bouncy and more cranky than he used to be), he seems to be happy and still enjoys walking and playing with my other dog. I have ceased feeding them bones on account of the low platelets, but any other advice or tips would be much appreciated!
Thanks 🙂
Hi Ella,
I am sorry your young dog is having these ongoing issues with his platelets and spleen. If the ehrlichiosis diagnosis was made with a in house test at the vet clinic, I would recommend sending lab work out for a confirmatory test. It is possible to get a positive ehrlichia result in-house without active infection as any exposure your dog had in the past will cause the test to be positive. I am wondering if the low platelets are coincidental and not actually related to ehrlichia. If this could be something else such as ITP your pup may need to start on something to help suppress his immune system. The tricky part is you wouldn’t want to suppress his immune system if there is an active infection. Is there any way you could schedule a consultation (even if by phone) with an internal medicine specialist? These would all be great things to discuss with your vet. Hoping for answers and a clear path forward. Best wishes to you and your sweet boy.
My dog abby suddenly is breathing heavily & we went to vet today & her platelets are 7 .She also has pancreatitis,.She was given a shot for nausea..She is still happy to be home.She ate a little & drank some.She is about 9 years old..What next can I do….
?
Dear Nancy Jane,
I am sorry Abby is struggling with these severe symptoms and dealing with a low platelet count. Without playing a personal role in your dog’s medical care it is hard to make suggestions and recommendations on how to proceed. Did your vet mention any symptoms to watch for or discuss a time for rechecking her lab work? I would encourage you to reach out to your vet and ask these important questions. Be honest about your concerns and make sure you get a good understanding of what goals your pup should be hitting to ensure she makes a full recovery. Hoping all is well and praying for continued healing.
I’m going through this with my Basst Hound right now and I’m absolutely devastated. He is five years old and the emergency vet thinks he is having a reaction to his vaccines. I’m feeling so scared and alone. Just wanted to thank you for this information. Thank you for taking the time to educate us pet owners that are feeling in the dark and praying for good news.
Dear Mandy,
I am so sorry you are trying to navigate this scary situation with your Basset. I am assuming the vet is thinking this is immune mediated thrombocytopenia (ITP)? Here is a link to another article with great information: ITP in Dogs: Through the Eyes of a Veterinarian and Dog Mom
Praying for your strength and comfort and hoping your sweet boy can make a full recovery. ♥
My 9 year old golden retriever/boarder collie mix, blood work showed high proteins and high calcium along with low platelets. Is this blood cancer?
Hi Debra,
I understand your concern for your senior pup with these abnormal results on their lab work. Without playing a personal role in your dog’s medical care, I can’t really make specific conclusions. What did your vet say about the results? If you need additional information, I recommend you ask for a consultation with a specialist. They can go over all the case details and provide options for further testing or treatment if needed. Hoping all is well and wishing you many happy days ahead.
My dog, Yogi, is a Shih Tzu/Maltese mix. He’s 4 years old. He started having Petechiae and within a few hours, was covered with large bruises called ecchymoses. He was taken to emergency where they admitted him to hospital. He had blood transfusions because his clotting platelets were at 0, and was severely anemic. After 6 days of transfusions, and several medications, he finally stabilized. He will be on meds for a long time and still shows signs of anemia after 4 months of treatment. We do not know what caused this but they diagnosed it as an autoimmune Thrombocytopenia. None of the Tic borne diseases showed to be the cause. It is a very expensive disease as far as treatment is concerned and is still a life and death situation for my pup should he have an onset again.
Dear Mary Ann,
I am sorry Yogi had to endure this terrible disease and I understand your concern for his future. I am glad he was able to stabilize and continues to fight. Thank you for sharing his story with us. Praying for continued healing and wishing you all the best!
My approx 4 year old rescue girl (Teal)had exactly the same symptoms and diagnosis. Her blood tests (every 2-3 had brought her platelet count up to normal levels but the last test showed the count had dropped back to almost square one. She is being treated with prednisolone on a decreasing dose, but the dose has been doubled following the drop . She seems well but I am concerned about her future. A DNA test showed she is a cross between toy poodle and cocker spaniel. Would this cross have in reased her risk?
Lesley
Hi Lesley,
I understand your concern for Teal and am glad she seems to be doing well despite the recent decrease in her platelet count. I am not aware of either of those breeds having a specific issue with low platelets. Of course, genetics are very complicated and can affect much more than we are aware of. Hoping Teal will respond favorably to the increased prednisone dose and praying for a full recovery. Best wishes to you and your sweet girl.
hi julie,
It’s feel very good that you r trying the animals who have no words to say about themselves they feel pain but use to wag their tails to spread love in this cruel world dogs are one of the m I have a labrador she is 5yrs old after a severe tick bite her patlets counted low can u suggest how I improve her patlets so she may feel good to live..
Hi Joidip,
Thank you for the kind words. Unfortunately, without playing a personal role in your dog’s medical care it is hard to make specific recommendations. If a tick-borne disease has been diagnosed, then treating the disease should help allow the platelet count to return to normal. Sometimes medications have to be used to suppress the immune system as well. I encourage you to discuss the options with your vet. They should be able to help navigate this difficult path. Wishing you and your girl all the best!
My dog has low platelet count,now his bleeding has stopped but he can’t walk yet,can he recover?
Hi Udayanga,
Yes, there is always hope for recovery. Wishing your pup continued healing and praying for a positive outcome.
My dog has low PCT and PLT levels but his RBC is normal.
He is almost 14 and doesn’t have any other symptoms .. his vet said to not worry but I am worried.
Hi Imane,
I understand why you are concerned about these abnormal results on your dog’s lab work. I encourage you to talk to your vet and make sure they know you would like to have this issue investigated a bit further. It is also ok to seek a second opinion or even take your dog to a new clinic if you feel a different veterinarian might be a better fit for you and your pup.
Hello. My 14 year old chihuahua/chow pup had gastroenteritis and critical platelets. She was extremely lethargic, bloody stool, no appetite. I took her to my vet prepared to say goodbye (as prepared as one can be). They kept her overnight giving fluids, antibiotics, and GI medication. The doctor called me early the next morning to tell me that she had pulled through the night. She was extremely critically ill but that stubborn girl hung on. We got a few more years with her thanks to that veterinarian. She passed this July at 17 years of old age and a heart condition. There is hope!
Hi Stacy,
This is such a good story! Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I am certain this will offer hope to others in a similar situation. I am sorry your girl is no longer with you but can tell she was well loved and lived a happy life. Bless you and take care. ♥
My dog has very low platelet and his RBC has slightly improved and he has mild bloating but other than that he is normal
Hi Pavya,
Wishing your pup all the best at making a full recovery. ♥
hi my dog has low patlete count and low wbc and diarhea blood is their any possibility she will survive
Hi Rakesh,
I am so sorry your dog is in this life-threatening condition. I am not sure how things will turn out for your pup but there is always hope! Praying for a miracle and wishing you strength and comfort during this difficult time. ♥