topic Re: Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia? in Community Chat

Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia?

Karie2022 — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 18:18:59 GMT

we just got back from the vet and our beloved 4 year old black lab has this…its when they are not making any platelets...they put her on steroids and antibiotics as she was running a fever….my heart is breaking…has anyone had any experience with this? i was afraid to ask for the prognosis…she goes back in a few days for a repeat blood test to see if the steroids are working, if not, i have to take her up another facility for further evaluation...

Re: Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia?

Sammycat1 — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 19:09:11 GMT

This is a very rare autoimmune disease that can be managed and most dogs respond pretty well, but it's chronic (incurable) and you have to stay on top of it the rest of your pup's life. However, some dogs need specialty treatment. The goal is to kick it into remission. It can be life threatening but many, many dogs do very well.

Here's a nice, compact discussion of it from a veterinary website -- I hope this helps!

"The body's immune system is designed to fight foreign substances in the body, like germs and viruses. But in autoimmune diseases, the immune system attacks healthy tissues, not germs. In case of ITP, the immune system attacks platelets – the cells responsible for clotting the blood. When platelet levels are low, clotting is slowed and spontaneous bleeding occurs.

In mild cases, the affected dog may present with many pinpoint bruises on the gums, whites of the eyes, mucous membranes or skin. These bruises are called petechia, and they may develop into larger bruises. Dogs may also bleed into their intestinal, urinary or respiratory tracts, and nosebleeds are common. Bleeding can be severe and lead to anemia. Some dogs will also have a fever.

The diagnosis is made by finding reduced numbers of platelets in the blood stream and ruling out other causes such as some tick transmitted infectious diseases. Normal platelet counts are 200,000 or above. When these numbers are below 20,000, bleeding starts to occur.

In the acute phase of the disease, blood transfusions are often necessary due to severe anemia. Treatment involves the use of corticosteroids in combination with other immunosuppressant drugs such as azathiaprine, cyclosporine or leflunomide which are usually continued for several months after remission has been achieved.

Although ITP is a life threatening disease, it can usually be treated successfully and survival rates are approximately 90%."

Re: Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia?

Karie2022 — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 23:05:08 GMT

Thanks sammycat, unfortunately we had to rush her to the pet hospital this am as she is bleeding internally...she will be there for sometime, as they are doing all sorts of tests...not sure if she has cancer or its idiopathic...her platelets and red blood cells are down again and she had to have a transfusion today.needless to say our hearts are broken, but we are still hopeful.

Re: Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia?

Sammycat1 — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 23:20:55 GMT

On 11/20/2014 conniec said: Thanks sammycat, unfortunately we had to rush her to the pet hospital this am as she is bleeding internally...she will be there for sometime, as they are doing all sorts of tests...not sure if she has cancer or its idiopathic...her platelets and red blood cells are down again and she had to have a transfusion today.needless to say our hearts are broken, but we are still hopeful.

Oh no! I'll start a prayer thread here on the Pet Forum for your beloved dog. Please update us as you are able!

Re: Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia?

Karie2022 — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 23:50:50 GMT

Thank you

Re: Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia?

Sheltie Mom — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 03:20:05 GMT

conniec, you and your boy will be in my prayers.

Re: Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia?

Karie2022 — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 14:54:41 GMT

Update- heard from dr at vet hospital...they took X-rays and ultra sound and found no cancer...gave a transfusion with more today..monitoring her closely for bleeding especially in lungs, brain..she was negative for all tick diseases. Needs to stay 3-5 days at the hospital..they are labeling her "primary" idiopathic thrombocytopenia..no known cause. It's an auto immune disease...goal is to get her into remission with steroids...I am at this point cautiously optimistic ...miss her terribly and plan on seeing her today...kids and hubby too. House seems so strange with out her

Re: Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia?

Sammycat1 — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 18:46:24 GMT

On 11/21/2014 conniec said: Update- heard from dr at vet hospital...they took X-rays and ultra sound and found no cancer...gave a transfusion with more today..monitoring her closely for bleeding especially in lungs, brain..she was negative for all tick diseases. Needs to stay 3-5 days at the hospital..they are labeling her "primary" idiopathic thrombocytopenia..no known cause. It's an auto immune disease...goal is to get her into remission with steroids...I am at this point cautiously optimistic ...miss her terribly and plan on seeing her today...kids and hubby too. House seems so strange with out her

Good news on no cancer! We're continuing to pray for your girl (what's her name, by the way?) and our hopes for her recovery are with you. It's so true that your house doesn't feel like home when your furry members are away from it.

Keep the faith! We'll keep checking for updates.

Re: Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia?

forrestwolf — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 21:29:11 GMT

I am sooooooooooo sorry what you are going thru.......I wish your puppy doodles well......Please tell me that you are giving something like Pepcid, to protect the stomach with the steroids and all.........My thoughts go out with you........

Re: Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia?

Karie2022 — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 00:08:13 GMT

**update: she is still in the hospital, day 6…two updates from dr today: still no platelets, but GI bleeding had slowed quite a bit, she is eating well and not terribly lethargic; but then i got an update an hour ago and her PCB ( level of anemia) had dropped from 20 to 18..which is very low..they are giving her another transfusion, tonights will have fresh platelets in it..

dr. still feels there is hope; they usually give them to the two week mark with not making any platelets(typically it only takes most dogs 4-5 days) and then we will have to make a decision. There is another dog there with the same condition, she came in 2-3 days ahead of my dog, and they just saw platelets yesterday…so i am holding onto that..but its very possible her bone marrow just won't make them..or if it does it destroys them. her name is Beckley…she is a beautiful black lab…so special...

Re: Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia?

Another new name Sue — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 00:23:49 GMT

Your pup is so young to be so sick, just getting started in her adult life. It's so sad to see her in this state, and I'm sending heartfelt wishes that she'll get better. It sounds like you are getting the best care for her. Labs are such sweet dogs.

Re: Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia?

Sammycat1 — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 00:26:25 GMT

Thanks for the update on Beckley -- prayers are continuing for your special girl that she can start making some platelets and be home to you soon!!

Re: Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia?

DogMom — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 03:32:00 GMT

conniec - I feel your pain so well. My elderly mother's dear 5 year old pug suffered this very same diagnosis this past March. It seemed to come on suddenly. Her platelet count went to zero and she was also bleeding internally. After a total of 11 days in the ICU of our emergency specialty hospital and many transfusions and medications later, we had to make the very painful decision to let her go. After 6 days, her platelet count began to climb and within an additional couple of days climbed to almost normal. We were then able to take her home. Two days later we took her back for a blood count and her platelet count had dropped again to zero. It was devastating. We were with her everyday at the hospital. She would rally for a bit and then her platelet count would drop again and require another transfusion. The costs were climbing - well over $6,000 was spent and the vet gave us a less than 50% chance that she would beat this given that she had a relapse so soon. Even in remission there would always be the chance that her platelet count could drop again and she would need more transfusions in the future. Also, we had to give her medication that was going to cost more than $500+ per month. The vet anticipated that we would need to give her these medications for approximately 4 to 6 months. My mother doesn't have unlimited financial means and simply could not afford to go on - especially when we were told the odds were not that promising.

I know this is not the news you wanted to hear, but unfortunately, this was our experience with this terrible disease. Having said this, this DOES NOT mean that your sweet baby will have the same outcome. Our vet told us that many dogs do recover and lead long healthy lives. In fact, the exact same scenario that you described is what we experienced in that there was another dog in the hospital that had been there a couple of days longer and it did recover.

I have said a prayer that your Beckley is one of those that beats this. Keep us posted and I hope we hear good news soon. Think positive!

Re: Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia?

dreamytoo — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 06:57:38 GMT

Conniec, I am so sorry for all that you and your pup are going through...

I lost two dogs to AIHA within 15 months of each other...the diseases have quite a lot in common so I understand the roller coaster you are on.

I believe there is some good info. on both diseases here http://users.cloudnet.com/jdickson/

Sending positive thoughts and healing energy...

Re: Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia?

qualitygal — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 12:22:21 GMT

Awwwwwwwww, I'll be praying for you all. Hope it all turns out well for you all.

Re: Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia?

Tissyanne — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 04:11:35 GMT

Praying for Beckley. I hope she is able to overcome this, and return home soon.

Re: Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia?

Karie2022 — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 01:22:45 GMT

**update: finally some good news! Vet called yesterday to say they found some baby platelets...they weren't mature but she was optimistic...today she called and they got a few mature platelets...she is eating great and drinking, she did pull out her iv --the vet thought she was tired of being there, and I'm sure somehow she knew it was Thanksgiving and she loves to eat!! She is hoping she can come home in a few days..I am so nervous about bringing her home...I want to make sure she is stable enough to come home..I am worried she is not going to be the same...I know it will take time, i guess I am just nervous about taking care of her and want to make sure I do everything right...but more than anything, i am so grateful that my baby is coming home...what a great thanksgiving this has been!!

Re: Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia?

beastielove — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 01:36:30 GMT

On 11/27/2014 conniec said: **update: finally some good news! Vet called yesterday to say they found some baby platelets...they weren't mature but she was optimistic...today she called and they got a few mature platelets...she is eating great and drinking, she did pull out her iv --the vet thought she was tired of being there, and I'm sure somehow she knew it was Thanksgiving and she loves to eat!! She is hoping she can come home in a few days..I am so nervous about bringing her home...I want to make sure she is stable enough to come home..I am worried she is not going to be the same...I know it will take time, i guess I am just nervous about taking care of her and want to make sure I do everything right...but more than anything, i am so grateful that my baby is coming home...what a great thanksgiving this has been!!

What wonderful news!

Sending tons of very special prayers to your precious girl.

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All of my children have paws =^..^=

Re: Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia?

Another new name Sue — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 06:41:24 GMT

Thanks for the update. Keep the good news coming.

Re: Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia?

Sammycat1 — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 07:09:39 GMT

Fantastic news! Beckley, be a good platelet factory so you can go home - your Mommy loves you!