Low platelet count

[Bonnie and Kona]

Owen and Kona have both been in the vet hospital for IV fluids twice this month for what appeared to be flu-like symptoms. This past week they both had a fever as well and had to get IV fluids for 24 hours. They came home with antibiotics. Kona seems just fine now. Owen showed a low blood platelet count. I don't know how low. (Kona did not have this symptom.)

The vet asked if he has had ticks. Neither has ever had a tick on them. 

They checked for pancreatitis in Owen but that wasn't it. I asked the vet why this would be and she said it was very strange for such a young dog to have low platelets (3 years old). He came home last night, and we are taking him back tonight for another blood draw. He has been lethargic all day but is keeping his food and water down. 

When I looked online for information it seemed the tick born disease and cancer were the most likely culprits. 

Anyone have any other ideas? Thank you. 

[Bonnie and Kona]

Thank you, Laurie. He is doing better.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Plain old dehydration? 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Nope. The platelet count would not be low.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Correct. Thanks for thinking of us though, Joanne. 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Okay. When mine ran low they gave me fluids. Just a guess

Above should have said, dehydration

Clumping platelets?

[F, Calla & Luca]

When blood is concentrated, i.e. dehydration, blood counts appear higher.

[Sheila & Finnley]

Keeping a good thought for Owen. I hope it turns out to be just a fluke, and they can treat him and get him feeling better.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Thank you, Sheila. :)

[Dianne Carter ~ Trinity Doodles]

Bonnie have either of them had ANY chicken jerky treats or been on any sulpher antibiotics?  There have been some links that have been identified this year that results are being collected about that link chicken jerky and low platelets.  The suspected link is sulfonamides.  Upon this being brought to our attention by someone involved in the research we made a connection to the loss of one of our pups to IMT that we confirmed had chicken jerky, this was previously not noted.  Also, do you use Trifexis or comfortis by any chance?  As of this week more reported deaths this year are suspected as a result of Trifexis than by the Chinese chicken jerky, there are some blood tests that are indicative of low platelets for those that had blood work in a timely fashion.  If you want any additional details feel free to private message me for information I have.  

[Bonnie and Kona]

Thank you for your interest in Owen's condition Dianne. We have never given our dogs chicken jerky and neither one is on Trifexis or Comfortis. I am so grateful that we don't have any of those connections! 

[Bonnie and Kona]

UPDATE after vet visit: All is well!

All of the vets at the clinic have conferred over Owen's condition because it is so strange for a dog's platelets to drop and then come back into the normal range within a day or two. She said that Owen's platelets got down to 66 and that normal is 150. I don't know what any of those numbers mean, but she said he is in the low range of normal now (but I forgot to ask today's number). He has lost almost 5 pounds this week weighing in at 65 today. He weighed 75 when we moved here in July!

They are pleased and surprised that he is doing so much better. He is eating and keeping it down. But this crazy doodle is way too quiet. He just isn't himself. Poor buddy. 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Seriously!!!!  This is Wonderful Bonnie!  Hurray.