Willow's got Lyme disease

Platelets are a tricky thing - it depends on what kind of instrumentation they have (I work at a ClinPath lab here at our VTH a few days a week). Do you know how low the count is? Clumps on a slide make the reading pretty much useless. Some very good machines will be able to detect large platelet clumps, while others will misread them as leukocytes (white blood cells) and other larger things.

A good test to see if there really is a low platelet count is a buccal bleeding time test - not all places do this, though. A very small cut is made on the gums with a special instrument and then you just time how long it takes to stop bleeding.  A clotting time test (PT/PTT) *may* help but not really - those are more for disorders of secondary clotting, not for detecting low platelets (i.e. it detects "functional" platelets) - BUT, if the numbers are VERY low they will show here.

Infections in general don't really cause low platelets unless you're talking about the early stages of a hemolytic disease like Hemobart in cats.....or something that specifically hits platelets.

Thanks.  I've read up and I'm going to make sure she's been tested for Lyme and anaplasmosis and erlichiosis (?sp).  The sites I've read all pretty much state that low platelets is a symptoms of tick disease that should be treated with antibiotics.  She's going to have her blood redrawn today (to make sure the first was accurate) so I'll know more once I get the results tomorrow. 

The sites I've looked at also pretty much agree that if the dog is showing ANY signs of the disease at all it should be treated.  If no outward signs are present and the blood work is all fine from what I've read they just monitor the blood and watch for any illness. 

She's doing well though, no signs of not feeling well at all.  I'm thankful for that.

Lori

Edited to add--We are back from the blood being taken.  She did well with that, they are impressed she's good for a chow!  I asked and they have the 4dx test and hers was positive for Lyme only, not anaplasmosis or erlich.  I should have the results in the morning. 

Thanks again.

From everything I have read on this for you I see the same thing.  Apparently Canines don't react or get sick from Lyme like us humans.  But the problem is that if she does later on, the damage is already done IMO.   Callie is right you should consult your .I really don't understand the aversion to treatment and harm it could do.  Geeze I have been on Doxy for 8 months for my Lyme with no adverse effects at all and they plan on treating for another 4 months to be sure we have killed all co-infections to seep way into the cells and hide.

And Platlet testing is so inacurrate if done by machine beacause it the blood clots, at all, the reading are wrong that is why your Vet is retesting. 

Good luck Lori and Willow...I'll be watching for the test results!

I hope Willow's tests come back negative, saying  prayers here.

I know all this has to be so scarey for you.  Hope and pray that she just had a flase positive and all will be well with her.

Well, we got the platelet count back today and it's up to 60something thousand from 23, 000, so better.  We've got to keep a close eye on her and will start doxycycline to treat the Lyme in case thats the cause since other tick disease do cause low platelets-- and recheck the platelets next week. 

She's acting fine and eating and zooming last night.  So, she said if that changes bring her right in. 

Thanks for all the well wishes.  I really appreciate it.  I think of her as my child. 

Lori

 It sounds a lot better, but I don't know what a normal count is. I'll keep her in my thoughts;{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}

Don't worry, Willow.  We haz had limes too and we iz all better now.
Sioux, Sequoyah, and Maska

 
Most dogs in this area get it - we have a really high incidence.  But, many vets avoid recommending the vaccine because it's not 100% effective.

I think a normal count is around 100, 000 for platelets.

Thanks, guys!

Edited---DH just called me at work--she had a little scuffle with the fire house dog down the street and got bit on the ear.  But, it stopped bleeding relatively quickly so thank God for that. 

did they do a retest for lymes? just to be sure?

doxy is is very 'mellow' antibotic, most dogs (and people) tolerate it well.

They didn't retest her but maybe I should have them do another test tomorrow?  I didn't really question the result due to the amount of time she spends in the woods, she has had ticks this year worse than any other year and in our area it's very common. 

I could always have them do another snap test to see if it's still positive.  I have to go by to pick up the medication anyway. 

Her ear is all bloody and bitten at the end, what a mess she is!!

willowchow

I think of her as my child. 

She IS your child Lori!!!!

both willow and you Lori are continually in my prayers for a speedy recovery, God Bless.....

I know Willow will be fine!  I have been on Doxy for 6 months for my Lyme and co-infections!  I feel wonderful and so will Willow.  In humans it takes 30 days of meds before they retest - not sure in dogs if one week will show a difference, maybe?  I asked my LLMD (Lyme Literate MD) about dogs yesterday (had my revisit) and he said that Lyme is just as much a mystery with Canines as it is Humans.  Test are not 100% accurate for false reading..  maybe people have Lyme and test negative - positives are positives.  The problem is the the longer the desiese manisfest untreated the more they leave the blood stream and obsorb into the cells making it hard to dectect and treat.  For humans you have to entrench your body with antibiotic to be sure the obsorbson of the meds and the doration of the meds are meet.