Willow's platelets are low!

Has she been treated for Lyme yet?  What was the level of her platelets?  Low platelet count is definitely a symptom of TBD - I"m not sure but it seems like it's fairly rare for anything else.

[url]http://www.mirage-samoyeds.com/tick.htm#2.[/i]  Scroll down and you'll see low platelets mentioned specifically.  Platelets can take quite a while to rebound and the level goes up and down normally, so if you started treating during a "down" phase, it might look pretty dire.

Try very hard not to let them go for prednisone until she's either symptomatic, or the doxy has had a good run if she's on that (about a week).  They may want to do that if they suspect something like and immune-mediated disorder.  I know you are vigilant and won't hesitate to drop everything if she looks peaked for any reason - normally if they see unexplained weirdness with the CBC they may try the pred "just in case" because many people won't catch the signs of an acute immune-mediated episode coming on.

But the reason you don't want to mess with pred with her still showing Lyme antibodies - pred suppresses the immune system and can give the Lyme a chance to re-establish.  Lyme hides in marrow and organ tissues and like other TBDs will try to hang on for as long as it can and wait for an opportunity to flourish again.  It's the most difficult of all the TBDs to get rid of fully, in fact. 

You might want to subscribe to Tick-L.  You can google it and get on board really fast - the people there are super knowlegeable and they also have an archive that is worth searching first.  Darn, I just recently cancelled my subscription or I'd look for you. 

  Lori; I know nothing about low platelets or TBDs; thank goodness for folks like Becca and Callie. I'm sending tons of healing vibes for Willow. Please try not to worry too much; she's feeling good, isn't she?  {{{{{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

I really hope Willow is feeling better soon!

Thanks Janice - I should have been much clearer about that - Willow is feeling good and that's good for now.  Take it one day at a time for now - *hugs Willow and Lori*

The vet would definitely tell you when to panic!   I've been doing a bit of reading while making dog food (lol) and found this on [url]http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080124111100AAYFDr0[/i]

Just so you know, there are three main reasons for thrombocytopenia (low platelets). One is that they are being destroyed by something, for example a toxin like rat poison, two is that the bone marrow isnt producing them, like in a case of cancer or three the immune system is attacking and destroying them ( a disease called ITP). Its the third I would be most concerned with if you continue to get low counts,

They go on to say that a key symptom of the third is inflamed lymph nodes, which your vet would have noticed (probably you would have too as this can cause very reduced appetite - compared to normal, not Willow's usual issues - and tiredness and laying around).

This is also interesting - I always want to know "when do I hit the panic button?" when I'm confronted with something like this.  This is the sort of information I'd be looking for:  

Platelets are the cells that control blood clotting, so monitor for symptoms of bleeding, like bloody urine, stool or vomit. Also watch for bloody nose, blood in the whites of the eyes or bruises on his belly. Any signs like that, get to a vet ASAP.

In that same Q&A the expert (a vet apparently) also says they start pred when levels drop between 75,000 and 100,000 platelets.  That's a good reference if your vet starts mentioning pred.  I'd do a bit more research if I were you (I apologize, I'd do more myself for you but I'm terribly headachey and I'd probably just make a boo-boo), and confirm this range.  It's important to know when exactly it's more important to treat the platelets versus the Lyme, which her body currently has under good control obviously.

They do mention the "c" word, which is always the shadow at the back of one's mind when mysterious things start happening.  There's no way I can reassure you that it's not, but there are WAY more references to ITP and tick disease than cancer when you google "low platelets dog" or low platelets canine."

BIG GIANT HUGS from all of us, and keep us posted. 

Thank you for the info and thank you everyone for the thoughts!

She's definately below that range where they'd start Prednisone.  I'll write more tomorrow.  I'm so thankful for the info but if I dwell on this I'm just going to start up crying again. 

And, yes, she appears to be OK.  A little quiet but it's hard to tell anything from that with her.  She's a very quiet dog inside.

Lori, I'm just catching up.  I somehow missed the Lymes thread.

I have nothing to add, but we are sending hugs to both you & Willow. 

i know how worried you must be.  When it comes to our beloved dogs, who can't tell us if they hurt or  where it hurts, if they feel really bad, etc, we do tend to worry so much.

Just know that you and Willow are in my thoughts and prayers.  And i am hoping for he best for you.

Lori - I don't have anything worthwhile to add other than that my thoughts are with you and Willow. I know how much you love her and I also know how worried you must be. It sounds like you've got a good vet working thru this with you, so hopefully this will be under control in no time. Hugs to you and Willow.

Oh Lori I am so sorry to hear this - sending our increase platelets vibes your way!  I guess best case scenario is that it is the tick borne disease

(((hugs))) Lori and Willow.  If its Lyme, which she did test positive for I am sure once medicated all will be well - in fact, I am praying for that!

Lori -- everything Becca has said is more than *I* know.  Particularly -- what she says about 'signs to watch for'.

There are a couple of "cytopenia"s -- if I'm spelling this right Pancytopenia is what Pirate had (his low platelets were caused initially by the phenobarbitol they put him on for seizures).

It's all a very delicate dance -- as Becca mentioned, the tricky part is that they don't want to jump to pred because it can cause the tick disease to kick in harder *and* it will also make arthritis worse longer term (yes, it's an anti=inflammatory, but it also messes with the viscosity - the resiliancy of it - of the cartilage and causes it to break down far faster -- Billy got super arthritic when he had to be on it). 

So essentially they are trying not to make something else worse by treating this thing.  And mostly, it seems like your vet is not wanting to cause auto-immune to kick in.  That is scarey scarey stuff because it can morph into something else sooooo easily. 

Make sure the vet is aware she's more quiet than normal.  And trust me - you are still on my good thots & prayers list.  I know only too well how much everyone's support can mean!!! *hugs*

calliecritturs

There are a couple of "cytopenia"s -- if I'm spelling this right Pancytopenia is what Pirate had (his low platelets were caused initially by the phenobarbitol they put him on for seizures).

Sorry to go OT, but for lurker's sake, that's exactly right - Immune Mediated Pancytopenia was what made Pirate very sick.

Is Willow feeling good today? Are you doing good today, Lori? ((hugs))

I am sorry to hear that.....I really hope that it will all be ok....sending healing vibes to Willow, also a big hug to you!

Lori..I'm so sorry for what you are going through with your precious Willow. I know how scary this can be. I sure hope this gets figured out and fixed soon. Give Willow a hug for me.

Janet