VetNet®
VetNet® AIHA discussion forum
VetNet® Forum
Lifelong Learning Network
www.vetnetlln.ac.uk
Veterinary Recruitment
Premier Partner Program
Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Can insect bites cause low platelets
| Poor Wylie can never seem to get a break, her AIHA has been in remission since her last relapse 17 months ago with her PVC staying over 50. At 13 yearsodl she should not haveos many problems Sorry this is ong but I need to vent too. Her latest problems started in Dec very sick with a temp of 105 and her platelets down to 220, (she is normally over 600 due to no spleen) The on cal vet put her on Doxy for 2 weeks ( normal dose) she responded immediately. In April I took her because she was picking at her food spitting it out, I thought she had a tooth problem, no teetch problem and her platelet was down to 54, back on doxy this time high dose because they suspected tick disease probably started in December, but dose of doxy was not strong enough, and for 21 days. she reacted immediately and one month later her platelets were at 550. Fasty forward to this week, Cam home from work on Tuesday, She was not putting in weight on her right front paw and it was slightly swollen, I thought oh no did she break her toe like she had doen before. Wed am, she was putting weight on it but it was extremely swollen, I took er her in had her vet was in surgery all day so I had to see stupid vet, he spent 10 seconds looking at her, did not even put the light on it to exam it. The vet tech had said there were getting in recent dogs with fox tails, he did not even check for this. he said probably an insect bite and wanted to put her on Rimydal, I said NO, if he had spent 30 seconds looking at her chart seeing her ALT was 660 and ALK was 460 in April. I said I wanted her Platelet count done, i killed a nasty lookig spider in the house this morning It came back down to 450. Of coarse he did not call me, because he thinks this is okay because its in the normal range. I ahd to call and ask the vet tech for the reading. I can now see this morning ti does seem to like like a bite or maybe a bee sting. So I am taking her in to have it checked this morning and her Platelet checked of coarse he will say she does nto need it. I call him stupid because when Wylies platelet # was down to 240 in December and I asked to have it rechecked he said why she is normal. The other vet agreed with me and she was back up to over 550. Laurie |
| Laurie CA |
| Hi Laurie I don't really have anything to offer regarding her platelet #'s but I just wanted you to know that I hope her paw is feeling better. Please let me know how Wylie makes out at the vet today and how the paw is coming along. Sending our prayers, Cheryl & Ginger |
| Cheryl & Ginger Pinevile Pa |
| Laurie....quick answer....YES! Insect bites CAN affect platelet numbers. I'm not overly sure how it works in a dog without a spleen though....will have to look into that one! Does a platelet still only live around 10 days without a spleen? |
| Johnny |
| Johnny, I dont know much about platelets except what Patrice explained and I dont remember, but it put my mind at ease when she had swylie high platelet numbers. I think because the platelets have to work harder. Good news just got word her platelets are back up to 579. Bad news is the sore will probably open. The vet did not want to lance it and said it can cause further problems and to just let it just open on its own and for me not to panic, keep it clean She is on antibioticss and if need be goes back Monday Laurie |
| Laurie CA |
| Laurie: Just sent you an email before I checked the site this morning. Sorry to hear that Wylie's paw is still swollen. Not a problem about the venting - we all understand. Hopefully you will get better attention this morning. Hang in there - we're all keeping our fingers and paws crossed. Rita, Mike and Sheba |
| Rita IA |
| What are you using to clean the paw? You could use the medicated (red top) selsun blue shampoo which I heard works great. Dilute in some water and swoosh the foot in it and then rinse. You could also use tea tree oil. Same procedure as above. OR....Use the tea tree oil and put the drops into a cup of strongly brewed chamomile tea once it's totally cooled. Chamomile works as a pain reliever and antiinflamatory as well as a mild antiseptic. I'm assuming you keep it wrapped to he doesn't get at it? |
| Johnny |
This thread was discussed between 04/06/2010 and 05/06/2010
Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) forum index
This thread is from the Vetnet archive. The live Vetnet forum is active now.
