Cavalier Low Platelets

Took our CKCS for her spay appt. She is 6 months old. He blood work indicates low platelets which I know are commonly present in upwards of 30 percent of the breed. My problem is that the vet wants to put her on steroids for two weeks which I don't believe will do anything if her low platelets are genetic However, the vet says she will not spay her with her current platelet count  (app 60,000 u/l). Do I agree to appease the vet or is there information to be gained by putting her on steroids - ruling out other conditions perhaps ??  

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

A short temporary course of steroids should be safe for your dog.   Your dogs spay surgery would be much safer for her if her platelets were adequate.  I would not want to spay a dog with low platelets, due to bleeding complications.  So,  if I were you I would give my dog a short course of steroids and when the platelets test adequate, I would have the spay performed.  This is a much cheaper way to go than by having genetic testing performed, or by having to have your dog get a blood transfusion after her spay.

If her platelets do not return to normal after the steroid trial, than you may have to have her undergo furthur testing and treatment prior to a spay.