please help

[Tigera08]

yesterday you answered my question about out male boxer who has the low Platelette count...

well they tested for cancers and rocky mountain spotted fever and other causes – all negative.
and he is on antibiotics at the same time. he has not had a vaccinations recently and I am afraid to lower the pred. again now that he is on 3 pills (do you think 3 pills 2x a day – I think they are 20mg could hurt him? ) …..and the antibiotic he is on is Baytril. He is eating still and drinks A lot (from the pred) ..their main concern is the fact that his back end is SO weak is there any reason for this or could the medication be doing this?. Once we get him to a standing position he can walk although he cant do the stairs without help and he walks extremely gingerly. Xrays and ultrasound were normal. Platelette count is currently around 70,000 – the lowest he was at was 15,000 in the very beginning – he had gone back up to at least 150,000 before this latest relapse. at first we had him on 2 pills 2Xs a day for like about a week and a half. and then we went to one pill two times a day and thats when he started not being able to walk good and so we took him back to the vet and turns out his platelettes had gone down... He is 79 lbs.  do you have any advice..or do you know of maybe any alternative medication..

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

Just wanted to comment that recent research has shown that though rare some vaccines can cause many abnormalities such as thrombocytopenia that can last for up to 2 years (requiring treatment) until finally resolving!  So please don't be discouraged!

Of course there are other causes beside vaccinosis for thrombocytopenia and anemia.

[Mankie]

How is you boxer since your last posting?  Have you found out the casue of the low platelet count?  My boxer has the same symptoms and the vet seems puzzled.  My boxer is going to see a specialist on Monday.  Since we have lowered the dose to 1/2 of 20 mg pred a day he is coming back around.  Before he was lethargic, loss of energy, could harly walk on his back legs.  Platelet count went from 12,000 to 4,000 in about 3 weeks after being on the prednisone and after having his yearly exam & vaccines.  After reading Dr Chengs response for your boxer, I wonder if this could a result from his vaccine.  The specialist will do a ultra sound & a bone morrow test  since we did have a mass cell tumor removed from his side in July 07.  Platelet count at that time was 27,000.  He is now taking doxycycline.Tick titer test was done in July 07 & results were negative.  We are now waiting on the Tick titer test that was done this week.  We adopted him in Dec 06 and I do have the previous records from his previous vet.  He had same issues in Oct 05 and tick tests were done, prednisone, doxycycline  & vitimin K were all prescribed at that time for possible rat poison & tick bites.  To my knowlege all that was negative.  Until the yearly exam & prednisone he was VERY active!  Any results you received may help resolve my boxers issues.  Hope to hear how your boxer is doing.

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

High does of prednisone can cause joint, tendon and ligament damage but only if at very high does for a very extended period of time, and I don't believe he has been on them long enough for this to occur.  If his platelet count and behavior were under control when on 2 tablets of prednisone twice daily than I hope he will be able to decease from the 3 tablets he is currently on back  to the 2 tablets soon.  He will have to remain on the 2 tabs of prednisone twice daily for a while, and your vet will monitor his bloodwork frequently.

Your vet sounds like he is doing a great job.  As far as alternative medicine is concerned I feel that it certainly won't hurt and may help.  Since this is such a complicated problem it is best to find a holistic vet in your area.  Please check online at: the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association website, or the Chi Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Acupuncture, and IVAS (International Veterinary Acupuncture Society).   I can only speculate without actually examining your dog personally what herbs or alternative medicine to give.  If I were to speculate from what you have  listed I  would say that your dog has a bout (among other problems) of Kidney Yang Deficiency.  Kidney Yang deficient dogs commonly have hind limb weakness, and I would try to strenghen your dog with kidney yang tonics and acupuncture.  It is really best to have your dog seen by a holistic yet.  If you have trouble finding a holistic vet in your area please post for area or city and state and I will be glad to find one for  you.  Please keep us posted!