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Animal Health – General (Expert Forum)
Low Platelet count
Answered by
Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A - Small Animals, dogs, cats, C.V.A, Western Herbal Medicine, Traditional Chinese Herbalist, Acupuncture
American Animal Hospital
Randolph - NJ
This forum is for general pet health questions, such as questions about medications, parasites, vaccines, infectious diseases, breed specific and genetic problems.
Low Platelet count
by Grey56, Jun 30, 2007 12:00AM
My 10 year old female greyhound has been on prednisone for a low platelet count for about 9 months. She appears stable while on the meds. We've tried weaning her (5-10mg every other day), but end up increasing the dose (20mg/day). What is the chance she'll have to remain on the prednisone for the remainder of her life, and can being on the medication actually shorten her life span? She's in otherwise good health and pampered beyond belief! Thanks in advance for your response!
Doctor's Answer
by Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A, Jul 02, 2007 12:00AM
, Jul 02, 2007 12:00AM
Does your dog have immune-mediated thrombocytopenia? Does your veterinarian know what the cause of the anemia is? Is it secondary to drug therapy, infections (such as Anaplasmosis), vaccine reaction, or other immune diseases such as immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, or a bone marrow problem? Does your dog have Evan’s Syndrome? Evan’s Syndrome is a combination of immune-mediated thrombocytopenia and immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. I am inquiring because some diseases that cause anemia has different outcomes and therefore different amounts of time that Prednisone (or other drugs) are necessary.
Nine months on Prednisone seems like a long time, but is obviously necessary for your dog. I must assume that the cause of the anemia is unknown, which unfortunately is not uncommon.
Prednisone can be used indefinitely if necessary, in a wide variety of disease processes, including immune mediated thrombocytopenia. Occasionally, it can be alternated with Cyclosporine, each to be given every other day. You will have to find out from your veterinarian if this is suitable for your pet.
The most common side effects of Prednisone include: increased susceptibility to infection, gastric ulceration, steroid hepatopathy (abnormal liver), pancreatitis; and iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism (Cushings Syndrome). Using Pepcid or Zantac on a daily basis can prevent gastric ulceration.
Hope this helps!
Nine months on Prednisone seems like a long time, but is obviously necessary for your dog. I must assume that the cause of the anemia is unknown, which unfortunately is not uncommon.
Prednisone can be used indefinitely if necessary, in a wide variety of disease processes, including immune mediated thrombocytopenia. Occasionally, it can be alternated with Cyclosporine, each to be given every other day. You will have to find out from your veterinarian if this is suitable for your pet.
The most common side effects of Prednisone include: increased susceptibility to infection, gastric ulceration, steroid hepatopathy (abnormal liver), pancreatitis; and iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism (Cushings Syndrome). Using Pepcid or Zantac on a daily basis can prevent gastric ulceration.
Hope this helps!
