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Abnormally low CBCs and no other symptoms

I have a 2 yr old rescue shepherd hound mix.  He has extremely low RBCs and severely anemic.  We have gone through every test possible and all other labs are stone cold normal.  He has negative X-rays and aside from abnormal CBCs he is eating well, playing, running and using potty ok. The last set of CBCs he had showed that he was at 12%, my vet is baffled that he is still acting normal. Please any suggestions. Are only other option is to do the bone marrow test but vet is afraid he won't survive that.  Any info would be appreciated.
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1916673 tn?1420233270
Oh I am so very sorry to hear about Duke. At least you now know what was happening to him and that nothing could have prevented the inevitable. Your vet sounds like they tried everything possible to identify the cause of his symptoms. I think Duke was so lucky to have found you - just imagine how things might have gone had you not taken him in when you did. He had the opportunity to discover a family that truly loved him - and in return, I'm sure he loved you with all his heart. So, in that respect, you were both very lucky to have found each other and enjoy an all too brief period of happiness and utter contentment. Big hugs, Tony
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1832268 tn?1326816010
I am sorry to hear that Duke has passed.
He left in the comfort and safety of your arms, surrounded by people who love him.
You certainly did everything you could for him, and he has left this world with enough love to last an eternity.
The words you have written on Dukes behalf are beautiful.
Thank-you for showing him such kindness and making him part of your family.
God Bless Duke's Beautiful Spirit and Soul...he is much loved.
Please accept my heartfelt sympathy.
Connie
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Well I finally had to euthanize my baby Duke.  I posted previously about my poor boy when the only symptoms he had were abnormally low CBCs.  We tried meds and steroids to no avail.  He finally got too sick to walk and then eat.  He died in my arms with my entire family there, even the kids.  Though we were all sad, we were comforted by the fact that he was no longer struggling to breathe and at times live.  This was also an important lesson and reminder that everyday is a gift, that's why it's called the present.  We never took him for granted and took comfort in that we did all we could and loved him to the very end.  Though we found out he was sick only a couple weeks after we got him, I wouldn't have changed my decision to keep him, love him and help him through his journey even knowing the outcome.  We found out that he did have bone cancer that developed extremely quick. The vet said that he was surprised that he held on as long as he did, he said "he must have really wanted to be with you guys, he should have died a long time ago", and we know he did. We wanted to be with him too. Thanks for everyone's advice and kind words. The lessons we learn from our canine friends are incredible, it reminds us how important it is to live in the now.  We know that is what Duke did.  We hope again to give another shelter dog a good home in the future, hopefully one will find us when the time is right just like Duke did at 4am in late September during my daily run. He found us and stayed. Thanks again all.
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Avatar universal
I don't remember how low the CBCs were the last time but I do remember initially they were at 6 I believe, and did lower since then.  I thought about the belly contents as well, I may bring that up again, the vet was looking for pennies and such just in case but I do continue to wonder myself.  We initially did labs to get a baseline for him since he was a stray.  I am literally making myself sick thinking about this because it feels like I am just waiting for him to die.....ugh, I have been taking notes on everyone's posts and thank you all for the input.  The last time I felt this sick was when my youngest daughter was in the hospital with dehydration, I will be asking to look into that again on my next appointment, my vet has been awesome trying to find answers for me.  I'll keep on looking. Thank you and happy holidays.
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1832268 tn?1326816010
Hi,
I have been watching this post, and Karla and Tony are certainly more knowledgeable in this matter than I am, so, I have hesitated to reply.
My initial thought was an undiagnosed tick disease...but apparently your vets have ruled that out. Correct...?  
I now see that your dog has something in his stomach and if it were my dog, I would wonder if whatever is in his stomach could possibly contain lead, resulting in a chronic lead poisoning...? If he does have chronic lead poisoning, it may be that his lead levels are low enough at this point, to cause minimal symptoms.  I will say, that I am just brainstorming....and it sounds like that is all anybody can do at this point...so, before consenting to surgery, if it were me, I would discuss this with my vet, so they could professionally explain if this is or is not even a possibility.Your Vets may have already checked this....but, it certainly doesn't hurt to ask, and will only take a phone call to have this question answered.
I understand your reluctance to have surgery on your dog.....but, once everything else is ruled out, it may be the only other option you have left.
Given the fact that your dog is acting happy and normal, It will be a very difficult decision for you to make, but it does sound like your Vet is doing everything they can for him, and knowing the risks involved, he will not recommend it unless he feels it is your only hope for discovering what is causing this condition in your dog. May I ask how the low CBC's were discovered in the first place...?  You said your dog is acting normal...what prompted the vet to do a blood draw...?
I hope you and yours have a wonderful Christmas....
Connie
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
So I found out my little guy has been tested for everything under the sun, neg for everything and was put on antibiotics and steroids with still no improvement. I'm not comfortable with doing the home marrow thing just because he is still acting normal, the test itself could put him in a worse state.  Our vet has been working with an internal med specialist and he is baffled too, all other labs are stone cold normal, rbc down to 10%, no tumors, diseases or trauma, they did find what looks like either rocks or calcium in his belly but neither seem too concerned, so we changed food to prevent calcium build up (he was on blue buffalo) keeping him on iron supplements and will follow up bloops tests will be done in next coming weeks.  I am scared about doing bone marrow test since he does act normal, we know he is not producing the platelets so should ask we treat with high doses of steroids and cephlaxin(this what they normally do after a pos bone marrow test) or just let this boy live on as is.  He is not acting sick in anyway, he was running a 5k with me everyday up until this last blood test, doc recommended I stop just in case he is too weak and compensating. He still begs me everyday to run. Any one with advice or can put things into perspective for me would be great.  I want to do what's best for him but I'm afraid my emotions are getting in the way. Thanks.
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462827 tn?1333168952
Anemia & low RBC can also be signs of a Tick Disease.....How are his platelets? Were they off, too? Has he been tested for tick diseases? As Tony said, this would also be considered a disease caused by a parasite.....

Are you sure the rest of his bloodwork is normal? How about Liver Enzymes....

I have a dog, that it was suggested, he have a "Bone marrow test"....I said absolutely NOT! His turned out to be "Rocky Mountain Spotted Tick Fever"....Not sure how, as he is an indoor dog & I rarely have found a Tick on him in the seven years I've had him.....He also is a rescue.....Never thought this guy would have a Tick disease, but he does....So far, it has shown up twice in two years....We have treated, both times.......He didn't show any visual symptoms, either.....It was accidentally found on yearly blood test.....By process of elimination, the disease was identified.......Let us know, Karla
Helpful - 0
1916673 tn?1420233270
I can understand why the vet would like to do a bone marrow test (though it might be dangerous), as this would check whether it is regenerative anemia, which is where the dog loses red blood cells but is still producing them. This is also called blood-loss anemia.

When the bone-marrow isn't producing any red blood cells, it is called Non-Regenerative Anemia. You can read all about these two distinct different types here: http://www.2ndchance.info/anemia.htm

Importantly, there will be an underlying cause and it is essential this is identified quickly. The cause could be parasytes or heavy flee infestation. Have you or your vet checked for flees or have you had to de-flee him since you have had him? Intestinal parasites are the most common cause of anemia in dogs. Has your vet checked for this or treated for this?

If blood is leaking internally (through trauma) then surgery is likely to be required. Again, this needs to be fully explored by your vet.

Anemia is a complex secondary illness and it is absolutely essential to diagnose the cause. If your vet has run out of options, seek a second opinion or ask to see a specialist. The point I can't underline heavily enough is it needs to be done quickly. Please keep us posted with how things develop ... and I will check back as often as I can. My heart goes out to you and your best friend. Hope everything works out ok for both of you. Tony
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