low platelet count

[dante18]

My dog is a Doberman .During a routine blood test it was discovered that she had thrombocytopenia(low platelet).
After several tests they have decided to call it ideopathic thrombocytopenia which is a fancy way of saying we don't
know the cause.She is being treated with prednisone and has responded well with her platelet count showing over
200 the last several tests.They started her on 80mg/day and she has been titrated to 10mg every other day which
I have been told that she will be on for several more months.Does anyone know the usual length of treatment with
prednisone?Dante18

[BabaluandOtis2]

oh, and the blood tick test I believe has to be drawn a certain way and sent out separately to a special lab.......I don't think it's included in regular blood work ups. At least it didn't used to be last I read about them.  Maybe that's why the "thrombocytopenia" is sometimes misdiagnosed as something not secondary to other possible causes?

[BabaluandOtis2]

Hi

Another poster named "chris_ss77" posted on July 24th under the title " MY DOG NEED HELP PLEASSSEEE!!" it's the last post on the bottom of first page.....or top of second page now if someone else has posted a new topic. Anyway, his dog had same issues but much lower platelet count...was put on prednisone and Doxycycline and is doing better.
maybe look at that post and you could send him a message/note when you click on his name and ask what is going on w/ his dogs treatment and what his vet has said about length of meds etc...

Take care, Teresa ; )

[peekawho]

See if any of these responses from Dr. Cheng are helpful:

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/search/112?query=platelets&camp=

[dante18]

All her tests have been negative.I am just wondering if anyone knows how long she
needs to be on prednisone since I can't find anything in the literature.Thanks for the
response and kind words. Dante18

[BabaluandOtis2]

Does she have any other symptoms? Some tick bourne diseases have thrombocytopenia as a symptom and it is sometimes diagnosed as the only issue and not a secondary symptom to these tick diseases.

I can't remember their names but if you google canine tick disease they'll come up and give you the other symptoms. The blood test for them I think has to be sent out to a certain lab/labs by the vet.

And with the prednisone, it's really hard to say until you know why it's happening. But getting down to that low a dose is great! that med has so many side affects.

Hope your baby is all better soon!
Take care, Teresa ; )