Immune Mediated Thrombocytopenia?

[freezingbear]

Does anyone have any information on immune mediated thrombocytopenia?

We took Turtle in to the vet this morning to have a lump on her shoulder checked out and while we were there, the vet noticed some odd bruising and ran a CBC (she thought maybe Turtle had gotten into rat poison or something). It came back that here platelet count was seriously low (about 17 thousand). We got sent to the emergency vet in Fort Worth where they ran some additional tests, ruled out rat poison and tick borne illness and decided it was probably IMT.

I wasn't really given much information on IMT, aside from what it is and the recommended course of treatment so I'm looking for more information. Has anyone here dealt with it before? What are recovery rates like? The vet said most dogs respond well to treatment.

Turtle is staying at the e-vet until tomorrow morning, at least, to minimize the chance of spontaneous bleeds.

[AllisonPibbleLvr]

Oh, I'm sorry.

I have seen several cases among patients at the clinic this year, however we usually refer cases to the vet school so I can't tell you a whole lot of good information.

I DO know that every patient that has been diagnosed, has done well, although one is on long-term prednisone because her ITP came out of remission.

How old is Turtle?

I did find this useful (and easy to understand) article:

http://www.scvetspecialists.com/memberpics/41938Canine%20Immune-Mediated%20Thrombocytopenia%20SCVS.pdf

[freezingbear]

Thanks for the information! That article did explain things a lot more clearly than the vet.

Turtle is almost 2 (about 1 year, 8 months or so).

[Misskiwi67]

Most dogs seem to do extremely well, its a much better prognosis than Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia, which is similar. I've seen multiple cases, and the only one that did not do well had a lot of other problems as well.

Your pup will be on high doses of steroids at a minimum, and possibly other immunosuppressive drugs. He will need multiple recheck exams and lots of bloodwork over the next few months. Monitor the inside of the ears, his gums, and his belly closely for any signs of bruising daily for life.

Your pup is really lucky your vet picked up on everything when he did.

[freezingbear]

Her platelet count dropped to 15,000 overnight so I'm having her stay another day to be safe. I wish she could have come home, but I think it's best she stay there until her platelets increase.

Thank you for the information, MissKiwi. It really is reassuring to know that most dogs do well with treatment.

[star_frances]

Aww, I'm so sorry your beautiful Turtle is feeling poorly. Hope you are able to manage it well and she is feeling better soon!

[Leslie H]

Sending positive thoughts Turtle's way. I've always thought she was such a striking dog.

[PitBull-Lady]

That sounds scary, but you seem to be handling the diagnosis in perspective. Good luck with everything. I hope that the maintenance is 'easy' and manageable.

[elegy]

Sending many many good thoughts!

[patty]

Thinking you and Turtle. Sending well wishes

[freezingbear]

Thanks everyone for the good thoughts. Her platelet count was up to 40,000 this morning so they sent her home, but she's on about 6 or 7 different medications and has to go back on Tuesday for a recheck.

[AllisonPibbleLvr]

Sending healing thoughts to your beautiful girl!

[freezingbear]

I'm so ready for her to be off the prednisone. She's lost weight and her spine sticks out and as of today, seems to have developed incontinence. I don't know if that's a side effect of the prednisone or not, but I'm taking her back to the vet in the morning to have everything checked out.

The last time she had a CBC, her platelet count was up to about 176,000 so we've started weaning her off the meds at the vet's suggestion.

[Misskiwi67]

If she is acting incontinent, I'd check her for a urinary tract infection - thats more likely to be a side effect than the prednisone alone.

She shouldn't be losing weight on the prednisone, but it does cause muscle loss and can make them look thin with a pot belly

[Leslie H]

I had a dog long term on pred, he lost muscle strength, and got a big fat belly like a puppy due to weakening of the muscles of the stomach wall.
That's great that her platelets are up.