My friends little sprocker Striker is in the vets today for some tests. He had bloods done earlier in the week for a bloodshot eye, (thought it was a grass seed to start with but now thats been ruled out) it came back with very very low platelettes and he has bruises on his tummy and his gums have been bleeding. He has to have x-rays scans and more bloods done. No idea yet what the problem is so please give him a thought today for good news. He is such a happy little chap and my girlies adore him. His Mum is worried to death and he is only 7 so no age at all. We are all worried about cancer.
Aileen

Worrying time so hoping it is not as bad as it may look.

Very worrying hope he has not found access to rat poison, warfare tables or snail pellets. Hope they sort the cause soon and there is a swift and easy way to improve his health.

fingers and paws crossed here.

Sheila

Keeping everything crossed here too.

Oh heck, on the face of it it's not good is it? Really hope it's something which basic meds can sort out and not what we are all thinking.... Any news on the wee mite yet? X

16 paws and fingers crossed here. Hope they find out the cause asap, so worrying for them, sending positive thoughts.

No news yet will update as soon as I know. Thanks everyone
Aileen

Doesn't sound very good so all fingers crossed

Fingers and paws crossed here too xxx

Well Straker is out of the vets. Nothing sinister found on the scans or x-rays. He is on a high dose of steroids and will need more bloods next week but the vet is saying "spontanious" episode of low platelletts ????
No running around in case he bumps himself and bleeds and thats all. It is not my vet and I think I would be wanting more but his Mum is happy with what they are saying so we will have to hope he picks up.
They did say if she was worried at all to rush him in right away.
Not really a satisfactory outcome but some times it happens like that I suppose.
Aileen

The old yahoo group for immune mediated disease now has a forum which might be helpful as it covers platelet problems (IMTP). You don't need to be a member to access the info - cant do links but can be found by googling CIMDA

I would be asking the vets to test for French Heartworm with all the slugs & snails around. That causes bleeding (ie bruising.) Don't know what the platelets indicate.

Don't know what the platelets indicate.
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Inability of the blood to clot causing bruising and bleeding, external can be seen but internal can not which is where the problem lies - some dogs do have this as an hereditary condition but as this dog is 7 years old this seems unlikely.

He was tested for heartworm and Lymes by all accounts.
Aileen

Poor guy, and poor owner, sounds very like what I went through with Ben, fingers crossed for him.