Low Platelets in Dogs - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Thrombocytopenia, also known as a low platelet count in dogs, could cause a dog to bleed out. In addition, because a low platelet count does not allow blood to coagulate, it can cause intense internal bleeding which can result in shock and even death^[1].

What is a normal platelet count for a dog?

A dog’s platelet count is determined by extracting and analyzing a blood sample. If your dog has a high or low platelet count, a veterinarian will have to diagnose the cause. Thrombocytopenia in dogs causes may caused insufficient platelet production, platelet destruction or excessive consumption. Often, thrombocytopenia symptoms only occur in more severe cases.

On the other hand, a high platelet count in dogs could cause thrombi, otherwise known as thrombocytosis, which is very rare in dogs.

Normal platelet counts in dogs are between 175,000 - 500,000. For more, we recommend reading our article where we discuss how to understand a dog’s blood test.

The most common symptoms of low platelets in dogs are hemorrhages. Hemorrhages are when a dog suffers from a wound which does not stop bleeding. Other thrombocytopenia in dogs symptoms include:

• Excessive bruising.
• Bleeding from the nose and/or mucous membranes.
• Apparent blood in dog’s mouth.
• Petechiae: hairless patches inside the ears, mouth or on the belly.
• Blood in dog’s stool.
• The dog urinating blood.

Thrombocytopenia can affect dogs of any age and can be caused by a hereditary disease. For more about these above mentioned low platelet count in dogs symptoms, we recommend reading the following articles:

• Blood in dog feces: causes.
• Why does my dog pee a little blood?

The most common causes of low platelets in dogs include:

• Hemophilia in dogs: a hereditary disease that causes coagulation alteration. This disease only manifests itself in male dogs. Affected animals should not reproduce. For more, read why is there blood coming out of my dog’s nose?

• Von Willebrand disease in dogs (VWD): a genetic disorder which results in the absence of the necessary clotting protein, von Willebram factor (vWF). Doberman Pinschers are a breed of dog with the highest incidence of vWD, however, it can affect dogs of all breeds. For more, we recommend taking a look at our article where we list the most common illnesses in Dobermans.

• Coagulation disorders: in addition to the aforementioned pathologies, there are various coagulation or clotting related problems which are hereditary in dogs.

• Immune-mediated pathologies: in these such cases, a dog's own immune system attacks and destroys its own platelets. These pathologies are usually idiopathic, of unknown origin.

• Leukemia in dogs: this cancer type is incredibly serious and affects the components of a dog’s blood. For example, low white blood cells and low platelet count occurs in affected dogs. In addition erythrocytes, eosinophils, etc. can also be diminished. Additional leukemia in dogs symptoms include: fever, anorexia and or anemia. For more, we suggest reading our article leukemia in dogs.

• Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC): is an acquired hemorrhagic disorder that is triggered by serious causes such as tumors, infections or severe heat stroke. This condition forms blood clots throughout the body thereby blocking small blood vessels, triggering hemorrhaging. This condition is incredibly severe and can result in the death of the animal affected.

• Vitamin K deficiency in dogs: is another acquired disorder that is usually related to poisoning by products such as rodenticides. The prognosis will depend on the severity of the poisoning. For more, find out everything you need to know about dog poisoning here.

It’s also important to know that there are some drugs on the market that can decrease a dog platelet count. Keep reading to find out how to increase platelet count in dogs.

When it comes to low platelet count in dog treatment, the first thing you need to do is distinguish its cause. Once a cause is diagnosed by a professional, they will aim to increase platelet count to regulate coagulation and contain hemorrhages.

A veterinarian may recommend a blood transfusion, which helps stabilize a dog that has suffered from a hemorrhage. If the the platelets have been destructed due to an immune system related condition, corticosteroids may also be prescribed. The rest of the treatment will depend on the cause of your dog’s thrombocytopenia.

How to increase dog platelet count in dogs

You can favor a dog’s recovery (under the supervision of a veterinarian) by:

• Offering your dog soft food which will avoid accidental gum bleeding.
• Offer your dog an opportunity to rest and recover well by decreasing its exercise intensity.
• Remove any items from your dog’s environment to avoid injury.

For more, we recommend reading our article where we discuss everything you need to know about normal vital signs in dogs.

This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to Low Platelets in Dogs - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment, we recommend you visit our Other health problems category.