Does Lyme Cause Thrombocytopenia In Dogs?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Lyme disease can also affect the eyes, heart, and possibly the central nervous system (

not well documented in dogs

). How is Lyme Disease diagnosed? Blood counts may show anemia, low platelets, and low white blood cells.

Can tick disease cause low platelets in dogs?


Canine Ehrlichiosis

is found worldwide. It is caused by several types of ticks: The Brown Dog Tick, Lone Star Tick, and American Dog Tick. Signs include fever, poor appetite, and low blood platelets (cells that help the clotting of blood), often noted by nose bleeding or other signs of bruising or anemia.

Does Lyme disease show up in blood work for dogs?

Veterinarians can test your dog for Lyme disease


A veterinarian may perform blood tests to detect the presence of antibodies to the bacterial agent of Lyme disease

(Borrelia burgdorferi). He or she may conduct additional tests to help diagnose infection and determine whether the infection has affected a dog’s kidneys.

What causes low platelets in dogs?

Causes Of Thrombocytopenia In Dogs


Exposure to certain medications, vaccines, or toxins

. Chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Bone marrow disease, including anemia or leukemia. Lymphoma.

Can Lyme cause leukopenia?

Lyme borreliosis should therefore be added to the list of infectious diseases that

can cause leukopenia and thrombo- cytopenia

.

Can tick bites cause thrombocytopenia?


Thrombocytopenia is a common manifestation of all tick-borne diseases which remains poorly understood

[2]. ITP associated with infection may arise due to molecular mimicry. Corticosteroids have been the backbone of initial treatment in ITP [3]. Patients who relapse are traditionally considered for splenectomy.

What are the 3 stages of Lyme disease in dogs?

3 stages of Lyme disease are

early localized Lyme, early disseminated Lyme, and late disseminated Lyme

.

How do you increase platelets in a dog?


Vitamin C helps your platelets group together and function efficiently

. It also assists your pet to absorb iron, which may also help to increase platelet counts. Good sources of vitamin C include: foods that are high in vitamin C and bioflavonoids, and are palatable include broccoli, kale, brussel sprouts, and spinach.

What does Lyme disease look like on a dog?

Dogs can display several forms of Lyme disease, but the most common symptoms are

lameness, swollen lymph nodes, joint swelling, fatigue, and loss of appetite

. In addition, serious kidney complications have been associated with Lyme disease in dogs.

What are the long term effects of Lyme disease in dogs?

Chronic Effects of Lyme Disease in Dogs

Lyme disease, if left to run its course or treated too late, Lyme disease can cause

kidney failure, serious heart problems, neurological issues and long-term joint pain and arthritis

in your pup.

Will my dog always test positive for Ehrlichia?


Once a dog tests positive, they will likely continue to test positive for Ehrlichia long term

. What we are starting to recommend for these pets now is yearly bloodwork, as there have been some recent indications that chronic Ehrlichia patients are more likely to develop other diseases such as chronic kidney disease.

Can a dog live a normal life with Lyme disease?

When Lyme disease is caught early, life-altering complications such as kidney failure, nervous system damage, and heart issues can be prevented altogether.

A dog with Lyme disease can live a long and happy life

.

How long do dogs live with thrombocytopenia?

Prognosis. A recent study of 45 dogs by Simpson et al (2018), following cases up to 1 year after diagnosis, stated a

mortality rate of 11.9%

. They reported 89.6% survived to discharge and 31% of those relapsed, within an average of 79 days after successful treatment.

Can thrombocytopenia in dogs be cured?

Unfortunately,

despite appropriate treatment

around 10 to 15% of dogs with ITP can die or are euthanised at the beginning of the disease or after recurrence of their signs. This is mainly observed with severe disease associated with complications like coagulation disorders or severe gastro-intestinal bleeding.

What causes leukopenia and thrombocytopenia?

Low white blood cell count

Conditions that can cause leukopenia include:

autoimmune conditions such as lupus and HIV

. bone marrow damage, such as from chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or exposure to toxins. bone marrow disorders.

Can a tick bite cause liver damage in dogs?

Canine Bartonellosis comes from the brown dog tick. Symptoms are intermittent lameness and fever.

Left untreated, this disease can result in heart or liver disease

.

Does Lyme cause high WBC?

In patients with Lyme disease,

the white blood cell count (WBC) can be normal or elevated

. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is usually elevated.

What does a low platelet count in dogs mean?

Platelets bind together to clot broken or leaking blood vessels and prevent unnecessary blood loss, so a low platelet count

compromises your dog’s ability to control bleeding, which can lead to bruising and excessive bleeding

. Thrombocytopenia is the condition of low blood platelets in dogs.

How long does lameness last in dogs with Lyme disease?

Many dogs who develop Lyme disease have periodic lameness because their joints are inflamed. Sometimes the lameness lasts for only

3-4 days but recurs days to weeks later

, either in the same leg or other legs. This is known as “shifting-leg lameness.” One or more joints may be swollen, warm, and painful.

What Happens If Lyme disease goes untreated in dogs?

Left untreated, canine Lyme disease can

damage the heart, nervous system, and kidneys

. Chronically infected dogs may develop a life-threatening form of kidney inflammation and dysfunction, called Lyme nephropathy or Lyme nephritis.

What is considered late stage Lyme disease?

The CDC reports that late stage Lyme disease may appear days to months after the initial tick bite and may include but are not limited to:

Severe headaches and neck stiffness

. Additional EM rashes in new places on the body. Facial palsy, also known as Bell’s palsy – paralysis of one side of the face.

How long does it take to increase platelets in dogs?

Follow your vet’s treatment plan for the underlying condition. This will likely involve giving your pet medication for

3-4 months

, in some cases longer. However, most dogs can recover from low platelet counts if they complete their round of treatment.

Rebecca Patel
Author
Rebecca Patel
Rebecca is a beauty and style expert with over 10 years of experience in the industry. She is a licensed esthetician and has worked with top brands in the beauty industry. Rebecca is passionate about helping people feel confident and beautiful in their own skin, and she uses her expertise to create informative and helpful content that educates readers on the latest trends and techniques in the beauty world.