My dog has blanched gums and low blood counts. What's going on?

You are describing pancytopenia which is a low red blood cell, white blood cell and platelet count. We see this disease process secondary to infectious diseases carried by ticks, toxins such as hormones or even secondary to some medications such as anti-inflammatories, primary diseases of the bone marrow and cancer. Unfortunately, it is a problem because if left untreated his platelet count will continue to drop resulting in bleeding and his low white blood cell count predisposes him to infection. He needs to be tested for tick borne disease and possibly have a bone marrow aspirate. In the meantime, your veterinarian may recommend treating him with doxycycline and prednisone.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Coco! I am very worried about Coco. The most common cause for bruising of the skin and gum bleeding are low platelets. This can be caused by loss, destruction or the body stopped making platelets. Common causes of destruction is immune, infectious (tick borne), secondary to medications, recent vaccination or even cancer. I recommend that Coco be seen immediately and have blood work done. Low platelets are treated with immunosuppressive doses of steroids and doxycycline. Animals with low platelets can become anemic which is life threatening. I wish you the best!

Oh dear! Pale or white gums can be associated with severe anemia, shock, or heart failure - this is a very concerning sign that warrants immediate veterinary attention. A warm dry nose is a pretty non-specific sign that doesn't really mean anything in particular, and a pale or thinning haircoat can be associated with any kind of long-term illness. It sounds like Bae may be seriously ill, so I would recommend taking him to an emergency clinic tonight to be seen. If this isn't possible, then I would take him to your regular veterinarian first thing in the morning. Your veterinarian can do blood work, x-rays, or other testing if needed to help diagnose the problem and see what kind of treatment is needed.

Hello. Those blood results indicate that there is a low red cell count, low white cell count and low platelets. This COULD indicate leukemia as all three cell lines are low, however it could also be due to a systemic infection and the platelets being low could be due to clumping. The first next step would be to send the blood away to an external lab to look for regeneration, as well as platelet clumps. If your dog is acting sick your vet may want to start on antibiotics in case of a systemtic infection. I suggest you go back to your vet and discuss these results, and discuss what the pathologist comments were if the blood was sent away externally. If bone marrow disease is suspected they can do a bone marrow biopsy.

I am sorry to hear that your pet is so gravely ill. But the white gums alone means that Prince requires medical treatment immediately! White gums indicates he is either suffering from severe blood loss or cardiovascular shock. He needs to be seen by an ER vet right away because his life is in serious danger. I sincerely hope you can get him seen and stabilized with proper testing and medical intervention.

I hate to hear that about Kiwee. He is very sick and needs to see a veterinarian. The pale gums are very concerning for internal bleeding, very low blood pressure or a bone marrow suppression. All of these are serious and require immediate care that only a veterinarian at a clinic will be able to treat. He could have been poisoned, have liver disease, an autoimmune disease or have a severe blood parasite infection. Best of luck and I hope this is helpful. Please feel free to post any additional questions.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Luana! I have seen viruses attack the oral mucosa and also hit the bone marrow causing low white and red blood cells. The ulcers could also be from electric chord chewing or licking something caustic. Other possibilities are cancer and immune mediated. If it is a virus her blood values should improve over several days. I would have her hospitalized on IV fluids and IV antibiotics, oral sucralfate for the ulcers and an oral chlorhexidine rinse. She should also be on pain medications. She should have CBC's to check the progression of her white count at least every other day. I wish you both the best!