Very High Platelet Count. Bone Cancer!?
 

I am so sad that I think I am in complete denial. My little Dan has a platelet count of 900,000 where it should only be around 450,000. We ran all the tests except for a bone marrow biopsy and the vet thinks it is probably bone cancer. She isn't sure because she has never seen a count this high with no other symptoms.

Has anyone else seen this? Please tell me there is something else this could be :(

I'm not going to do the bone marrow test since he would have to be knocked out and if the results came back positive there really isn't anything we could do anyway. I'm still holding out hope that there could be something else going on so please send all good thoughts our way.

I don't really know what it means :( ....but want to say I'm so sorry for you and I hope you can get treatment for this...I would read all you can and talk to your vets extensivily to understand what this could mean for both of you and GOOD LUCK - that's very scary....I hope it IS something treatable and I'm sending a prayer your way....

Thanks so much. I am beginning to suspect that is about all I can do. I truly believe these are the times when being a pet owner matters the most. To let my little guy enjoy however long he has left without going overboard with treatments that might make him sicker is pretty much the plan. He is in really good spirits and having fun now so I'm hesitant to drag him through stuff based on a hunch.

Prayers and good wishes are always welcome!

YOU HAVE MY PRAYERS and I really hope things aren't as bad as it sounds...that's just so sad for you and you sound like you're coping with this very well...it must be very hard.

It's not for sure though right ? Things could turn out ok ?

I'm so sorry to hear about your little guy. I wish I had some advice but, unfortunately I don't. Just do what you feel is the right thing.

I'm so sorry! Have you had a repeat test run and taken him to a specialist? I will keep you both in my prayers.

Oh no....I am so sorry to hear about your little guy. I'll be praying for you and him and that there is a treatment for this that will make him better. Is there any way it could be something other than bone cancer? My thoughts and prayers are with you two!

I am so very sorry. If I were you, I would be in denial, too, and I would have the test rerun and processed by a different lab. Good luck, sending Yorkie hugs to you both

This is good advice. How old is your little man? Does he have any symptoms at all? How did they discover the platelet count was off?

I hope this an error of some sort..... :(

Im so sorry to hear this. I will keep him in my thoughts and prayers.

keep those positive thoughts going. and you know you have the prayers of every pet owner on YT.

I am so sorry to learn this. I hope and pray that it is a false positive.

Please keep us posted, and also take care of yourself.

My dog had the opposite problem and that was very serious.

Anyway - be sure and educate yourself a little more about this condition with your dog. Don't just assume he has cancer and do nothing.

People often have no symptoms with very high platelet counts - high platelets can be the result of many different medical conditions.

Some of these conditions can be treated. Given the right circumstances, there are medicines, and I know some people take aspirin for this. But whether medicines or aspirin are appropriate depends on what is causing the high platelet count.

I agree - you don't want your well-feeling little guy to go through a lot of treatment, etc. I wouldn't. But try and find out a little more about what's causing his problem -- wouldn't it be nice if there is something rather easy and not too expensive that you can do for him.

My answer is "yes" -- there may be something else going on (other than cancer or leukemia).. sometimes rheumatoid arthritis raises platelets - sometimes illnesses or injuries will do the same thing. And - some medicines can cause an increased platelet count also. And -- this condition can be less serious at times than it is at other times -- depending on the cause.

At least - repeat his lab studies (I'll bet your vet wants to do this anyway) .... his platelet count might go down...wouldn't that be great!

Good luck!

Carol Jean

Thanks so much for all the good feedback. I had the platelet test run 3 times. We need urinalysis, ultra-sound and x-rays too. Tested enzymes to see if there was something else point to and the results are all the same.

We'll just keep spoiling him as usual and the Dr. is getting back to me on another hunch she might have. I feel good that she is taking time to consult with other vets and get back to me.

I'll keep you all posted.

Sheila