Hi Bruce,
I am so sorry your girl is so ill.
The most common cause of this is AIHA (autoimmune hemolitic anemia) where the new baby red blood cells are being distroyed.
http://www.labbies.com/aiha.htm
http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/
This disorder can be treated with high doses of corticosteroids like Prednosone.
Low platelets are called Thrombocytopenia
http://www.healthline.com/search?q1=platelet&utm_source=serp2&utm_medium=google&utm_campaign=serp&utm_term=platelet
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/thrombocytopenia.htm
An enlarged spleen may be trapping the platelets - see here:
"Many diseases can cause thrombocytopenia. Thrombocytopenia can occur when the bone marrow does not produce enough platelets, as happens in leukemia and some anemias. Platelets can become entrapped in an enlarged spleen, as happens in myelofibrosis and Gaucher's disease, reducing the number of platelets in the bloodstream. Massive blood transfusions can dilute the concentration of platelets in the blood. Finally, the body may use or destroy too many platelets, as occurs in many disorders, three of the most notable being idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, and hemolytic-uremic syndrome."
SOURCE:
http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec14/ch173/ch173d.html
Your vet should test for the following:
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_imha.html
"Canine idiopathic thrombocytopenia (CIT), or Immune mediated thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a condition resulting from the immune system disorder when there are not enough platelets. Platelets are blood cells produced in the bone marrow that help blood to clot. These cells are involved in the initial phase of wound repair. This condition is sometimes associated with abnormal bleeding under the skin or from gums. It is more common in female dogs.
Thrombocytopenia may be congenital or acquired. Congenital thrombocytopenia may be caused by bone marrow malformations. It can also result as a consequence of transfer of maternal antibodies to the newborn. This is a rare condition.
CAUSES Numerous conditions may cause acquired thrombocytopenia (decreased platelet production) including whole-body irradiation; drugs (levamisole, sulfonamide, antibiotics); toxins; viral, rickettsial or protozoan infections; chronic hepatitis; myelogenous leukemia; tumors (hemangiosarcoma); Addison's disease; vitamin B12 or folate deficiencies; severe iron deficiency or immune-mediated disorders. Overdose of intravenous heparin may induce severe thrombocytopenia in cats. Increased platelet destruction commonly results from overly-active microphage system or immune-mediated mechanisms. Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (ITP) is one of the most common causes of thrombocytopenia in dogs where the dog's immune system produces antibodies which attack and destroy the blood cells.
Hereditary disorders causing thrombocytopenia are the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, a severe immunodeficiency disease characterized eczema, and . May-Hegglin anomaly, a rare hereditary blood disorder characterized with the presence of megathrombocytes (large platelets) and basophilic inclusions in the blood.
The most common infectious cause of thrombocytopenia in dogs is ehrlichiosis. Infection with Ehrlichia canis and, less commonly, with E. platysand E. ewingii cause thrombocytopenia. Other infections causing thrombocytopenia include infectious canine hepatitis virus, distemper vaccination, peritonitis, dapsone therapy, myasthenia gravis, immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) (the ITP and IMHA may occur simultaneously). "
http://www.gopetsamerica.com/dog-health/canine-idiopathic-thrombocytopenia.aspx
The body could also start attacking the red blood cells themselves. This is called immune mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA). So, the immune system is destroying the red blood cells themselves with this - there is no bleeding, just destruction of the red blood cells. Thus, the patient develops anemia. Here is more about this problem:
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1390
Here is a list of organizations who can help owners that cannot afford vet care. A couple are for rescue organizations and homeless pets. Please forward this list to anyone you think it might help. American Animal Hospital Association http://www.aahahelpingpets.org/home/ "The heartbreak happens all too often a pet owner is unable to afford treatment and their sick or injured companion animal pays the price. If the owner is elderly, disabled or on a fixed income, the cost of care may be too much of a stretch for their pocketbook. Perhaps they have been victimized by crime, property loss or a job layoff and are experiencing a temporary financial hardship making it too difficult to afford pet care. And some animals, brought to clinics by Good Samaritans, don't have an owner to pay for treatment. Whatever the situation, the fact remains the same: When sick or injured animals are unable to receive veterinary care, they suffer. Through the AAHA Helping Pets Fund, veterinary care is possible for sick or injured pets even if they have been abandoned or if their owner is experiencing financial hardship." Angels 4 Animals www.Angels4Animals.org "Angels4Animals, a non-profit organization and a program of Inner Voice Community Services, has a mission to serve as the guardian angel of animals whose caretakers find themselves in difficult financial situations. At Angels4Animals we believe that animal owners should not have to say goodbye to the animals that they love. Our work is accomplished in conjunction with veterinary clinics across the country, eager to assist as many animals, and their owners, as possible. Our services range from financial aid to complete treatment to those pets and pet owners in need." Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance (FVEAP) http://www.fveap.org/sys-tmpl/door/ "The NEED & The HELP: Seniors, People with disabilities, People who have lost their job, Good Samaritans who rescue a cat or kitten - any of these folks may need financial assistance to save a beloved companion." The Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Program is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization that provides financial assistance to cat and kitten guardians who are unable to afford veterinary services to save their companions when life-threatening illness or injury strikes. Help-A-Pet http://www.help-a-pet.org/home.html "Our efforts focus on serving the elderly, the disabled, and the working poor. For lonely seniors, physically/mentally challenged individuals and children of working parents, pets represent much more than a diversion." IMOM http://www.imom.org/ "Mission Statement: Helping people help pets. To better the lives of sick, injured and abused companion animals. We are dedicated to insure that no companion animal has to be euthanized simply because their caretaker is financially challenged." The Pet Fund http://thepetfund.com/ "The Pet Fund is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit association that provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals who need urgent veterinary care. Often animals are put down or suffer needlessly because their owners cannot afford expensive surgery or emergency vet visits. Companion animal owners must often make the difficult decision to put an animal down or neglect urgent medical needs because of the costs involved. The purpose of the Pet Fund is to work towards a future where decisions about companion animal medical care need never be made on the basis of cost." United Animal Nations http://www.uan.org/lifeline/index.html "The mission of LifeLine is to help homeless or recently rescued animals suffering from life-threatening conditions that require specific and immediate emergency veterinary care. We strive to serve Good Samaritans and rescue groups who take in sick or injured animals. In certain cases, LifeLine can also assist senior citizens and low-income families pay for immediate emergency veterinary care." Other Groups Who are Breed or Injury Specific: Corgi Aid http://www.corgiaid.org/ Dachshunds Needing IVDD surgery http://members.rushmore.com/~dds/applyforhelp.htm HandicappedPets.com http://www.handicappedpets.com/Articles/help/ "From time to time, HandicappedPets.com recognizes a caretaker of handicapped pets that need some special attention, and a little extra help. There are those who are so selflessly dedicated to their animal families that they give up a little more than they can afford." Labrador Lifeline http://www.labradorlifeline.org/success/2005-abbey.htm LabMed: Rx For Rescued Labs http://www.labmed.org/aid_main.html
Please let me know how she is doing,
Best wishes and prayers for her,
Terri
Healthcare Expert
Expert in canine health and behavior. 20 years of experience with dogs