Please help...desperate to save my family's dog...

[Shelbyfit]

My sister's dog, Charlie, has been in an ER clinic for a week now... He just turned 9 and is a powderpuff Chinese Crested. He was taken to the ER for severe shaking and a high fever... They ran all the necessary tests - he doesn't have cancer, he may has the equivalent of aplastic anemia (in humans), but the bottom line is he has extremely low white blood cells and his reds keep dropping... He has had 4 blood transfusions and 2 bone marrow tests. The first bone marrow was inconclusive and we are awaiting the second set of results today... We are so desperate. Charlie is otherwise healthy ~ he is eating, going to the bathroom, sniffing at aromas, wagging his tail when we see him, but his platelets are so low, and his blood cell counts are obviously dangerously low. The internist on his case says fibroblasts are now growing and removing red blood cells...?? We are so frustrated, not knowing exactly what is wrong and what we can do to help him. He is on prednizone, is getting B12 vitamins, has been on steroids... This is a dog that was totally normal a little over a week ago.

Please help...any suggestions are welcome. We are DESPERATE... We don't want to lose Charlie!!!!!

[skydnsr]

You might also see if you can contact a knowledgable Crested breeder and ask what types of genetic disorders are prevalent in the breed -- see if this type of illness rings any bells for a person who is very familiar with Cresteds.

[ginger899]

I wonder if this could be an autoimmune disorder? Like autoimmune hemolytic anemia?
If by any chance it is, and if Prednisone doesn't have the desired effect, it may be necessary to start immune-suppressant therapy.

I know that might sound dramatic, but it may help him if this is the case. My mother lived many many years on immune suppressants quite successfully (she was treated for Rheumatoid Arthritis)

Of course, that may not be the case. It's just something that occurred to me. Maybe you could ask your vet about this possibility?