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My puppy is lethargic with pale gums & low blood counts. What to do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | Male | unneutered | 1 month and 18 days old | 5.3 lbs

here are the blood reports of my puppy.my puppies blood reports just came as he was very sick. hemoglobin is only 5 and the platelets are just 80,000. our vet has only given us some more homeopathic meds and says he'll be fine. he's right now very lethargic, not even wanting to move. what according to you should be done for him and if the needed treatment is given properly, will he survive? he's eating and drinking well but had a little diarrhoeal poop. no vimiting.his gums are extremely pale..

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1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on December 10th, 2018

I would suspect a tick bone parasite that is causing the abnormally low platelets and poor oxygen carrying capacity of his red blood cells (low Hgb). We can't predict survival based on just bloodwork results and no other confirmatory tests as to what blood parasite he may be infected with unfortunately. However, there are only a handful of blood parasites that have a poor prognosis. Also other causes of both anemia and thrombocytopenia, are an immune mediated disorder, which is not common in pets this young. At any rate, I would start with Doxycycline antibiotics for treatment as well as steroid therapy and cautious fluid therapy. Ask your vet about this possible treatment course and also consider a blood transfusion due to his severe anemia (low RBC count). I hope that your puppy survives this ordeal. Best of luck to you both! Take care.

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