Meet Gracie Cannon, a sweet 6-year-old Maltipoo with a fighting spirit. In December 2024, Gracie’s family noticed something alarming: a rash rapidly spreading across her abdomen. What they thought might be a simple skin irritation turned out to be the first sign of a serious, life-threatening condition — Immune-Mediated Thrombocytopenia (ITP).

The First Signs

Gracie was first brought to her primary veterinarian on December 4, 2024, when the rash — actually petechiae (small pinpoint hemorrhages) — worsened over just two days. Initial bloodwork showed a severely low platelet count (only 11,000/uL; normal is over 200,000/uL). She was immediately referred to a Dr. Theresa Smith at FVRC for specialty care.

Upon arrival, her condition had worsened: she had petechiae and ecchymoses (larger bruises) on her abdomen, bleeding gums, and a large hematoma from her blood draw. Her red blood cell levels were dropping rapidly, a sign that she was bleeding internally.

Diagnosing the Cause

Extensive testing was performed:

• Chest x-rays and abdominal ultrasound ruled out tumors.

• Tick-borne disease tests were negative.

• Bloodwork confirmed severe thrombocytopenia (near-zero platelets) but no other obvious cause.

Given the findings, Gracie was diagnosed with primary ITP, an autoimmune condition where the body mistakenly attacks its own platelets.

The Fight to Save Her

Gracie was immediately hospitalized and treated aggressively:

• Vincristine and high-dose steroids to halt the immune attack.

• Doxycycline started while awaiting tick-borne disease results.

• GI protection medications to prevent ulcer-related bleeding.

• Blood transfusions were performed when her anemia became critical, requiring two separate pRBC transfusions over her hospital stay.

Despite intensive care, Gracie's bleeding persisted, and her platelet numbers barely budged. She became profoundly anemic, weak, and lethargic. As a next step, Cyclosporine — a strong immune suppressant — was added to her regimen.

Slowly Turning the Corner

Over several days, tiny improvements began to appear:

• Platelet counts slowly crept upward.

• Bruising decreased.

• Energy and appetite gradually returned.

Gracie was discharged on December 7, 2024, on a cocktail of medications, including prednisone, cyclosporine, and supportive care therapies.

The Long Road to Recovery

Recovery from ITP is not fast. Gracie required frequent blood checks to monitor her red cells and platelets:

• Mid-December: Platelet counts began to normalize.

• Late December: Energy levels soared as her anemia resolved.

• January 2025: Blood values stabilized, allowing for the start of a slow prednisone taper

Over the next several months, Gracie continued to thrive. Prednisone was weaned off by March 2025, and plans are now in place to very gradually reduce her Cyclosporine over the coming months.

Today, Gracie is happy, healthy, and back to being herself.

What We Learned

Gracie’s case highlights the seriousness of immune-mediated diseases in dogs. Primary ITP can be life-threatening, but with:

• Early diagnosis

• Aggressive supportive care

• Careful long-term management

...pets like Gracie can recover and enjoy a great quality of life.

Because of her immune system's tendency to overreact, Gracie is now exempt from vaccines and certain antibiotics (especially penicillins and cephalosporins) to avoid triggering a relapse.

A Message to Pet Parents

Unexplained bruising, bleeding gums, blood in urine/stool, or sudden fatigue in pets should never be ignored. Conditions like ITP can escalate quickly — early veterinary intervention saves lives.

Gracie’s journey is a testament to the power of early action, specialized veterinary care, and most importantly, the endless love her family showed her throughout her battle.