[AquaClaraCanines]

OK I am trying not to panic!

(It's not working!)

Brooklyn's bloodwork came back today. Her organ function, thyroid (yay) and so forth are perfect. Her heartworm test was negative (I didn't really trust the people she came from.)

All that is fantastic!

But her white blood cell count is 29.6 or something, and it's supposed to be 15. Now, she has no skin infections, no UTI, her ears had a mild infection when I got her, but it's healed. She did have Kennel Cough, but it's improving (no mucus for several days or better, and she was never really sick). Could that be it? The vet suggested a broad spectrum antibiotic for ten days, then redo the bloodwork. If it's still high, then we ultrasound the belly and X ray the chest. You know why... the C word. :no: Somebody tell me she's probably fine, right? :crossfing

I'm so worried about my baby!

 

[LibertyME]

gosh I wish I knew more...how long does it take after an infection for the white cell count to return to 'normal'??

 

[AquaClaraCanines]

I don't know. I'm sitting here crying trying to pay attention to other threads. I can't even cope with the thought of her having cancer. She's just now gotten out of a horrible life of neglect and abuse. I already love her so much- she is the one in my signature.

 

[esSJay]

I'm sorry I don't know anything about white blood cells. Just sending positive thoughts your way and hoping everything is going to be ok!

 

[esSJay]

I don't know. I'm sitting here crying trying to pay attention to other threads. I can't even cope with the thought of her having cancer. She's just now gotten out of a horrible life of neglect and abuse. I already love her so much- she is the one in my signature.

Don't jump to conclusions yet! It could be a myriad of little things as you mentioned in your original post. We are all hoping it is one of the little things that is normal and fixable!

 

[AquaClaraCanines]

I just love her already. She's such a sweet, special dog. Can't help it! I panic!

 

[Prov31]

I feel your concern, but it does sound like an infection and not the other dreaded word. White blood counts stay high during and after an infection. Kennel cough can cause lots of irritation in her system and her body is still fighting to get well, even though she has improved. Since the other blood tests looked fine (which is wonderful), a round of antibiotic sounds like a good idea. Remember, the other tests were fine and it doesn't sound like the vet is worried, so try to relax and play with the baby and doggies!:wavey:

 

[Debles]

We will all pray for her god health and send positive energy! Hopefully is it some reaction to the bad life she has previously and the antibiotic will take care of it!

She is such a such a gorgeous girl!!! and so lucky to have you!

 

[AquaClaraCanines]

I know I am a spaz. Freaking out won't do any good anyway.

 

[LuckyPup]

Sorry to hear this! I will keep Brooklyn in my thoughts (and your family as well). I really do not know much about dogs and blood cell counts but I know when my mom was in the hospital even the slightest infraction of an infection bounces those numbers all over the place. (She was in a coma and had an artificial heart....not cancer).

Anyways, good thoughts sent your way!

 

[HovawartMom]

White cells can be anything!.From fighting something as simple as a cold to anything else!.
Do the general antibiotic and then,recheck but don't expect the worst!.
Hugs,Laurie

 

[hotel4dogs]

Try not to panic, any number of different things can cause the white count to go up! Just plain stress can cause an elevated white count. Hopefully the antibiotics (and her immune system) will take care of it quickly.
".....White Blood Cells
The other major type of blood cells are the white blood cells (WBC’s), which are also referred to as leukocytes. There are many more RBC’s than there are WBC’s. For every leukocyte present in a sample there will normally be 600 to 700 RBC’s. The major role of the white blood cells is to defend the body against invading organisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. There are different types of leukocytes, and a white blood count (WBC) is a total of all the various kinds. The normal range for a WBC count in the dog would be between 6,000 and 17,000 per microliter, and in the cat, 4,900-20,000/µ l. The number of WBC's is typically elevated when the body is fighting a severe infection or stressed by metabolic toxins (a patient that was in acute kidney failure with waste products building up in its body would normally have an elevated WBC). In addition, when extremely excited (if we overly excite or frighten the animal when drawing the blood sample) white blood cells will be released into the blood and the levels will rise. The WBC count will be lower than normal, if an animal has been weakened from a prolonged, debilitating disease and in some viral infections...."

 

[Jax's Mom]

Kennel Cough is infectious so it can be left over from that is she isnt quite over it. I'm sure its nothing serious. Try not to worry (easier said than done)

 

[AquaClaraCanines]

She also has reduced red slightly. Is that bad? The vet knows I am ridiculous... and obsessed with my dogs. So she definitely was playing it cool.

 

[LuckyPup]

I panic like you do as well. So I would be on the phone and internet searching like a fool.

I really do not know much about red blood count.

For assumption purposes only, I would assume that if the vet assumed it was more than likely the "c" word they would have ordered the other tests immediately, instead of just throwing Brooklyn on an antibiotic?

I hope you get an answer real soon!

 

[momtoMax]

I'd say that the kennel cough thing works in your favor a lot. I have gotten back test results for my pets like that when they are sick. If there was no kennel cough then I'd really worry. Stay positive - it's likely her immune system fighting off the cough. I realize for you, and if it were me - it will be a very long 10 days.

 

[LifeOfRiley]

I know it's hard not to panic. I tend to be a spazz when it comes to my boys, too, and freak out over every little thing.
But... don't panic. As others have said, an elevated white cell count could be caused by any number of things.
I remember Cooper having a pretty high count once. I was freaking out and the vet really wasn't saying much, which didn't help! I took him in a few days later for a recheck and it was fine. They never did figure out what had caused the count to be high.

 

[moverking]

Jenna, did she recently have a full set of vaccines done? Could be the bodies response to those or even the Bordetella episode...easy, girl, don't panic yet

 

[missmarstar]

Sending good thoughts Jenna!!

 

[AmbikaGR]

Jenna, it of course is probably nothing sertious but personally if I was as stressed as you are (and I KNOW I would be) I would at least do the xrays now and depending on what they look like then consider doing an ultrasound. I would not be able to wait 10 days.