Anybody know anybody with a cat that's anemic and have it managed?

[setell]

I posted this in the general cats and dogs forum but haven't gotten any response. But I really wish I can get some feedback from people that have any experience with their cat being anemic:

Does anybody know anybody or have a cat that's anemic and have the anemia managed? My baby is very sick and we're going to lose her one of these days if we go to the vet too late for a steroid injection or transfusion. We haven't given her any transfusions yet but she's been on the borderline so many times now. The vet has told us a few times to consider putting her down but it's just our stubbornness and not wanting to let her go. She's lost a lot of weight in the last few months. This is so depressing We really don't know what to do anymore as the steroid pills don't work and right now just the injections seem to be working for a week or so than it's not again. I've done research on the web and most cats don't survive but I've found a couple people on yahoo answers where their cat has successfully been able to manage their chronic anemia.

Thanks so much for your help in this.

[phoozles]

Sorry, I don't know anything about anemia in cats - but maybe another cat person will come along with some answers, so I'm giving you a bump.

Good luck!

[14+kitties]

Hi setell. I'm sorry but I'm not going to be much help either.
Could I suggest you go to Search on this bar

User CP Blogs FAQ Calendar Arcade Today's Posts New Posts Search Quick Links Log Out

and click on it. I did and did an anemic cat search. There seems to be some info there in older posts. Don't know how much help it will be though.

For human anemic we take iron supplements. Is that something that was offered?

[RUSTYcat]

What is causing the anemia?

I have only limited personal experience with anemia in a cat who crashed with FeLV - long before I discovered the Internet. I do have a couple of suggestions, however.

Many people who are dealing with a chronic condition receive excellent information, practical advice and support from others who have more experience dealing with that same condition. If you think you'd like to put your question to them - or at least check them out - you'll find a group here.
(I'm a member of a similar group and we all realize that our collective knowledge and experience outweighs that of out Vets.)

One of my discoveries has been a superb website dedicated to managing feline kidney insufficiency (CRF). There is a very extensive section on that site dealing with anemia. Ignore the fact that it is a CRF site - treating anemia is generic - you'll find it here.

[setell]

Thank you so much RUSTYcat. I really appreciate the help and to the others that responded. I'm really not sure what to do right now since we've had a lot of tests done and haven't found the root cause of the anemia that is why she keeps bouncing back and forth. We know that she doesn't have Feline Leukemia, any infections, but just a enlarged liver. The vet said it was ok that her liver was larger than most cats. She doesn't have any renal problems too so we've narrowed down a lot of possible reasons why she's anemic other than a genetic issue I am still try to get as much information as possible. I'm at the point that I'm second guessing my vet now and want a second opinion of my little girl's situation. It's also draining my emotions where every other visit and the bloody vet tells us to consider putting my baby down :sad: I wonder if he/she gets the point that I am not putting her down till I know I tried everything to save her.

[RUSTYcat]

Given what you've said, I think that, if it were me, I would be asking for a referral to a specialist.

If I were within travelling distance of the ON Veterinary College in Guelph - that's where I would want to go.

If you decide to go with a "simple" second opinion, there's a site with info on Vets who have been recommended by owners of chronically ill cats - you'll find that info here.

[setell]

You can get a referral to a specialist? I'm going to do that first thing tomorrow since I had no clue you can do that. But I'm nowhere close to an veterinary college since she's in NS and I just moved to ON for a new job. My parents and siblings have been taking care of her. My sister took our cat to the vet the last Thursday and the vet increased her steroid dosage...'sigh' not even sure if it'll help at all. I will try to get a good second opinion vs just another vet that might tell us the same thing this vet is.