Go Back   Pet forum for dogs cats and humans - Pets.ca > Discussion Groups - mainly cats and dogs > Cat health - Ask members * If your pet is vomiting-bleeding-diarrhea etc. Vet time!

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old July 27th, 2008, 10:02 PM
setell's Avatar
setell setell is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: ON
Posts: 8
Anybody know anybody with a cat that's anemic and have it managed?

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.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old July 28th, 2008, 05:11 PM
phoozles's Avatar
phoozles phoozles is offline
proud to be a cat slave
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southwestern Ontario
Posts: 1,420
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!
__________________
Taken over by:

Jake - grey DSH (Aug '98) Alley - spazzy grey tabby (Aug '07)
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old July 28th, 2008, 05:29 PM
14+kitties's Avatar
14+kitties 14+kitties is offline
150% PRO S/N
Starcastle Champion, V:force Champion, UFO Shoot Out Champion, Parachute Panic Champion, Mission To Mars Champion, Disc Dash Champion, Crazy Closet Champion, Railway Line Champion, Penguin Pass Champion
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: MYOB
Posts: 15,408
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?
__________________
Assumptions do nothing but make an ass out of u and me.

We can stick our heads in the sand for only so long before it starts choking us. Face it folks. The pet population is bad ALL OVER THE WORLD!

Last edited by 14+kitties; July 28th, 2008 at 06:06 PM. Reason: spelling again
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old July 28th, 2008, 05:34 PM
RUSTYcat's Avatar
RUSTYcat RUSTYcat is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Le rocher
Posts: 404
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.
__________________
the more i learn about (some) people, the more i luv my cats
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old July 28th, 2008, 06:06 PM
setell's Avatar
setell setell is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: ON
Posts: 8
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.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old July 28th, 2008, 06:25 PM
RUSTYcat's Avatar
RUSTYcat RUSTYcat is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Le rocher
Posts: 404
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.
__________________
the more i learn about (some) people, the more i luv my cats
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old July 28th, 2008, 08:23 PM
setell's Avatar
setell setell is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: ON
Posts: 8
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.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old July 28th, 2008, 09:25 PM
RUSTYcat's Avatar
RUSTYcat RUSTYcat is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Le rocher
Posts: 404
OK - if the cat's in NS, the closest Veterinary College is the Atlantic Veterinary College in Charlottetown. The website is very skimpy for general information, but my sense is that their intake may be by referral from a Veterinarian only. (At Guelph, there is a small animal hospital open to the public.) But, if it's an option for your family in terms of travel, why not call them and ask about getting a consultation.

The second opinion option might be best pursued by contacting the Nova Scotia Veterinary Medical Association and finding the closest Board Certified Feline Veterinarian.

Third best (from my perspective) would be finding the closest cat-only Vet practice - again, ask the NSVMA.

You might consider starting a new thread - maybe in the General Forum - "Need a Good Cat Vet in...."
__________________
the more i learn about (some) people, the more i luv my cats
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old July 28th, 2008, 10:23 PM
Dr Lee's Avatar
Dr Lee Dr Lee is offline
Senior Contributor - Expert
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: East Coast
Posts: 1,060
Many thanks Rustycat for the PM on this thread!

Rustycat is correct, we really need to find the underlying cause of the anemia. Anemia can be caused from three main etiologies: 1) Blood loss, 2) Blood cell destruction and 3) lack of production.

It sounds like we can rule out blood loss. Blood destruction can occur as an immune mediated source like IMHA (Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia) but is rare in cats, from onion or garlic toxicity, drug reactions, blood borne parasites, or sepsis.

Lack of production can be from a primary bone marrow disease, lead toxicity and from any serious chronic disease.

A bone marrow biopsy may be very useful in this case and again as Rustycat pointed out - this will call for a specialist.

Epogen (erythropoietin) injections can help stimulate the body to create more red blood cells. I have used Epogen in several kidney failure cases and had some very good success. Results are not immediate but do happen. The medication can usually be obtained through a human hospital by your veterinarian and can be administered only by injection. Erythropoietin is the hormone that stimulates the bone marrow to make red blood cells. Amgen, a California based laboratory, isolated this hormone and replicated it in the 80's. Since then it has helped saved thousands of lives, including some cats.

I hope this helps a bit.
__________________
Christopher A. Lee, DVM, MPH, Diplomate ACVPM
Preventive Medicine Specialist With a Focus on Immunology and Infectious Disease
myvetzone.com
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old July 29th, 2008, 07:13 AM
Love4himies's Avatar
Love4himies Love4himies is offline
Rescue is my fav. breed
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Boating in the 1000 Islands
Posts: 17,769
I am sorry to hear about your kitty. I have no advice, but would like to send you a

Good luck and keep us updated on your kitty's health.
__________________
Cat maid to:


Rose semi feral, a cpietra rescue, female tabby (approx 13 yrs)

Jasper RIP (2001-2018)
Sweet Pea RIP (2004?-2014)
Puddles RIP (1996-2014)
Snowball RIP (1991-2005)

In a cat's eye, all things belong to cats.-English Proverb

“While we are free to choose our actions, we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions.” Stephen R. Covey
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old July 29th, 2008, 02:58 PM
setell's Avatar
setell setell is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: ON
Posts: 8
Thank you all for your kind words and help. I don't think we can travel to Charlottetown to go to the vet college there. I'll call and book an appointment with the local Cat only vet hospital. Ironic how I used to take her there but stopped after I was insulted how they thought I was mistreating my little girl Peach. I've got to call around and find out where we can see a specialist as Peach's situation seems to beyond what a regular "vet" can do.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old August 2nd, 2008, 11:08 AM
RUSTYcat's Avatar
RUSTYcat RUSTYcat is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Le rocher
Posts: 404
setell- check your Private Messages
__________________
the more i learn about (some) people, the more i luv my cats
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old August 24th, 2008, 06:57 PM
acky acky is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 2
My cat has anemia too

My cat has had severe anemia for 2 years now. In the beginning the steroid pills did nothing - except permanently mess up her eyes pretty bad- and she had two blood transfusions. Finally we tried a pill called Leukeran. It is used in humans who have cancer and one of the side effects is it kills off the immune system. My cat's anemia is caused from her immune system attacking her red blood cells. We have kept it under control until now but have over time, had to increase her dosage. Now we are spiralling downward again. The vet doesn't seem willing to do another transfusion and I am hoping I can talk her into it tomorrow. I don't know why your cat has anemia but I hope this helps.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old August 28th, 2008, 06:36 PM
faranya faranya is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Yarmouth County, NS
Posts: 58
My cat developed sudden, acute anemia owing to liver failure. His red blood count was 15. I fed him pureed and very bloody raw beef liver - mixed with some corn syrup to make it somewhat palatable. This is so soupy it can be fed via an oral-type syringe. He also received Hills A/D wet cat food, made into an even goopier pate than it already was. In six days his count was up to 24. (See my Gollum update thread).

Chronic anemia is a different matter entirely but I do have a certain respect for raw beef liver, now I've seen what it can do. And it's so cheap.

I later started him on denamarin and the improvement in his liver function has been nothing short of astonishing. He's eating like a normal cat again.

Brenda
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old October 14th, 2008, 01:06 PM
setell's Avatar
setell setell is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: ON
Posts: 8
Thanks all for the help and support.

Our kitty is doing well right now. She's gained a lot of weight and we've narrowed down what is causing the anemia to just two possiblities (better than before!). She's keeping her PCV count high since we're feeding her Hills A/D and Medi Cal Preventive Care. This combination have really boosted her blood count and has kept it around 26% on average for the past month and a half. At the moment we've got her anemia controlled while we it gives us time to figure out what is causing it.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old October 14th, 2008, 01:19 PM
Love4himies's Avatar
Love4himies Love4himies is offline
Rescue is my fav. breed
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Boating in the 1000 Islands
Posts: 17,769
Glad to hear your kitty is doing well and thanks for updating us.
__________________
Cat maid to:


Rose semi feral, a cpietra rescue, female tabby (approx 13 yrs)

Jasper RIP (2001-2018)
Sweet Pea RIP (2004?-2014)
Puddles RIP (1996-2014)
Snowball RIP (1991-2005)

In a cat's eye, all things belong to cats.-English Proverb

“While we are free to choose our actions, we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions.” Stephen R. Covey
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Forum Terms of Use

  • All Bulletin Board Posts are for personal/non-commercial use only.
  • Self-promotion and/or promotion in general is prohibited.
  • Debate is healthy but profane and deliberately rude posts will be deleted.
  • Posters not following the rules will be banned at the Admins' discretion.
  • Read the Full Forum Rules

Forum Details

  • Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8
    Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
    vBulletin Optimisation by vB Optimise (Reduced on this page: MySQL 0%).
  • All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:49 AM.