Relapse Of Anemia?

[clytical]

Hello,

My name is Celine. My three year old cat Figaro suffered a case of anemia back in January. I took him in because I noticed he was licking rocks and had a decreased appetite. I was right in doing so because the blood test showed he had low red and white blood cells. He was tested negative for FIV, FELV, and had blood screenings to check his organs and heart, had an XRAY done to check for masses, there was no black stool or anything to suspect internal bleeding or ulcer. The vet gave him antibiotics for two weeks, and I had a dewormer done...after about a month, his third blood test was great and he was normalized. We never found out what happened.

Just this week, again I noticed he was licking rocks/cements like crazy, much more manic than last time. I took him in right away and the blood test confirmed he was anemic again, this time worst than before. I was kind of shocked and thought we were over this. The vet said we should have given his antibiotics for a longer period, he was suspicious of it being infectious anemia, with mycoplasma and blood parasites. So he's now performing three blood tests, one blood smear, one for any blood parasites, and another one called the Coombs test to see if his immune system is destroying his red blood cells. He was diagnosed as regenerative anemia last time, which means his immune system is working hard to make up for loss of red blood cells. He is eating a little bit, not as much as before but I try to feed him as often as I can. And he's currently on antibiotics as we're waiting for the results. He's not in need of blood transfusion yet.

Has anyone dealt with anemia? Or any relapse of anemia? Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[abyeb]

I’m sorry that your kitty is going through this. I hope he starts feeling better soon. Figaro is a very striking cat.

I don’t know much about anemia in cats, but here’s an old thread about a cat who had infectious anemia: Bubba has had a relapse

The poster said that their cat was treated with antibiotics, and as of the last update, was doing great.

 

[clytical]

I’m sorry that your kitty is going through this. I hope he starts feeling better soon. Figaro is a very striking cat.

I don’t know much about anemia in cats, but here’s an old thread about a cat who had infectious anemia: Bubba has had a relapse

The poster said that their cat was treated with antibiotics, and as of the last update, was doing great.

Thanks for that! Yeah, Figs is on antibiotics right now. He was normalized last time with just antibiotics and a dewormer, but we only did it for two weeks. Bubba was on antibiotics and immune suppressant medication, not sure if we need that yet. Waiting on the blood work for more information. I'm really hoping it's parasites or something treatable. The more research I do, the more I get discouraged by the many sad cases.

 

[clytical]

***UPDATE: Figaro has received a blood transfusion and needs support for his diagnostic tests. He's currently on steroids and antibiotics awaiting a costly Bone Marrow test ($800.00) and the vet has suggested an ultrasound ($600) to check for any internal bleeding.
***UPDATE2: Figaro has undertaken the bone marrow aspiration, ultrasound/abdominal xray and many blood tests. Hoping for something treatable. The vet said his spleen was slightly enlarged, but that could be for many reasons, likely due to his anemia. Still need to find out the reason he's losing red blood cells.
***UPDATE3: Bone Marrow tests have shown that there are no bad cells in the sample, which rules out lymphoma. Verified that Figaro is Non-Regenerative Anemic where his Bone Marrow response is inadequate when compared to the increased need of red blood cells. Vet and specialist have narrowed down to possibly leukaemia, infectious anemia (although tested negative twice for blood parasites) but most likely they think it is an Immune Mediated Anemia.

 

[clytical]

 

[clytical]

***Figaro Update : Vet has confirmed - Non Regenerative Anemia (where the Bone Marrow is either destructing red blood cells, and/or not producing more red blood cells or enough to equate for loss). Bone Marrow had no bad cells in the sample, lab wanted biopsy, vet and specialist said no for now, and that it will likely give same answer. Spleen was slightly enlarged in the ultrasound and they took a tissue sample, vet said sample had no bad cells, large likely due to anemia.

Narrowed down to possibly leukaemia, infectious anemia (although tested negative twice for blood parasites) but most likely thinks it can be an Immune Mediated Anemia. He is no longer on antibiotics, but is on steroids. Will do follow up blood work on Friday, to check his blood counts and will ask for iron level as well. Last Thursday his blood count was at 3.4, it should be 7.1 - 11.5, previously it was at 2.1. Not sure if this is because of the blood transfusion or if he’s improving or maintaining from steroids. He’s going to prescribe another cortisol along continuing with prednisone (steroids) depending on Friday.

 

[Jmiano12]

Any update on Figaro?