Hematocrit

A little something popped up in Ghost's lab work that prompted a call from the vet. His "crit" was a bit low. Something like 28. Not an alarming thing, but the vet did suggested I give G red meat twice a week. He is healthy other than the eye issue I posted about on this sub forum.

Just looking for some reassurance... and any input from folks whose cats may have or have had mild anemia.

I'd be wondering WHY kitty is anemic, and wondering why the Vet doesn't wish to pursue the underlying cause? You want to determine the cause before it goes any lower? To put it into perspective, cats w/ CRF often become anemic and a PCV (aka hematocrit) of 21 is time for special injections that help promote production of red blood cells (Erthyropoetin). Not trying to panic you at all but I'd want to get to the bottom of this.

Kidney disease/failure (CRF) can cause this.

A major flea infestation can cause it.

Hemobartonella (sp?) can cause it.

Parasites (fleas, ticks, hookworms)

Feline Leukemia, FIV

Blood loss, significant bruising, trauma


Also, there's 2 types of anemia; regenerative and non-regenerative. Your Vet should be sure to do a reticulocyte count to help determine which it is.

Does your kitty ever eat ANY kind of food (namely people food, or even baby food) that contains garlic powder or onion powder? These can cause Heinz-Body Hemolytic Anemia in cats.

What's been going on lately with your kitty? Health issues? (sorry if you've posted about them, I can't keep track of everyone, old age you know LOL)

I've never heard of treatment for anemia being 'red meat' - at least not in cats. Generally cats w/ regenerative anemia (like that caused by CRF) are given iron supplements (Fer-in-Sol; 1 tiny drop daily) and B Vitamins because they help with red blood cell production. Pet-Tinic (not sure if they still make it?) is a liquid supplement in a bottle (with a dropper) that contains iron, b vitamins, etc.....for cats w/ regen anemia. Of course though, treatment can vary depending on the cause (eg: if it's a parasite causing it, you treat that).

Here's a good link that gives info on Anemia in cats:

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/in...m/bc/10200.htm

Here's another good link:

http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/anemia.html

Here, also, is a really excellent link:

http://www.cat-world.com.au/anemia-in-cats

Here, also, is a really good forum for people whose kitties have anemia...it's a group on Yahoo (you'll have to 'join' to read and post). I belonged to it years ago when I had a very old CRF kitty who was anemic (her PCV was 22% at the lowest; we started with Erythropoetin injections but she passed shortly after that due to heart failure)

http://pets.dir.groups.yahoo.com/gro...sec=dir&slk=11

LASTLY ***** improper handling of a blood sample (say the blood sits for too long and hemolyzes (breaks down))....that can cause a falsely LOW PCV.

Does your kitty have signs of being anemic? Pale gums? Less active? Weight loss? Poor appetite?

Thanks, Food Lady. I am wondering if this was a false reading. Their centrefuge wasn't working properly so it wouldn't spin down the blood and the sample had to be sent out. Your comment about the blood sitting too long makes me wonder. He is not showing ANY signs of anemia. Great appetite, full of energy, stable weight. And she did talk to me about CRF.

He's due for his annual/shots in June. I will do new bloods on him then.

His big problem at the moment is inflamed eyes - viral, bacterial, allergic??? I posted about that here last night, too. He is on Terramycin ointment right now... not sure it's helping. A little bit of sneezing going on as well. Archie, too, who does get a goopy eye from time to time ...

The vet did say that she is seeing a large amount of allergy coming into the practice this season given the pollen count.

Bumper's normal values are not within the normals for the lab my vet uses (slightly lower) he has had many tests and the final conclusion was - not all healthy cats fit in the norms

28% would be within norms for hct for the labs here, they use 25-45%, Bumper is usually 20-25% depending on whether he was fasted before the tests and Autumn's recent labs showed 24-45 as normal

Originally Posted by icklemiss21

Bumper's normal values are not within the normals for the lab my vet uses (slightly lower) he has had many tests and the final conclusion was - not all healthy cats fit in the norms

28% would be within norms for hct for the labs here, they use 25-45%, Bumper is usually 20-25% depending on whether he was fasted before the tests and Autumn's recent labs showed 24-45 as normal

Click to expand...

Thanks, Eithne. That makes me feel a little better. As I said - NO signs of anemia.

Yeah, many many tests later, we agreed he was normal in an abnormal way

Thank you Food lady for that last bit, the improper handling of a sample. I did not know that. Thanks for it