AIHA/IMHA anything I can do to help?

My poor cat Tom has come down with this rare disease, and I am still at a loss about it

He is almost 4 years old, and has been fighting this disease for almost a year now. He has regular blood tests to check his red cell blood count and they have varied from 6 - 23 (should be around 25 i think) He is on 3 prednisone tablets a day as his count has dropped again

I have been trying to find more information on the disease, but most of it is related to dogs.

Is there anything I can do to help him? He is a real fussy eater, and although he has put on a little weight with the meds (at one point he weighed 3.2kg and is a big cat!) he still looks very thin. Just as well he has long fur, or I will have the RSPCA knocking at my door! :s

He seems ok in himself, although if he does too much at night when he is out and about, then it does seem to take him a few days to get back on top again

He also hates the vets. And I mean HATES the vets! As soon as he sees a vet he starts to growl Cant really blame him tbh, but it breaks my heart to see him so unhappy.

To take his blood they have to put him in a straight jacket type thing or a towel to protect the vet from loosing a digit or two! He has been on feliway before to calm him down a touch, but even now that doesnt seem to help!

Any help/suggestions will be gratefully received as if I can limit the number of vet visits, I think it will benefit him greatly!

I was just trying to find info also for you. It is a strange illness as they really don't know what causes the immune system to start attacking the red blood cells.

I will keep trying to find info. Check out the major veterinary university websites.

I had a cat that was insane at the vets. We had to give him a seditive and even that didn't work. The vet had to wrap him in a towel to inject him once and the needle came out bent! It was always so stressful, so I can certainly sympathize.

I hope someone comes along who can be better help for you. You are a good mom for trying so hard to find some answers.

Just wondering how your kitty is? There is a site if you google imha in cats.

It looks as if it is a real challenge to cope with.

I will keep you in my prayers. But for the grace of God, I could deal with the same thing in the future.

Thanks for your kind replys.

He is ok, stable at least. The additional tablet of prednidale seems to help him. He is due to go back again in 3 weeks time for yet another blood test!

I will get him another feliway diffuser to keep the poor thing calm. He does have age on his side, and the vet reckoned that coupled with the fact he seems to be coping ok with the anemia (no additional complications) he should pull through. The first thing is to get the anemia under control and get him into remission. He did say that it could also be genetic, but as I got him from someone in the paper, I have no history to check this with.

When I spoke to the vet, he said that he has never seen a cat with AIHA in all his years of practice (and he must be in his 50's!). It is more of a dog disease. This could explain the total lack of information on the internet!

I just hope Tom can pull through it and go into remission. I know one thing though, he is a stubborn thing .. just like his mum!!

Well, good it sounds like he is holding his own.

My cat Spot, actually she was the reason I came on this forum, passed away also from a disease that is seen more in dogs. Chylousperitoneum. I never did find anyone with the same problem. I had to research it myself. It is discouraging when that happens. It's nice to have someone who has been through it to confirm your fears or dismiss them.

I will keep Tom in my prayers. You are a good mum. Stubborness is a good thing sometimes!