took in a stray, with complications.

drsmaw

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Hello all,
My name is Dave, I have a 3 yr. old shorthair house cat and now a stray, but the stray is having issues.
I found her outside my work trying to get inside, everyone was walking by her. I was the last one out of work and pet this little bundle of joy. She was/is all bone, no color to her skin, and very rough. But an absolute sweetie, she followed me to my car, never leaving my heel, I had to take her.
Instantly gave her a flea bath, food, water, bed, love, and warmth. Which she took to without issues. She also used her litter box right away going #1 and #2 without fail.
Took her to the vet the next day, had her tested for FIV and Feliv, negative. Doc gave me vitamins and food requirements.
Needless to say, my 3yr old chloe (my boy cat), was also fine with this. I think he understood that we are trying to help her.
Vet said she is 6yrs old, spayed, no fleas and all blood tests came back fine. Except for her anemia(maybe the reason for no fleas, no blood left to eat). He said normal blood levels are between 10-15%, and Sadie(stray) is at 0.6%. They first recommended a blood transfusion, but then called me back to say there is an 80% failure rate with that in cats. They told me she needs B-complex shots every other day at $55 per shot for the next 2-3 months!
Wow, kind of a lot of money. He also said I need to get her on kitty food.

Throughout all of this, we've had Sadie a total of 5 days. She has stopped peeing in her box and randomly goes on smooth surfaces ( mostly my hardwood floors!). She still poos in the box, but goes elsewhere to pee. She does not play much, just watches the us play, but never jumps in.
She also seems to sleep while not laying down, as if she is hiding under a car (poor baby), but she doesn't lay on her side like my Fat Chloe does.
She is depressed, lethargic, and is now slowing down on eating.
I have a screened in back porch, she seems to love to run out there and just stare. She also only jumps and seems more alert and attentive when she is outside (on the screened porch).
She is being held and loved, but I'm also making sure my boy cat gets it too. They do not hiss or growl, more like curious innocent cats living together.

I checked all classifieds, petfinder, craigslist, microchip, etc. - and nothing.

Have I ruined her by keeping her inside?

Is she fading on me?

What's making her pee anywhere she wants?

She is separated throughout the day, confined to her own room with food and litter separate.

I ordered Nutrived B-complex (liquid), hoping it helps, plus a lot less than $55/shot.

If someone had this angel, I'm sure she's lost.
But, since she is so emaciated, weak, and doesn't like when you put ur face in front of her... I can also assume someone treated her like crap.
She did jump on the dining room table once, when I went to go pick her up off the table, she cowered back, scared as hell!
I hate this neglect for such an innocent, sweet thing.
Please help if you can.

Thank you
(BTW, I am not a doctor, it's just my weird nickname online)
 

carolina

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hi, first of all, thank you for rescuing this little angel...

The peeing outside of the box can be, and usually is, an indication of an Urinary tract infection - I would strongly advise to take her to the vet for a urinalysis. Clean all the spots with a good enzyme cleaner so she doesn't go back to pee on the same place... Add a second box, actually with three cats you should have 3 boxes, and fill all boxes with Cat Attract Litter.
With that high level of Anemia, I would also highly recommend doing more than just the supplements - I would go for the transfusion. I truly do not think it is 80% failure... That baby need some blood into her... fast.
Your doctor is probably talking about Epogen shots? Epogen can have some serious High blood pressure side effects...
Now I wonder about something... With that kind of anemia... Are you sure this baby doesn't have Kidney failure?
Has your doctor ran a complete blood test on her? not only the FIV and FeLV, but a complete blood count?
I would go back and ask for a complete Senior Panel done - I know she is only six, but this anemia is weird... Is too severe IMHO.
Last but not least - make SURE she eats - a cat can go into liver failure very very quickly, and that is big problem. Don't leave it up to her... There is a food called Hills A/D, it's a recovery food, very caloric and very palatable...
Baby food, all meat and meat broth, no garlic, no onion, can help too.
While you are trying for food, wet food is better so it doesn't upset her stomach...
Good luck!
 

stephanietx

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Congratulations on your new addition and bless you for taking in this little girl.

She could be slowing down in eating because she's getting enough to eat. It could also be that she's more at home out in the screened in porch because that's what she's used to, but you've definitely not spoiled her by keeping her inside.

As for the inappropriate urination, that warrants a trip back to the vet to check for a urinary tract infection. UTIs are often brought on with stress and she's been stressed, physically from the time outside not being cared for and also from the new environment. Add another litter box and try Cat Attract litter. Don't forget to clean the spots where she's peed with an enzymatic cleaner. You might also want to fill a box with some dirt or sand or a more natural litter such as World's Best to see if that helps.
 
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drsmaw

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Sorry for the lack of explanation. I originally took her for the FIV/FELIV test after I got her. Then yesterday took her for a full blood analysis, because I suspected a UTI ( thank you google). Vet said all tests were negative ( to include kidney failure) and that the urination was behavioral. The main concern from them was that she is severely anemic.
If I can give her these B-Complex shots myself, I will. I trust my vet, but just don't want to be taken for expenses that I can get cheaper myself.
Oh, I only have the 2 cats, not three, but only with two litter boxes. ( probably my bad story-telling again).
I have been cleaning the pee spots with soap and water, then going over it with vinegar to keep her away from the same pee spot again.
For food, I feed my boy cat the c/d, vet said that would be fine.
But since, she has recommended kitten food. I am feeding her IAMS kitten food Premium Protection.
I'm just afraid also that a transfusion may become a recurring thing. I also don't want to make her feel worse.
Honestly, I don't want her to suffer, but need some direction.
The transfusion was quoted for $680, then follow-ups of course.
Kinda stuck here.

Thanks for the quick replies too, its much appreciated. I keep refereshing the page looking for new answers.
 
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drsmaw

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Just got word from the vet, they can give the B-complex shot for $25 each, instead of the original $55 quoted.
Maybe I can't afford it forever, but even if I can try to help this sweet girlie with at least one shot a week, it can help.
Or maybe, I can have them give a few shots to see if she bounces back at all, and if she still fails, then I know.
She was brought to me for a reason, either to make her healthy again, or to comfort and love her while she passes.

At least she has warmth and love, something she seemed to be missing in her life.

Praying.
 

carolina

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Originally Posted by drsmaw

Sorry for the lack of explanation. I originally took her for the FIV/FELIV test after I got her. Then yesterday took her for a full blood analysis, because I suspected a UTI ( thank you google). Vet said all tests were negative ( to include kidney failure) and that the urination was behavioral. A blood test will say nothing about an UTI - did the vet do a urinalysis? Did he do an urine test? Only with an urine test, not with a blood test, he can confirm an UTI. The main concern from them was that she is severely anemic.
If I can give her these B-Complex shots myself, I will. I trust my vet, but just don't want to be taken for expenses that I can get cheaper myself.
Oh, I only have the 2 cats, not three, but only with two litter boxes. ( probably my bad story-telling again).
I have been cleaning the pee spots with soap and water, then going over it with vinegar to keep her away from the same pee spot again. Soap water an vinegar won't do a thing - you need a good enzyme cleaner - the enzymes will literally eat the odor causing bacteria in the urine, and only that will completely eliminate the odor. Remember, the cat's nose is hundreds of times more sensitive than ours... we might not feel the scent, but that doesn't mean they don't...
For food, I feed my boy cat the c/d, vet said that would be fine.
But since, she has recommended kitten food. I am feeding her IAMS kitten food Premium Protection. Kitten food is better, as it does have more calories....
I'm just afraid also that a transfusion may become a recurring thing. I also don't want to make her feel worse. It might be, but with those numbers, I am afraid something might have to be done quickly - than you can buy time to follow through with your plan on the vitamin B supplements
Honestly, I don't want her to suffer, but need some direction.
The transfusion was quoted for $680, then follow-ups of course.
Kinda stuck here.

Thanks for the quick replies too, its much appreciated. I keep refereshing the page looking for new answers.
Great news that she doesn't have kidney failure! how is her eating?
Edit: About the litterboxes: 2 cats, 3 litterboxes - rule of thumb, # of litterboxes = # of cats + 1
 

carolina

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Originally Posted by drsmaw

Just got word from the vet, they can give the B-complex shot for $25 each, instead of the original $55 quoted.
Maybe I can't afford it forever, but even if I can try to help this sweet girlie with at least one shot a week, it can help.
Or maybe, I can have them give a few shots to see if she bounces back at all, and if she still fails, then I know.
She was brought to me for a reason, either to make her healthy again, or to comfort and love her while she passes.

At least she has warmth and love, something she seemed to be missing in her life.

Praying.
You know, you are awesome... I wish there were more people in the World like you...
 
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drsmaw

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Originally Posted by Carolina

You know, you are awesome... I wish there were more people in the World like you...
Carolina,
Thank you for your kind words.

I'll look into the enzyme cleaner for sure. I will also double check the urine test with the vet. I'll have to check all the paperwork when I get home.

I've got an extra litter box to put out, so will do that right away also.

I'll update as we go along, thanks for the helping hand.
 

carolina

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Originally Posted by drsmaw

Carolina,
Thank you for your kind words.

I'll look into the enzyme cleaner for sure. I will also double check the urine test with the vet. I'll have to check all the paperwork when I get home.

I've got an extra litter box to put out, so will do that right away also.

I'll update as we go along, thanks for the helping hand.
Since you are going to looks for the extra litter box, look for a cat litter called "Cat Attract Litter" it is amazingly helpful!!
Good luck!
Oh, and by the way, Sterilite or rubbermaid containers make the best and cheapest litterboxes
 

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Dave, thank you for rescuing and caring for this little girl.


One of our kitties had ongoing problems with anemia. There are a LOT of things that can cause anemia, and there are different types of anemia. You did NOT make her ill by bringing her inside. One of the symptoms of anemia is lethargy. Think of when you feel really ill - you're lethargic and spacey. Our kitty lost interest in eating, and that became another problem.

I'm not familiar with that method of looking at the red blood cell count. Can you ask what the Hematocrit - or PCV (packed cell volume) is? Because those numbers don't make sense to me. A normal hematocrit/PCV is usually somewhere around 30%. Anything below 25% is technically anemic, and anything below 15% isn't survivable for very long.

Whether a blood transfusion will help is totally dependent upon the "match" of the blood. Cats have FAR more complicated blood than humans do. They will usually accept an initial transfusion (thankfully our Tuxie did, it saved his life), but after that their bodies react to other blood, causing it to clot, and that's why it can't be transfused.


Here's a couple of articles for you on the subject:

http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/anemia.html
Far more detailed: http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/in...m/bc/10200.htm

I have to assume the blood work indicates the anemia is non-regenerative or they wouldn't be treating her with Vitamin B shots. My concern is that anemia as the result of a vitamin B deficiency is often associated with Chronic Renal Failure, but her blood work does not indicate she's got CRF or is in early stages of CRF? And did her blood work indicate she HAS a vitamin B deficiency?

I'm really not trying to stir up trouble, but we battled our kitty's autoimmune disease for several years, and almost lost him twice. If we had not gone to another vet and gotten a 2nd opinion on his treatment (and diagnosis alone cost us a lot of money), he would be dead now. And I really don't mean to scare you - but "anemia" is one of those shifty problems where it's best if you spend a little time researching and ask your vet some questions to make sure they're on top of the situation. If they can't determine what's causing it, they do need to make sure things like - is her bone marrow working to produce red blood cells?

With our little guy, his bone marrow was working - but his body kept attacking his blood like it was a virus. So his appendix and heart became enlarged from processing all of that. He needed shots of Epogen to boost his red blood cell production, and he needed steroids to dampen his immune system. And when the first steroid stopped working (the standard, prednisone), the vet said he was "out of bullets," but it couldn't hurt to try the long-acting steroid, Depomedrol. Thankfully, it worked.

But Tuxie was so anemic, he wouldn't come when called for food. If we put it in front of him, he'd just stare at it. We never actually had to force feed him, but we did get to the point where the vet said "just feed him ANYTHING." We tried baby food, boiled chicken, treats, a zillion cat foods, cooked fish - and hit on shrimp. He loved warm boiled shrimp.

And with that, he turned the corner.

So again, I'm sorry - I really don't mean to scare you. But I would do some reading up on anemia, and be armed with information to make sure your vet is taking the right path.
 

ldg

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Oh - and the peeing on the floor could be from the anemia. If she's too tired to move around much, getting to a litter box can be tiring. But I'm not familiar with the numbers you shared, so I have no context.
 

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Since she's going to need the shots for awhile, talk to your vet about him training you to do it yourself at home. If you're okay with learning, you might be able to save yourself a boatload of money. You could probably get the needles from the feed store and the medicine from the vet and do it at home. It doesn't hurt to ask the vet and I'd bet they'd be willing to help you out.
 

stephanietx

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Oh! And about the peeing thing and being too lethargic to make it to the box, you might get some of those disposable aluminum pans (like you cook a turkey in) and place them in various places throughout your home. That way, she's got easy access no matter where she is.
 
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drsmaw

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ok, I have her blood information in my hand.

I'll quote the low and high levels, please let me know what else I can show and I gladly will.
RBC - 0.60 M/ul (low)
HGB - 2.1 g/dL (low)
GLOB - 6.1 g/dL (high)

Fed her some ham tonight, small pieces from a ham steak, she loved it. but stopped after a few bites. She also seemed eat her soft kitty food that we left for her, she ate most but not all.

She isn't exactly giving up yet. She's been staying in the bedroom, when I came home, I left the door open just a tiny bit.
She was able to pull it open herself to come running in and sit next to the back door of the house.

So, she's curious, but I know here energy is low. After a run like that, her chest is pulsating fast and you can hear her breathing heavy.

One big thing, I think I'm being mislead on the b-complex shots. The vet told me it had to be injected to muscle and not skin.
I could've swore I read that it can be injected into the scruff of her neck, kind of like an insulin shot. Am I wrong?

Thanks,
you guys are the best with all your recent help. I'm not trying to play God, but this poor thing deserves a chance.
 

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I totally agree - she deserves a chance! And thankfully anemia is not a painful condition, so it's not like she's suffering from that perspective.


OK -here's the link I used: http://www.petplace.com/cats/underst...s-2/page1.aspx

RBC - Normal Range says it's 4 - 12 x 10-3/mcl. Your number is m/ul, I'll have to look that up.
HGB - 9 - 16 g/dl
GLOB - no info.

The number I'm looking for is the HCT (hematocrit).

OK - if I understand the discussion here http://forum.onlineconversion.com/showthread.php?t=6968 correctly, mcl is the same as m/ul. That would mean her RBC is insanely low.

Did the vet discuss with you at all anything about her ability to create red blood cells?

I looked up the B12 injection - it needs to be intramuscular: http://www.ehow.com/how_4600517_give-b12-injection.html

Sending vibes to your little girl!
 
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drsmaw

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Wow, ok. Got me on the intramuscular B12 shots, that settles that.

I was hoping to see her HCT % also, since that's what keeps getting mentioned in the anemic cat info I've been looking at ( also PCV was mentioned too).

But, sadly, there isn't a test result for it. All I have is the reference interval and not the results, as if it wasn't tested. Unless, is it possible that the results are out of a reportable range? Like maybe extreme hi's or lo's.

Here' I scanned the page and posted it here: http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/o...work/sadie.jpg

Hope this helps, if it asks for a p/w, use sadie.

Thanks
 

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Nope, I was able to see it. They may not have run the hematocrit. Blood has to be put in a tube and put in a spinner - some vet practices may not have it and have to send it out. Even the place that was treating Tuxie would draw enough blood so they could give us the reading there and still have some to send it out to the pro lab for their result. There was always a small difference.

If I were you, I'd just call to ask about it!

If my vet's willing (I constantly bother him with TCS questions, he's generally very good about it), would you want me to get him the info and get his read on it? He's kind of an expert in anemia now because of all the research he had to do to help figure out how to keep Tuxie alive. He literally called feline blood experts all over the country (the best are (generally) in the South because of all the tick-borne diseases that cause anemia).
 

ldg

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Any good vet wants to answer your questions, help you understand things you want to know, and work with you to do what's best for kitty. Don't EVER feel bad about asking questions - it's not like you're trying to second-guess your vet, you're trying to understand what's wrong with your cat, and there is NOTHING wrong with that. And if the vet isn't cooperative or offended, then you need a new vet.
 

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I've been thinking about this... Did your vet talk to you at all about an Iron supplement, or giving her Pet Tinic? Is the B Shots all that will be done for her?
Is this a sufficient treatment plan for that extreme anemia? This girl barelly has any red blood cells, and it seems the one she has are not carrying oxygen... This is more related to an Iron deficiency (commonly seen in Low HGB counts) than to a B vitamin Deficiency ...
Please ask your vet about Pet Tinic - I think this girl is in an extreme situation, and B shots only IMHO is not a very round up approach... I am not a vet, but I believe that this situation needs to be looked at from all sides, and something seems to be missing there...
Just my 2 cents for what is worth...
 

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Both LDG and Carolina have good points... IMHO and I am FAR froma vet You need more than b12 for a base treatment... the b12 is one part... Which is use intermuscularly for most vet uses ... Pet tinic is a all around supplement worth asking about ...
 
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