Tuxie's anemia

I think most of you know that Tuxie has an autoimmune disease that looks very much like feline hemolytic anemia (simply put, his immune thinks his red blood cells are a virus and attacks them). We/he fought for four years with a lot of ups and downs, and on the right steroid (depomedrol, used to suppress his immune system) he stabilized. Still some ups and downs, but for the most part his RBC (red blood cell count) has been in the normal range, and he's been able to go longer and longer between depo shots. He's at the vet about every 6 months to keep an eye on his RBC, but the last time he actually needed a depo shot was July of 2009 - and then it was half the amount he'd been receiving. (For quite a while he needed them every two weeks, and then the time between shots began lengthening to a month, several months, &etc.).

Today, his RBC was the lowest its been in years. It had fallen to 28 - which would explain why his appetite has been a little off the last few weeks. BUT the vet was really pleased with everything else, especially his organs (nothing's enlarged, and when he's been running on anemic, his heart, liver and spleen become enlarged).

He received his shot of depo this morning. It seems to already be affecting his appetite. (He'd fallen from 12 pounds 3 oz to 11 pounds 10 oz, but the vet thought that was great given we stopped free feeding three months ago, and they're on a primarily wet food diet).

Tuxie, we hope the depo continues to be what you need.

We feel very lucky, and very blessed, that's for sure.

This problem arose before he was two, and he'll be turning 9 around April-sometime. There were serious doubts he'd see two - or three - or four. Once we made it through that patch, we were pretty confident he'd keep going. He is a tough little guy!

Thanks for the vibes. We're still worried (or getting more worried). He is eating a bit better, but he's still choosing to lie in a corner of whatever room he's in with his back to everyone (one of his symptoms). Normally he perks up pretty quickly after a depo shot. Although I guess it has been a while since his RBC was this low.

It's just hard not to stress and watch every little thing. We're just used to him becoming "crazy cat" the day after a depo shot.

Unless things change dramatically in the next few days, Tuxie is going back to the vet on my birthday (the 17th). That's exactly two weeks after he was there for the depo shot, and that's technically the length of time the depo shot lasts (though for a time he was getting weekly shots).

He did get up to come when I called "dinner" this morning (they don't know "breakfast" and "lunch" LOL), so that's an improvement. And he's not holed up in the corner (which he only started doing about three days before his vet appt, or we'd have been there sooner!). But he's not doing the "crazy cat" thing, and unless his nose looks like Rudolph in a few days or a week....

(The brightness of the "pink" in his nose, gums, and paw pads being indicative of his RBC).

Yes, better. But given that the last time between depo shots was over 1 1/2 years, this is kind of freaky. Well, actually, it's completely freaky, I'm just trying really hard not to freak out. I really hope it's just taking longer for him to perk up, or for the steroids to kick in than (what had become) normal.

We always feared we'd hit a time when the depo stopped working. I really hope this isn't it. (Breathe, Laurie)

Yes, I need to be positive!

The initial steroid given was prednisone. It worked for ... I'd have to look it up. But something like a year. Then it stopped working. That was when the vet said he was out of bullets (Tuxie had already received a blood transfusion and his body had rejected a 2nd, meaning he couldn't be given any more blood transfusions). We just assumed the same thing could happen with the depo.

But you're both right - he IS doing better, so it must be doing SOMETHING. that it is ENOUGH.

to all, thank you.

We'd just gotten spoiled by his doing so well the last couple of years. But for 3 - 4 years there we were at the vet daily, weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, so of course we'll do whatever needs to be done, as long as there's something to do.

He's still got an increased appetite.

Betsy - I saw the thread already, but thanks for the vibes for Tuxie, and hope our experience with Spooky did help.

His appetite is still good! He's not "crazy cat" yet - and he's not beating up on his brothers or sisters - and we haven't seen him glowing pink yet - but he DOES seem perkier! Nothing I can put my finger on... just... something about him.