Mega vibes for Nub-e

So I took him to the vet this morning.

He is still there and will be for a few days.

He has a fever of 103F, dehydrated,slightly jaundiced and a blood panel was done. His red blood cell count was extremely low I think the value was 2.
The Rcert(?) was also extremely low at 9.0

This is the vet I like best at the clinic and while he wasn't certain he though he thought Feline Infectious Anemia.
He sent out for another blood test which he will have tomorrow as he is suspecting toxoplasmosis.

So he is on antibiotics/IV/possibly steroids.
I just got a call from them just a few minutes ago and while he hasn't eaten he is doing ok.

So a big rounds of vibes or any advice if anyone has experience with these illnesses please let me know how it went.

Oh, just lots of vibes.

I wonder why he thinks it's toxo vs. a different parasite? Cats definitely can become ill from toxo, but it's not usual. Toxo can be more difficult to treat than blood-borne parasites.

How old is Nub-e and what's his background?
I'm not used to thinking in terms of RBC. I do know that "normal" is around 6 - 12. Lazlo is having issues with anemia (not infectious), and his was low at 3.94.

I'm used to thinking in terms of hematocrit (which measures the number of red blood cells by volume). Maybe the "Rcert?" was the hematocrit? Normal there is 30% - 40%, though 25% and above is not technically anemic. 24% and below is. 9% is a low number - one that if he doesn't respond to antibiotics/steroids quickly, they may want you to consider a blood transfusion.

The antibiotics would be to kill either the Toxoplasma gondii (a protozoa) - or there are other parasites, usually blood-borne ones, that can cause FIA. When Tuxie was anemic, he responded really well to Baytril at first. But as it turned out, he did not have FIA, he had an immune problem. That's when he was given steroids to suppress his immune system. FYI, prednisone worked at first, then it stopped, and they switched him to depomedrol (a long acting steroid injection). Tuxie will be on depo for life. Lazlo is now on depo for his anemia that just cropped up recently, and we'll see what happens.

FIA means that a parasite is causing the problem. His bone marrow works, but something is attacking his red blood cells (or components thereof). Kill the parasites, no more problem.

The issue is that if it is toxo, toxo can be difficult to treat.

Here is a very good article about FIA caused by blood borne parasites (not toxo): http://www.fabcats.org/owners/anaemia/info.html

I'll see if I can find good info on treating toxo.

for Nub-e (and for you). !!!!

Just another quick FYI. Tuxie received his first blood transfusion when his hematocrit hit 12 - but that was after it had bounced around between 11/12 and 18/20 for quite some time. His problem wasn't blood-borne parasites, but his immune system. When he then hit 7, they tried another transfusion. For him, it didn't work, because his body saw it like it saw his own blood cells - as an invader - and attacked them, causing the blood to coagulate, so it couldn't be transfused. Thankfully they decided to try the depo, and he responded to that. Many cats have successfully had more than one transfusion. Tuxie's problem made it so that he couldn't.

Now I'll go look for info on toxo in cats for you.

Nub-e is between 4-4 1/2 months old. We found him via petfinders and as he was sponsored at an animal hospital in Lower MI.
I had noticed from his 1st set of vaccines and his rabies vaccine 2 weeks later that he had only gained a couple of ounces. My vet said the vaccines suppressed his immune systems which may have brought this on quicker?
I was in such shock I forgot to ask for a copy of the bloodwork. I just remember he said the value for regenerating RBC's was very low. Possible auto immune problems.
He sent out for a pathology report which he should have tomorrow afternoon and this report may shed some light as to a diagnosis.
He really wasn't sure was the exact problem was. Of all the vets at my clinic I feel he is the best one for difficult diagnoses. I think he threw out the word toxoplasmosis but not a confirmations. Knowing him he is probably researching every avenue.

Toxo in cats: http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/toxo.html

http://www.animalcarecenter.com/reso...plasmosis.html

Apparently it's generally very treatable for (otherwise) healthy kitties. I was thinking of immune-compromised cats (discussions re: Chumley, with FIV, and Lazlo and Tuxie, whose anemia is caused by an immune problem, not a parasite).

Yes, the rabies shot could definitely have triggered the response if he already had the problem waiting. Tuxie didn't receive a rabies vaccination for ... 6 years? 7 years?

To help you understand when the vet talks to you about the CBC results, here is a good article: http://www.peteducation.com/article....2+1473&aid=987

The value for regenerating RBCs was most likely the "reticulocyte" count. Here is an article to help you understand the process: http://www.petplace.com/cats/reticul...ats/page1.aspx

Tuxie had to have a bone marrow aspirate done (a surgery where they take a sample of bone marrow - none of the local vets do it because it must be done in a very precise way, so we were sent to a cat surgery specialist) to determine if his bone marrow still worked because his reticulocyte count was so low.

Thankfully, we caught Lazlo's earlier, and his is high, so his body is trying.

Let me go get you an article on Feline Hemolytic Anemia - which is what it's called if it's regenerative anemia (meaning their bodies continue to produce red blood cells but they're not working properly) caused by some kind of immune problem as opposed to a blood borne parasite or as a result of a different virus.

Thanks for all your info. I have a lot to digest.
And I did notice this all happening about a week ago as his rabies shot was on 7/7.
I didn't mentioned that he had to FeLV vaccines but they ran another test today and it was negative.
I just feel like a dolt as none of my other cats ever had any blood issues and I've had rescues and abandoned cats (and still do!)
I will be so informed tomorrow I better jot a bunch of questions down!

Poor Nub-e. I hope he feels better soon. He's such a cutie! Sending mega

No reason to feel like a dolt, and it is a lot to absorb. Gary and I did it over months, which is why I know where most of the information is now. I've just learned that I prefer to understand as much as possible so I understand what they're telling me. But until your own kitty is affected by something, most people don't learn about it unless it's pretty common. Gary and I didn't know a thing about cats when we first started rescuing LOL. And we didn't know much about cat blood until Tuxie became anemic.

And to overwhelm you further (or so it's here for your reference whenever you're ready), this is an excellent article on immune-modulated anemia: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1390

Any news?

Continued and

Stupid mobile broadband connection. I just typed a novel and lost it.................

Anyhow I stopped this morning and held the little Klingon for a few minutes. When I tried to put him in the kennel he jumped out and had to check out what was going on in the central lab area! I shut the door and it did alot of rubbing and silent kitty meows too.

My vet called this afternoon and he agreed that he did seem a bit perkier today though his temp was 104F. He confirmed bartonella and was still waiting for the toxoplasmosis titer.

His hematocrit was 17 though he thinks when he does another CBC tomorrow it might go lower as he is more hydrated (make sense?)

Anyhow he asked to start him on an "imflammatory' dose of prednisone though he said that may not help his fever.
He also said the lab doing the testing suggested they could do a more comphrensive test that their CBC but he wants to hold off.
He might do a feeding tube tomorrow too.
So I will visit tomorrow before work and what for an update from him later tomorrow.
He said (thanks Laurie!) it was nice talking with a smart person about his condition!

Oh Gail, I am very sad to hear that Nub-e is sick. I think Laurie has some very helpful avenues for you to research. You will have all support we can muster here on TCS. I am sending Baby Nub-e mega vibes. I hope you get answers quickly. and lots of hugs to you

Oh Gail, a hematocrit of 17% is a workable number! Not good - but I'm really glad that "rcert" wasn't his hematocrit.

Being perkier is GREAT!

And if they've confirmed hemobart, then that is really treatable!

the steroids will help his fever!

And yes - when they're dehydrated, the blood is more "concentrated" than it should be, so when they're hydrated, the hematocrit can go down (because it measures the volume of red blood cells as a percentage of the blood measured). But with the antibiotics and steroids, it should start improving pretty quickly. I don't know when they'll want to test him next. For a long time there with Tuxie it was every week - but that was a completely different situation.

Keeping up the vibes!

THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If he pulls out of this I am going to treat the entire clinic to a pizza or sub lunch!!
I've been going to them since the late 80's and while there clinic has grown and moved to a updated clinic a few years ago all the original vets are still there and everyone is always so wonderful!

I forgot to mention what my vet said before he hung up. He said we stopped the downhill slide now will have to go back uphill.

Yes, but you stopped him before it got difficult to treat, which is will help him with the uphill part!

We always buy lunch for the vet office - and bring them home baked cookies and stuff. Can't be without the hand-holding when needed.

So I stopped in this morning to see Nub-e. I was informed that his temperature had dropped! He was still doing that chewing motion with his mouth indicating he is still nauseous. Tomorrow I will drop off some of his dry food and they were going to give dry food today as well.

The "toxo" titer came back negative (eek $90 down the drain....) CBC all was lower which was expected due to the hydration. They are doing another tomorrow morning.

Hopefully I can take him home tomorrow after work. My vet said since he hasn't been eating there might be some re-learning to do. Tips anyone? I plan on doing some syringe feeding but maybe the prednisone will stimulate his appetite? I have to remember to ask for stimulants too.

He will be on prednisone for at least 2-3 months with regular checkups..
Canot think of anything else. His paw holding two different iv lines was all taped up and he didn't like it as it was hard to walk!
He was a Klingon again and I also sat on the floor and he walked and stood on my legs peering out the door again.

So hoping tomorrow brings good news!

The pred should help stimulate his appetite, but definitely ask for some appetite stimulants. The a/d is yummy, so maybe he'll even eat it on his own. Talk to the vet, but feeding him a/d for a few days may not be a bad idea.

Other foods that help stimulate appetite... Fancy Feast, Dehydrated liver treats (good for kitties with anemia anyway) crumbled up on top of the food, Tuna juice poured on the food. When Tuxie needed to eat, the vet said feed him anything he'll eat. What he liked was boiled jumbo shrimp.

Originally Posted by GailC

So I stopped in this morning to see Nub-e. I was informed that his temperature had dropped! He was still doing that chewing motion with his mouth indicating he is still nauseous. Tomorrow I will drop off some of his dry food and they were going to give dry food today as well.

The "toxo" titer came back negative (eek $90 down the drain....) CBC all was lower which was expected due to the hydration. They are doing another tomorrow morning.

Hopefully I can take him home tomorrow after work. My vet said since he hasn't been eating there might be some re-learning to do. Tips anyone? I plan on doing some syringe feeding but maybe the prednisone will stimulate his appetite? I have to remember to ask for stimulants too.

He will be on prednisone for at least 2-3 months with regular checkups..
Canot think of anything else. His paw holding two different iv lines was all taped up and he didn't like it as it was hard to walk!
He was a Klingon again and I also sat on the floor and he walked and stood on my legs peering out the door again.

So hoping tomorrow brings good news!

Click to expand...

That's great news!
Question though.... He is not eating and your vet is not force feeding him? Gosh, I hope he is being fed - I know he is on IVs, but nutrition is extremely important too... gotta protect his liver throughout this ordeal..... They have A/D in there.... He should be on it....