Mega vibes for Nub-e

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

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.

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....

I am sending healing vibes for the poor boy!!!

I hope tomorrow is even better!!

Gail, I would get a supply of A/D for sure - the taste is hard to beat, and it is nutritionally packed for recovery! Plus, it is syringe feed ready.... making life that much easier - kitties just LOVE that food!
I would also stock up on fancy feast, some Purina Pro Plan dry - (higher end junky ) and other dry foods just in case.... For Lucky, even Purina one was game when she quit eating - then you can transition him for a better one once he is eating on his own.

I watch a cat rescue cam and they use it all the time, just like the regular stuff. I've never used it personally, but it seems to work well.