sick kitty - Boy - white blood cell count

my kitty -  Boy - whom I adopted 2 years ago seems to be suffering recurrent bouts of illness. 6 months ago he suddenly ran a very high temperature and I took him to the Vet that day. A number of tests were run, his temp eventually came down and he came home.

Now, 6 months later (this weekend), i noticed him crouching close to the floor, not moving and not coming to his name so i took him to the Vet again.  They ran the same tests:   blood, urine et al and they told me his temp was 104.5!  He stayed overnight, his temp went down and then they fed him. Then, his temp went up again - so he stayed overnight.

The only thing the Vet can tell me was that his white cell count is low.  When his temp went down again they let him come back home.

Boy is a very frisky, bouncey, food-hoovering kitty who usually produces 'tootsie rolls'. He has never vomited or had diarrhoea. Now the Vet is recommending a sonogram (@$375) - suspecting his intestines, which were very sore upon the Vet's examination. I don't mean to sound cheap, but 6 months ago this Vet cost me $1700 and this time it was $1800. I have never had this type of experience with a cat!

At least i would like to know what's wrong with him. He has a lovely coat; he purrs; he humps his cushion (altho' he is spayed); he plays and is not so very old - only 5.   I feed him wet cat food and Blue crunchies, no garbage or human food. 

help! does anyone know of this 'mysterious illness'?  

Has he been tested for FIV & FeLV?  I mean recenty.  And has he had an FBC?

You don't mention which type of WBCs are low, so here's a little info about them to maybe help narrow down a possible cause.

There are several types of white blood cells in blood, including neutrophils (PMNs), lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils.    

Lymphocytes are produced in lymph nodes throughout the body.    
   
The other white blood cell types are produced in the bone marrow along with the red blood cells and platelets.    

The majority of white blood cells in circulation are neutrophils, which help the animal fight infections. Neutrophils can be decreased in pets with bone marrow disease, in some viral diseases, and in some pets receiving cancer chemotherapy drugs. Neutrophils are increased in pets with inflammation or infection of any part of the body and in pets receiving prednisone or other cortisone-type drugs.   
   
Lymphocytes also help fight infection and produce antibodies against infectious agents (viruses, bacteria, etc.). Lymphocytes may be increased  kittens with an infection, they can be decreased in pets who are severely stressed, and lymphocytes might be lost in some types of diarrhea. Certain drugs, such as prednisone (a cortisone-type drug) will decrease the number of lymphocytes in the blood stream.    
   
Monocytes may be increased in pets with chronic infections. Eosinophils and basophils are increased in pets with allergic diseases, or parasitic infections (worms, fleas, etc.).

All that being said, do you have the lab work that tells you which WBC counts are low? And how low are they (with reference range)? Did your vet mention anything about viral diseases or leukopenia? Has Boy been vaccinated recently? Any use of prednisone or other drug?

Sorry for all the questions. Sending positive vibes to you and Boy!

Jules
 

i'm sorry - i didn't get that info. i'll try to get it tomorrow...thanks for your concern!

Boy was tested for: intestinal parasite screen, Tylocine injection (?), Ampicillin injection, Metacam Injectable, Fecal flotation, blood collection, IV fluid pump, NOR Clav 62.5 mg, FADR8 - CBC, CC#, FPL, T4, U/A, Cystocentesis

Now proposing Radiograph 1st Plate, Additional Radiograph Single Plate and Radiograph Specialist Interp Fee.

Boy is now on: Noroclav - antioboiotic and Buprehnorphine - pain control and Tlyocine (anti-diarrh) - Ampicillin injectrion 100gm/100ml + Metacam Injectable 5 gm/ml.

He has been on IV fluids Pump at the clinic.

i'll get you more info if you need it.

by the way Boy has always been an indoor cat, as far as i know 

Hi - low white blood cells can also be due to a local infection, a virus or simply due to stress - how low is it - What is the count? (and normal range)?

PS - do not give Metacam - It is not approved for cats, there is no reason to be given to a cat, aside from osteo surgery - ONCE in a lifetime, or spay and neuter - please read (From the FDA)

WARNING

Repeated use of meloxicam in cats has been associated with acute renal failure and death. Do not administer additional injectable or oral meloxicam to cats. See Contraindications, Warnings, and Precautions for detailed information.

METACAM[emoji]174[/emoji] Solution for Injection is approved for one-time use in cats before surgery to control postoperative pain and inflammation associated with orthopedic surgeries, spays, and neuters. In the United States, the safety and effectiveness of more than one dose of METACAM[emoji]174[/emoji] Solution for Injection has not been shown in cats for any condition.

METACAM[emoji]174[/emoji] Solution for Injection and METACAM[emoji]174[/emoji] Oral Suspension are approved in dogs to control pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis. METACAM[emoji]174[/emoji] Oral Suspension is approved for dogs only. No safe and effective dose of the oral suspension is approved for cats.

http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/NewsEvents/CVMUpdates/ucm231254.htm

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thank you SO much for replying. i just got home and checked the papers the Vet gave me and then i phoned and asked for the test results, all the test results. i should be able to pick them up tomorrow. meanwhile, what i have indicates that the Vet did deliver Metacam (darn, darn - i wish i had known!!). Tests done were: FADR8 - CBC, CC3, FPL, T4, U/A and cystocentesis. Also listed on the charge sheet were: Buprenorphine, Ampicillin, NOR Clav.

will know more tomorrow and will write you.

louise

p.s. kitty is not stressed; no changes in living conditions, everything stable, all is well.

oh, i just read the rest of your note. no, i am not allowing him to be vaccinated since he is an indoors cat and i have heard that there is some possible risk which involves the vaccination procedure.

however, i do not know what happened to Boy before i adopted him 2 years ago.

  louise

Ok... It sounds like an awful amount of medication, antibiotics, pain killers, anti-inflammatory, when all the cat has is a fever of 104.5, which is not THAT high, and a low blood count.
Is he in this extreme amount of pain to be on Buprenex and Metacam? What is the vet's rational behind this? Why Amplicilin AND Clavamox - both antibiotics? Why is this vet pumping so many medications in this cat without a diagnostic?

Do you have another vet you could go for a second opinion?
Where is the kitty now and how is he doing?
Is he eating? Using the litter box? How is he doing today?

hi - i appreciate your concern. i am really not 'medical'.  your observations are quite interesting.

as i told you earlier,  i called the Vet today and i am supposed to pick up all the results tomorrow - which i shall send to you.

of course, i could go to another Vet but i was advised that this clinic is very much OK.  myself, i don't know.

Boy kitty is now home. he seems ok but he's not really frisky yet and he isn't maklng tootsie-rolls; it's still kind of 'shattered' - looking.

yes he is eating and yes he uses the litter box. and...as for how he is today, i felt him all over as a kind of massage and i didn't get any painful meows. he seems happy and meows for food.

i have not given him pain meds. but i do give him the antibiotics as prescribed twice a day. 

i shall send you the results when i pick them up tomorrow from the Vet.

by the way, i have had kitties before and have never had to take them to the Vet so........ this is all new to me. i just wanted to give these kitties the best care possible.

THANK you once again for replying to me,

louise

Yeah, antibiotics will kill his gut flora and many cats will have diarrhea.... At least soft poop is expected. A lower appetite too. Clavamox can have some side effects - vomiting and diarrhea, so if your cat starts vomiting, goes off food, gets depressed, is not himself, ask your vet for a different one.

You should get a probiotic from a health store to give him also, to rebuild his flora.....
Make sure he eats and drinks well..... And don't be afraid to seek another vet for a second opinion if you don't see an improvement....

I believe in treating the issues, the problems, once you have a diagnostic....
I once had to walk out of a vet who was very well regarded here but was just "following protocol" on my cat, and pumping medications on him without giving me an answer - a cat's system is so delicate, it was ruining him. In the end, I found a wonderful vet who works with me, and believes in keeping him healthy - from the food he eats, to only really giving what he needs as far as meds (you would be surprised!) and to really getting to the bottom of things without driving me bankrupt.

I hope whatever he has it will be gone with these meds to never return
I am glad he is doing better now, at home, under your wings, and enjoying momma's love

hi - i just got the lab results for Boy from the Vet.

This first result is from 6 months ago 5 Nov 2011:

cholesterol  8.3   urea  3.7  WBC   22.5   hematocrit   .46   reticulocytes  0.2    bands  6.0    neutrophils  92.    lymphoctyes  2.0

WBC morphology:  left shift - present;    lymphopenia - moderate;  neutrophilia - moderate.   Spec fPL-Feline:  1.4  concentration is in normal range. unlikely that cat has pancreatitis.

Urinalysis:  colour - yellow;  clarity - clear;  crystals - none seen.  Comment:  urine via cysto

Now here are the most recent results from 9 April 2012:

cholesterol  8.1    urea 4.1    WBC  16.1    hematocrit  0.46    reticulocytes  0.2    neutrophils  94.9    lymphcytes  2.8.

Morphology:  WBC Morphology - lymphpenia - moderate;   neutrophilia - mild.  SpecfPL-feline  0.6. concentration is in normal range.

Urinalysis:  colour - yellow;   colour - slightly turbid. Comment:  cysto 

Boy was hungry today. i put the antibiotic pill crushed into his wet food - must do twice a day. i haven't given him the other 2 meds they gave me because he doesn't seem to be in pain. however, after eating i noticed he struggled to vomit and then calmed down and quietly sprawled out beside me. his 'shits' are still jagged looking. i shall look into a probiotic for him - should i just go to a health store for humans, is that ok?  is his vomiting effort indicative that i should be asking for a different antibiotic? 

Boy seems alright but he's not the friskey boy i knew however he still has enough of an appetite to attack the **** when it's open and paw crunchies out of a plate from last night! and crunches them down!

thank you for your kind consideration carolia and oriental slave.

if i seem to reply to carolina, who wrote me latest, does this reply go to oriental slave and others on the forum?  i still haven't quite figured out how this works,

have a lovely warm day!  

2ketzels said:

hi - i just got the lab results for Boy from the Vet.
This first result is from 6 months ago 5 Nov 2011:
cholesterol  8.3   urea  3.7  WBC   22.5   hematocrit   .46   reticulocytes  0.2    bands  6.0    neutrophils  92.    lymphoctyes  2.0
WBC morphology:  left shift - present;    lymphopenia - moderate;  neutrophilia - moderate.   Spec fPL-Feline:  1.4  concentration is in normal range. unlikely that cat has pancreatitis.
Urinalysis:  colour - yellow;  clarity - clear;  crystals - none seen.  Comment:  urine via cysto

Now here are the most recent results from 9 April 2012:
cholesterol  8.1    urea 4.1    WBC  16.1    hematocrit  0.46    reticulocytes  0.2    neutrophils  94.9    lymphcytes  2.8.
Morphology:  WBC Morphology - lymphpenia - moderate;   neutrophilia - mild.  SpecfPL-feline  0.6. concentration is in normal range.
Urinalysis:  colour - yellow;   colour - slightly turbid. Comment:  cysto 

Boy was hungry today. i put the antibiotic pill crushed into his wet food - must do twice a day. i haven't given him the other 2 meds they gave me because he doesn't seem to be in pain. however, after eating i noticed he struggled to vomit and then calmed down and quietly sprawled out beside me. his 'shits' are still jagged looking. i shall look into a probiotic for him - should i just go to a health store for humans, is that ok?  is his vomiting effort indicative that i should be asking for a different antibiotic? 
Boy seems alright but he's not the friskey boy i knew however he still has enough of an appetite to attack the **** when it's open and paw crunchies out of a plate from last night! and crunches them down!
thank you for your kind consideration carolia and oriental slave.
if i seem to reply to carolina, who wrote me latest, does this reply go to oriental slave and others on the forum?  i still haven't quite figured out how this works,
have a lovely warm day!  

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What is the normal range for the WBC?
If he continues to vomit and doesn't eat, yes, call in for another antibiotic - is it clavamox that you are giving? NOR Clav? (or Noroclav or Clavamox?)
The probiotic, you can get it in the human health store, the refrigerated session - I think some here get acidophilus I get one for pets, out of Amazon - Highly recommend it, Called Proviable-DC. Just sprinkle a capsule on the food. For the human, do 1/2 a dose.

good thing you asked - i just went to the **** and got the 3 meds out:  it's Noroclav which i have been giving twice a day.  now i see another bottle with cpasules - Tylocine - to be given twice a day. (sorry, i hadn't noticed; i've been having a friend help me and all he pointed out was Noroclav - darn!). and...how am i going to give him capsules? or...what is this Tylocine for?

The 'reference' for WBC - which i assume is the range - is:  5.5 to 19.5  and Boy has 16.1 so i guess i don't know why they made that remark about white cell count, altho last year it was highlighted as

22.5.  hmm...

i don't mean to mislead you, Boy doesn't vomit but i hear him gagging like he's preparing to. still...he has his magnificent appetite! when i've taken him to the vet's both times it was because he actually didn't want to eat - for him, that's unheard of!!

2ketzels said:

good thing you asked - i just went to the **** and got the 3 meds out:  it's Noroclav which i have been giving twice a day.  now i see another bottle with cpasules - Tylocine - to be given twice a day. (sorry, i hadn't noticed; i've been having a friend help me and all he pointed out was Noroclav - darn!). and...how am i going to give him capsules? or...what is this Tylocine for?
The 'reference' for WBC - which i assume is the range - is:  5.5 to 19.5  and Boy has 16.1 so i guess i don't know why they made that remark about white cell count, altho last year it was highlighted as
22.5.  hmm...
i don't mean to mislead you, Boy doesn't vomit but i hear him gagging like he's preparing to. still...he has his magnificent appetite! when i've taken him to the vet's both times it was because he actually didn't want to eat - for him, that's unheard of!!

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So, there you have it -there is nothing wrong with his White blood count.
Tylocine, or "Tylan" is yet another antibiotic given for the intestinal tract - often given when the kitty has colitis or diarrhea. My question to you is this: Did your kitty have diarrhea before you took him to this vet? Or it started after the antibiotics (totally normal)?

I am sorry to say, but I am starting to have a feeling you should run from this vet to another one. This is an insane amount of medication for God knows what. Not only antibiotics -but this kitty already got 2 injections of Metacam..... (Possibly a third one during his neuter) This is dangerous!!
Thank Goodness he has an appetite - how is he doing otherwise?

as i have said before it's never been Boy with diarroea - it was usually Luna who is much frailer. Boy was still making tootsie rolls the day before i took him. it was only because Boy was hiding away and wouldn't come to his name and wouldn't eat.when i offered. it was that intensity of his crouching down/hiding and not leaping up to his name or the food calling. i just knew something was wrong. now...i have no idea and neither do they. should i book a stomach sonogram to see if his intestives are twisted?  it's hard to believe when he's such a 'in goes the food' - 'out goes food' type. 

2ketzels said:

as i have said before it's never been Boy with diarroea - it was usually Luna who is much frailer. Boy was still making tootsie rolls the day before i took him. it was only because Boy was hiding away and wouldn't come to his name and wouldn't eat.when i offered. it was that intensity of his crouching down/hiding and not leaping up to his name or the food calling. i just knew something was wrong. now...i have no idea and neither do they. should i book a stomach sonogram to see if his intestives are twisted?  it's hard to believe when he's such a 'in goes the food' - 'out goes food' type. 

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There is no such a thing as twisted intestine in cats, as there is in dogs.... Imho, what you need to book is another vet, but I feel I am beating a dead horse here.
If he didn't have diarrhea before, I have no clue why this vet would prescribed Tylan; I would ask before giving him yet one more antibiotic if there is no need for it- you might want to call them about it....
You can get an ultrasound..... I would just get it elsewhere.
What are their diets like? What do they eat?

2ketzels said:

hi - i just got the lab results for Boy from the Vet.

This first result is from 6 months ago 5 Nov 2011:

cholesterol  8.3   urea  3.7  WBC   22.5   hematocrit   .46   reticulocytes  0.2    bands  6.0    neutrophils  92.    lymphoctyes  2.0

WBC morphology:  left shift - present;    lymphopenia - moderate;  neutrophilia - moderate.   Spec fPL-Feline:  1.4  concentration is in normal range. unlikely that cat has pancreatitis.

Urinalysis:  colour - yellow;  clarity - clear;  crystals - none seen.  Comment:  urine via cysto

Now here are the most recent results from 9 April 2012:

cholesterol  8.1    urea 4.1    WBC  16.1    hematocrit  0.46    reticulocytes  0.2    neutrophils  94.9    lymphcytes  2.8.

Morphology:  WBC Morphology - lymphpenia - moderate;   neutrophilia - mild.  SpecfPL-feline  0.6. concentration is in normal range.

Urinalysis:  colour - yellow;   colour - slightly turbid. Comment:  cysto 

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Can you provide reference ranges for ALL the values in red, pretty please? Thanks!

if i seem to reply to carolina, who wrote me latest, does this reply go to oriental slave and others on the forum?  i still haven't quite figured out how this works

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Yes, you only need to reply once and it goes out for all of us to see. You'll get the hang of this.

Jules

2ketzels said:

if i seem to reply to carolina, who wrote me latest, does this reply go to oriental slave and others on the forum?  i still haven't quite figured out how this works,

have a lovely warm day!  

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Think of it like a big notice board that just happens to be viewed with a web browser.  You pin a notice up, various people pin their answer underneath.  Everyone can see everything.