Should I take him to the Vet today?!

After having adverse reaction to a rabies vaccine on 8/18/14, I now do not trust any of the vets at all. He has seen 4 in 3 different locations, and NO ONE has put him on a treatment plan for anemia and claim they don't know what's causing it. Just yesterday his HCT count was 18, and I was told by the main vet who has been seeing him that he needs to go to the Hospital and be hospitalized to stabilize him with fluids. I do not feel comfortable with leaving my cat over night, period. In the hands of who? I lost a cat in 2004 that way. She was very anemic and I was told she would be fine, to pick her up in the morning, instead I got a call at 8am that she didn't make it. There must be a way to stabilize him myself! And also, to find out why he is anemic and to treat the anemia and abdominal bleeding/pain. I am desperate and overwhelmed. His appointment is in 45 minutes and I am taking a chance at a new doctor. This is becoming very expensive and stressful! With all of the education these people receive, I can't imagine why no one has any answers for me at this point with all the test they already have before them. It is sooo upsetting! My babies life is in their hands!

Hi MelsBabies,

I am new to this site but my cat is also dealing with anemia and a few other issues. I am not aware of a way to really treat anemia at home. My cat's hematocrit is 23/25 and I am giving her an iron/B12 mixture and we are testing her in a couple of weeks.  I am all about second, maybe even third opinions but you shouldn't keep your baby away from a vet but hopefully try to find one you can trust. Just like MD's, there are good and bad one's out there and hopefully this new vet will make you feel comfortable. I totally understand your desire not to leave your boy overnight due to the loss of your other kitty. I don't like leaving my cat either and I trust all the vets at the hospital I go to. Maybe they can give him fluids during the day and you can take him home with you in the evening?

From everything I have read, online and through this site anemia is caused by another disease in cats. Besides anemia, is the blood work normal? Is your kitty eating and drinking? If the cat is eating and drinking I don't really know why they would need to give him fluids. My vet told me that when I cat is dehydrated that the hematocrit actually gets higher (my girls went up to 29 when she was dehydrated).

I hope your visit goes well, please keep us posted.

I'm so sorry to hear that you are going through this.

I guess you will have taken him to the vet by now, so all I can do is wish you luck.

Are there any vets in your area that treat cats only? They might have a better idea of what is going on with him.

I am in tears and a complete disaster here! The vet is about to do blood work AGAIN, cause he said being it was done on the 2nd of Sep. it isn't recent enough for him to determine what is causing the anemia. I am waiting in the room in tears, because he mentioned my kitty may not make it to the weekend.... I can't believe this?!?!?!? How can this be!!! He was perfectly healthy, and now may need a blood transfusion and he said there are no guarentees because it sounds like Auto Immume disease from the rabies vaccine!!!!! And this is rarely ever reversible. OMG... Please help me lord! I'm devistated!!!

I would definitely go with a transfusion to stabilize him.  I hadn't heard of this reaction to the rabies vaccine but I do know that vaccine is the most prone to side effects.  There are bacterial infections that also cause this and those can be cured with antibiotics.

I am so sorry. I know this is very devastating and I wish I could hug you right now.  Sometimes cats make it through the impossible.

@denace the doctor believes this is a reaction from rabies shot, but will let me know when he gets the blood work back in a few hours. He said there is no single test for IMHA- anemia related to the immune system, that they can only rule that out as a possibility if the blood work comes back with all the organs working fine. Does anyone have any advice for treating IMHA, is it possible to reverse the side effects of the rabies shot, what can I do to save my baby?!!! Please help!!! My heart feels like it's going to pop! The vet said he may not make it to the weekend!! I find it hard to believe that! He is healthy! Yes, his HCT count was 18 yesterday, we will find out what it is today, but to tell me he doesn't think he will make it?!!? There has to be something he can do!! And no, there were no signs of bacteria found in him, but lets see what the doctor says today. Again... I took my baby home while I wait for blood results. He is basically killing my hope for his survival!

My heart goes out to you, I just wanted you to know I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers. Don't give up hope, sometimes further testing can bring about good news! 

I don't want to get your hopes up, but I have heard of Transfer Factor helping animals with IMHA.   And I've seen a couple of threads on IMHA where the cats have ALL been put on steroids. 

And even though the Vet said the condition is not reversible does NOT mean it isn't treatable .  Hang in there.  If he gets a blood transfusion, that should buy him some time for them to figure out just what is going on and try to get him on the right meds, or find the source of his internal bleeding (your other thread).  What did they say THIS TIME  about that large area on his tummy where it is obvious something is going on?  Looks like blood pooling under there to me, an untrained observer. 

I think a blood transfusion is definitely in order, it will greatly help the anemia.

He can also be given fluids at home, the vet can show you how.

This will put him in a much better state while it is being worked out on what is going on here.

I would not delay these though. Time is not on your side here. Transfusions are a good thing, pricey but well worth saving him too. Same with fluids.

He has GOT to stay hydrated, it is critical for him to get through this.

It does seem to be a rabies vacs reaction.

Hang in there!

since you have two threads on this, I am providing the link to your other one:  http://www.thecatsite.com/t/284885/my-10yr-old-indoor-cat-has-anemia-abdominal-bleeding#post_3620540.  It has updates that folksk on THIS thread may not have seen.