Cat went into shock, was severely anaemic, doing better but need guidance

Hi everyone, I'm new to the site after being a longtime reader and really could use some advice/guidance. My cat Burt after straining to go poop and not succeeding semi fainted after getting out of the litter box. He then later threw up dark brown liquid and laid down in his vomit. We rushed him in to the ER vet, they said he was in shock, severely anaemic. They gave him Iv fluids and a blood transfusion, gave him dextrose for his blood sugar. His RBC which was 10 when he came in was then 20. Blood pressure went up to 80. Based on what I saw from him after the transfusion, we were going to decide if we were going to put him to sleep. Well my cat was alert and affectionate and so happy to see me, so I decided to take him home.

I asked the vet if all of this was due to his infection (his vet the week prior said his WBC was very,very high) and she said he might not even have an infection, even with such a high white blood cell count, it could just be inflammation, and that she wasn't worried about the possible infection at all. Does that sound right to you guys?

I asked the vet if it wasn't cancer or a rupture, what could it be? He said that there was a small chance that it was just an ulcer that started bleeding like crazy or a small stomach perforation that clotted. They gave us antacids and a stomach coater.

We brought him home thinking he wasn't going to make it (this past Saturday night), that we would just make him comfy, but my little tough boy is here, and he's improving He's eating now, drinking now, peeing, we think he pooped, he looks relaxed.

Does anyone have any experience with anything like this? He is holding his own when they thought for sure he would die. I feel like I have no idea what I'm doing and I'm so scared of NOT doing something that could save my boys life. I wouldn't want to do anything that could hurt him, but are there non-invasive diagnostics that could help figure out the cause of this, or help treat him? If he can get through this, I want to help him do it. If anyone has ideas or advice that would just help so much.

To help him at home, I bought some liver for him, could that be good? I also bought flavorless Pedialyte and was thinking about giving him some of that, but is that bad for a possible ulcer? I do have Sub q fluids for him, but I've been too nervous to give it to I'm because he is so thin and has a heart murmur. Would giving him his Baytril be terrible for a possible ulcer? Same with his iron supplement?

Burt's gums are still pale, but not as pale as they were when he was at the vet. Any wisdom, guidance or anything would mean the world. I want to give him his best chance and this boy wants to live. He is so tough and serious about it. Thank you all so much

I have a 14 year old named Burt, who sounds a lot like yours, he also has an enlarged heart and is on Lasix. He 'faints' once in a while too, I've finally figured out it is during a coughing spell and he was stimulating his vagal nerve and fainting. The Lasix has stopped the coughing and he has been fine for a while now. ANY sign of improvement is hope, as long as he is eating and drinking there is hope,. I would definitely tempt him with favorites right now, like tuna, hot dogs (ground up) and the good old kitten food which is always high in calories and nutrition. My Burt has been on kitten food for a year now and is looking pretty buff! With these oldsters it's not a time to worry about the nutritional values, it's just a time to eat! As in people, when a body gets so old, organs and systems can begin to deteriorate and problems come up with internal bleeding and heart problems. As long as your Burt is comfortable and not in distress I would just love him all you can, and live each moment for as long as you can. I'll wish with all my heart he can just go in his sleep at home with those he loves, just as I would wish for any of them. Most of all, don't give up! You know your guy more then anyone, there are definitely miracles that can happen, after all he may not have used up all his lives yet!    I'll keep you both in my thoughts and prayers, please keep us posted on how he is doing, my heart goes out to you. 

Thank you so much for your support, and wisdom Di and Bob, it really helps. I'm going to let him eat what he is most excited about, and he is excited about this new rule indeed He still has strength, doing normal bodily functions, just a little withdrawn, but not when his food box comes out

Things like this can be so worrisome. I do think you need to call your regular vet in the morning and go over everything at that time. I know you want to try to do everything you can for your cat. It is a must that your cat keep eating so I agree to feed whatever he will eat. Can you get copies of the blood work from the ER vets so your regular vet can see them. I hope your cat will improve and you will have some more time. Sending you lots of hugs and prayers.

Thank you so much hblueyedgirl5946 I still haven't gotten ahold of my regular vet. We are playing phone tag and she won't leave any info in messages. Burt still has improved , he's walking around, way more alert, but he is clearly getting dismayed by his pooping issues.

He's been on lactulose for over a week and maybe pooped normally on Sunday (we are not sure it was his, but circumstantionally we thought it was likely), and has only pooped a teeny tiny bit this whole time otherwise. I'm thinking of stopping it because it doesn't seem to be helping, and he HATES how syrupy it is.

Can anyone recommend anything instead of Lactulose? I have marshmallow root (not a pill or anything, the actual root) but have no idea about the safety for cats. In the research I've done it seems ok, but I can't find out if it is safe for him with possible liver issues. I know how to use it for humans, just not cats:/ I'm so nervous to give him anything that could make things worse, but I'm also worried NOT to step in to try to make it better. Ahhhhh.... In past he immediately threw up pumpkin, I'm concerned about going for flax meal or psyllium because he may be dehydrated.... Is there another medication I should ask the vet for? His tummy seems to be bothering him and he is straining to go. And it seems like it is starting to affect his appetite.

He's been peeing more also, like 7 or 8 times a day, and more than he normally would pass at once. Could it be from his 12 hours of fluids on Saturday, Plus his diet is definitely more liquidy now than it was before the weekend, or is this a sign of kidney trouble (his values were totally perfect a week before this big event over the weekend) Thank you all again for your help, support and wisdom

I wonder if sweet potato would help with the bowel issue.