Low WBC and RBC

Hello, I'm new to the site and looking for peace of mind. I have a 14 yr male tabby, Gibby, that has led a pampered life. Yesterday, took him to vet for surgery for a blocked bladder. Kidney results slightly out of norm but vet thinks ok. Gib is on fluids/catheter. WBC and RBC very low but did test negative for Fel Leuk. Being referred to specialist in search of tumor. Could bladder issues confound hematology results? No rapid weight loss, no vomiting, no diarrhea, no distensions, no masses. 24 hours ago, he was the same ol' Gib. Something not right, the vet, the tests, me or Gib. Any thoughts? Thank you in advance.

Hi,

I don't have a suggestion for you, I'm sure you'll pursue it until you have an answer. Just wanted to say what a sweet, sweet photo - I'm partial to brown tabbies

wishing Gib all the best,

My best suggestion is to see if the vet would go over the bloodwork with you, explaining the meaning of results. When looking at bloodwork, all of the results play a large part in determining what would be causing a problem.
I am by no means a vet, but with the experience I have had, the low red blood cell count (depending on the #'s) may suggest mild anemeia and that can be caused by the extra fluids. The low white cell count will sometimes tell you that there's inflammation somewhere.
But again, I would talk to the vet and ask what he or she see's in the results and why

Thx, will query vet about interdependancy. Yesterday he could only say that the very low counts were serious, probably a sustained condition & that it was time for a specialist although surgery would not be advisable for Gib. We lost Deion in 2003 and were unable to pin down cause after numerous tests. Suspect cancer because of the weight loss. Very stressful for everyone including Deion. Gib has been his same old chubby, loveable self up until Friday. I want to believe that the results are in error but I need to be prepared.

Originally posted by tigresa

Kidney results slightly out of norm but vet thinks ok.

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You might also want to ask the vet for more information about Gibby's kidney results, and whether or not it is advisable to start Gibby on a diet of K/D. (K/D is a specially formulated food that takes the strain off a cat's kidneys.) Kidney failure is a very common problem, and in the very early stages of this disease there are no clinical symptoms. My cat Snowball is now 12 1/2 years old, and about 2 1/2 years ago he was diagnosed with early kidney disease. Because he was immediately put on a strict diet of K/D, he is still not showing any clinical symptoms, and the disease hasn't progressed any further. IMO, early detection of kidney problems can do a lot to help prolong a cat's life.

P.S. I am not an expert on cat's health issues, but Gibby's kidney results sound similiar to Snowball's which is why I have suggested that you check into this further.

Gibby is now home. He seems very tired from the surgery and only takes in some water. I spoon feed him but he's really not that interested. The vet feels that he's a car without oil and we will find him unconscious one day. He looks like an old man when a week ago he was behaving normal. I keep thinking that the tests were wrong and that he'll be his old self soon. We try to give him his antibiotic but he vomits. He moves every hour to a new position and I don't think he really sleeps. I don't know how much more we can take. I can't tell if he's in pain.

Poor Gibby!

Kidney problems can lead to or cause anemia. If you get the bladder problem (& possibly related kidney problem) under control the anemia may get better.
Low WBC can be from overwhelming infection, viruses or a bone marrow problem.
Stay in touch with your vet!
Paws & fingers crossed for Gib!Deb E

I hope Gibby feels well soon. He's gorgeous!!

Susan

Originally posted by tigresa
Gibby is now home. He seems very tired from the surgery and only takes in some water. I spoon feed him but he's really not that interested. The vet feels that he's a car without oil and we will find him unconscious one day. He looks like an old man when a week ago he was behaving normal. I keep thinking that the tests were wrong and that he'll be his old self soon. We try to give him his antibiotic but he vomits. He moves every hour to a new position and I don't think he really sleeps. I don't know how much more we can take. I can't tell if he's in pain.

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I have no hard and fast advice for you , but I can hear your pain and just had to send you and your kitty our love

I'm so sorry your kitty isnt feeling well. He could just be recooperating from the surgery which is why he's not hungry. I will send some good vibes that he feels better soon ((((((((( )))))))))

I'm sorry to hear Gibby still isn't feeling well, I hope that today is better? Do keep up with the assist-feeding, some things I'd suggest you consider trying are: plain no-onion in it baby food,...a smelly fish cat food (Figaro's Tuna is disgusting, but cats usually like it), plain boiled chicken broth and chicken. If he does begin to eat some wet food for you, to get extra water into him, make it juicy by adding some warm water to make a thin gravy.

I've had periods where I had to assist feed Patrick for 3-4 days with him then regaining some appetite (he has chronic renal failure), so I know they can come around.

hth,

thanks for your messages, they really help. i decided to get a 2nd opinion and the new vet said that if cats don't eat after a few days, they go downhill fast. something about fatty liver. she gave me same feed assist advice but i wish that i had read about the figaro tuna and been more aggressive. gib didn't eat in the hospital (don't think they tried to help) and very little at home. that evening, with some assist, he starting eating. he had always been drinking h2o. i slept with him on the floor and when i went upstairs to change, he crawled up there and waited for me. so i had the doctor come by (we were ready to home euthanize if he was suffering) and she said that he wasn't recuperating fast enough on his own but that he wasn't at death's door just feeling really bad. she took him to the hospital and put him in a incubator, steroids, injectable antibiotic, and fluids. we visited yesterday and he looked much better and they said that he was eating with some assistance. i go and visit him in an hour. it still could be liver issues and i know that i may be in denial. i don't think that i am inappropriately keeping him alive. i had 3 other cats with serious illnesses and they had significant physical and behavior changes. gib has none of that. i feel that something happened at the other hospital. i just don't think that its his time. thank you for letting me talk. you guys are better than my diary. will update when i get back.

just back from hospital. gib looks much better and vet redid tests. WBC too high now indicating infection treatable by agressive antibiotics. does not think related to surgery but could be an abcess somewhere. BUN down to 70 which could be treated by diet and subcutaneous fluids. protein, calcium look normal, temp normal now that he's in incubater. next step is to force feed (intravenous) to see if he can keep down food and therefore able to keep down oral antibiotics. if he can't, then we have to decide on euthanasia. best case scenario is infection gone, kidney function on weak side, managed home care for the rest of his life. do you think that i should start a thread on subcutaneous fluid (owner injects) to get some tips?
we're not out of the woods but vet agrees that everything appropriate at this time. i just want him back.

Hi Tig,

Sounds like gib has a fighting chance, I will keep sending positive thoughts his/your way.

There are a few of us on this board who currently or in the recent past, have had to do sub-q's with our kitties, I can highly recommend a few websites and another support list if you need, if it's decided Gib has chronic renal failure (crf).

wishing him recovered and home soon,

I'm heartbroken to report that we had to euthanize Gibby on Monday. He was resting comfortably in his warm little incubator but did not take to the force feeding. X rays showed that he had a mass attached to his stomach and we did not want to put him through surgery since he was so weak. We are broken hearted. Gibby was a true gentleman. He was polite, loving and attentive. Independent but not aloof, interactive but not demanding with a very sweet personality. He would follow me around the house and we had our evening bedtime ritual and slept side by side each night. I miss him terribly. Thanks for all your heartfelt words. I can't believe that he is gone.

I'm deeply sorry for your loss of Gib. He sounds like he was a most wonderful fellow.

May there be a place that all cats go, and may it be filled with butterflies, fields of catnip, great places to nap, and no pain.

I just saw this thread. I'm so sorry about Gib. I hope you will feel better in time, he had a good life with you.

I just saw your latest update on Gibby. He was a beautiful cat, and it sounds like he was a wonderful companion. I am so sorry you lost him.

R.I.P. Gibby

Hello, I just got back from the emergency vet - my situation is the same -My cat, Callie,  was fine Thursday - did not eat Friday night and today weak and not eating - took her to emergency vet and she has low WBC and RBC - they gave her fluids and take home antibiotics - sending more blood out for more detailed exam of RBC - going to call my regular vet Monday AM - just gave her first dose of antibiotic - she hates it and is hiding now - I will keep you posted on my situation and keep up with yours just in case one of us gets some good information