got blood panel back

I got a copy of the blood panel back for my cat & after researching what everything means, I found that a high level of RBC, HGB & HCT could mean Polycythemic. Has anyone heard of this or had to deal with it? Nothing is confirmed but my cat's levels were all out of the range on the high end.

I read one thing where it could mean dehydration. My cats don't eat dry food. They eat mostly wet with some raw, I don't see how she could be dehydrated. If she does have that Polycythemic disease, I don't know what to watch out for, I couldn't find anything describing symptoms so that's why I came on here to ask.

Thanks

Well, what did the Vet say about the bloodwork?  I would start there and then proceed.  No need to start diagnosing until you have a professional look at it. 

I asked my Vet last time about every single item that was out of whack, and she said you need to look at thing as a whole, because separately they really don't mean much, and with cats, the stress of a Vet visit, whether or  not they have just pottied, etc. can really change up their numbers, so they try to take all that into consideration.  Granted, those three number ARE related, but still I would see what the Vet says first in trying to interpret them.

I am a human doctor, not a vet, but humans will also suffer from Polycythaemia.  It is a disease where the bone marrow produces too many red blood cells.  There are several causes, some benign, such as where humans live at high altitudes, such as Mexico City.  Here the red blood cells are increased due to oxygen lack and those individuals who don't increase their red blood cells are at a disadvantage. 

Dehydration will cause a temporary high red blood cell count. 

Unfortunately, in a condition known as polycythaemia vera, the red blood cells are increased for no known cause, the blood is thickened and blood clots occur, leading to embolism (clots being thrown off and causing stroke when the clot lands in the brain) and the thickened blood can cause coronary arterial blockage leading to heart attacks, particularly in the elderly.  A small proportion of cases also develop acute leukaemia. 

Diagnosis in humans involves a bone marrow biopsy and treatment is essential, one treatment is the old fashioned venesection, or bleeding off of the excess blood by inserting a needle in a vein and draining the blood into a bottle.   Another treatment uses various medications to reduce the bone marrow activity.

I do not practice feline medicine, so I am not aware how feline polycythaemia differs from human polycythaemia, although I guess that they are not all that dissimilar.  Your vet will know more and I suggest that you ask him the next time that you see him.  Can you ask him for the results and please can you  post them for the forum? 

In human medicine, when unusual pathology results occur, it is good practice to repeat the test to confirm the diagnosis.  No doubt your vet will do the same in feline medicine.

With best wishes to you both,

Geoffrey.

I got a phone call the next day saying blood work is all good. I think I will call them tomorrow & just tell them what I see & see what they say.

thanks

the vet said basically all cats are borderline dehydrated, they just don't have the thirst drive to drink enough water. I thought by feeding wet food, that provides enough water but I guess not! I will start adding a little more to their food.

She said she felt it was dehydration so next time Jasmine needs a dental, I will get blood work again & then have something to compare to.

msserena said:

 
the vet said basically all cats are borderline dehydrated, they just don't have the thirst drive to drink enough water. I thought by feeding wet food, that provides enough water but I guess not! I will start adding a little more to their food.

She said she felt it was dehydration so next time Jasmine needs a dental, I will get blood work again & then have something to compare to.

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Good idea.  It's always good to have a baseline to work with for future comparison