Chronically ill kitten. blood disorder

[Imoen]

Hi everyone!

I took in two kittens that were found abandoned in the woods in September of 2020. One boy & one girl. They were about three weeks old. The girl has grown up healthy and happy, but the boy has given us quite the run around when it comes to his health.

He’s had an intermittent limping problem since late December. He’s currently on his third run of doxycycline because the vet found Mycoplasma in his blood after a blood smear. He’s due back for another smear this week to see if it’s cleared up, but he is still intermittently limping.

On top of that, when he was neutered in early January, he continued to bleed from his incision site. So much so that he was transferred to emerg overnight, where he needed a blood transfusion to save his life. It was determined that he likely has a blood coagulation disorder.. he also bled a little too much when losing his baby teeth which I guess should have been the first sign. We haven’t had the diagnostic tests done to determine what the disorder is, because tests are quite costly and we’re still picking up the pieces from the $2000 emergency treatments!

Monday of this week I woke up in the morning and he was very upset, quite obviously in pain and very lethargic. Another rush to the emergency room found that all his vitals were normal and his blood was fine. His anal glands emptied so we think that was likely the reason. He’s back to his normal self now, eating lots and a very happy kitten! Although he still will randomly not want to put weight on one of his paws.

I guess I just want to know if anyone has any experience dealing with blood disorders in cats? My heart hurts everyday thinking that he will start to internally bleed without me knowing and I’ll lose my little baby. I am a little emotionally worn out from the stress of it all and want to make sure I’m doing the best for my little guy.

 

[neely]

Welcome to TCS! Thank you for rescuing these two abandoned kittens. I'm sorry the male is having so many health issues. I do not have personal experience with blood disorders in cats but wondered if you have considered consulting a Veterinary Hematologist or an Internal Medical Specialist? It would be advantageous for him to be treated by this type of specialist especially since he is so young.

I can certainly understand you feeling emotionally worn out from the stress. Fingers crossed he can get the appropriate treatment for his limping and blood disorder. I'm sure other members with similar experiences will be able to weigh in with their advice.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

There are so many blood disorders, that we really can't properly advise you (and remember, this would only be OUR experiences) until we know what is going on. HOWEVER...if there is a university with a School of Veterinary Medicine within travel distance of you, I highly suggest taking him there. It will almost certainly not be less expensive, but they will be teaching cutting-edge procedures and diagnostics with the most up-to-date equipment.

Until then, just watch him. If he should fall from any distance, watch him DOUBLY closely, and head to the vet if he seems the least bit off afterwards. Other than that, love him. Dote on him. Until we know what his issues actually are, all you can do is give him the best life possible, filled with snuggles and joy. If you can do that, no matter what the future brings, you will have succeeded.

Meanwhile, I will be lighting a candle for your little one, that his life may be long, and his issues easily controlled!

 

[fionasmom]

You are so kind to have helped both of these kittens and to have taken on so much for the little boy. Hematology is very complex and certainly beyond me; I do agree that if you can get to a teaching hospital or a specialty clinic, possibly referral, or even a very experienced cat only vet that it will be worth your time and save you money in the long run.

I had a dog with a clotting disorder years ago which lead to a discussion of clotting disorders with the vet. The dog actually had an opposite condition from your kitty, but I do remember some of the advice of what to watch for with clotting disorders. In the case of your kitty, it would be things like hematomas, black stool, nosebleeds. You have already found out that he bleeds at surgery sites or elsewhere if open tissue is involved. Deep internal bruising is also possible but you would probably not see that initially.