Low Lymphocytes is there something I can do? should I worry?

[Veronica & Babu-chiri]

Hi everyone

I know this is a bit complicated question, I hope someone can give an idea or suggestion on what to do.

A few days ago I did a full blood work for Babu (and all my cats) plus some extra tests to try and make sure they are ok about FIP, because two months ago one of my civies died of FIP but we learn about it post mortem so all my cats got exposed.

Luckily it appears they are all ok and at least for now no FIP, but Babu came out with low lymphocytes ( and low platelets but I'm not sure about this one because test were done at the vets and apparently no one checked for clumping) which got me all worried

Does anyone know if there something I should look for to try and find out the reason and is there something I can do to help raise this or is just something I shouldn't really worry much

Here's a link to Babu's complete lab results

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1UvIciHIhGvxTjA-YYzHxliFzgT464-coWitkI-ZKKjQ/edit?usp=sharing

 

[Red & Rover (GA)]

@Marje and Gracie

 

[Marje and Gracie]

Hi everyone

I know this is a bit complicated question, I hope someone can give an idea or suggestion on what to do.

A few days ago I did a full blood work for Babu (and all my cats) plus some extra tests to try and make sure they are ok about FIP, because two months ago one of my civies died of FIP but we learn about it post mortem so all my cats got exposed.

Luckily it appears they are all ok and at least for now no FIP, but Babu came out with low lymphocytes ( and low platelets but I'm not sure about this one because test were done at the vets and apparently no one checked for clumping) which got me all worried

Does anyone know if there something I should look for to try and find out the reason and is there something I can do to help raise this or is just something I shouldn't really worry much

Here's a link to Babu's complete lab results

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1UvIciHIhGvxTjA-YYzHxliFzgT464-coWitkI-ZKKjQ/edit?usp=sharing

Hey Veronica

I’m so sorry for your loss.

I’m not sure how your vet explained FIP to you but, it starts as the corona virus (FCV). The vet can check titers to see if those associated with FCV are elevated. However, it is common for the FCV titers to be elevated in multi cat situations including shelters, breeders facilities, etc. It can be very contagious between cats. Most cats that test positive for FCV will not ever have FIP and may, over time, test negative.

When there is a lot of stress and the immune system is compromised, FCV can mutate into FIP. So FIP itself is not contagious; the contagious FCV mutates to FIP. In an environment where a cat has passed from FIP, other cats getting FIP depends on whether they test positive for FCV and whether their stress level is high and whether their immune system is weak.

Low lymphocytes can be seen in cats with FIP but if the value shows a small decrease below normal, than it can be attributable to stress. It’s interesting how his have tended down over the years; two tests ago, they were the same as now, then went up to 2.1, and are down again.

Also interesting is that studies have shown that elderly humans can have low lymphocytes without a disease. There have been no studies on dogs and cats, though.

Lastly, low platelets are not uncommon if the sample shows clumping. See if the lab report mentions it. It’s very common when the blood is drawn for the platelets to clump.

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

@Veronica & Babu-chiri ….although it's probably not available in Mexico, there is now a treatment for FIP that was developed by Dr Niels Pedersen of UC Davis

There's lots of information about testing, diagnosis, treatment, etc. on this website

 

[Veronica & Babu-chiri]

Hey Veronica

I’m so sorry for your loss.

I’m not sure how your vet explained FIP to you but, it starts as the corona virus (FCV). The vet can check titers to see if those associated with FCV are elevated. However, it is common for the FCV titers to be elevated in multi cat situations including shelters, breeders facilities, etc. It can be very contagious between cats. Most cats that test positive for FCV will not ever have FIP and may, over time, test negative.

When there is a lot of stress and the immune system is compromised, FCV can mutate into FIP. So FIP itself is not contagious; the contagious FCV mutates to FIP. In an environment where a cat has passed from FIP, other cats getting FIP depends on whether they test positive for FCV and whether their stress level is high and whether their immune system is weak.

Low lymphocytes can be seen in cats with FIP but if the value shows a small decrease below normal, than it can be attributable to stress. It’s interesting how his have tended down over the years; two tests ago, they were the same as now, then went up to 2.1, and are down again.

Also interesting is that studies have shown that elderly humans can have low lymphocytes without a disease. There have been no studies on dogs and cats, though.

Lastly, low platelets are not uncommon if the sample shows clumping. See if the lab report mentions it. It’s very common when the blood is drawn for the platelets to clump.

Marge I really do not know how to thank you, you have no idea on how much your valuable opinion helps me, because even though I did tested Babu in this set of labs for FCV and he tested negative (I'm ashamed to say I don't completely test labs down here because we don't really have precisely high standards or standards that the labs have to comply when doing pet analysys is really up to their ethics whether they do it correctly or not) , anything out of the ordinary gives me the creeps right now.

 

[Veronica & Babu-chiri]

@Veronica & Babu-chiri ….although it's probably not available in Mexico, there is now a treatment for FIP that was developed by Dr Niels Pedersen of UC Davis

There's lots of information about testing, diagnosis, treatment, etc. on this website

Yes thank you very much, I've been researching since not to be surprised there's not much knowledge about FIP here in Mexico among vets even, some even still think that FCoV test is the FIP test, and I'm still freaked out because my civie was 15 years old, they do not have contact with other cats and my youngest is 5 years old so really no new additions to the household, and even though now I know some of the symptoms she presented were from FIP, she never really had a diarrhea in her life for example so as I mentioned anything out of the ordinary sets me in panic mode right now

It appears that maybe just maybe if necessary I could get the treatment from other countries because even Dr Niels Pedersen admits that the labs he worked with have not gotten the FDA approval and is not commercially available in the US and much less in Mexico, so I really hope I don't need it, but if there's some real suspicion and I need it, it will probably take some time to get it.

 

[Marje and Gracie]

Marge I really do not know how to thank you, you have no idea on how much your valuable opinion helps me, because even though I did tested Babu in this set of labs for FCV and he tested negative (I'm ashamed to say I don't completely test labs down here because we don't really have precisely high standards or standards that the labs have to comply when doing pet analysys is really up to their ethics whether they do it correctly or not) , anything out of the ordinary gives me the creeps right now.

You’re welcome, and I understand.

I just wanted to explain it because there is still a wide misperception about FIP and it being directly contagious. I do know of a Scottish Fold breeder who shut her cattery because of rampant FIP but, in reality, it was FCV and the cats were all under such stress. On top of it, she was vaccinating and spaying/neutering kittens all at the same time so that those with high FCV titers were being highly stressed. It was really sad.

I hope all else is fine with you all. You do a great job with your boy!

 

[Marje and Gracie]

Yes thank you very much, I've been researching since not to be surprised there's not much knowledge about FIP here in Mexico among vets even, some even still think that FCoV test is the FIP test, and I'm still freaked out because my civie was 15 years old, they do not have contact with other cats and my youngest is 5 years old so really no new additions to the household, and even though now I know some of the symptoms she presented were from FIP, she never really had a diarrhea in her life for example so as I mentioned anything out of the ordinary sets me in panic mode right now

It appears that maybe just maybe if necessary I could get the treatment from other countries because even Dr Niels Pedersen admits that the labs he worked with have not gotten the FDA approval and is not commercially available in the US and much less in Mexico, so I really hope I don't need it, but if there's some real suspicion and I need it, it will probably take some time to get it.

I have seen older cats who have not been exposed to others pass from FIP. It happened to my niece’s cat. In that case, she probably was a carrier for FCV all those years and old age or perhaps some stress caused it to mutate. It doesn’t happen often but it is possible.