Low platelet/WBC for sam

[chuckstables]

Hi folks,

Took Sam in for a yearly blood test. Found that his platelets are low (74x10^9, puts it moderately decreased, which is 50-100) and WBC was low (3.2, low end is 3.9).

Was told to take him in in 2 weeks. For some reason the vet did a fructosamine test and is telling me to take him off of insulin, which I politely declined. He's at 194, which is to the low end of a range for a normal cut (which duh, he's well controlled... on 0.5 units right now, seems fine there). Going to retest platelets/WBC, just not sure what it could be.

Worried. Will post full bloodwork shortly.

 

[chuckstables]

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

I will ask @Marje and Gracie to comment on the results.

 

[Marje and Gracie]

Quite often, platelets might show as low because they are “clumped” and this has to do with the way the blood sample was drawn. It doesn’t mean it was drawn incorrectly but it often happens. In fact, for both of my cats, their platelets are usually low but the notes always state “clumped”. I don’t know if the lab your vet uses makes those kinds of remarks or not.

I don’t interpret white blood counts as there can be so many variables involved for why they are low or high. It’s best to discuss with your vet.

 

[chuckstables]

Well thats slightly reassuring. Will just wait 2 weeks and go from there. Worried about cancer given his brother died of an abdominal cancer 9 months or so ago.

 

[chuckstables]

@Marje and Gracie

I forgot to post all of it, it was an automated slide analysis, they said no clumped platelets noted.

i did find https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7488585/#:~:text=Thrombocytopenia%20is%20uncommon%20in%20cats%2C%20with%20a%20reported%20prevalence%20of,to%20a%20veterinary%20teaching%20hospital

basically saying for automated slides low platelets is common like you said. Unlikely to be cancer but could be. Just worried.

Had him since I was 15 or 16. Love him so much. Just want to have him for as long as I can.

 

[Marje and Gracie]

@Marje and Gracie

I forgot to post all of it, it was an automated slide analysis, they said no clumped platelets noted.

i did find https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7488585/#:~:text=Thrombocytopenia%20is%20uncommon%20in%20cats%2C%20with%20a%20reported%20prevalence%20of,to%20a%20veterinary%20teaching%20hospital

basically saying for automated slides low platelets is common like you said. Unlikely to be cancer but could be. Just worried.

Had him since I was 15 or 16. Love him so much. Just want to have him for as long as I can.

I’m sorry it has you worried but I understand. I think rechecking is a good idea. It’s important to remember that any lab is just a snapshot in time. Trends are what you look for.

As an example, my 13-year old kitty always had a hematocrit above 40% until one test where it was 33%. That worried me as below 30% is starting towards anemia. We rechecked in a few weeks and it was headed back up. Next text, it was above 40%. No reason…..he had no change in his health. And also, sometimes there are lab errors.

Paws crossed next text will be normal for Sam.

 

[chuckstables]

Hey, just wanted to update y’all.

He’s fine. Platelets are fine, she did a manual analysis of the slide and counted them apparently, she said the machine always messes it up. White blood cell count is within range now.

Also; he’s off insulin! Blood sugar initially was 6.5 mmols, now it’s 3.5-4.5 with no insulin after 5 days! He’s doing well off of it. The vet suggested i try it for 2 weeks, monitor him, as his body seems to be able to adapt to no insulin. Not the traditional TR approach to getting him off, but it is working so i’m happy! Fingers crossed, he’d only been getting a smidge twice a day for the last week before i took him off (maybe 0.2 units twice a day).

He’s adapting by eating less which is good, as he’s a pound overweight now. He had been eating 3-3.5 cans of FF turkey and gibs per day, too much for an indoor older cat. Vet wants him at least half a lb lighter, as he’s 13.8 lbs now. Should be 13 ideally.

Anyways, thanks for your support guys.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

That's a great news update on Sam! My vet always told me to recheck in a couple weeks for any blood work result that seemed out of place from normal.

For the next couple weeks off of insulin, check him twice a day, at your normal preshot times. If he's still under 5.5 (100) at the end of the two weeks, he's officially off of insulin. Then you can go to testing weekly for a while. Good luck.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

Platelets are fine, she did a manual analysis of the slide and counted them apparently, she said the machine always messes it up.

In cats it is somewhat normal for platelets to clump together resulting in the machine count of platelets being low.. When a machine count of platelets low standard prctice is to look at a blood smear under a mivroscope. Here is what results said for when of my cats when platelets were low:
"Platelet Observations:
"Platelet clumps seen on slide. Platelet count and blood film estimate may be
falsely decreased.
"Platelets appear adequate on the blood film