Anemia and Prednisolone

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Go Kathleen and Fred! Nice to see someone confirm your suspicions and concerns! We'll see what the blood work tells us, but I would like to see Fred on at least 3 weeks of the doxy instead of only 2. Everything I have read says that we really need all 3 weeks to kill off all of the organism - and some kitties need longer on the AB. I am hoping and praying that the blood work gives you a diagnosis and no ultra sound or x-rays will be needed!

I hear you about the awful flavoring - ick! Yoda's is fish flavored. Don't think I'll ask for THAT flavoring again *gag*.

Quick question for you - Does the doxy make Fred salivate a lot when you give it? Yoda has no side effects from the doxy like he did with the tetracycline, but it makes him salivate and I am wondering if he is getting a full dose of the AB. I personally will be talking to my vet this afternoon about it, but was curious if your Fred did this too.
 
I'm not sure about his PCV at this point. The previous vet and current internist have written notes everywhere with no dates -- something I'm going to ask for in future.

Today, Saturday, Fred is a different cat! He's back to his old antics of beating up his sister, Lucy, eating TONS of food, going out to sit on his favorite bench (even in 100 degree weather). Unfortunately, he's also getting stronger, which means he fights taking the Pred. pills and the liquid Doxy. No matter. I'm getting it down.

Kelly -- I'm not seeing any "side effects" after giving Doxy (sorry to be so long to respond to that.) It's "chicken flavored" and he hates the syringe, but when it goes down that's pretty much it. Fred's a drooler my nature -- pet him and you get soaked. Once, in the beginning, I think I jabbed the back of his throat, which made him spit up a little. But, I learned to do better with "side delivery" and that hasn't happened again.

His BG, normally around 100, is now around 225. He's back on insulin (1 to 1.5u AM/PM), but that was to be expected with the Pred.

The more I see his progress, the more I think we're dealing with Hemobart or something similar. However, Fred's does follow-up blood work and the entire lab results will be in on Tuesday (had to wait for vet to come back to work!!). I'm going to push for another week of Doxy, as you suggested. Shouldn't be a problem -- if my credit card hold out! In the meantime, I'm just so thankful to have him up and moving around and pretty much himself again. "Lucy's" not so crazy about it!!

Stay tuned!
 
I don't have all the numbers yet -- will see the Internist tomorrow -- but she just called to say all the blood work from last week looks really good. His bone marrow is making the necessary red cells, and his tested negative for HIV and Leukemia. She said something about the kidneys reading low so I'll ask about that.

But, the BIG news is that he tested POSITIVE for Hemobart. So, that must be it and they just didn't catch it at the other vet. Plus, this vet says she wants to keep him on Doxy for another 2 weeks -- three in all -- then retest, then wean him off of Prednisilone, then retest, pushing the visits farther apart until we know we've gotten all the organisms that were causing the anemia.

His BG was 245 this AM (down from 295 last PM). He's now on 2u of ProZinc. I'm sorry to have to give him so many meds, but he's doing so much better that I'm not complaining -- even when he's getting too strong to hold, now. Eventually, his BG's will come down to where we can regulate with diet -- as before. If not, two shots a day won't be a problem at all.

I'll check back tomorrow with the final numbers from the lab.

Thanks for all your wonderful knowledge and support -- you saved Fred's life!!!!

Kathleen & Fred
 
flip_cat What good news! Not that we wish for parasites, but this is MUCH better than cancer!!! I am so glad to hear that Fred is getting better and glad to hear that the specialist is going to keep him on the doxy for a little bit longer. :RAHCAT
 
Major kudos to you Kathleen for sticking with Fred and demanding answers. Make sure the internist is faxing stuff to your regular vet, and I would call to lodge a complaint again with the owner, for good measure.

Yay, mycoplasma (hemobart)! Much better than a ruined bone marrow, as it does seem to be responding to treatment quite well.

(Kudos to you too, Kelly, for your excellent attention and support for Kathleen :))
 
Kelly....love those cheer-leading kitties!! If I could figure out how to upload the picture, you'd see that Oscar and Fred are absolute TWINS!! :lol:

Jess & Earl....Your comment is "right on". Do you know that my regular vet and the Managing vet-owner have not called me TO THIS DAY!! They had to send the records over to the internist over a week ago, but wouldn't you have thought they'd have followed up?? Is it time to switch vets -- even though they're right around the corner???? :evil:

I'll check in tomorrow with his labs. Thanks again!

Kathleen & Fred
 
Well, here are the WONDERFUL results....

Mycoplasma haemofelis - positive with secondary regenerative anemia. So it IS Hemobart!

Physical Exam showed no abnormalities.

PCV/TS - 34%, 9.1g/dl

Fred is no longer anemic as of today and is clinically stable and healthy. He tested positive for red blood cell parasite which triggered the destruction of the red blood cells by the immune system -- not cancer. He has responded very well to the medications (doxycycline and prednisolone) which will be continued for a full three week course of therapy -- diminishing the Pred. little by little.

He'll be checked by the Internist two days after the doxy course is finished. His BG's have been as high as 295, but we're expecting that to come down with the reduction in Pred. I'm giving ProZinc as appropriate, but she wants me to keep it to 1.5u/day while on Pred. if needed.

He's eating well, playing some, looking for chipmunks and wrestling with "Lucy". The only minor problem is occasional smelly stools, but that's probably the meds.

Can I relax now????

HAPPY DAY!!!

Kathleen & Fred ohmygod_smile
 
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