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[admin]

Hi Pam, and thank you everyone for your replies.

Pam and I only recently “met” via a very good feline anemia list, but as you can see this is a complex case and there are no clear answers at the moment.

I’m so glad you found your way here Pam, although sorry you have had to. I understand how hard it can be giving pills – As Sheena knows, I once ended up in the ER from the gentlest of cats! Mable is currently on prednisolone for an allergy and fortunately she has been very easy to pill, now that I have found the right treat to hide it in. I’m using Webbox cat delights, which may not be available in US but I’m sure there is something similar. It’s like a small pepperoni for cats (cat treat sticks) and I break a piece off and tuck the pill in there, no problem. I usually give her a couple of pill-free pieces too, so that she doesn’t get suspicious.

When Molly was sick, I tried every food under the sun to get her to eat. Ultimately all she would take was her normal, boring cat food. I’m guessing you’ve tried hiding it in various treats or cooked beef? My aunt used to put her cat’s medication in a small amount of the food before giving her the full feed, to make sure she took it, or squeeze it into a piece of chicken. There are lots of videos on Youtube which might be worth a look. This one seems the most straightforward and least stressful to me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtZ-8YT-etM
I do understand how hard it is. I remember being very close to tears forcing pills into Molly when she was so ill. I coated them in butter and gave water from a syringe immediately after, but it was horrible.

Some antibiotics can be administered via injection if your vet is happy for you to do this. It looks like Baytril is available in injection form but there are some issues with cats relating to additional side effects, so this would definitely need the go ahead from the vet. I’m just reading up and apparently there are some pharmacies (Pet Script?) which can make up oral Baytril (tablets or suspension) into cat-friendly treats. It might be worth looking into if Emily has a real aversion to taking medication. Baytril is apparently also available transdermally, although again there seem to be controversies about how well this is absorbed.

The article you posted has some great information I agree. I also note it states that hepatosplenomegaly can be a normal finding in cases of IMHA due to extramedullary hematopoeisis. I have been working out Emily’s absolute reticulocyte count (http://www.eclinpath.com/hematology/tests/absolute-reticulocyte-count/) and agree that it appears she is non-regenerative at the moment. What I absolutely do not understand is how she has maintained her PCV since May without a regenerative response and without a transfusion, unless – and I’m hoping someone can help me out here – this is the result of extramedullary hematopoeisis.

One of the real sticking points I think is whether Emily should be on immunosuppressants. Of course, if this is IMHA, then yes. If not, and if it is FHM, then apparently this could make things worse (although pred alone doesn’t seem to have done so far). I think that the PCR test is the way to go – apparently Idexx do an FHM specific PCR which is quite sensitive (http://www.idexx.com.au/pdf/en_au/smallanimal/reference-laboratories/diagnostic-updates/realpcr-fhm-test.pdf) and I can see your vets have mentioned this in their summaries.

Everything I am reading on FHM says it is typically regenerative, but not always so if there is a concurrent disease affecting the bone marrow. I know that your vets have tested for FeLV/FIV – do you know if this has been repeated in the infectious disease panel? As to IMHA always being regenerative, I think we are living proof that this is not so. The “standard” IMHA is strongly regenerative, but the immune system can decide to attack the baby red cells in the bone marrow instead. Patrice’s Chance, Sheena’s Worzel and my Molly are all examples of non-regenerative IMHA, as well as many others who have used the forum. This is quite a useful little diagram I found to see if we can get any ideas: https://ca.idexx.com/pdf/en_ca/smallanimal/reference-laboratories/feline-anemia-diagnostic-algorithm.pdf

Pam, well done for hanging in there and asking all the right questions. I know this must be a huge worry and I really hope we can help you get the answers for lovely Emily.

Mary and Mable x

[admin]

Hi Wendy

Completely understand you feeling nervous, and maybe it is time to give yourself a little break from reading about IMHA. We all need them sometimes. Actually, I think your boy has won a big victory. I know that he is not out of the woods, and it is still very frightening, but to see that PCV start to go up really is good news. Sheena is right, that you will drive yourself nuts with all the “what ifs?” so I vote that you enjoy this success, and keep a close eye on Frank – their behaviour tells you as their owner an awful lot.

Please keep us posted as and when you can. We are all rooting for you.

Mary and Mable x

[admin]

Hi again Linda

Sorry I didn’t see your latest post before sent the last reply. I’m not sure how much help I can be, but I expect you are right about the pred being the culprit here. Was she incontinent when she had the UTI? And is it just urine incontinence? Molly suffered idiopathic cystitis, which we learned can be quite a problem in cats. She was also very very clean but when she had this she just couldn’t stop peeing, and I knew there was a problem when she peed on a towel at the vets (she could go 2 days without peeing before this – stubborn little madam). Idiopathic cystitis like this is not infectious, and whilst I’m not suggesting this is what Sadie has, I’m just wondering if the bad UTI she had has irritated her urinary system so that her control isn’t so good at the moment? With the big dose of pred too making her pee more often.
I hope this sorts itself out soon. It is heartbreaking, I know.
Mx

[admin]

Oh Linda, this is really super news! Happy dances all round!

I know this has been very tough for you and Sadie and has been a particularly scary relapse, as if they aren’t scary enough in the first place. Sadie – that’s enough now girl. You just keep on going up now, understand?

Really thrilled to read this Linda. Well done you, and of course, Miss Sadie.

Lots of love,

Mary and Mable x

[admin]

Hi Jen

Well little Maggie, here’s wishing you a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY! You have both done so well to get her through this horrible disease and reach this milestone. I know it has not been an easy road for you, but your dedication has paid off. Mable turned 8 a couple of weeks ago. She thinks it’s a very respectable age to be.

Many happy returns Maggie.

Mary and Mable x

[admin]

Hi Linda & Sadie Baby

This such wonderful news – she’s a little fighter & so are you. You know you are both very dear to our hearts & we ALL want to send you massive congratulatory hugs & doggie licks. I like plans. Plans do work – you’ve proved that!

Love Sheena, Phil, Worzel & Ollie xxxxx

[admin]

Hiya Susie & sweet superdog Emily

Fantastic news! Susie, you are doing such a great job & little miss sounds like she’s back to being a cheeky monkey. I love to hear that they are up to their old tricks & making a great recovery. She’s getting better & better all the time, thanks to you.

If the pred is not effecting her, there is no reason to rush the reduction at all – take it nice & steady. As Mary says, 25% is a good idea. If your vet wants to wait a while, that’s fine. Every 2-3 weeks minimum is the recommended way, but longer doesn’t hurt. I think you are being very sensible – you know me – I like cautious!

Loads of love & hugs
Sheena & the boys xxxxx

[admin]

I feel so sorry for you having this awful heartworm problem over there. Please all read Dr Dodds link carefully – she stresses how important it is to be careful with these treatments with our IMHA babies. I agree with Vally – checking with Dr Dodds about giving it or not whilst they are on high doses of immuno-suppressants is the safest way. I have a feeling she will say not to give it yet. I would never give anything like that without her say-so, especially when PCVs & blood tests are not normal yet. When you get them into remission, you can use her protocol by all means. Nothing is easy with this damn disease! I was told by my specialist here not to Frontline Worzel until he was in normal levels. I think if you read the instruction leaflets with any treatments, it will tell you never to use it on a sick animal.

And Wendy – Linda is right. There is no reason why any dog or cat should have a relapse if you follow the weaning rules – don’t even think about relapses, or you will drive yourself crazy.

Loads of love
Sheena & the boys xxxxx