Kitten with mystery illness - definitely anemic...

[LoganPenelope]

Before transfusion he was at 10 RBC, after transfusion last night was at 15, this morning down to 8....

Not looking good

Redid blood work to confirm IMHA - confirmed it

[Traci]

Did your vet specify his/her suspicion of the cause? I.e., hemobart (mycoplasma), incompatible transfusion (did they cross-match before the transfusion?), heartworm disease, cytauxzoonosis, bee stings, other respiratory or GI tract viruses, onion, garlic or zinc toxicity? Regarding the blood transfusion, do you know if they used a donor, or Oxyglobin? Are they perparing for a second transfusion?

Sometimes in these cases, they can get worse before they get better, but although not a guarantee, a second transfusion may be warranted. I'm so hoping and praying that Logan improves, please try to hang in there...

[LoganPenelope]

Sorry my last response was short, was on location working and did via iphone.

So here's where we're at this morning.

Transfusion 1 started with RBC of 10 in the morning. That night was up to 15 and then the next morning down to 8.

Transfusion 2, started at 8, was up to 12 by the night, and up to 16 by this morning.

Transfusion 2 was accompanied with a more aggressive treatment of steroids and a new drug which began with a "C".

Negatives: Last night he developed fluid in his lungs with labored breathing. Later in the night, they called to say that perhaps he was getting too much fluids and so, I don't know, they did stuff, put him on oxygen, and breathing was eased. By this morning, fluids had gone down, but not as much as he wanted, or hoped it would, but still went down.

Negative 2 - jaundice has started to show. Exact cause is technically unknown right now, although obviously lack of eating is suspected,but, they also are considering other factors from all the other issues going on.

They're going to slowly pull him off oxygen and call us back tonight to let us know how the fluids are doing, and how the RBC looks.

I think that's all.... A very difficult battle and very difficult situation to deal with. Especially when they say how much the staff really is starting to love Logan because his personality is so fantastic.

[Traci]

The additional medication might be cyclosporine or cyclophosphamide. The aggressive prednisone approach is a good decision.

It's entirely possible Logan had a fluid overload during the day/night, since transfusions require IV fluid therapy, hopefully they have an infusion pump to meter out the required amount of fluids.

The jaundice is a typical sign at some point due to either the anemia or insufficient calorie intake that can affect the liver's ability to regenerate. If the blood count continues to rise, they will soon be able to introduce feeding, or possibly a feeding tube (hopefully the latter won't be necessary). Unfortunately, this is a long, frustrating wait and see approach but sounds like your vets are doing everything they can, and appropriately. It is good that the blood counts increased this time, and the additional meds may help considerably, let's hope so.

I peaked at your other video and I too am smitten with Logan and Penelope, they are so adorable and it's easy to see how they are tugging at the heartstrings of the vet and staff. Try to remain positive, hang in there, visit Logan when you can and don't give up. I know this is easier said than done, but these cases are just so unpredictable, I think that even although the improvement is slow, it is improvement nonetheless, I'm sending lots of good healing thoughts and all my prayers....

[LoganPenelope]

Thanks Traci for all the input and encouragement. It is definitely helpful for us! These guys are so attached to us and visa verse - they follow us to whatever room we're in and stay with us until we move. If we get up and go somewhere, they get up and follow and hang out there lol.

That's good to know about the fluid - makes sense. They gave him a diuretic but they said now they're battle low electrolytes. So the situation he put it is a tightrope between too much vs. too little.

We definitely have great doctors looking after them and it's naturally very helpful to be able to talk here as well. I'll update you more when they call next...

[Traci]

When can you visit Logan?

I know how frightening this is for you, and not knowing what to expect, but I still believe that even slight, improvement has been made. He sounds like a little fighter, let's hold on to that and keep thinking positively for little Logan!

[LoganPenelope]

They allow for 2, 30 min sessions per day, 9am to 9pm. We considered going today, but thought perhaps we shouldn't since he is in ICU. We thought perhaps since he is fragile, just let him be. Not be like "hey we're here, now we're leaving, you don't know why" - thought it would add stress for him, since anytime we've seen him, it's always been to bring him back home...

But you're right, we're still thinking positive for the little guy! He's definitely a fighter!

[Traci]

Well, depending on the vet's restrictions and his opinion, I would encourage you to visit at each chance you get, I always encourage owners to visit when allowed because this helps the pet considerably - they need a familiar face and voice and touch, it is extremely stressful in the clnical environment with so much going on with them and around them - an owner's visit can help decrease that stress and ensures the pet you are there and pulling for them. There does happen to be documented evidence that owners visiting do promote healing and faster recovery for most hospitalized patients, much like when you are advised to take them home in hopes they will improve faster in their own familiar environment.

Having said that, when you do visit, do not handle (pick up) unless your vet approves - a quiet environment is better than a busy one. Just being near, placing a hand on his paw, lightly petting his head or cheeks etc, he'll feel your warmth and concern, your presence alone can really help. Remember, he's still a young kitten, he'll appreciate your presence/visit, he views you as mommy/daddy being there and pulling for him.

[LoganPenelope]

Wow, ok. I had no idea it was so helpful for them. We did go visit him. Poor guy just seems tired and weak. Best we could get out of technician is that his breathing is steady. (Last night it was fast). Today it's been steady. She used the numbers of 100 last night and 50 today. I'm not sure if those were just analogy type numbers, or if those were his actual numbers.

[LoganPenelope]

Hi Traci -
Here's the latest update on Logan - more positive.

1. His RBC is up from 16 this morning to 17 tonight.
2. He's off of oxygen completely and breathing well without it.
3. He is drinking water on his own.

The Dr. said several things.

He would like to see his RBC be maintained and increase. He said when you reduce fluids, RBC can concentrate and show an increase when there actually isn't an increase. He'll feel better when these numbers are maintained. Ultimately, he would like to see the RBCs in the high 20s to 30s.

He said the big three items to concentrate on tomorrow are:
1. Work on cleaning up the respiratory issue/fluid issue.
2. Deal with the heightened liver numbers
3. Monitor the RBCs.

He actually brought up if we visited Logan, which we did, thank you He was happy to hear that and said he liked to observe behavior with owners versus with staff.

And here is Logan, looking his regal self, about 5 months ago: