Traci?

[MA]

Here is the deal- it is a stray found- covered in ticks Been to the vet and it is touch and go- the results posted were these- I am trying to get numbers instead of these results:

ALT= is wayyy to high
CHOL= Low
CREA= Low
GLU= High
TBIL= way to high


The cat is home- highly suspected hemolytic anemia any words of advice?

[Traci]

Hemolytic anemia requires emergency treatment, MA, I suggest kitty is hospitalized for the best chance of recovery. IV fluids, ongoing testing of platelets, CBC, etc. If severe, may opt for a blood transfusion.

[MA]

Not my cat by the way has been seen by a vet and released home here are the numbers


ALT= 2919U/L
CHOL= 36.1 mg/dl
CREA= 0.53 mg/dl
GLU= High 154.3 mg/dl
TBIL= 4.49 mg/dl

[Traci]

MA, are you sure about the ALT? Thats off the reference range completely, but not surprising, it's probably intra/extravascular hemolysis affecting the liver and spleen.

First, rule out cytauxzoonosis, this is a fatal tick disease in cats and can cause AIHA faster than you can spell it, may need a titer for that, but unfortunately, not many cats survive cytauxzoonosis, vet needs to speak to a vet university immunology dept about that ASAP. If a titer is going to be sent out, also opt for coombs, hemobart, feline infectious disease and other viral agents, can all be done with one blood sample. Other than this, rule out toxicity such as acetominophin, propylene glycol, etc.

Do you have a CBC report? If so, any comments about regenerative anemia by the vet including potential DIC would be helpful, but I'm sure the vet has his suspicions and may have a handle on it. Just doesn't seem appropriate with the chemical analysis that kitty has been released.....home care is not sufficient in AIHA. (don't know what vet thinks or when this treatment and release actually occured)....If the PCV isn't stable, then hospitalization with IV's, potential blood transfusion, corticosteroid approach and aggressive care are warranted.

[MA]

Thanks Traci am passing this on as your words of wisdom.

[Susan and the girls]

Traci (and MA) -

Remember a long while back that I reported how my vet had shared with me she'd had a rash of cytauxzoonosis cases? And how she lost all of them up til she realized exactly what it was? And how she searched all the pharmacies for the correct antibiotic/drug and finally found it at the WalMart pharmacy? And how the kitty was saved because of the drug?

Well, the last time I was at the vet's office for a real visit (a few months back), she shared with me that the kitty did die. Apparently there was too much damage to its system.

She said that the UGA Vet School, however, was astounded at the cases she'd seen in such a short amount of time. Apparently the carrier (some sort of wild cat/bobcat) was making its rounds through the county!

MA - I sure hope this kitty recovers! It has my prayers!

[MA]

more:

Oar depressed. MM light pink/dry crt zo 2.5 Jaudice Plus mod to strong removed servel ticks flea dust no appreicable discomfort crusted d/c both nares ou-serous d/c dried d/c conjumctivitis

suspect hemonatoneia
cbc -> (a down arrow) wbc 4600 (arrow down) gram - 2300 (platelet 110)
Ghp -> (up arrow) - 2919 (down arrow) chol - 36.1 (down arrow) creat 0.53
(up arrow) Giue 154.3 (up arrow) tbili 4.48

[MA]

Sorry Traci- I am in conference with Anne this morning- I am trying to get this member to take her kitten to the vet. Will keep trying and appreciate any help in that direction you can give me. Kitten is not eating, or drinking breathing heavily.......... Gotta go Israel calling!

[Traci]

MA, tell your contact this kitten needs emergency care IMMEDIATELY ...she may be mistaking the heavy breathing for hemorrhage, this needs immediate ER care ASAP!

Ask vet to check for cytauxzoonosis (vet needs to differentiate this from Babesia ssp), and hemobart, quick blood smears in the clinic can be helpful. but I suggest the vet consult with a vet university specialist ASAP, and treat AS IF....meaning cytauxzoonosis is treated differently than hemobart....hemobart is treated with agressive tetracycline or doxycycline therapy, including potential for blood transfusion. Cytauxzoonosis is treated with sodium thiacetarsamide (experimentally)...

Icterus (jaundice), lethargy and CRT time prolonged are an extreme emergency, kitten needs agressive ER care NOW. Be prepared for a transfusion.

Please keep me updated? And sending my prayers....

[MA]

Traci-

The kitten just died.