Hello, i've never posted in this group before - have a sick kitty

[LiberalElite]

Riley, age 11-12 yrs, is severely anemic. I brought him to the emergency 24/7 clinic last Sunday, where they did blood and urine tests and found that his cbc was 10. Long story short, after a couple of days at my own vet's with more tests and aggressive treatment with steroids and antibiotics (they thought he had Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia) his cbc went up to 16 but then spent a couple of days at 14 and today is at 8. The vet who owns the cat hospital is not offering much encouragement, although he did tell me what else could be done, including getting another opinion. I'm going to speak with his partner tomorrow a.m. Any ideas/comments? I'm not able to afford much more treatment, in fact the $1,700 at the clinic was quite a chunk of change for me. Thanks for any thoughts.

[Curmudgeoness]

1. I am sorry to hear that your kitty is sick.

I have no experience with anemic cats, so I cannot tell you what to expect. Another opinion is always a good idea when the vet is out of ideas. But I really do understand the problem with more vets and more tests. The costs can really add up fast, and they have for you. If you do go for another opinion, make sure that you have all the test results available to that vet so that he doesn't redo any tests that are not required to be redone. And let that vet know that cost is a factor. Have to results from the emergency clinic as well as from your regular vet with you when you see another vet.

Did this come on suddenly? What caused you to notice a problem? Has your vet rules out all the usual things, like parasites or internal bleeding? Is there any other problem besides the anemia that shows up in the tests? All of these things will have to be factored in to a decision about how far you want to take the treatments.

Good luck getting your kitty better again. And welcome to the Pet Group.

[LiberalElite]

5. Thank you - long story short

he's still at vet but they switched steroids and his cbc (or is it rbc?) shot up from 8 on Monday to 16 today. Not out of the woods yet but I'll take what I can get.

[Curmudgeoness]

9. Crossing my fingers for him.

You said you never posted in the Pets Group before, but don't be a stranger. Let us know how it goes. And we will be her in the best of times and the worst of times.

[Auntie Bush]

2. Good luck with your kitty. Plese keep us informed of the second opinion.

[LiberalElite]

6. One vet at the same practice

was more gung ho about trying different things. She changed the steroid and he's improving.

[Curmudgeoness]

3. I found a very informative site

to get information on anemia, although it does discuss both dogs and cats so it is not specific to cats. But it is a good place to start.

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?A=1390

Also, there is a cat vet who is a member of DU and may be able to give you some further information or suggestions. Send a PM to kestrel91316 and ask her if she has any further suggestions for you. She has helped me in the past.

[LiberalElite]

8. Thanks!

[TorchTheWitch]

4. I wish I had something useful to say

I don't know much at all about cats. But I'd still like to send some encouragement and hugs to you and Riley that whatever you decide and whatever happens you're both at peace with it.

[LiberalElite]

7. Thank you -

it's tough when the problem isn't clear cut like right now. I don't yet know what the underlying problem even is! Some of my cats over the years when the end came, it was obvious: old age, fast growing cancer, heart disease.