He is ok thanks vet has decreased his dose of preds, as he is starting to show signs of struggling to cope with the preds

He is under observation for the next fortnight to make sure he doesn't slip or has problems with withdrawal. So personally I feel like I am on egg shells and always checking him for any signs of relapse! It's a bit like when you have a newborn and your poking them to make sure they are still breathing!!

We do seem to have traced the beginning of his problem which is a bit of a relief! He had a nasty bout of gastroenteritis last year and this is when it must have started as he never really got over it.

Changed his food too, to a hypoallergenic type, to see if it helps any! I am willing to try anything to get him well again! Poor love!

I am sure the vets will be glad to not see him as often any more! He hates them, and has taken a chunk out of one of the vets! He starts to growl as soon as we walk in! To take his blood the poor thing has to be strapped up in a jacket so the vets do not loose a finger and the needle doesn't bruise him too much!

Poor cat - he is having some trials to face. Lovely that he has you to look out for him..

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Hi, Has your vet tested for Feline Infectious Anemia? I had two vets think my cat had an autoimmune anemia, but my new vet happened to send the blood lab results away and they came up positive for FIA. Its a blood parasite that is transmitted by fleas and ticks, but its not common, so many vets do not test for it. Plus, it does not have a cell wall (which is how most antibiotics detect infectious agents), so most antibiotics do not work (ie it needs special antibiotics). My cat's hermatocrit level was 15, she lost one kg (2.2 pounds), lethargic, not eating much at all, jaundice (yellow gums). Hope this helps!

I want to share some info about my 3 year old cat with IMHA. He was diagnosed a year and a half ago by bone marrow biopsy. He had a dramatic response to pred then relapsed a few times. We tried cyclosporine but it did nothing at all for him. He was in very bad shape on 7.5 of pred twice daily. His hematocrit was down to 11. We started mycophenolate mofetil and he gradually improved. He has been on it for a few months and continues to improve as we lower the pred. I only hope it continues. I have not seen posts on any forums about cats with IMHA on this drug so I wanted to be sure that anyone who is searching will find out that this is an option!

I realise this is an older post but for the benefit of others this is not the only instance I've heard of where haemobartonellosis (FIA) was essentially misdiagnosed as IMHA initially, so certainly worth getting this ruled out first.

Hello all, I just thought I would update you all on Charlie.

It's not good, on the 1st May i took him back to vets as he was acting odd.

His Calcuim was fine but his PCV was 10%.....

He has has a few transfusions but only the last one made a differnce. His PCV on monday was down to 9%.

He is still eating, not quite as well.

He is on Atopica, pred, and cellcept.. We are thinking he has at most a couple more days before we have to make 'that' decision.

He started the cellcept 8 days a go as a last hope.... the vets don't want to do any more transfusions....

Jen

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Hellooooo again albeit under these sad circumstances. I'm not really familiar with Charlie's case, not being around then but I'm really sorry to hear this news.
However, I do know a PCV of 9% is very low indeed and frankly I'm amazed he's eating!

Fingers crossed the medication works and he turns a corner. If not perhaps an alternative might........worth looking into.All the best for you both!

Thanks Ianthi, just trying to work out when the right time is.... everyone says you will know... even the vet did, but i don't, I think i do then im not sure.......

he is not eating as much today, had some flame grilled chicken for breakfast and a small amount of raw beef mince just now.. I would imagine his pcv is lower now. He is quiet but still likes his chin rubs and even purred with fuss this morning.

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Hmm......Despite low PCV, he does appear to be coping well with it. I would have thought most cats with a reading like this would be very weak indeed even though I do know cats can 'adapt' to anaemia in general, especially the chronic type. As long as he's eating and is faily content, then I'd keep going. Hopefully, it's not gotten an worse!

Fingers crossed for you!

thats kind of what im working on. hoping and praying the meds kick in.... If his breathing gets quicker or he stops eating and stops being him then I'm hoping I will know its time. fingers crossed... x

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