My kitty is 12yrs old. and never been sick before. Let me start that about one month ago i noticed my already a little picky eater started to loose some weight, I assumed her age or brand of food possibly teeth could be the issue, she was still eatin up wet foods , drinking and would eat a new bag/brand of kibbel well for a few days-wk. She has become very ill with-in the past week and half. Still eating, i was keeping an eye on her she continued to get thinner? So bout two weeks then thats when i noticed slight labored breathing, still eating drinking and being herself- a few days later losing interest to eat or drink, still eating and drinking, 3 days ago very labored breathing lathargic and I been force feeding turkey, chicken baby food, she is getting worse. I took her to the clinic whom directed me to an urgent care after he preformed a blood test extreme anemic . a miracle she's still alive 12% red blood cells, he seemed to give me hope again. Only for the hospital to say after roughly 4 hundred dollrs in initial tests theres a good chance they wont find whats wrong, and due to her age she will not have a good outcome IF it is one of the issues she said such as advanced organ disease. Or put her down. What am I supposed to do ? i scooped my little kitty up, took her home to say our goodbyes and keep each other's comfort til i decide its time to call & give her a shot? still starts to purr every time i touch her. She is everything to me. I don't want her final days being tested, away from where she knows she's loved, yet if there is hope, and I choose her fate, I see myself guilty of murder. I'm so lost and messy, Im not sure i even asked a question here, im looking for experiences/advice/opinions i guess!? plz hlp!? I might add that I got denied care credit but have some family to help w/ payment, I dont care if it took me 5-10 years of payments even for a few months/years of her health back

At 12 years old, she's not really that old. I don't know, the first thing that comes in my mind is that the food she has received along these years was not extremely adequate. But nobody is born with knowledge, we all must learn before doing something good, so don't put the entire blame on yourself (in case it's the food, as this is only one of many other possibilities - I won't say them not to frighten you, that's why she needs those tests done, to know the reason and take corrective actions).

I don't know what else to say, there is a member of this forum with lots of knowledge, hopefully she'll see your thread and advise you. I've written to you so that you don't feel too alone in the situation and to tell you to try and hope for her recovery. I wouldn't jump directly into puting her to sleep, which is the easiest thing for the doctors, after they have charged you already with 400 dollars.

Instead of having her at home for goodbyes, I think ypu'd better take her to the hospital and do anything that has to be done to save her.

Good luck and don't lose hope.

I agree with Anca. These days, 12 isn't very old and certainly not an age that you would consider it not worthwhile trying to find the cause of her anaemia. There are so many possibilities as to its cause that it would be wise to try and let the vet get to the bottom of it. If they don't feel they can, then don't hesitate to take her for a second opinion. Blood tests really should give them some kind of idea as to what's going on. Don't give up on her.
Good luck. What's her name?

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Sorry to hear about your cat.

Firstly I assume you mean a PCV of 12%? Yes, this is indeed very low and unfortunately will only get worse unless it's treated. Have the vets prescribed any treatment at all even B12 injections or anabolic steroids? Sounds to me though she'll probably need a blood transfusion with these levels. Either way you need to act soon and get some veterinary help. Can you take her back to the first clinic again?

Since there are two types of anaemia you need to find out from the vets whether it's regenerative or non-regerative ( there's a reticulocyte test for this which I hope they've done ) since the causes and treatment vary for each. Given the additonal symptoms I'm wondering if renal problems are the cause here. The kidneys produce a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production but this function is often impaired in cats with renal problems. How were renal values on the bloodtest? This would give you a good indication though kidney readings aren't always elevated. There are medications which will stimulate the production of this hormone. Considering her age I would suggest this may well be the cause.

Thank you thank you thank you, I think i need to go find a new urgent care hopefully one who can except payments, the 2nd place the er said pay now or not happening. thank you for the knowledge i lack as far as what things i want to question & tests to consider.
Her name is Peeko, and on her diet I started but only 2-3 yrs ago once I learned all the horrible junk in most them, started her on food at all natural grocers, organic products w no animal by products, real meat and the good fat omega. yes i wish i'd known yrs. ago. but you learn. im wasting time-need to find a better er. i'll keep u all posted thanx again soooooo much!

update: I ran out the door and thought I already posted above

Good news is I took her to different urgent care, I wish I started there all along, the say there's hope, got 2 meds and have a transfusion in the next few days. it wont be cheap, but well worth it. they are being great w payment options, and even gave me referrals to more affordable after care options! I know it's just a start but thats 100,000,000x better then the end! Im so thankful my gut instinct along with some helpful advice, my little black beloved fur ball may be here w/ me a bit longer

okay well. i'm back already. can any one referr me to a topic post on successful pill swallow for an already finicky not interested in the menu stubborn little kitty? Although, i think we share a mutual disliking, mama knows better- gots 2 my kitty!

Sorry missed this before. Glad to see you've found some new vets. How is Peeko doing? Has she had the transfusion yet?

Thanks for your concerns, I'm frustrated. Peeko had a blood transfusion night before last. Before the transfusion her pcv had raised from 12% to 14% would it indicate that possibly the doxycycline and/or prednisone may have started helping? I relize she needed the transfusion regardless.
Is it odd that the first thing following the transfusion the vet recommended an ultra sound as next step before other tests, seeing if cancer is a facter and tomorrow the tech just happened to be making a special trip to the clinic but $380 is the cost- what's my choice?
I basically left the vet after Peekos transfusion in mind unless I can cough up a few more hundreds - thousands? in testing they can not help us, no hope again? I asked over the phone to discuss IFs and treatment no matter what the diagnose be, the dr. was not anywhere around when I came to pick peeks up- just staff. I mentioned in a phone conversation, if cancer was the cause, I had read a few places cats can respond well to chemo-pills and steroids-what her thoughts, she then said well only a few kinds of cancer that works. She told me to take til the end of the day to work on getting a co-signer for Care credit, something I mentioned may be my only chance.
Not one of the 3 vets have offered/suggested B vitamins. It feels like I am being played on my lack of knowledge and budget. A bone marrow test seems important, can't a complete blood test confirm a lot? I may not have much money, but I busted my bottom and came up with over $500.00 in about 3 days I'm beating myself up cuz I feel like I should / need to be doing more for my kitty & I'm not saying and asking the vet what I need to be. Peeko looks a little better, not too interested in food/water but a nibble of tuna, wet, and ONLY fresh water still no energy, breathing has improved- but not normal, pcv was 21% after transfusion yesterday. I'm thinking of trying out yet another vet. Can anyone help me list what is to be expected for the most part, generaly what tests are / should be 1st important, time wise when should doxycycline begin its full effect? as well as what I need to be asking and information they should be providing to me!?
I need to write a list-of pointing facts regarding peeks, my questions why certain tests may not / may be priority, etc... I feel so dumb and frustrated because I normally do research, read and find a satisfying solution to things I'm confronted with in life, i'm so stressed and emotional I feel like I'm not thinking rationally

Yes, I've no doubt she needed the blood transfusion in view of such a low PCV. Basically it's the only way to elevate it given the severity. How is she now? I think changing vets now would end up costing more.

Firstly, I would go back to the vets and ask about what I posted last time ie find out which type of anaemia it is. The vets may already know this. A bloodtest would confirm this and this is a crucial baseline test. The bone-marrow produces red-blood cells - regenerative anaemia means the bone marrow is producing new red blood cells which would indicate the problem doesn't originate there and has other causes. A CBC would also tell you a lot also - if other cells ie white cells and platelets were also low for instance, then this could point to a problem with the bone-marrow itself. A test would only be needed if the cause is here and here alone since there are other causes of bone marrow suppression ie kidney disease or iron dificiency. Agree the FIA test would also be important to exclude this in the early stages.

I would ask vets why they require an ultrasound. It could well be they suspect the anaemia is being caused by a problem with one of her organs bleeding into the abdomen. If this is the case then it would point to regenerative anaemia. I would also point out the rise from 12-14% in the PCV and in view of perceived response to steroids and antibiotics if they've ruled out infection/inflammatory causes. Sometimes the anaemia can be caused by haemobartonellosis (a parasite ) for instance.