Pet Lovers

[texassunflower]

I took my 8 1/2 year old cat to the vet today due to not eating and being lethargic. This happen on Sunday and I took him this morning. This happened last weekend too but he began eating after given Cerenia. Cerenia didn't work this time. He was diagnosed with anemia. Vet thinks his immune system is suppressed and he is unable to make red blood cells. Given a prescription for predisone twice a day and I call tomorrow to give her updates. Recheck bloodwork within 24 -48 hours. Needless to say, I am upset! The cat had complete bloodwork at the end of August and everything was normal. How can they can downhill so fast in one day? Has anyone had experience with anemia in a cat? If he doesn't eat tonight, I am sure I will have to syringe feed tomorrow. I googled anemia in cats and got different experiences with cat owners. I have to syringe feed my Mother's cat for 7 weeks. He began vomiting up food and water and finally had to let him go. He was 13. I know when you begin taking a cat to the vet often, it's not a good sign. I would appreciate anybody's experiences with cat anemia.

[FancyPhillyshopper]

It is first important to try to figure out what is CAUSING the anemia.

Your cat is not very old!

Many cats are reluctant eaters. Cats that do not get enough protein in their diets may have an iron deficiency.

Provide a variety of choices and warm up the food so the cat can smell it, if possible. 

One of my older cats (14 1/2) really likes those packets of semi-liquid foods that they lick.

See if he will eat a few of those crunchy treats, just to perk him up.

Perhaps the vet could prescribe an appetite stimulant.

Serious anemia could require a blood transfusion.

If the cause is kidney failure, there are a range of potential treatments.

[ciao_bella]

@texassunflower I have three kitties..all strays that I took in at one time or another after they landed on my outside deck.  One of my kitties, Squeaks, started throwing up food, losing weight and that progressed to an vet visit.  That was last year.  After many blood tests and other tests, she was diagnosed with pancreatitis, dehydration, anemia and we nearly lost her.  She spent several days in the vet's hospital.  She did pull through but she's now on Cerenia, prednisolone, and Mirataz which is an appetite stimulant.   She's thriving but only with the help of many medications.   Recently, she had a minor set back and had to be treated with an antibiotic.  Thankfully, the antibiotic cleared the problem and she's eating much better now. 

So, my suggestion would be to not take your cat's condition lightly.  Cat's can hide when they're in pain or sick, and it could develop into a much more serious problem if not addressed by the vet.   

[candys mine]

@texassunflower  First thing is to figure out what is causing the anemia.  It is usally a symptom of some other process.  Does kitty go outside by himself?  Some rodenticides cause anemia. some plants and vegetables cause anemia if eaten in enough quantity.  has kitty been leukemia tested?  Yes, bloodwork can change within a few months.  Plus cats are notorious for hiding their ills until they just cant do it any longer then you think it came on them all at once when it was that they never showed you they were ill.  My first cat was diagnosed with kidney disease when she was 8 yrs old. Anemia was always wtched for.   My last kitty had cancer and was anemic at the end.  The Vet wants to recheck your kitties blood to look for a trend.  The mirtazapine stimulates the appitite but it can also affect them mentally, make them anxious for a while.  Syringe feeding may indeed be benificial to get kitty over this hurdle.  I had to syringe feed my cat for 10 days before she started eating again on her own.  I was just about ready to give up but my Doc said it could take over a week before they turned around.  I hope you find answers. In the meanwhile sit with your kitty and offer your care and support.  He only knows he doesn't feel well and your comforting nearness will be a balm in itself. 

[texassunflower]

@ciao_bella I never wait more than a day if my cat is not eating to see the vet. I am just upset about the diagnosis when the cat was jumping around and eating on Saturday. He has been indoor/ outdoor until two months ago. I spent a great deal of money within a week and he has been indoor ever since. I inherited him from my neighbors when they moved. He is a grumpy cat and I dread having to give him daily medications. I always feel like I am being mean to him. The vet is waiting to see how he responses to meds. Bloodwork will be frequent for awhile.

[texassunflower]

@candys mine The vet is not sure what caused the anemia when it was normal two months ago. He has been indoors only for the past two months. He had an episode of vomiting and not eating two months ago but resumed eating with Cerenia. I have had to syringe feed before and the cat just gets tired of always having a syringe in his mouth. He is a grumpy cat but I want him to thrive.

[Kachina624]

I had a dog, a purebred smooth-coated collie rescued from a hoarding situation where 148 collies were seized, diagnosed with Immune Mediated Polyarthritis. Cats can also get this auto immune disorder.  To make a. long story short, after a year of nursing her, trying numerous medications, being treated by a specialty (internist) vet, having blood transfusions and incurring over $10,000 in medical and hospital bills we finally lost her, probably the saddest pet lost I ever had.

You can read about this condition.

https://vetspecialists.com/immune-mediated-polyarthritis-impa/

[Mz iMac]

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@texassunflower wrote:

I have had to syringe feed before and the cat just gets tired of always having a syringe in his mouth. He is a grumpy cat but I want him to thrive.

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@texassunflower 

Not sure if you have tried this......

Hold the cat down by the scruff of his neck while you are syringe feeding. 

Your cat should be very docile while doing this because it reminds them of how their mother carried them around.

[ciao_bella]

@texassunflower   If your vet prescribes mirtazapine (Miratz) for appetite, it comes in a transdermal tube.  You can simply apply it to the inside tip of the ear.  The same goes for prednisolone.  Just remember to use finger cots when applying.  Being able to apply them to the inner ear cause much less problem and kitty doesn't get upset.  Actually, mine seems to look forward to her ear being rubbed.  (One note, if you choose this method.  There can be buildup of the meds in the ear, so you need to use a baby wipe or similar to clean the area once or twice a week before applying the meds.

[texassunflower]

@ciao_bella  Thank you for that information. The predisone is liquid and a syringe isn't as bad as a pill. He tolerates that fairly well because it's quick. I follow with a squirt of water. Syringe feeding takes longer and is multiple times a day. I hope with the predisone he will eat on his own. Syringe feeding long term is a losing battle. They can't get the calories they need to survive. Mosey is a big boy. 16 pounds. I have a bad back and he is a chunk to handle. I will ask my vet about the gel.