Dear Melbeach: You are right in assuming that the blood transfusion will only give Brissle a temporary reprieve from the severe anemia. An HCT of 9 and below is considered within the parameters of "non-regenerative" anemia, i.e. not enough red blood cells are being produced to make up for those being destroyed.
Did the vet tell you what is causing the anemia? If it is caused by a blood parasite such as hemobaratonella, which can be difficult to diagnose, that can be treated with doxycycline. If the bone marrow is still able to produce red blood cells, sometimes Epogen and injectable steroids can have an effect. But if the anemia is FeLV-induced and due to destruction of the bone marrow, blood transfusions are only a temporary measure, nor will anything dietary in the way of iron or B-vite supplements have a significant effect...the HCT will continue to decline until insufficient RBC are being produced to sustain life and without enough oxygen, the organs will begin to "suffocate" and start to break down...the cat just gets weaker and weaker until death occurs. I'm not sure what your vet meant by being concerned about "lymph issues." Did he mean he thought Brissle might have lymphoma or cancer of the lymphatic system?? I am certainly no authority on reading blood values, but elevated Amylase can be due to kidney dysfunction or pancreatitis, and Globulin is a blood protein and can be elevated by chronic inflammation or "certain diseases," though which diseases do this were not specified. Brissle's HCT of 9.7% is borderline non-regenerative. The transfusion should improve that, and if her bone marrow is still functioning, there is a chance it may "take" and keep her going for a while, but, it will depend on whether or not her bone marrow can continue to produce sufficient RBC. I believe there is a test that can be done to determine that. Ask your vet. I lost my first FeLV+ kitten to non-regenertive anemia. She failed so quickly, there was nothing I could do to help her. Even if I'd been able to afford a transfusion for her, she was so weak the stress of the procedure may have been too much for her to handle, and when I talked to her via an animal communicator, she told me she did not think she could get well and wanted to leave her body, so I just kept her as comfortable as I could and she crossed over on her own volition. It was only 16 days from the time she first showed any symptoms (a runny eye and temp) to the day she passed. When a cat develops FeLV-induced, non-regnerative anemia, it is not a matter of "if" but "when" and the process usually proceeds rather quickly. A transfusion can help for a few days to a week, so I would enjoy whatever time you may have with Brissle. But do STAY POSITIVE and don't give up hope, yet, as there may be some other cause for her anemia that may be treatable. If there is not, realize you did everything you could, keep her comfortable and allow her to have a peaceful passing surrounded by your loving energy. Hoping for the best for Brissle and not the worst... Sally in San Jose
