I don't know if it helps, but my FeLV+ kitty gets anemic from time to
time and I ahve had wonderful results with Pet-Tinic. It is a liquid
vitamin with iron. The vets all used to carry it, but I got my last
bottle for Amazon and it is cheap. Carolyn
On Wed, Feb 26, 2014 at 5:52 AM, Margo wrote:
Hi Susan,
I haven't dealt with anemia in FeLV+ cats, but have
with other causes. That's the problem, there are so many possible
reasons for the anemia. Without knowing what's actually causing it, it's
tough to treat. sensibly. I'd always include B vitamins and an iron
source. You don't give the actual HCT, so this may not apply;
From http://www.felinecrf.org/anaemia.htm
<http://www.felinecrf.org/anaemia.htm>
<http://www.felinecrf.org/anaemia.htm>
"Unfortunately t he reticulocyte test (which at most laboratories only
measures aggregate reticulocytes) is unlikely to be reliable unless the
anaemia is relatively severe . A naemia needs to be prett y bad before a
brisk regenerative response is considered necessary by the cat's body ,
so there is little point test ing for reticulocytes unless the PCV has
been below 20% for five days or longer. In addition, most vets cannot
test reticulocytes in house, so the test has to be sent out to a lab,
which takes more time. <http://www.felinecrf.org/anaemia.htm>
<http://www.felinecrf.org/anaemia.htm>
Because of this, some vets simply assume that a CKD cat with anaemia is
suffering from non-regenerative anaemia caused by a lack of
erythropoietin production and treat accordingly. For cats with milder
anaemia (PCV above 20%), they may recommend B vitamins. For cats with
PCV below 20%, it is trickier. In these cases, the anaemia is a more
urgent problem and you need to act quickly , especially if your cat
seems poorly, so your vet may recommend the use of Erythropoiesis
Stimulating Agents (ESAs) <http://www.felinecrf.org/esas.htm> (Epogen,
Aranesp etc . ), which are used for non-regenerative anaemia caused by a
lack of erythropoietin production. I n view of the possible risks
associated with this treatment, you might wish to wait five days and
have the reticulocyte test done to be sure you really are dealing with
non-regenerative anaemia ; but on the other hand, ESAs take up to two
weeks to start taking effect, so waiting may be risky because your cat
will not be feeling well and the anaemia may worsen while you wait."
If possible, I'd ask what other causes the Vet thinks
possible, and rule them out. If it's FeLV related, I don't think basic
treatment would be any different, but it might help to rules some
options out or in.
Sorry I can't be more help, I'll keep looking.
Margo
-----Original Message-----
From: Susan Loesch
To: felvtalk
Sent: Tue, Feb 25, 2014 12:56 pm
Subject: [Felvtalk] newly diagnosed woth non-regenerative anemia
Hello, folks...I haven't had any Felv kitties in a while but now have a
positive
who is close to a year old. She was just pulled from a local
shelter...she had
begun eating litter and wasn't going to get any vet care. She had been
tested
when she came to the shelter a few months ago and they knew she was
positive but
no followup care or testing was done.
We immediately took her to our vet for bloodwork...she is anemic but not
bad
enough yet for a transfusion, and the anemia is definitely
non-regenerative.
We think that she was probably born positive...the group of cats she
came in
with...30 or so...had a number of positive adults, none altered. So her
life
will likely be quite short, and already being anemic doesn't bode well.
SO...those of you who have dealt with a kitty in this situation...what
do you
recommend to give her the best chance at the most quality time? I have
always
found that info from this list was better than from vets who deal only
marginally with Felv.
Thank you!
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