My cat had an anemia transfusion. Is a fluctuating blood count normal?

Much more information would be required in order to make any sense or use of blood results, a summary of what has been concerning you, her signs and symptoms and response to any previous treatment i would be required at a minimum. It is unusual to have a high RBC/HCT (more than normal red blood cells )and low MCH/MCHC (usually found when recovering from anaemia). This may indicate the red blood cell production process is gone wrong and an examination of the cells under a microscope by a specialist pathologist and possible bone marrow biopsy may be required. Occasionally accidental exposure to human medications used to promote blood production can produce similar results

Pets that are anemic have a decreased ability to oxygenate their body, since red blood cells carry oxygen. While some increased respiratory rate is expected, it has me very concerned. Oxygen therapy will help to make sure that every red blood cell is filled with as much oxygen as possible. I would recommend discussing this with the vet and inquire about oxygen therapy and continued hospitalization.

Hello, & thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I am so sorry about little Zora. Yes, it can take some time for her body to heal. The blood transfusion probably saved her life, but now her bone marrow has to kick into high gear to replace those missing & destroyed red blood cells. It can take up to 3 weeks for her blood count to return & stay at a normal level. This does not mean she will be weak & lethargic the whole time, she should get stronger every day. Stay in close contact with your veterinarian, do not skip recheck visits, & keep her as protected as possible. Her immune system is pretty weak, not only from being so young, but from the anemia, so keep her indoors & away from any unvaccinated cats. With time, she should get well, & have a normal life. Take care & all the best for little Zora.

Poor Newt! Ultrasounds are wonderful tests that are non-invasive that can give you a ton of information as to what is going on internally. It may be that that is the best next step for her to figure out what is going on. I would also make sure that you have tested her for feline leukemia as well as FIV to rule those out as causes for her anemia. Transfused blood doesn't last as long in the body as the cats normal blood, so it is not uncommon to have the red cell count drop a little. Depending on how her numbers were before and where she is now, it may or may not be a significant drop in her numbers. I am more concerned that she is not feeling well again. I think more tests are warranted to figure out what is going on. However, if you are unable to afford the tests or do not want to pursue the next recommended step, I would talk to your vet about doing a trial of treatments to see if Newt improves based on what your vet thinks is going on. There are risks with this as we often are guessing as to what is going on, but sometimes it is what we have to do. Occasionally we don't get to the bottom of what the underlying cause is exactly, but supportive care can help significantly and these animals will improve. Good luck! I hope Newt starts improving soon!

The amount of time it takes for an animal to recover from anemia depends on the cause. There are multiple types of anemia and many causes of anemia. Infection, decreased production, destruction and hemorrhage. Diagnosis of anemia can sometimes be a bit tricky. However, that being said I would at least check for some of the most common infectious diseases that lead to anemia. There are infectious disease blood panels I can be sent out to the laboratory that test for a multitude of infectious organisms that can potentially cause anemia. If an abdominal ultrasound has not been performed, I would consider having this done as part of a full workup as well as a urinalysis. Without seeing her for an examination and not having the blood work in front of me, it is difficult to guide you in the exact direction that you should go. These are just some suggestions four cases that I commonly see. A reticulocyte count may also help in ruling out causes. A reticulocyte count tells us if the anemia is regenerative or non regenerative which helps us rule out certain causes of the anemia. I hope this helps! Please feel free to contact me with any other questions or concerns that you may have. If you would like to talk more in detail about her case so that I may look at blood work and other lab results I am available via text or phone console if needed.

My concerns are that Kim has a high white blood count (indicating possible infection or immune mediated infection) and REALLY low hematocrit of 12%. The hematocrit is the percentage of red blood cells in the body. Usually when it is that low, the animal needs a blood transfusion. Granted I didn't do the exam on him so I would call your vet to discuss if this is needed, as well as additional diagnostics or medicines. I would also talk to them about whethe he needs to be hospitalized in a 24 hour care until he is more stable as he sounds very sick. I hope this helps and he starts to feel better really soon.

Goodness, I am so sorry for your loss. Based on this bloodwork and on what you’re telling me, I think that euthanasia was a very reasonable and humane decision. Not only were the red cells low, but the white blood cells and platelets as well, and there isn’t any evidence of the body trying to “regenerate” these cells on the bloodwork you’ve attached. A transfusion may have given a temporary “Bandaid” to the situation, but I’m afraid that a cure was likely impossible. I know how difficult these decisions are. Please rest assured that you did the best thing for your kitty. I’m afraid continuing to treat would likely have only prolonged your cat’s suffering. You have my sincere sympathy for your loss. Please let us know if you have any other questions we can help you with.