anemia - continuation of hyperthyroid post

Well I finally got the results back on my Elvis today. He has
non-regenerative anemia. All his kidney functions, etc are good, though and
he tested negative for leukemia, FIV (both of which he had been tested for
years ago) and heartworm. He has every symptom of the hyperthyroidism
except vomiting but his thyroid #'s were in the normal range. However, the
vet suggested giving him a trial run on Tapazole because the thyroid comes
back sometimes with false negatives due to illness suppression - and he was
treated in Oct. through Nov. for a very severe kidney infection (functions
are all ok though) and then in Dec. for an URI. I have to take him back in
2 weeks and give him Hi-Vites 2x a day. He's going on 5mg. Tapazole once a
day.
The anemia is upsetting, though. They will follow up on that if the
Tapazole doesn't help any. My poor little boy. He's down to 6 lbs. but
eats like a horse. Thanks for any input on the anemia/hyperthyroidism.
Carol

"ElvisRocks" wrote in message
...

Well I finally got the results back on my Elvis today. He has
non-regenerative anemia. All his kidney functions, etc are good, though
and
he tested negative for leukemia, FIV (both of which he had been tested for
years ago) and heartworm. He has every symptom of the hyperthyroidism
except vomiting but his thyroid #'s were in the normal range. However,
the
vet suggested giving him a trial run on Tapazole because the thyroid comes
back sometimes with false negatives due to illness suppression - and he
was
treated in Oct. through Nov. for a very severe kidney infection (functions
are all ok though) and then in Dec. for an URI. I have to take him back
in
2 weeks and give him Hi-Vites 2x a day. He's going on 5mg. Tapazole once
a
day.
The anemia is upsetting, though. They will follow up on that if the
Tapazole doesn't help any. My poor little boy. He's down to 6 lbs. but
eats like a horse. Thanks for any input on the anemia/hyperthyroidism.
Carol

Don't know if this would be applicable for him if the anemia doesn't clear
up, but... when my CRF cat developed severe anemia, I gave her Procrit
injections. Each bottle was pricey ($55 - 60 per bottle, lasting for 6
injections each, given every 3rd day, *IIRC*), but the injections were a
snap to give & they did work.

Cathy

"ElvisRocks" wrote in message
...

Well I finally got the results back on my Elvis today. He has
non-regenerative anemia. All his kidney functions, etc are good, though
and
he tested negative for leukemia, FIV (both of which he had been tested for
years ago) and heartworm. He has every symptom of the hyperthyroidism
except vomiting but his thyroid #'s were in the normal range. However,
the
vet suggested giving him a trial run on Tapazole because the thyroid comes
back sometimes with false negatives due to illness suppression - and he
was
treated in Oct. through Nov. for a very severe kidney infection (functions
are all ok though) and then in Dec. for an URI. I have to take him back
in
2 weeks and give him Hi-Vites 2x a day. He's going on 5mg. Tapazole once
a
day.
The anemia is upsetting, though. They will follow up on that if the
Tapazole doesn't help any. My poor little boy. He's down to 6 lbs. but
eats like a horse. Thanks for any input on the anemia/hyperthyroidism.


Carol, I don't know a thing about anemia except that it is great that
you got Elvis in when you did, as I have heard of cats dying of it.
I am so glad Elvis has a treatable condition and wish him a speedy
recovery.

"ElvisRocks" wrote in message
...

Well I finally got the results back on my Elvis today. He has
non-regenerative anemia. All his kidney functions, etc are good, though
and
he tested negative for leukemia, FIV (both of which he had been tested for
years ago) and heartworm. He has every symptom of the hyperthyroidism
except vomiting but his thyroid #'s were in the normal range. However,
the
vet suggested giving him a trial run on Tapazole because the thyroid comes
back sometimes with false negatives due to illness suppression - and he
was
treated in Oct. through Nov. for a very severe kidney infection (functions
are all ok though) and then in Dec. for an URI. I have to take him back
in
2 weeks and give him Hi-Vites 2x a day. He's going on 5mg. Tapazole once
a
day.
The anemia is upsetting, though. They will follow up on that if the
Tapazole doesn't help any. My poor little boy. He's down to 6 lbs. but
eats like a horse. Thanks for any input on the anemia/hyperthyroidism.
Carol

**Hi Carol,

Has his heart been checked out? I've read somewhere that anemia may* be a
side symptom of a potential heart issue. Wouldn't hurt to ask you vet what
he thinks. In the meantime, you might try making him some calf's liver with
a small amount brown rice stirred in. This will help by putting some iron
into his system, at least. Best of luck to you and your sweet boy, and
please continue to keep us posted.

ML

"ElvisRocks" wrote in message
...

Well I finally got the results back on my Elvis today. He has
non-regenerative anemia.

Have his PCV, RBC count, hemoglobin, and reticulocyte count
checked again when you bring him in to check is potassium levels. Sometimes
it takes the bone marrow awhile to kick in and start increasing
erythropoiesis (RBC production) in response to an sudden demand. So, a cat
in the early stages of some other disease that might cause hemolysis - or
even hemorrhage - could look like nonregenerative anemia.

Do his stools look dark and tarry?

Do you live in an older house that you're remodeling or might have some
chipping paint? Feline blood is very susceptible to damage - especially from
lead and even more so from oxidation (e.g., onions, tylenol) because its has
4x as many SH groups than most other species.


All his kidney functions, etc are good, though and
he tested negative for leukemia, FIV (both of which he had been tested for
years ago) and heartworm. He has every symptom of the hyperthyroidism
except vomiting but his thyroid #'s were in the normal range. However,
the
vet suggested giving him a trial run on Tapazole because the thyroid comes
back sometimes with false negatives due to illness suppression - and he
was
treated in Oct. through Nov. for a very severe kidney infection (functions
are all ok though) and then in Dec. for an URI. I have to take him back
in
2 weeks and give him Hi-Vites 2x a day. He's going on 5mg. Tapazole once
a
day.
The anemia is upsetting, though. They will follow up on that if the
Tapazole doesn't help any. My poor little boy. He's down to 6 lbs. but
eats like a horse. Thanks for any input on the anemia/hyperthyroidism.
Carol


Did you mention the fT4ED assay for hyperthyroidism to your vet?

Phil