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Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / January 2006Jessie's Blood Test Results
Her T3s look fine and there is no other indication of thyroid problems, her BUN and creatinin levels are perfect. The only abnormality was a low white blood cell count. This is ominous because it's the second time within a year that she's had a low white blood cell count (the last time was back in June of 2005) and that could point to FIV. I have to get on the phone to all her past vets to see if she has ever been immunized for FIV because if she doesn't spring back to health in the next week or so they want to test her for it (and if she's ever been immunized for it, it will show up as a positive reading). They gave her some Clavamox to keep her from getting any secondary infections while she's in a weakened condition. Any ideas anyone? Comments? Like experiences? Do you think I should take her to her regular vet (this would probably involve about a $300 - $400 fee if they want to retest, and it was her regular vet who'd tested and found the low white blood cell count less than a year ago). I'm getting kind of panicked here - do you think she could have contracted FIV in any of the short forays she's spent when she escaped outside? Should she be segregated from my other cats?  SignatureHugs, CatNipped See all my masters at: http://www.PossiblePlaces.com/CatNipped/ <snip> >Any ideas anyone? Comments? Like experiences? Do you think I should take >her to her regular vet (this would probably involve about a $300 - $400 fee [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >FIV in any of the short forays she's spent when she escaped outside? Should >she be segregated from my other cats? Hi Catnipped, No, you don't have to segregate her! There are several FIV groups on Yahoo - the one I am a member of is called FIV-Cats. This is from their welcome message: Feline Immunodeficiency Virus infects 1% of cats in the US. It is transmitted by deep bites and mating behavior. It cannot be transmitted by casual contact and it is not a death sentence. Please join the list! They have very good people on there with lots of experience! Patti > <snip> >> Any ideas anyone? Comments? Like experiences? Do you think I should take [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > their welcome message: Feline Immunodeficiency Virus infects 1% of > cats in the US. > It is transmitted by deep bites and mating behavior. > It cannot be transmitted by casual contact I only take exception to this statement. I would just as many references from Vets in a quick web search that states that it is possible but unlikely to be transmitted this way as those who agreed with you. > Any ideas anyone? Comments? Like experiences? Do you think I should take > her to her regular vet (this would probably involve about a $300 - $400 fee [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > FIV in any of the short forays she's spent when she escaped outside? Should > she be segregated from my other cats? First step is to take a deep breath and calm down. :o) Good, now you've done that... ;o) FIV+ (IF it is FIV) can live perfectly well with non FIV cats with little or no risk of transmission. I have a friend who has a 50/50 mix of FIV+ and FIV negative cats in a large multicat household with no problems at all. (She has about 6 or 7 cats) So IF Jess is FIV+, the only thing you need to be is extra vigalent with infections, vet visits etc as they are immunocomprimised. Most FIV+ cats live long, health active lives. Yes, I think if it hasn't been done, you should get a complete blood panel done. At least then you can compare it and see if there are any changes. However, the price you quote seems very steep. In the UK an FIV/FeLV snap test is about $50, lab tests about $70 and a full blood panel sent to the lab around $150 (max). Purrs and prayers coming. Helen M Helen M No advice Lori, just Spicey purrs. Suz&Spicey >Her T3s look fine and there is no other indication of thyroid problems, her >BUN and creatinin levels are perfect. [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] >FIV in any of the short forays she's spent when she escaped outside? Should >she be segregated from my other cats? I have no advice except Stinky had a similar episode a few months ago, plus anemia, and he is fine now. Purrs for Jessie to be herself again soon. Theresa Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com Make Levees, Not War > Her T3s look fine and there is no other indication of thyroid problems, her > BUN and creatinin levels are perfect. [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > FIV in any of the short forays she's spent when she escaped outside? Should > she be segregated from my other cats? I can't tell you what to do, but if I were in your position, I'd probably take her to my regular vet. I'd ask the one you went to, or have your vet ask, for a copy of the reports from the tests they took, so they don't have to be repeated. Your vet could then make a finding based on those results or decide if any further tests were needed. Best of wishes to you, Jessie and the gang. Joy > Any ideas anyone? Comments? Like experiences? Do you think I > should take her to her regular vet (this would probably involve > about a $300 - $400 fee if they want to retest, and it was her > regular vet who'd tested and found the low white blood cell > count less than a year ago). I know nothing about FIV other than what others have said, that it is commonly tranmitted via deep bites and mating. While researching cats coexisting when there is a FeLV+ cat, I came across many articals saying FIV+ is easier on the housemates than FeLV+ cat housemates. Comment about the hypoT test, I know that Phil has written many times that a T3 test isn't enough, and that a T4 is required for accuracy. Again, I have no experience with these tests. SignatureCheryl >> Any ideas anyone? Comments? Like experiences? Do you think I >> should take her to her regular vet (this would probably involve [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > that a T3 test isn't enough, and that a T4 is required for accuracy. > Again, I have no experience with these tests. They did that too - they did a "thyroid profile", and other blood work (her glucose was a bit low, they said maybe from being off her feed, and her cholesterol was a bit high - but other than that and the low white cell count, everything was in the green). After reading the comments here about FIV, I'm wondering how/where Jessie would have gotten it, *IF* she has it. She tested negative for it in December of 1999. Yes, she has gotten out a few times, but the absolute longest was from about 11:00PM until 6:00AM (when my granddaughters let her slip out and I didn't find out about it until I heard her meowing at the front door the next morning) - most of the time it's just for a few minutes until we can chase her down and bring her back inside. She was spayed at the same time she tested negative for FIV and she has never come home with any type of injury. If FIV is only transmitted from bite wounds and mating, I don't see how she could have gotten it. I'm definitely going to have her tested for it, if only for my peace of mind, but worst case so I can give her any extra care she might need with a compromised immune system. SignatureHugs, CatNipped See all my masters at: http://www.PossiblePlaces.com/CatNipped/ > They did that too - they did a "thyroid profile", and other blood work (her > glucose was a bit low, they said maybe from being off her feed, and her > cholesterol was a bit high - but other than that and the low white cell > count, everything was in the green). I would be worried about FIV *and* FeLV. She could also have some other sort of viral infection that they can't diagnose. > After reading the comments here about FIV, I'm wondering how/where Jessie > would have gotten it, *IF* she has it. She tested negative for it in > December of 1999. Was she a kitten? >Yes, she has gotten out a few times, but the absolute > longest was from about 11:00PM until 6:00AM (when my granddaughters let her > slip out and I didn't find out about it until I heard her meowing at the > front door the next morning) - most of the time it's just for a few minutes > until we can chase her down and bring her back inside. One exposure would be enough. Are there a lot of roaming cats around where you live? > She was spayed at the same time she tested negative for FIV and she has > never come home with any type of injury. If FIV is only transmitted from > bite wounds and mating, I don't see how she could have gotten it. You may not see the wound - especially if it was between the toes or in her mouth, or something... > I'm > definitely going to have her tested for it, if only for my peace of mind, > but worst case so I can give her any extra care she might need with a > compromised immune system. I would do the FeLV/FIV double panel - it shouldn't cost more than $30 - usually about $15. Find out her history of vaccinations. I would read up on boosting immune sytems - I know interferon is used in felines and there may be better drugs/treatments. You mentioned something about $300-400 bucks for a test- what was that? A blood panel including T4 shouldn't cost you much more than $100, but you have already done that, yes?. I know the more extensive thyroid screen they do [free-T4 equilibrium dialysis, or fT4(ed)] runs an extra $20-$65, and is only warranted if the T4 level is borderline or warrants further testing. I would not do more testing for WBC - you have had two low counts so far and that's indicative of a problem. Sorry if I missed something - it's late here and I have a killer headache. This just really sucks, and unfortunately, it is these types of cases that vet medicine can't always diagnose. Good luck and keep us posted! -L. >> They did that too - they did a "thyroid profile", and other blood work >> (her [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > I would be worried about FIV *and* FeLV. She could also have some > other sort of viral infection that they can't diagnose. She was tested for all of that in December of 1999 (at six months of age) when she was spayed and vaccinated for the first time (we had just gotten her). She has never missed an immunization since then - not even a few weeks late. >> After reading the comments here about FIV, I'm wondering how/where Jessie >> would have gotten it, *IF* she has it. She tested negative for it in [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > One exposure would be enough. Are there a lot of roaming cats around > where you live? Not "al lot", but I see at least a cat or two per block when I'm riding my bike that seem to be indoor/outdoor pets. >> She was spayed at the same time she tested negative for FIV and she has >> never come home with any type of injury. If FIV is only transmitted from >> bite wounds and mating, I don't see how she could have gotten it. > > You may not see the wound - especially if it was between the toes or in > her mouth, or something... Yeah, but Jessie is a drama queen. After she got home from her blood tests (on stick in each front leg since the first one clotted) she threw herself around the living room licking vigorously at each injection site and then walking over to the fish tank for some tropical fish flakes (her comfort food). She had about quit this after a couple of hours, but when DH got home she started doing it all over again. When she got a tiny scratch on her paw pad she limped around for two days! I just don't think she would have hidden an injury from us. >> I'm >> definitely going to have her tested for it, if only for my peace of mind, [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > read up on boosting immune sytems - I know interferon is used in > felines and there may be better drugs/treatments. Yeah, I will do that. > You mentioned something about $300-400 bucks for a test- what was that? > A blood panel including T4 shouldn't cost you much more than $100, but [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > Sorry if I missed something - it's late here and I have a killer > headache. *This* vet was reasonably priced. They charged me $25 for the visit, $15 for the fecal exam, $15 for the worming medicine, $75 for the WBC/RBC/PLT, and $30 for the thyroid panel. My regular vet charges just about *twice* as much as this vet (her offices and staff are *MUCH* nicer, the place doesn't stink, and there are no d*gs there - it's a "just cats" vet - but you have to *PAY* for those amenities). I'm just figuring if I take her there they will want to do all those tests over again and it will cost twice as much as what I paid at this vet. > This just really sucks, and unfortunately, it is these types of cases > that vet medicine can't always diagnose. Good luck and keep us posted! > > -L. Thanks, I will. SignatureHugs, CatNipped See all my masters at: http://www.PossiblePlaces.com/CatNipped/ > > Any ideas anyone? Comments? Like experiences? Do you think I > > should take her to her regular vet (this would probably involve [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > that a T3 test isn't enough, and that a T4 is required for accuracy. > Again, I have no experience with these tests. In human endocrinology, if there's to be only one thyroid function test, it's generally TSH. Both T3 and T4 add information. -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- From: "CatNipped" <lcrews@houston.rr.com> >The only abnormality was a low white blood cell count. This is ominous >because it's the second time within a year that she's had a low white blood >cell count (the last time was back in June of 2005) and that could point to >FIV. TK has tested 3 times with a low white count. Ranging from low normal to a bit below the normal range. That just seems to be "normal" for him. He's had the ELISA tests for FIV, FLV, and come up negative on both. >They gave her some Clavamox to keep her from getting any secondary >infections while she's in a weakened condition. A low white count indicates a lack of infection. What is the vet calling the primary infection? >Do you think I should take >her to her regular vet (this would probably involve about a $300 - $400 fee >if they want to retest, and it was her regular vet who'd tested and found >the low white blood cell count less than a year ago). Yes, if for no other reason than peace of mind. $300 - 400 seems awfully steep. TK had a short physical and the FIV, FLV tests at a total cost of $85. Another full blood workup would have been an added $60. Does the vet drive a Lamborghini? > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- > [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > just seems to be "normal" for him. He's had the ELISA > tests for FIV, FLV, and come up negative on both. I'm hoping that this is the case with Jessie too. >>They gave her some Clavamox to keep her from getting any secondary >>infections while she's in a weakened condition. > > A low white count indicates a lack of infection. > What is the vet calling the primary infection? There wasn't any infection. She gave her the Clavamox to prevent a secondary infection since a low white blood cell count means Jessie's immune system is compromised at the moment. It's kind of like human AIDS patients - they seldom die from AIDS, they die from pnuemonia and other infections that their body can no longer fight off. >>Do you think I should take >>her to her regular vet (this would probably involve about a $300 - $400 [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > of $85. Another full blood workup would have been > an added $60. As I replied to Lyn, yes she is high - she offers much more amenities, such its this being a "just cats" vet. The office is huge, spotless, and smells nice. She has a large, caring, competent staff who are alwyas calling you for followup care and questions. > Does the vet drive a Lamborghini? No, but she practices in "The Woodlands" - a *VERY* high rent district (their mall has valet parking - no sh*t)! SignatureHugs, CatNipped See all my masters at: http://www.PossiblePlaces.com/CatNipped/ > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- > Version: N/A [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > =amIv > -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- <snip> >Any ideas anyone? Comments? Like experiences? Do you think I should take >her to her regular vet (this would probably involve about a $300 - $400 fee [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >FIV in any of the short forays she's spent when she escaped outside? Should >she be segregated from my other cats? I'm late readling this, but reading others' comments I hope help calm you - at least a little, since I know you worry about your furkids like I do. Purrs that Jessie is back to fighting form soon SignatureSteve Touchstone, faithful servant of Sammy, Little Bit and Spot with loving memories of Rocky (RB) stouchst@JUNKsirinet.net [remove Junk for email] Home Page: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/index.html Cat Pix: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/animals.html > Her T3s look fine and there is no other indication of thyroid problems, her > BUN and creatinin levels are perfect. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > cell count (the last time was back in June of 2005) and that could point to > FIV. <snip> Maybe a low white blood cell count is normal for her? We are hoping and purring it is nothing major, Polonca and Soncek >> Her T3s look fine and there is no other indication of thyroid problems, >> her BUN and creatinin levels are perfect. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > Maybe a low white blood cell count is normal for her? > We are hoping and purring it is nothing major, That's what I'm hoping too. She's had 3 doses of her Clavamox and it's been 4 days since she got the worm medicine and she's positively bouncing off the walls today. I think I'm still going to have the FIV/FeLV test done, though. SignatureHugs, CatNipped See all my masters at: http://www.PossiblePlaces.com/CatNipped/ > Polonca and Soncek >> Maybe a low white blood cell count is normal for her? >> We are hoping and purring it is nothing major, [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > >CatNipped I am so happy to hear that dear Jessie feels better! Elisabet CatNipped wrote: > She's had 3 doses of her Clavamox and it's been 4 days since she > got the worm medicine and she's positively bouncing off the walls > today. Hooray!! I'm really glad to hear this! Joyce >>> Her T3s look fine and there is no other indication of thyroid problems, >>> her BUN and creatinin levels are perfect. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > off the walls today. I think I'm still going to have the FIV/FeLV test > done, though. That's such good news that she's now feeling great. In your position I wouldn't bother with the FIV/FeLV tests at the moment but that's just a personal opinion. The chances of her being infected by a few minutes/hours outside on a couple of occasions are miniscule. Tweed > Her T3s look fine and there is no other indication of thyroid problems, her > BUN and creatinin levels are perfect. [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > if they want to retest, and it was her regular vet who'd tested and found > the low white blood cell count less than a year ago). Unless there were clinical changes, I'd hesitate before retesting. Most tests are semi-automated these days, and very trustworthy. When I check blood sugar today with a fingerstick, I laugh when I remember a 1964 laboratory where one centrifuged, mixed, boiled, mixed, and eventually did color comparisons -- about an hour on the bench rather than 10 seconds. Those lengthy manual tests were less accurate than today's. > I'm getting kind of panicked here - do you think she could have contracted > FIV in any of the short forays she's spent when she escaped outside? Should > she be segregated from my other cats? |
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