Anaemia in FIV+ cat

[CeliaFate]

Our boy was diagnosed fiv+ 4 years ago, he's 13.
He's been acting out of sorts so I took him to the vets - heart was fast but there were 2 noisy dogs in the waiting room so he may have been scared, blood was taken and his liver, kidneys and thyroid are fine but he's anaemic.
He stayed in overnight on a drip and has come home now. He's ok but is sleeping a lot and hasn't show much personality (he's normally more like a dog than a cat, wants to keep you company and "chats" to you).
The vet was unable to suggest any treatment.
Is there anything I can do, or is this the start of a serious decline?

[cozietoesie]

I didn't want to let your post go unanswered, Celia. One of the vets who post would probably be more help (I've never had a cat with serious anaemia) but given his age and his underlying condition, a read of the general guidance is not very positive I'm afraid.

Is he eating/drinking and seeming happy enough at the moment? (Although I saw that you said he was a bit subdued.)

[CeliaFate]

Thanks for replying. He's better now he's home and he's eating little bits of indulgent food - tins of AD pate type food from the vets, Dreamies, rice pudding and well cooked poached egg.
He's happy enough and doesn't seem in any pain. He loved going into the garden, did a circuit of weeing on every bush he could.
I suppose all we can do is look after him till his little body can't take any more.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Have they looked for the parasite haemabartonella felis (or whatever name it is called this year) also known as feline infectious anaemia. It is an opportunist taking advantage of already weak patients. If it has not precipitated an immune mediated haemolytic anaemia it can be fairly easily treated.

[cozietoesie]

What would be the likeliest disease vector for that Lone? (eg bites, saliva etc from going outside and meeting other cats ?)

[cozietoesie]

Celia

When my own Seniorboy came to live with me at 14, he wasn't expected to live for much more than a few weeks so he was also allowed to have a (seriously) indulgent diet.

That was nearly six years ago. (Six years of pretty indulgent diet as well.) You have been warned.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Flea faeces are the most common transmission route.

[CeliaFate]

I love it cozie, hope he's fit and well.

I mentioned worms to the vet, but she didn't think that likely. I'm taking him back for a check up on Wednesday so I'll mention that parasite. He's a hunter and a fighter (or was in his youth) so it's possible.

[Fluffycloudland77]

One of our cats had that parasite, it went untreated for a few weeks though because my parents wouldn't pay for a vet so I had to wait for my redundancy money to come through.

[CeliaFate]

How was it diagnosed, Fluffy? He's had full blood count tests and organ checks.

[Fluffycloudland77]

He had a blood test. A full blood count in humans would be a count of each type of blood cell.

It wouldn't necessarily pick up a parasite.

[cozietoesie]

Here's a little article on it - albeit one from the States. As you have a vet on the thread, though, keep a weather eye on it for any future comments.

It looks as if the blighters are sometimes there and sometimes not (cyclical presence) so treatment is often started on spec. Wouldn't you just know it, eh?