Advise needed

[Cats-r-Kool]

My cat, Aspen, has recently been diagnosed with having a dangerously low blood platelet count of only 14. I am told that the average count in a cat is between 200-500. I took him to the Vet earlier this year when I noticed that he was occasionally vomiting. Nothing significant was found and it was recommended that I give him Famotidine, an acid reducer. He can be very difficult to deal with when it comes to taking medicine and I did not have much luck with the Famotidine. However, since the throwing up was only an occasional problem, I did not feel overly concerned. Recently, however, I noticed the appearance of a small amount of blood in his vomiting. I took him back to the Vets and additional tests were run, finding only that he has the low platelet count. Nothing showed on the x-rays, the feline leukemia came back negative, and nothing was found in the culture samples taken. It is now being recommended that I take him to a specialist for an abdominal ultra scan. I will do what is necessary to help Aspen, but I wanted to get the advice of those in this forum that are more knowledgeable than I. Since Aspen is almost 12 years old, and has a rather significant heart murmur (they tell me it’s a level 3 murmur) I don’t want to put him through any unnecessary trauma. Also, he is very difficult for the vet to work with. He needs to be anesthetized in order to have a through exam done. (I’ve tried several vets in the past, and it is the same with each). The Vet bills are piling up so I need to be cautious. On the other hand, I want to do whatever is necessary for my Cats welfare. I would appreciate any input.

[Cats-r-Kool]

My cat, Aspen, has recently been diagnosed with having a dangerously low blood platelet count of only 14. I am told that the average count in a cat is between 200-500. I took him to the Vet earlier this year when I noticed that he was occasionally vomiting. Nothing significant was found and it was recommended that I give him Famotidine, an acid reducer. He can be very difficult to deal with when it comes to taking medicine and I did not have much luck with the Famotidine. However, since the throwing up was only an occasional problem, I did not feel overly concerned. Recently, however, I noticed the appearance of a small amount of blood in his vomiting. I took him back to the Vets and additional tests were run, finding only that he has the low platelet count. Nothing showed on the x-rays, the feline leukemia came back negative, and nothing was found in the culture samples taken. It is now being recommended that I take him to a specialist for an abdominal ultra scan. I will do what is necessary to help Aspen, but I wanted to get the advice of those in this forum that are more knowledgeable than I. Since Aspen is almost 12 years old, and has a rather significant heart murmur (they tell me it’s a level 3 murmur) I don’t want to put him through any unnecessary trauma. Also, he is very difficult for the vet to work with. He needs to be anesthetized in order to have a through exam done. (I’ve tried several vets in the past, and it is the same with each). The Vet bills are piling up so I need to be cautious. On the other hand, I want to do whatever is necessary for my Cats welfare. I would appreciate any input.

[Julia423]

Poor thing. If the acid reducer was prescribed, I'd try to use it as directed even if Aspen doesn't take too well to being pilled. Sometimes blood will appear in vomit if the esophagus is irritated from an excess of acid. If you haven't been giving it to him, let the vet know so that that issue can be ruled out. If you are able to bear the $ burden of the scan, I'd suggest that you go ahead and find out as much as you can. Once you are armed with that information, you'll be able to make a clearer/more informed plan for Aspen's health care.
I do know how hard it is too make all of the decisions about health care, Aspen is young enough to warrant giving it a go.

But what has the vet said about the low platelet count in light of the negative leukemia test?

[Julia423]

Welcome!

I answered your post in the Cafe...

(here is what I put on that post...

Poor thing. If the acid reducer was prescribed, I'd try to use it as directed even if Aspen doesn't take too well to being pilled. Sometimes blood will appear in vomit if the esophagus is irritated from an excess of acid. If you haven't been giving it to him, let the vet know so that that issue can be ruled out. If you are able to bear the $ burden of the scan, I'd suggest that you go ahead and find out as much as you can. Once you are armed with that information, you'll be able to make a clearer/more informed plan for Aspen's health care.
I do know how hard it is too make all of the decisions about health care, Aspen is young enough to warrant giving it a go.

But what has the vet said about the low platelet count in light of the negative leukemia test? )

[DachshundDuo]

Originally Posted by Julia423

But what has the vet said about the low platelet count in light of the negative leukemia test?

That's what I am curious about as well.

I also know the cost, both emotionally and financially of having an ill pet. My best wishes for you and Aspen. In regards to what you should do - how is Aspen most of the time? Is he acting okay? Is the heart murmur causing any affects on him that are making him feel bad? I agree with Julia about giving the Famotidine - this medication is meant to protect the stomach. It ca also help stop any bleeding in the stomach. The platelet count is the clotting agent in the blood. A very low platelet count means that your cat could very well begin bleeding internally, which includes the stomach. Try to get him to take the pills, and find out what you can do to increase the platelets in his blood stream. I completely understand if you are getting financially strapped by vet bills. But, as Julia said, if it is something that you can afford, then I would get the ulta sound done. It could show if he is having any internal bleeding, or any thing that could be causing his problem.

Good luck, and please keep us updated.

[lindsayanng]

I just have to agree with everything that was said.. continue to give the meds and see where it goes from there.. Blood in the vomit is VERY serious, but since he was already diagnosed with something that COULD cause this, and the stress of going to the vet very well could make him worse, i would stick with the meds.

If you would like, i can give you a little tutorial on how to give a cat a pill as quickly and painlessly as possible

[lindsayanng]

I am going to put a report on this post so that a mod. can combine both.

[Cats-r-Kool]

Thanks to you all for your quick response. Your concern is touching. In answer to the questions that were posed:

Aspen appears very healthy, except for the occasional vomiting. His appetite is normal. In fact he has gained a pound since his last vet visit (could actually afford to lose a few pounds). I would say he is as active as any indoor cat of his age. He even plays some with the younger cat (I have 2 cats). She is not yet 2 years old.

The Vet is aware that Aspen does not take the acid reducer. She has said that they can formulate the medicine into a cat treat, which I will undoubtedly pursue.

In light of the negative leukemia diagnosis, they are recommending the ultra sound test. Short of that, they said that they can start him on Prednisone to combat the body’s destroying of the platelets.

My concern with the ultra sound is this:

Will it give me the proper information to treat Aspen? I worry, if something is found, how can he best be treated? Since he has the heart murmur, and he is so uncooperative at the vets (a real sweetie at home though) can he sustain a series of treatments. For example, if kemo is needed, how will he handle it?

I’ll keep you updated. Thanks again for you input. It is greatly appreciated.

[lindsayanng]

I dont really have too many answers for you, but one thing i CAN tell you is that chemo is more for the human and not for the pet. Most older animals will not deal with it well, and it usually just gives them a few more months of life, but at a cost. It makes them VERY VERY ill. I know a very well known vet in NYC and he does chemo treatments and has always told me he NEVER suggests it unless it is on a very young animal.. otherwise, the treatment alone can kill him.

Heat Murmur is also a cause for concern. My chili cat had a level 3 heart murmur, but it actually went away. They said the murmur was actually caused by stress (she had given birth to kittens about 3 months prior) and she actually does not have one now! I dont know HOW your kitty was diagnosed, but if it was during a vet appt. that was VERY stressful, you might want to re-test that..

With heart murmurs, you do have to be very concerned about anesthesia and weigh the possibility of a treatment or test that might require anesthesia vs. the complications it can cause.

[Julia423]

It sounds as if you have a very concerned vet. I like that she is willing to formulate Aspen's meds into a treat.

My experience with making these kinds of decisions was with my dog Max. What I chose to do was to sit down with my vet and weigh all of the information/diagnostics/health history as it pertained to my Max. When I had to decide whether or not to have a diagnostic ultra sound (for tumors)...I asked my vet the "what if" questions ... ie What if we see tumors? Is Max a good candidate for surgery? If we proceed to remove them, then what? If we decide to leave it alone, then what?

At that point, I was able to make a decision tailored to Max and my life with him. I chose not to pursue the diagnostic imaging (Max was older, had previous negative surgery experience, had heart murmur...etc). We chose action to make the remaining time in his life as comfortable as possible.

Cats can live pretty long lives. I'd probably suggest asking the vet the hypotheticals...the "what if" questions first. Then take it from there.

I hope I've helped in some way. Take good care of little Aspen.

[tiffers]

Ultrasound may or may not give you answers. There is no guarantee, and I am sorry your kitty is sick. If they do find something, you've got a 50% chance that it can be treated. On another note, Heart Murmurs are graded on a 1-6 scale, and 3 is not a death sentence by any means. Kitties can go a long time on Grade 3 Murmurs...even Grade 5 Murmurs.

If they have only found low platelets, do you know why they are wanting to do an ultrasound? Does your vet have something in mind?

I think, for a 12 year old cat to only have alarming platelets on his bloodwork...he's in pretty good shape. Usually, kitties are looking at crummy liver and kidney values...I think that the choice is inevitably up to you as to what needs to be done for Aspen. I STRONGLY suggest you sit down your vet...and the both of you need to go over the pro's and con's of the ultrasound and what possible outcomes there can be.

[special]

Originally Posted by lindsayanng

I dont really have too many answers for you, but one thing i CAN tell you is that chemo is more for the human and not for the pet. Most older animals will not deal with it well, and it usually just gives them a few more months of life, but at a cost. .

Actually animals deal much better than humans to chemo therapies.

To answer Cat-r-kool's request for other opinions:

Yes, I would do the ultrasound. 12, while considered a senior cat, is not really too old, in an otherwise healthy cat, to consider taking steps to keep him around a while longer. Do you trust your vet? Will you be seeing/talking to an interal medicine specialist at the time of the ultrasound?

A level 3 heart murmur is not that serious. My cat who is over 17 years od, with a host of disorders (CRF, hyperthyroid, highblood pressure, megacoon, arthritis and stroke) has a level 3 heart murmur and recently went through a dental cleaning and tooth extraction. the heart murmur was not affected in any way. The vet used a gas anesthesia

Welcome to the forum by the way, and feel free to stick around for the support you will find here, no matter what happens, and feel free to share stories and picutres of Aspen (great name!) and your younger cat, too.

[special]

PS regarding the pepcid (or whatever antacid you are using) if it is the taste that bothers Aspen, you can put the pill into a plain gel capsule, and it will slip down much easier, no sticking in the mouth or throat, and no taste at all.

He will adjust to the meidcation routine after awhile. the antacid will make a big difference, I know it does for my kitty. If she vomits, the first thing I do is look around to see if she somehow spit out that morning's pepcid somehow.

[dlaura]

I merged these two threads at Lindsay's request. We try to keep one thread per topic to prevent confusion of thinking "I already posted on this thread - why isn't my post here". It isn't there because there two identical threads - so that is why your threads have been merged.

[Cats-r-Kool]

Thanks to all who have given their input. I do feel somewhat better now about the ultrasound option. I had the impression that a level 3 murmur was pretty significant and that was part of my hesitation. I do still realize though that it is a consideration. Also, the Kemo option (which my Vet mentioned in passing) did, and still does, have me concerned. But that is putting the cart before the horse. It may not even come to that. I do trust my Vet. She wants to have as much information as possible so that she can make an informed decision about treatment. I will, however, make sure to follow up on the what if questions along the way.

Also, if anyone has suggestions on the best way to administer med’s, chime in. Aspen seems to have ESP. When I get close to him with anything, no matter how nonchalant I am, he still knows, and off he goes.

Thanks again to everyone. I’ll post an update when I know more.