Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Two kittens developed aplastic anemia after a prescription error
By Paul, April L et al.·Published in Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association·2008·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Aplastic anemia in two kittens following a prescription error.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
Two kittens were brought in after receiving the wrong medication, which led to severe weakness, fever, and bleeding from the nose and mouth. Blood tests showed they had aplastic anemia, a condition where the bone marrow doesn't produce enough blood cells. The veterinarians treated them with blood transfusions, antibiotics, and a special medication to help boost their blood cell production. One kitten recovered completely, but unfortunately, the other did not respond to treatment and passed away after 40 days. Both kittens also developed an infection from a contaminated blood transfusion during their treatment.
People also search for: kitten weakness and bleeding · azathioprine side effects in cats · treatment for kitten anemia · blood transfusion risks in cats
Abstract
A medication error resulted in two kittens being treated with azathioprine (12 and 12.5 mg/kg) instead of azithromycin for 2 weeks. On clinical examination, the kittens were febrile, weak, and had oronasal hemorrhage. Complete blood cell counts indicated severe bone marrow suppression. Treatment consisted of multiple transfusions, antibiotics, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. One of the kittens responded to therapy and had a complete recovery. The other kitten was treated for 40 days with no clinical response before dying. Both kittens also contracted Mycoplasma hemofelis infection from a contaminated blood transfusion.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18175796/