Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Non-regenerative immune anemia in cats under 3 years
By Black, Victoria et al.·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2016·University of Bristol, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Feline non-regenerative immune-mediated anaemia: features and outcome in 15 cases.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A young cat was diagnosed with a type of anemia caused by the immune system attacking its own red blood cells. The cat showed signs of weakness and needed blood transfusions to help manage its condition. After starting treatment with immunosuppressive medications, most cats in the study, including this one, began to recover within a few weeks, although some needed ongoing treatment to prevent relapse. The overall outlook for cats with this type of anemia is generally positive, but close monitoring is essential.
People also search for: cat anemia treatment · immune-mediated anemia in cats · cat blood transfusion recovery
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) and non-regenerative immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (NRIMHA) are uncommon causes of non-regenerative anaemia affecting the bone marrow in the cat. This retrospective study aimed to describe the clinical features, treatment and outcome (remission and survival) of cats with these disorders. METHODS: Cases of PRCA and NRIMHA presenting between 2009 and 2013 were retrieved. Clinical features including signalment, history, clinical signs and diagnostic investigations were recorded, as well as treatment(s) used and outcome (remission and survival). Outcome was compared for PRCA and NRIMHA. RESULTS: Fifteen cats met inclusion criteria: seven with PRCA and eight with NRIMHA. The majority (12/15) were younger than 3 years of age. Volume overload was common (8/11). Treatment with whole blood transfusions with or without Oxyglobin was necessary in most cats (14/15) and resulted in congestive heart failure in one cat. Most cats (11/15) achieved remission 12-42 days after starting immunosuppressive treatment. Treatment protocols associated with remission were glucocorticoids alone (remission in 6/7 cats), glucocorticoids and chlorambucil (remission in 3/6 treated cats), glucocorticoids and ciclosporin (one cat only) and ciclosporin alone (one cat only). Relapse was observed in 3/11 cats, and 8/11 cats were still receiving treatment at the time of follow-up. Outcome (remission and survival) did not differ between PRCA and NRIMHA. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: PRCA and NRIMHA are uncommon causes of anaemia in predominantly young cats. The prognosis is reasonable, with a mortality rate of 27%, and it can take at least 6 weeks before remission is observed. Following clinical remission, gradual withdrawal of immunosuppressive treatments should be attempted, with close monitoring for relapse; some cats may require long-term treatment. This study is the first to report the use of chlorambucil as an adjunctive immunosuppressant in these cases. Outcome did not differ for PRCA and NRIMHA.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26116621/