Blood tests etc

Hi Customer (name blocked for privacy), I don't know about the blood work, it's 12:38 in the morning here, I'll look it up for you when the sun comes up. The reason I'm writting is I'm curious about what your feeding your cat, how much, how often. Also, how old is your cat? Does it go out at all? Does it interract with any other animals? I can tell you that an increase in eosinophils are not only a responce to parasites but also to allergies. Also, if an animal is injured and inflamation occurs eosinophils are one of the types of white blood cells that react and increase. Lysosomal enzymes ftom eosinophils include major basic protein, an enzyme that is effective against parasites, and arylsulfatase B and histamine, which are regulators of the allergic responce. Which is why I'm asking you about your cat's daily routine. There could be something that she's eating or playing with or laying on that she's reacting to. How would you like to have a dog that's allergic to grass? I have one.(You just never know). Sincerely, Mi Linda Luz

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There is an answer to every problem, when you have someone with you with enough courage to hold your hand & go through the process with you. I will gladly be that person.

Thank you. I feed my cat Halo Pet (halopets.com)food which is human grade pet food made from chicken or clams and vegetables. She eats about 1/4 cup 2 or 3 times a day. She is 10 years old and does not go outdoors. For the past 10 years, we have had problems with different parts of her body swelling....paws or mouth. She will hold her paw up and hobble around. No one has ever been able to determine why this happens. Eventually the swelling goes away and she stops limping but I wonder if her paws hurt all the time anyway. We have one other indoor cat so that is the only contact she has with other animals. Our vet wants to put her on Prednisone but I am hoping to find a different solution. I have tried to ask him why Prednisone but he has not returned my calls. Again, thank you.

This special food you give her, has she always eaten it or have you ever tryed other foods before? The reason the vet is thinking prednisone is because this steroid aleviates some of the allergic reaction that your cat is suffering, it brings down the swelling. But, does not get rid of the problem, just the symptoms. Now about that food, has it always been the same?

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There is an answer to every problem, when you have someone with you with enough courage to hold your hand & go through the process with you. I will gladly be that person.

She has been on this food for many years. At one time, we were giving her dry food (Innova) and alternating it with the Halopet on a daily basis but now she only gets Halopet. I would say it's been several months now on that food exclusively.

 The cats thyroid has been tested? Has the cat been tested for Heartworms?

Dr.V

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Dr. D.A. Vamvakias
Veterinarian

Thank you for your reply. I do not know how to read blood test results that well, but I do see a test on there for T4 with results of 2.3. To my knowledge, she has not been tested for heartworms.

 Does it have the reference range of normal?

Dr.V

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Dr. D.A. Vamvakias
Veterinarian

yes, the reference range is 0.8-4.0.

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what is a low dose of prednisone? Does the cat have to be weaned off of it as with humans?

I am leaning towards the z/d food & prednisone treatment because the true diagnosis sounds like it would be harder on her. She is on the aggressive side and we have to sedate her completely before the vet can even look at her.

Do you have any idea what causes the immune mediated process??

Thank you for your suggesions.

 Your cat will probably start on about 5mg of pred...you will do it for a week or so and then go to every other day and so forth. You do wean them on and off pred, but cats tend to handle the medication much better than people and dogs. There seem to be less side effects and long term issues.

We don't know what triggers immune mediated processes...there are lots of theories and lots of combination of factors...but not one cause.

I would discuss this with your vet, and I would just request the HW test...but I agree the further into diagnostics the more invasive the tests.

Let me know how it goes!!

DR.V

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Dr. D.A. Vamvakias
Veterinarian

I am very grateful for you help. I have been waiting for several days for my vet to call me back. It's very frustrating. I hate to have to take her in to be put under for the h/w test but as I said before, he cannot even look at her without sedating her. If she were your cat, would you just change her diet and start the prednisone or do you really think the h/w test is necessary? How do they test for that and what will the treatment be? I really have to do something because she's getting worse with the "wanting-to-eat-all-the-time" behavior. It makes me feel so bad that she is really that hungry!

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I wanted to let Dr. V know that I have been taking my cat to a new vet who ordered new blood tests. Everything came back normal, even the heart worm test, so the weight loss is still a mystery. The only thing the test showed was that she did have toxoplasmosis at one time but not currently. So we are giving her vitamins and antibiotics. At this point, she has gained a half a pound. Thank you for all of your help. I will definitely return to Just Answer again for future problems. Everyone was very nice and very helpful!! Thank you!