Baby Girl’s
Fight Against
Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia
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IMHA is a condition where her immune system attacks her own red blood cells. Baby Girl’s body still produces red blood cells in the bone marrow to replace the destroyed cells, but once they are released into circulation, the immune system mistakenly recognizes them as something foreign, like a virus or infection, and destroys them. When too many red blood cells are destroyed and not replaced quickly enough by bone marrow, the cat becomes anemic. If IMHA is not addressed quickly and properly, it can be deadly.
Baby Girl stopped eating and became very lethargic and weak over a 24 hour period. She was rushed to the Animal Emergency Hospital. At the Animal Emergency Hospital, a 24 hour care facility, she received a thorough examination and the following tests were conducted:
-A complete blood count to identify if Baby-Girl is anemic
-A reticulocyte count to identify if Baby-Girls body is responding to the anemia
-A blood film to look for parasites and blood cell characteristics
-Chemistry tests to evaluate her kidney, liver, and pancreatic function
-Electrolyte tests to ensure Baby-Girl isn’t suffering from an electrolyte imbalance
-Fecal analysis to evaluate for intestinal parasites.
Since she had already been tested for Feline Leukemia and FIV by Happy Hearts, this was not repeated by the Hospital.
Within hours, she was diagnosed with IMHA and was in need of an immediate blood transfusion. Her condition was posted as “guarded.” Happy Hearts quickly garnered three of its shelter cats as possible blood donors and give Baby Girl the blood needed for her transfusion.
Baby Girl remained at the Aminal Emergency Hospital for several days, each day showing improvement of her condition, but still needed 24 hour care. On MondayBaby Girl was finally able to come home. She continues to be on a lot of medication and is still a bit “wobbly” but continues to show progress and become stronger each day. She has visits to the veterinarian every few days to assure she does not have a relapse or develop another illness due to her weakened immune system.
Baby Girl stopped eating and became very lethargic and weak over a 24 hour period. She was rushed to the Animal Emergency Hospital. At the Animal Emergency Hospital, a 24 hour care facility, she received a thorough examination and the following tests were conducted:
-A complete blood count to identify if Baby-Girl is anemic
-A reticulocyte count to identify if Baby-Girls body is responding to the anemia
-A blood film to look for parasites and blood cell characteristics
-Chemistry tests to evaluate her kidney, liver, and pancreatic function
-Electrolyte tests to ensure Baby-Girl isn’t suffering from an electrolyte imbalance
-Fecal analysis to evaluate for intestinal parasites.
Since she had already been tested for Feline Leukemia and FIV by Happy Hearts, this was not repeated by the Hospital.
Within hours, she was diagnosed with IMHA and was in need of an immediate blood transfusion. Her condition was posted as “guarded.” Happy Hearts quickly garnered three of its shelter cats as possible blood donors and give Baby Girl the blood needed for her transfusion.
Baby Girl remained at the Aminal Emergency Hospital for several days, each day showing improvement of her condition, but still needed 24 hour care. On MondayBaby Girl was finally able to come home. She continues to be on a lot of medication and is still a bit “wobbly” but continues to show progress and become stronger each day. She has visits to the veterinarian every few days to assure she does not have a relapse or develop another illness due to her weakened immune system.