July 26, 2015 – This is the best little feline lover I could have ever imagined a cat could be. He has never acted like a cat. He loves every person who walks through the door, he has never known fear or unkindness from anyone and it shows. He owns every room he enters, his tail like a flagpole proclaiming his confidence.
I’m still trying to process the call from the vet.
There is nothing to suggest that he is sick.
Six weeks ago we took him into the vet because he was grooming excessively and seemed super itchy, we also figured we’d get him a rabies shot since we’ve had bats fly into our home twice. I was a bit concerned that he may be showing some early signs of hyperthyroidism, something our old cat had, we had already discussed our options on that front before going in to see the vet. The vet recommended an antihistamine to suppress the itchiness, and it worked.
While we had him in we opted to do a blood panel since he is now nine years old and it seemed like a good idea to have a baseline. He didn’t accommodate the blood sampling that day, he hates being restrained and he’s very strong. So since he was getting so upset, we took him back a week or so later on a quiet morning and had him in and out quickly.
We never imagined the heartache that would fall from that seemingly routine blood test.
A few days after the blood results came back negative for hyperthyroidism, negative for FeLV, negative for blood parasites, negative for markers of kidney disease and liver disease.
But his blood was also very low in red blood cells (Hct of 23) and very high in lymphocytes.
He’d had a rabies vaccine ten days prior, so I was hoping his white blood cells were just high because of that, and that the red blood cells were low because of the allergic reaction he was having.
So we waited six weeks and did another blood test to check the red cells and lymphocyte counts.
The vet just called an hour ago. Things are worse, his red cell count is now down to 20.
He’s dangerously anemic.
And I’m devastated and at a complete loss.
The presumptive and dreaded diagnosis, leukemia.
I can’t stop crying.
Update: After around $2000.00 of tests…they have come up negative on absolutely everything. He does not have leukemia, lymphoma, or anything else they can think of. No idea what THAT was all about!
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poor Loki, and poor you! but watch, if what you say is true, he’s a fighter and will be around with that tall tail, announcing his presence for a long time to come 🙂
Poor little guy, he’s too handsome to get sick.
So sorry Paige…if it is Leukemia, I went through that with my beautiful Ragdoll. He was only 5. I feel for you. He sounds like a fighter though & maybe its something that will pass. <3
Paige, close your eyes take in a deep breathe, feel my arms firmly around you and take the strength to help you through this very difficult time. Love Sally
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🙁 hugs to you my friend……
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Hard as it is, try to stay positive. It’s amazing what they can do, and Loki’s a fighter.
Oh Paige. :'( Don’t know what to say other than I’ve been there….and it sucks. (((hugs)))
Oh Paige, terrible news. Our pets are strong. Sending a big hug from afar.
Sorry to hear that Paige. Ted and I are sending big hugs and positive thoughts.
Positive thoughts your way, Paige.
Oh Paige, I am so sorry. It’s so hard having pets for no other reason other than that their life spans are so much shorter than ours. I’ve gotten “that” news more times than I care to count. It is never easy. Sending hugs.
‘ooH’s Paige…i am so sorry to hear this news, please take care, hoping for good news for Loki’ : /
Hi Paige, my 10 year old wishes to write you – here she is – her name is Veronica;
my cat siate died I was so hurt too the only thing that I have to remember him is memories.by: Veronica
Sending strength and love to you, Kirk and Loki. I will surround him with good health and love tonight during meditation.
My heart sank as I read about your little buddy Loki, crying as I finished. If you’d like I can give you the name of Zeus’ Oncologist at Canada West in Burnaby. Sending you guys lots of love.
I would like that James. Thank you. He will be having another blood sample drawn this evening to see if they can identify the lymphocytes that are elevated and if that can give them some clues. But my hopes are just sinking :`(
http://canadawestvets.com/meet-our-team/departments/oncology Ask your Vet about a referral if it turns out they are limited in their treatment for Loki. Canada West is like a human grade hospital for pets. They have every piece of equipment you can think of and they do all blood work in house so the results are much quicker. Zeus was so anemic he needed a transfusion that his body then rejected. He bounced back from that and we gave him iron supplements and cooked chicken livers – it made a big difference in getting his RBC back up.
Thanks, we took Milo there a couple of years ago to see if his sinus problems could be surgically corrected. Our cat got a CAT scan (and our bank account emptied).
We will end up there, we are just letting our vet manage the first series of blood tests, then we will head there for further consultation. The last blood work was just a differential count, something anyone with knowledge and a microscope can do (I spent more time than I care to think about doing them for fish). I imagine the flow cytometry analysis that is next is done there even though our vet will draw the sample. They are just across the bridge from each other, so little time lost.
It’s just so hard to believe that there is anything wrong with him, everything about him seems completely normal and I am just dreading what may come. He’s always been so healthy and doesn’t suffer anything well when he isn’t.
Yes it IS expensive, I forgot to mention that. In this case you really do get what you pay for though. They are a great team and after spending a lot of time there with both Zeus and Zephyr(that’s a story for another day) I couldn’t recommend them enough. Dr. Saam really did a great job of explaining what was happening and never once gave us false hope which helped us make informed decisions as to how to proceed with treatment. I do hope Loki does not have to go there at all of course, keeping my fingers crossed for you.
Dear Paige, that’s heartbreaking news to get. Hugs and I hope that he responds to whatever treatment he gets.
Oh I’m so sorry to hear this Paige!!!!!!! I’m a huge cat lover & I’m so sorry to hear this, he’ll come around………..
Awww so sorry 🙁 xx
Sad news Paige, so sorry to hear this.
Love and hugs.
That’s a tough pill to swallow.. I’m so sorry to hear the sad diagnosis of your beloved Loki, Paige
So sorry for the sad news Paige. Love and hugs to you. Enjoy that wild child and all he brings.
Oh Paige! I am sorry about your kitty. Sending you positive thoughts and prayers.
Auh… 🙁 Sorry to hear…. Maybe????
So sad to hear. Sending strength your way.
Oh Paige I am so sorry
Aw Paige, so sorry, that’s so tough – sending hugs xxx
Paige, my heart breaks for you. Hopefully you have caught it in time and he can receive treatment. Sending love and well wishes. Please let me know if you need anything
I am sending all best hopes and wishes for Loki. You too of course.
He has had a perfect, loving and loved life, is in no pain and is more treasured right now than ever. Keep him happy and indulged. Spencer is getting extra love and treats today because of this reminder of how beautiful and fragile their little lives are.
Oh Paige, so sorry to hear this sad news. 🙁 Sending big hugs.
So very sorry to hear about dear sweet Loki. So devastating for you. Thinking of you, Paige.
Stay positive Paige!
I am so sorry to hear this, Paige! Hugs!
Thank you everyone, I truly appreciate all of your kind thoughts. I’m at a complete loss.
Sending so many hugs. The idea of losing such a wonderful companion is awful. We will be in Vancouver in August, let us know if there’s anything we can do
Paige, I just caught up on you situation, I can only reach out with a huge hug… I can’t imagine the horror, understandably devastating news…. I’m so sorry
🙁 so sad to hear .. Have you looked into alternative medicine at all ? THC oil has worked in people with cancer as well as baking soda .. Just a thought . I feel for you my friend 🙁
So sad Page.
So sorry to hear this, let’s hope that it is treatable. Thinking of you.