Pancytopenia: an owner’s experience
Liz Chambers and her family adopted Tina from the Blue Cross five years ago when she was four years old. Tina was the most loving cat and knew intuitively when Liz’s daughter was not well and provided her with comfort, companionship, and a reassuring paw. However, the last few months have been heart breaking for the family as Tina died after getting pancytopenia. Liz has shared the harrowing experience in the hope it can help other cat owners.
In mid-June, Liz received an email informing her that the dry cat food she had purchased had been recalled as a precautionary measure because of safety concerns. Liz had been feeding Tina the food for several months but stopped feeding it straight away. “I was not unduly concerned; I had not heard anything in the national press so I assumed that it would not be an issue,” said Liz.
It was a Wednesday in July when Liz noticed
Tina was not herself. “She seemed quiet, more lethargic, and she left some of her food — she was just not herself,” explained Liz.
The following day, Tina was taken to the vet’s with a temperature. She was given an anti-inflammatory injection, bloods were taken, and antibiotics were prescribed as the results showed low red and white cell counts and platelets. “This was the first time
I had heard the name pancytopenia mentioned,” says Liz. "It was only after doing research I found the group on social media and my heart sank.”
By Friday, Tina was admitted to the vet's. Liz recalls: “The vet said it could be pancytopenia or cancer and the outlook was really bleak, but I should hope for cancer as it had a better outcome. I was in a complete state of shock as I thought she may have an infection and now I was being told she may die. I was devastated.”
It was only after a second blood test that pancytopenia was confirmed. “I was told by different vets at the practice that this condition had a 70 per cent mortality rate,” says Liz. “They kept mentioning this 70 per cent figure. I felt as if they were giving up on her without giving her a chance.
“The practice wanted to refer Tina to a veterinary referral hospital. I was quoted £5,000 before I had even taken her there and they wanted half the payment upfront. Even with insurance, this was out of our reach financially. I asked the practice what the referral hospital would do that would differ from them and could they not treat her instead. I told them I wanted them to do everything and explore every option to try to save her, as we loved her so much.”
By the Sunday, Tina was critical and had her first blood transfusion. A second one followed two days later. Liz did a 90-mile dash to collect blood for Tina’s second transfusion and collected Nivestim from her local pharmacy the same morning.
As Liz was frantically trying to source a blood donor for a third transfusion, Tina’s condition deteriorated.
She was bleeding from her mouth, her heart rate was all over the place, and she required oxygen. The family made the decision to let her go.
Liz and her family were there with her before she was put to sleep. “We were in bits and when she heard our voices, despite her weakness, she somehow lifted her head to look for us.
“Sadly, Tina ran out of light.We tried so hard to save her.We are absolutely heartbroken.”