Cats: Awareness of a spike in a rare condition, pancytopenia and RVC research
This post is to make cat owners aware that there is an unusual spike in a rare condition in cats called pancytopenia. The Royal Veterinary College normally see maybe one case a year but as of May 25th had seen 10 serious cases in one month and heard of another 40. Pancytopenia is when the blood is found to have significantly reduced red and white blood cells and platelets, resulting in uncontrollable bleeding, anaemia and reduce immune reactions.I became aware as two 11 month old kittens I raised in foster care last year, Arwen and Maia, and who were adopted through HAWS by a friend of mine, died from pancytopenia within hours of each other on Sunday. The RVC have asked that the adopters of the Mumcat and the other kittens and any other co-habiting cats are blood tested - they don't think they will be positive for it, but they might be but the RVC are desperately trying to research why there is this sudden significant spike. In the last few days I understand they are looking to toxins but want the bloods from the litter to rule things out as much as to check they are okay.I've contacted the other adopters and the three households are getting their cats tested. The tests cost £150 per cat. HAWS said we would subsidise the tests and then one of our vets, Richmond Vets, stepped up to discount the cost if the adopters could take them in there. So we are now paying all the costs of the testing.I set up a gofundme in Arwen and Maia's name for the costs and asked their humans what they would like to do with any excess - their request is that its split between HAWS and the RVC Research Fund. The Mum's blood was drawn on Friday and the other two households will be tested early next week, with the results being sent to the RVC.Please would people get the word out about this awful disease and the research?Here is a link to the RVC press article asking any vet who comes across cases to submit details to them: https://www.rvc.ac.uk/news-and-events/rvc-news/rvc-study-to-investigate-mysterious-recent-spike-in-severe-feline-pancytopenia-casesAnd here is the link to my item on Facebook if people would like to share it (its under my foster caring name that I use as sometimes I receive seized rescue kittens so I try not to make it too easy for people to find them). There is a video I put together of Arwen and Maia https://fb.watch/5Xsls9qTWM/And if anyone would like to donate, the gofundme is https://gofund.me/711dc1f9But the main thing is to get the word out there please that this condition is spiking, that is serious and tragic for the owners who have lost their kittens/cats to it in the last few weeks.
Louise Cole ● 1969d6 Comments ● 1940d