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Can cats suffer from pernicious anemia?

Sent to Cat Experts December 18, 2005 1:37 p.m.

I have a 13 year old male cat that has gone from 14-ish pounds to 9-ish in the last year or so. His system does not absorb B12. Diabetis has been ruled out. Cobalamin injections don't do much. He vomits (mostly food) and suffers diarrhea in cycles of a few days that are random and not usually concurrent. He has groomed away most of his tummy fluff and grooms alot. Twice a day I rub 1 mg of methimazole gel in his ears (pinna).

I was surfing through the website of my own prescription provider and I hit upon pernicious anemia -- "lack of intrinsic factor, a substance needed to absorb B12".

It made me wonder if cats can suffer this too and, if so, could the human treatment for it work on cats?

Thank you!

Optional Information:
Age: >12; Male; Breed: dsh (tiger/tabby)

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December 18, 2005 2:01 p.m. (24 minutes and 29 seconds later)

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Dr Andrea -- Veterinarian -- 100% Positive Feedback on 15 Cat Accepts
Veterinary practice for 18yrs, owner of 10+ cats, cat rescue, cat showing

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Sent December 18, 2005 2:26 p.m. (24 minutes and 23 seconds later)

If "FeLV & FIV" combo test is for feline leukemia, then yes, he was tested on 11/13/02.

We also tried prednisolon (forgot what for), but not currently using it.

When I've taken him in for checkups the vet has also done hyperthyroid monitoring profile.

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Answer
December 18, 2005 2:52 p.m. (26 minutes and 13 seconds later)

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When the CBC results are reported, they may offer some clues as to what kind of anemia your cat is suffering from, such as regenerative, non-regenerative, microcytic, hypochromic, blood parasites etc. Your cat may have been given the prednisolone if your vet suspected an auto-immune hemolytic anemia, where the body destroys it's own RBCs due to an immune reaction. The pred suppresses the immune system.
There are numerous causes of anemia such as toxins (like onions), infectious disease (FeLV, FIV), kidney failure, drug reactions (methimazole has been noted to cause anemia), cancer or long term illness. If your cat wasn't exposed to any other cats since 2002 when the leukemia test was run that can most likely be ruled out. Your vet may have to do a bone marrow aspirate to get closer to the problem.
The vomiting, diarrhea and overgrooming may be related to the hyperthyroidism. The methimazole can also cause vomiting in some cats.

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Dr Andrea -- Veterinarian -- 100% Positive Feedback on 15 Cat Accepts
Veterinary practice for 18yrs, owner of 10+ cats, cat rescue, cat showing

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