Gigi diagnosed with Mycoplasmosis

Sadly, we came back from the vet clinic with very bad news.

A heart murmur was detected which the vet said could be due to various underlying conditions. Since Gigi is in her senior years and has lost a lot of weight, the vet thought at first it was due to heart disease however after her CBC test results came back with all the parameters in red it was rather clear something was terribly wrong with her immune system and not her heart.

Gigi was diagnosed with Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA) which is a life-threatening disease caused by either an infectious blood parasite called Mycoplasma or from the feline leukemia virus (FeLV).

To rule out conditions, the vet started by running a FeLV/FIV test and much to our surprise, Gigi tested POSITIVE for FeLV; her extremely low hematocrit (11) may indicate the virus is already invading the bone marrow.

When we were told the diagnosis our hearts were shattered but more tests are needed to determine a prognosis.

Gigi is going for an ultrasound scan on Friday afternoon to check for abdominal masses. Blood parasite testing was also done but we won’t have the results until Monday; if it comes back POSITIVE, her severe anemia could be treated with antibiotics and corticoids although there is a chance of relapse.

While IMHA is incurable, at least these meds could hopefully help her live a bit longer, but if it comes back NEGATIVE the prognosis is really poor.

Needless to say how devastated we are by this whole situation which caught us completely off guard.

UPDATE 02/28/2025

We’ve cancelled Gigi’s ultrasound appointment. Due to her extreme fragility, we have decided not to stress her again in such a short period of time. It took her 48 hours to get back on her paws 😿😓 after her latest trip to the vet’s, so we’ll wait for parasite test results ( hopefully Monday!) before deciding what to do next.

UPDATE 03/03/2025

Mycoplasma test results came back POSITIVE! ❤🙏It might sound crazy but that’s what we were praying for, becasue it means her infectious anemia (feline hemotrophic mycoplasmosis) can be treated at home with antibiotics (doxycycline).

Gigi’s red blood cells are infected by a microscopic bacterial parasite that destroys them, and that’s what is causing the severe anemia so if everything goes well, once she completes a 28-day-course of antibiotics her CBC values should improve.

Although she also tested FeLV+ 😿 we are hopeful she will respond well to treatment and make some progress within the next few weeks.

Please keep Gigi in your thoughts and prayers ❤🙏