Overproduction of White Blood Cells in Cats

Written By hannah hollinger
Published: 10/28/2016Updated: 07/13/2021
Overproduction of White Blood Cells in Cats - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost

What are Overproduction of White Blood Cells?

The eosinophils release regulatory proteins into the tissues called eosinophil-derived cytokines and eosinophil granule products. When too many eosinophils release these proteins, organ damage and death may occur.

When the bone marrow produces a greater quantity than necessary of a type of white blood cell called eosinophils, the condition is known as hypereosinophilic syndrome. White blood cells are part of the immune system and help protect the cat's body from foreign invaders and infectious diseases. When the cat becomes ill, the hematopoietic stem cells in the blood marrow produce extra white blood cells to fight these foreign invaders. Normally eosinophils make up a small portion of the white blood cell production as they are typically produced in response to parasites and allergies.

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Symptoms of Overproduction of White Blood Cells in Cats

Symptom severity typically increases gradually as the number of eosinophils increase. These symptoms include:

  • Loss of appetite (anorexia)
  • Weight loss
  • Emaciation
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea that may contain blood
  • Fever
  • Weakness
  • Lethargy
  • Enlarged liver
  • Enlarged spleen
  • Abdominal masses
  • Thickened, non-painful intestines
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Itching
  • Seizures
  • Skin lesions
  • Chronic cough

Causes of Overproduction of White Blood Cells in Cats

It is not known what causes hypereosinophilic syndrome to occur. Researchers believe that it may be caused by an overreaction to an unidentified antigen. This antigenic stimulus may arise from two different viral strains, prompting the production of white blood cells. Cats who have had eosinophilic enteritis, a disease that causes inflammation in the small intestine, may be predisposed to hypereosinophilic syndrome.

Diagnosis of Overproduction of White Blood Cells in Cats

The veterinarian will need to know the cat's health history, when the symptoms first began and a detailed list of the symptoms. The veterinarian will physically examine the cat, listening to its heart and lungs and feeling for swollen lymph nodes and masses in its body.

Several labs will be performed in order to identify the condition and rule out other conditions that may present with similar symptoms. These labs include a complete blood count, a biochemical blood profile, a cytochemical staining, a fecal flotation test and a urinalysis. These tests will typically show a high number of white blood cells, anemia, and organ dysfunction in the affected organs.

A bone marrow aspiration will also be performed. The cat will be given anesthesia while the veterinarian removes a small amount of the bone marrow in order to determine what is causing the high levels of white blood cells to occur. Because blood cells are made from cells in the bone marrow, the aspiration is an important test to rule out similar conditions. The veterinarian may also biopsy the lymph nodes, spleen, liver or intestines. The biopsy can be particularly helpful in distinguishing the condition from eosinophilic leukemia. During the biopsy, the cat will be placed under general anesthesia while a small sample of tissue is removed from the organs.

Radiography may also be used to look at the condition of the affected organs. A special radiocontrast dye will be injected into the cat. Computed tomography (CT) scans and X-rays will then be taken. These tests may show thickened intestines, abnormal intestinal lining, fibrosis, coagulation of the heart arteries and enlarged lymph nodes.

Treatment of Overproduction of White Blood Cells in Cats

Medication

Steroids, such as prednisone or prednisolone, will be administered to the cat. Steroids will help to stop the production of eosinophils. Hydroxyurea, an antineoplastic drug, may also be administered. Hydroxyurea can also slow down the production of eosinophils, allowing the immunoglobulin concentrations to normalize and the organs to heal. If these medications are no longer working, the veterinarian may start the cat on chemotherapy, which can slow the reproduction of the white blood cells by inhibiting the DNA synthesis process.

Fluid Therapy

Cats who are dehydrated will need to receive intravenous fluids to correct fluid loss due to diarrhea or vomiting. The veterinarian will keep a close watch on the affected organs during fluid therapy to ensure that the kidneys and heart are processing the fluids normally.

Nutritional Support

If the cat refuses food, nutritional support will need to be administered to ensure that the cat is receiving adequate calories for healing. A feeding tube may be inserted through the cat's nose in order to deliver this nutrition.

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Recovery of Overproduction of White Blood Cells in Cats

Though medications normally work to resolve the overproduction of the white blood cells, they may lose their effectiveness over time. With treatment, cats typically live six months to three years after diagnosis. The cat will need to regularly follow up with the veterinarian in order to monitor its blood count levels and medication effectiveness. Because the prescribed medications have side effects, it's important to take note of any side effects the cat is experiencing in order to adjust medications accordingly.

Overproduction of White Blood Cells Average Cost

From 375 quotes ranging from $500 - $3,000

Average Cost

$1,200

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Overproduction of White Blood Cells Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals

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Domesitc

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Ming Ming

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7 Years

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My pet has the following symptoms:
Fluid In Abdomen
Jaundice
Lethargic
Bloated Stomach
Extremely High Wbc
Very Minimal Appetite
High White Blood Cell Count
So my cat Ming Ming lost weight to being bony in 2017. Took him in and his liver levels were high and so medications started and an ultrasound was done. They saw that his liver was a bit inflamed and some issues with his bile ducts as well as he was jaundiced. We changed things a bit and he was doing fine for the last couple of years. Skip forward to 2 weeks ago his belly started bloating. He still ate fine and drank everything until this past Sunday night 4/21/19. He threw up his food and the next day he stopped eating or drinking so we took him to the vet. They did bloodwork and an xray which showed just fluid in his belly. He sent us home with some stuff to rub in his ears to coax appetite which did not work as he also had his rabies shot. The next day the vet called with his blood test results and said his WBC was at 56,000 I think (he has a very thick accent) but that he was sure by his 30 years of experience that it was cancer in the blood and maybe bone marrow. He said he was 99% sure that he would not survive. It was offered I could go through internal medicine and they could put a feeding tube and hospitalization and all that which we cannot afford as well as if he isn't going to make it why would we prolong my baby's suffering. Well last night into today he has been drinking lots of water and today he even ate a tiny bit. He is scheduled to be euthanized on Friday but I don't want to if there is another way to get him healthy again and it is not cancer. He is only 7 and he is my mommy's boy. Can anyone relate or add info?

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Domestic shorthair

dog-name-icon

Oliver

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2 Years

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My pet has the following symptoms:
Cold , Stuffy Nose
I adopted my cat Ollie last September. He was approximately 1 and a half years old. He had a cold at the time of adoption, but I was told he was healthy otherwise. He was supposed to have just finished a round of antibiotics. After I took him home, his cold became worse. Took him to the vet, and she gave him more antibiotics and ran a blood test. At that time, his wbc count was elevated, assumingly from the cold. He did get better after the antibiotics, but, by the end of December, he had another cold. Took him back to the vet, she gave him an antibiotic injection this time. Took blood again...now his lymphocyte count was very high. However, from September , when we adopted him, to December when we brought him back in with the second cold....he seemed to be thriving...he had gained 3 lbs and was quite active, appetite very good. He had the cold symptoms and was a bit tired from that, but not much. He had no swollen lymph nodes or any other symptoms. Also, at the time of this second visit, the vet ordered a stool sample to check for parasites, and he did have 2 parasites, which he probably had since adoption....we just hadn’t tested for that yet. So, he got meds for the parasites, and that cleared up. Vet suggested we give him one more injection of antibiotics and then check his blood again in 2 months. We go back next week for another blood test. If lymphocytes are still high, then we will decide what to do next. So...my question is...how likely would it be for a cat to have lymphoma or leukemia (which I’m most afraid of) and still be very active with a great appetite ?

Overproduction of White Blood Cells Average Cost

From 375 quotes ranging from $500 - $3,000

Average Cost

$1,200

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