Leukopenia in Cats - Low White Blood Cells Count

Leukopenia is when the white blood cell count is below normal, which corresponds to a value below 2.87 – 17.02 K/μL. Let us take a closer look at the values of individual types of leukocytes in cats, as well as their functions:

• Neutrophils: normal values in cats range from 2.30 to 10.29 K/μL. These leukocytes are involved in microbicidal activity and phagocytosis, as they are the first leukocytes to reach a site of infection. They have an average life of about 10 hours.
  
  
• Lymphocytes: normal values in cats range from 0.92 to 6.88 K/μL. They are responsible for the cell-mediated and humoral immune response, having a longer average life than other leukocytes. They are derived from lymphoid tissues such as the spleen, thymus, and lymph nodes.
  
  
• Monocytes: normal values in cats range from 0.05 to 0.67 K/μL. They are the largest white cells and as part of the vertebrate innate immune system, monocytes influence the adaptive immune response and exert tissue repair functions.
  
  
• Eosinophils: normal values in cats range from 0.17 to 1.57 K/μL. They contain eosinophil cytoplasmic granules and are associated with allergic or parasitic processes.
  
  
• Basophils: normal values in cats range from 0.01 to 0.26 K/μL. They contain histamine and heparin in their inner round granules and act as primary mediators in inflammatory processes and hypersensitivity.

Leukopenia in cats can be caused by various mechanisms and is not always a symptom of disease. Leukopenia can occur when the bone marrow produces less blood due to infection, tumors, or toxic processes. Similarly, in acute inflammation, where leukocytes are needed immediately, there may be an increase in white blood cell consumption.

To better understand the variety of causes of low leukocyte levels in cats, let us look at some examples:

• Neutropenia: is a decrease in the number of white blood cells that can occur as a result of a number of reasons, such as anticancer drugs. These drugs work by killing rapidly multiplying cells in the body, both good and bad. These drugs kill both cancer cells and healthy white blood cells. It can also be a result of diseases such as feline leukemia virus, feline immunodeficiency virus, feline panleukopenia, or salmonella infections.
• Lymphopenia: is a disorder in which the blood does not have enough white blood cells. The main causes are viral infections such as feline panleukopenia virus, acute systemic infections, immunosuppressive therapy, hereditary immunodeficiency, or lymphagiectasia.

Both alterations can have, as a primary or secondary cause, prolonged stress. This stress leukogram is usually manifested by an increase in the synthesis of endogenous corticosteroids. This often corresponds to a stressful situation, since their increased internal synthesis is understood as the organism's response to an inflammatory process due to organic stress.

You may also be interested in this other article, where we discuss how to tell if a cat is stressed.

Low blood cell counts in cats are diagnosed by a blood test. An accurate diagnosis can be made by measuring the total amount of white blood cells and the numbers of each species to determine the degree of leukopenia.

Inform your veterinarian of the nature, severity, and duration of your cat's symptoms, as well as any medications your cat is currently taking. Physical examination of the animal and its medical history are essential to obtain data on symptoms and changes in recent months that may indicate a causative process of leukopenia in cats.

Depending on the suspected cause, additional diagnostic tests may be required. Serologic tests are also usually performed at diagnosis to find a possible infectious agent.

You may also be interested in this other article where we talk about cancer in cats, the different types, symptoms, and treatment.

Leukopenia is treated by treating the underlying cause.

If it is determined that leukopenia is a consequence of medical treatment, this treatment should be reviewed, modified, or discontinued, depending on the case and the degree of benefit-risk ratio.

If the decrease in leukocytes is secondary to a disease, it must be specifically treated. It is important to control the symptoms and stabilize the animal with the drugs indicated by the specialist if it is caused by feline retroviruses or feline panleukopenia viruses. Furthermore, it is essential to treat any infections, opportunistic diseases, or secondary diseases caused by immunosuppression.

You may be interested in this other article that discusses whether cats have blood types and what they mean.

The best way to prevent low leukocyte levels in cats, or at least detect them early, is through routine veterinary examinations. Routine exams monitor your cat's leukocyte levels and detect any changes over time. To prevent infectious diseases that cause leukopenia in cats, cats should be routinely vaccinated when they are young.

Finally, keep in mind that some of these diseases that cause leukopenia in cats, particularly feline parvovirus and feline leukemia, may be contagious to other cats. Any infected cat must be isolated to prevent spread of the disease.

This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.

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