Wow Michelle - that is a hard one. My gut feeling is that there is no reason not to start the interferon, for sure. I don't know anything about the kind of reactions you get with epogen, but the times I have used the cat has seemed to feel better. Will be interested in seeing what the really experienced folks suggest. Good luck. Prayers for you and Lucy.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Red Bank called to say that now I do not have a return appointment for tomorrow, that the cytology reports won't be back until tomorrow, and that I will get a call tomorrow morning after the oncologist and internist look at the reports, with a plan. Meanwhile, this morning Lucy is not eating at all. I syringed her a little food, but am concerned at the worsening of symptoms. Her back end seems ok now, but she is drinking more. her fever went down last night with fluids and ice packs, but she is warm again-- but can't tell if this is because she is lying in the sun (her choice). She can walk to litter box and jump up on 1 foot tall cardboard box without problems. Her pads and gums are still a little pink, though light pink. Thanks to Hideyo, I now have feline interferon and epogen. The oncologist is insisting that I not start her on anything until they look at all the test results. If she has an infection or heart disease, steroids could be harmful. If her blood cells are regenerating but then dying, epogen won't help and she could have a reaction. I have not heard back on any particular reason not to start the feline interferon. Do you think I should start her on something, against the advice of the oncologist and internist? I generally trust specialists, but it seems clear she is going down hill and days are passing. Plus, a friend's dog had neurological problems and saw specialists at a big hospital in Boston for a week before they tested for lyme disease (which I had suggested immediately)-- they had had him on steroids, then when finally saw he had lyme put him on heavy doses of antibiotics and stopped the steroids, and when he got worse they put him back on heavy doses of both and he pulled through. Obviously it would have been better if a) they had tested him immediately (they had not thought the neuro symptoms matched lyme) and b) absent the test if they had just loaded him up with both abx and steroids. So I am wary of specialists waiting for test results that take a while before starting treatment when an animal is going downhill. At the same time, I don't want to harm any possible treatment she could ultimately get if they figure something out. Do any of you have strong opinions or thoughts on this? Thanks, Michelle
