I know exactly what you are going through, as I joined this list in March because my Tomi was anemic and tested positive for FeLV. He received a transfusion, and even did well for awhile. His red blood cells were increasing on their own, but then they decreased again. They went so low, that he "crashed" and I thought he would die. He was too weak to get up, and his breathing was rapid. Suddenly he got better again, and I had another 2 months with him (though he never got back to normal range).
I had him on Interferon, Lysine, Transfer Factor, and Mega C Plus. Whether these helped to extend his life, or did nothing, I don't know. Never give up hope that Monkee can pull through this, as sometimes that is all you have, but be prepared and enjoy the time you have with him to the fullest. Take lots of pictures and tell him that you love him everyday. I'm sure he will enjoy the extra attention, and if he is able to beat this, you will be closer than ever. Cassandra ----- Original Message ----- From: Caroline Kaufmann To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2007 11:14 AM Subject: Anemia Issues Hi everyone. I wanted to provide an update on my FeLV pos. and lymphosarcoma cat Monkee. He saw his Vet yesterday to determine whether the Epogen had helped his anemia. The news was very bad. Apparently last week, when the anemia started, his Red Blood cell count was 13%. After a week (& 3 doses of the Epogen), his RBC count was actually worse, 10%. However, Monkee's White Blood Cell count is normal (it was down last week) and his lymphocyte count is normal. Dr. Daley also found a lymph node in his groin that is enlarged (but it can't be felt from the outside- it runs along the artery in the leg). His Vet said she thinks the FeLV is causing the problem, or it could be the lymphosarcoma, but when pressed, she said that she honestly doubted it was the cancer. She presented 3 options: (1) a bone marrow aspirate/biopsy to determine what is going on at the cellular level; however, it is invasive and Monkee would need sedation- which he couldn't get anyway while so anemic (so he'd need a blood transfusion 1st, just to be able to do the biospy); However, the biopsy, in her opinion, would probably just tell us it's FeLV causing the anemia; (2) a blood transfusion to literally buy me more time with him; (3) try another dose of chemo in hopes that the anemia is being caused by lymphosarcoma, although, as I said previously, she doubted it and that was a shot in the dark. My mother and I did not want to put this cat through chemo again (although he did very well with the first round). But now that he is actively anemic, there was no way I would do it, especially knowing that Dr. Daley really didn't think the chemo would actually help the situation. We also didn't want to put him through a bone marrow biopsy that would probably tell us what we already know, but don't want to admit.that for four years, I had the healthiest, beefiest, toughest cat in the world, who never even suffered from a urinary tract infection; who was so healthy, I wanted to test him a 3rd time this summer for FeLV because I was sure he didn't have it..To now, out of nowhere, in a span of 2 months, we have gone from that, to a severely anemic, suffering, FeLV cat with lymphosarcoma. Dr. Daley gave him days. Days. Which my mom and I were not prepared to hear at all. I mean, he is eating, drinking, using the litter box, he is thick (he was slightly overweight to begin with, so that is helping him now). Yes, he's not "Monkee" as I have known him, but he just doesn't look to me like he's on his last leg. When we questioned her on the "days" prognosis she explained that due to the FeLV virus, and the anemia, his body is not making RBC and his brain is not getting enough oxygen and although he seems okay now, he is dizzy, lightheaded, probably having vertigo, and all of that will continue to get worse because his body is not manufacturing RBC- which carry oxygen in the blood, and eventually, his eating/drinking and making it to the litter box will all drop off. We asked what could be done and she said, if you "are not ready yet," she recommended the blood transfusion, which will give him about two weeks, and then the benefits of the transferred blood will wear off and he will start suffering the anemia symptoms again because his body is not producing it's own RBC. She also said that morally, with FeLV cats, she will do 2 blood transfusions, and then that is it. It is fighting a losing battle and that is as far as she will take it. I was wrecked and my mother was crying too. I decided to pull myself together and still take Monkee to the Holistic Vet, Dr. Susan Maier, after we left Dr. Daley's. It was our first visit and I thought, I am so desperate right now, it can't hurt. A funny story about this visit: Monkee totally perked up as soon as we left Dr. Daley's (he hates it there!). Dr. Maier has a few black and white "clinic cats" that roam around and as soon as we walked in, Monkee, in his carrier, freaked out (he hates other cats-which is probably why he ended up with FeLV to begin with!). I was carrying his carrier on my shoulder to an exam room and I instantly felt the carrier get completely light- there was no longer 13 lbs of weight on my shoulder! I didn't understand what happened, but I turned around and all I saw was black and white x 3 (Monkee is black and white), and I just grabbed the first black and white form that was closest to me, and thank god, it was Monkee! He had opened the front flap of his pet carrier-widened the zipper I guess with his paw and then his face, and jumped out.in an effort to "get" the clinic cats that were following us to the exam room! I grabbed him just in time because he was already facing off against them ready to attack, and because he has FeLV, it scared me to death! But that is not the behavior of a cat on his last leg! As soon as we got in the room, he walked around and dug his paws under the door and meowed and basically, obsessed about the cats just outside the door! It was so funny! He really put on quite a show for Dr. Maier at his first visit! So there I am, with my tear streaked face, Kleenex all over the place and swollen eyes, and my cat is basically prancing around Dr. Maier's exam room acting like the King of the Jungle! Dr. Maier said there are things she can do to help support Monkee's blood transfusion and make him feel better. So, we are trying Phosporus 30C, Clostrum, Thuja 30C and essence of flowers. Has anyone else tried these on an anemic cat and had any success? At this point, we will try anything. Plus, Monkee seemed to enjoy his Dr. Maier visit and the whole office had a totally different feel (far less clinical and hospital-like), which was good for both of us. Dr. Maier said he looks great and she is by no means ready to "give up on him yet." However, the one thing that is troubling me the most is that, my mom asked Dr. Daley if a FeLV cat suffering from anemia could ever "come out of it"/beat the anemia to a point were the anemia is in remission and the FeLV goes dormant again? (She was a biology teacher so she was thinking in terms of how other viruses behave). Dr. Daley responded, flat-out, "no." Meaning, once it's started, all you can do is buy more time via blood transfusions because it is a losing battle. I wanted to know what people on this list serve thought about that? I know I need to work on my "denial"- this is my first and only FeLV cat, so it's all new. But this just seemed like such a troubling response? Monkee is at Dr. Daley's right now (and pissed!) getting his blood transfusion. I would appreciate any insight that anyone may have, now that I finally have some more info about Monkee's condition.. Thx, Caroline in Kentucky ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hotmail to go? Get your Hotmail, news, sports and much more! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.9.10/873 - Release Date: 6/26/2007 11:54 PM
