A few years ago I had a kitty with Chronic Renal Failure. Towards the end he
was extremely anemic and we did the Epogen. I'm so glad we did it because it
did buy us some time. I decided to try the Epogen when it became clear he
was not making new blood cells, his anemia became extreme and we knew that
without help he would die from it, a slow, lethargic and very sad death. I
wanted to give him a chance and the Epogen did. My vet talked to UC Davis
about his unique situation (he also had high blood pressure and a heart
problem) and we gave him a really really low dose. I believe typically they
give it 3-4 times a week and we gave it once a week. It was such a low dose
the vet thought it might not work, but it did and actually better than we
anticipated.
So, I can't speak for the FeLV stuff, but I can say the Epogen wasn't as
evil as I was expecting to be from what I had heard word of mouth. We used
it very cautiously, and it seemed to make a big difference. You just really
have to watch it, start off slow. It is easier to add treatments then try
and slow it down and you don't want their values increasing too fast.
Good luck,
Iva
----- Original Message ----- >
Message: 7
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 2009 16:38:44 -0700 (PDT)
From: Amy <[email protected]>
Subject: [Felvtalk] Wolfie Update
So I've been posting about my cat Wolfie who has been losing weight since
about mid 2006, from 15.4 lbs down to 10.8 lbs today. His last visit was
on July 2nd and he had a HCT of 29. He also tested positive for
Mycoplasma haemominutum previously called Haemobartonella felis small
form. He's been on doxy, pred, and Pet-Tinic twice daily for almost a
month.
My vet thought he looked great today and he hasn't lost any weight since
his last visit but he's not gaining and his HCT is still going down. We
took a tiny amount of blood and sent it out for a reticulocyte count.
I've lost almost all my leuk positives to anemia in the end (except for
one to lymphoma and one to neurological issues) and I'm really bummed out
by the news. I was hoping treating the Hemobart would help the HCT even
though my vet wasn't as optimistic.
I'm just wondering how most people here lose their leuk positives. It
seems all of mine do so well, are completely asymptomatic and then out of
nowhere they stop making red blood cells, the HCT starts to drop, and it
is downhill from there. My vet wrote me a 10 page letter on everything
that could cause weight loss and anemia and we have eliminated almost all
the possibilities I think. We haven't done a digestive panel yet because
it takes 4 mls of blood and I don't want to do that with his HCT dropping.
If the reticulocyte test comes back and shows he is making red blood
cells, we will start investigating digestive issues or anything else that
could be causing his lower HCT. If it comes back as nonregenerative
anemia, is there anything I can do? I know there is the option of Epogen
and I'm looking into that. Anything else or do I just spend time with him
and wait? I hate this point where they are feeling fine, looking fine,
and I know it's only
a matter of time :( This guy has been with me longer than any of my other
positives and I'd do anything to help him but I'm afraid there's nothing
else I can do. Thoughts?
Amy
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