The transfusion is to get the cat past a crisis. To address the underlying issues, you could try treating with LTCI which is specifically for FELV+ cats. Orally dosed Interferon alfa is another excellent treatment for FELV+ cats, and cheap especially when you have multiple FELV+ and/or FIV+ cats (compounded liquid, 60 day shelf life).
http://tcyte.com/ltci-product-info-feline-leukemia/ Epogen is a drug that can be used to stimulate red blood cell production, but it is a serious medicine not to be given lightly. But I would try it alongside the interferon alfa and LTCI in a desperate anemia situation, if I had the money. More info at http://www.felineleukemia.org/treatmnt.shtml BTW I had a very anemic cat (FELV-) and they didn't know why he was sick despite all kinds of tests. Out of desperation we gave him the doxy, and he responded very quickly. So they figured he had hemobartonella. He recovered and is still fine, years later. KG On Wed, Feb 27, 2013 at 3:11 PM, Beth <[email protected]> wrote: > Marnie - > > So sorry your baby is sick. > The Doxy is in the hopes it is hemobartonella that is causing the problem. > This can be a little difficult to diagnose, so vets usually give the Doxy > just in case, but it works pretty quickly if that's what it is. I had a > non-FeLV cat with hemobartonella & he started showing improvement within 2 > days of the blood transfusion & Doxy. > Non-regenerative anemia of unknown origin is pretty common in FeLV cats. > Most of my FeLV's have died from this. I would have to agree with your vet, > unfortunately. > > So sorry you are having to go through this. > > Beth > Don't Litter, Fix Your Critter! www.Furkids.org <http://www.furkids.org/> > > > ------------------------------ > *From:* Marnie Miszewski <[email protected]> > *To:* "[email protected]" <[email protected]> > *Sent:* Wednesday, February 27, 2013 2:48 PM > *Subject:* [Felvtalk] Anemia & blood transfusions > > > I apologize in advance if this topic has been discussed recently, but my > baby is sick and I haven't been on the computer much. > > My FELV cat Thomas O' Malley, has non regenerative anemia. He wasn't > showing any signs of illness until one day he spent the entire day hiding > in my closet. I immediately took him in and he was already pale from lack > of blood. We gave him a transfusion and he has been great for 2 weeks. > Yesterday he went back in the closet and we are back in the same situation. > The vet recommended against another transfusion saying its a waste of time > and money because the FELV will continue to attack the marrow and he will > continue to need transfusions. > > I read that the transfusions can last longer each time you get them, but I > don't know if that's true. Has anyone had a cat in this situation? Did the > transfusion last more than a few weeks? > I have him on iron supplements in addition to the prednisone and > doxycycline. > > Thanks. I'm so conflicted. I don't want him to suffer! > Marnie > > > _______________________________________________ > Felvtalk mailing list > [email protected] > http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org > > > > _______________________________________________ > Felvtalk mailing list > [email protected] > http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org > >
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