Hi Dianne I recommend starting her on Winstrol, Doxycycline and Prednisone.
Winstrol (Stanozolol) is an anabolic steroid which is amazing in both its ability to stimulate red cell production from the bone marrow, as well as an excellent appetite stimulant. Cerenia is not a particularly effective antibiotic in the circumstances, though the fact that it can be used as a “slow release” antibiotic is a very good feature. My hypothesis is that Doxycycline actually works to affect the FeLV virus by preventing its cell wall production and/or stymies viral reproduction. The Prednisone or Prednisolone acts as an anti-inflammatory and possible liver protection. Be forewarned that the Winstrol will likely significantly increase liver enzymes and will very much alarm the vet. My experience is that the liver enzyme spikes are temporary and will revert back to normal once the Winstrol is discontinued. The dosages I recommend are: * 1 mg x2 per day of Winstrol (However, I have learned that cats have a remarkably high tolerance for Winstrol, so you could “jump start” the process by giving 2 mg x2 per day for the first week and then dropping it down to 1 mg x2 per day. * 50 mg x2 of Doxycycline, per day * 5 mg x1 prednisone/prednisolone per day Run the bloodwork frequently – one a week if possible at the outset, and see if the results help to guide the dosage of Winstrol. Right now, you indicate your cat’s haematocrit is 20 which is low but not anywhere near critical yet. My cat’s haematocrit went down to 5. After several attempts at blood transfusions, it went only as high as 16. When it dropped back to 10, I started him on Winstrol/Doxycycline/Prednisolone, out of sheer desperation (nothing else worked), and got an immediate and wonderful response – the haematocrit began to climb within days of the first doses of Winstrol. I had my cat, Zander, on this regime for a year, though at some point during the course of the year, I dropped the Winstrol down to 1 mg per day. Again, this was entirely dependent on his bloodwork. For the longest time, every time I tried to wean down the dose of Winstrol, his haematocrit would immediately drop as well. It probably took more than 4-6 months before his haematocrit would stay steady when I reduced the dose of Winstrol, and more than a year before I could wean him off it completely. However, Zander’s situation in terms of his haematocrit, was more dire than the blood work you have reported, so you may not need that long. By the way, the Winstrol actually seemed to “turn back on” the bone marrow after it seems to have been destroyed by the virus. Zander’s reticulocyte count was ZERO for more than a year, while we struggled to find something that worked: blood transfusions, interferon, LTCI injections, etc. After I started him on the Winstrol, within a few weeks, I was started to get readings on the reticulocyte counts. Reticulocyte count is a measurement of how many immature red cells are being produced by bone marrow. Clearly, for more than a year, Zander was basically producing next to nothing in red cells, and was kept alive by the blood transfusions we were giving him. Winstrol can be difficult to get ahold of. Generally, it needs to be specially compounded by a compounding pharmacy. I used small white pills. Others on this email group have reported that they have obtained it in liquid form. Good luck and hopefully your vet will assist. Amani From: Felvtalk <felvtalk-boun...@felineleukemia.org> On Behalf Of Dianne Robison Sent: July 27, 2020 9:00 PM To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Subject: [Felvtalk] FeLV+ and now Multicentric lymphoma - need advice asap Hello and help please. This is our third go around with a Feluek positive and lymphoma (sad to say). Our girl, Ginger, will be 7 years old on Wednesday and has been asymptomatic until now. Her lymph nodes in neck and belly are enlarged ad she stopped eating about 36 hours ago. We took her to doc today who did blood work, xray, needle biopsy of lymph node. Her organ function numbers are all still good but her Hematocrit is 20 and she was dehydrated. We got her fluids, Cerenia and will start her on 5 mg. of prednisone twice a day and an appetitie stimulant in her ear. Thoughts, ideas, suggestions, please! We know time is not on our side and anything you have up your sleeve is welcome. We've gone the feeding tube and chemo route with our first kitty with FeLV and mediastinal lymphoma and it was not good. Thank you so much! Dianne Robison & Ginger
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