I've been dealing with my 17 yr old baby Nicky's CRF and knowing where it's leading, so was reading up on losing animal friends to death, euthanasia, and so on.
Wholisticanimal.com also has a lovely article on Euthanasia answers - http://www.wholisticanimal.com/animal.htm
There's a thoughtful article that I just read in Dr. Don Hamilton's book "Homeopathic Care for Cats and Dogs" on euthanasia (available to buy at amazon.com or Redwingbooks.com ).
Also, I just ran into a book that I haven't read but looks good, called "The Heart That Is Loved Never Forgets: Recovering from Loss: When Humans and Animals Lose Their Companions" at http://www.parkstpress.com/titles/hethlo.htm.
Part of what Hamilton says : "I used to be clear about euthanasia being a blessing among our options as veterinarians. When faced with a terminally ill animal who is suffering, it seems wonderful to be able to shorten the time she suffers. ... As I continue in practice and attempt to contemplate my moral responsibility, however, these decisions are not always so easy - at least for the large number of animals in the middle, in the gray zone."
"..The essential guiding factor we must keep always at the forefront is the interest of our companion."
..."I always advise guardians that they will know when th time is correct, and they will know if euthanasia by injection is the best answer, as long as they remain clear in the contemplation of the need for their friend. Many animals die rather peacefully on their own... In most cases, I believe that allowing the natural process to unfold is best - not only the animals but also the guardians gain by participating in the death. In other cases, howver, assistance is truly compassionate."
Gloria
At 01:24 PM 1/9/02 -0600, you wrote:
Thanks Peggy,
I'm sorry to hear that your kitty didn't survive. It's good he made it for 6 weeks though. Our vet told us we could only hope for about 2 weeks after a transfusion, if she's non-regenerative. If I could give her another 6 weeks it would be so worth it.
I don't have the heart to watch her suffer but I also don't have the heart to tell her it's time and have the vet put her to sleep. I don't know what I'm going to do but whatever it is I hope I chose right for her.
Thanks again for your help!
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----- Original Message -----Cricket:
From: Pike, Peggy
I had a cat that had non-regenerative anemia. He was never treated with epogen but did have a transfusion which bought him about six weeks of life. My vet was against trying epogen because of the potential side effects, one being kidney failure. However, I have heard of other people on the list using epogen on their kitties and it did work. I don't know if their cats had regenerative or non-regenerative anemia though. I do believe your kitty will have to have a transfusion before epogen is used. The transfusion will raise her PCV level. Anything below 12% warrants a transfusion.
My advice if you want to keep fighting is do the transfusion and try epogen. I wish I would not have let my vet talk me out of using epogen.
I know it is a tough call to make: continue trying anything and everything to make them well versus putting them out of their misery. Please keep us posted and please feel free to write back if you have any questions about anemia.
Peggy
