Re: [Felvtalk] Murphy's little comeback-he definitely has 9 lives!! jbero tds.net (Jenny)
Kris, You have gotten a great response from Alice. Just a few points about anemia. Anemia has many causes - not just CRF. There is a Yahoo anemia group you may want to join. http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Feline_Anemia/ For my CRF kitty a mix of B12, Super B Complex, folic acid and NutriVed helped manage his anemia and keep his HCT around 24%. That mix of supplements did not help my FeLV kitties when anemia hit them. Like Alice's babies, mine went quick. As you will find on the anemia board most do not start using Procrit until the HCT is below 20%. Hugs to Avis Sharyl --- On Fri, 10/1/10, nise...@yahoo.com nise...@yahoo.com wrote: From: nise...@yahoo.com nise...@yahoo.com Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Murphy's little comeback-he definitely has 9 lives!! jbero tds.net (Jenny) To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Date: Friday, October 1, 2010, 8:58 PM Hi Alice, Thanks so much for sharing all this. I'm learning a lot following your posts and am so happy that Murphy is having a comeback. If you don't mind answering some more questions, I would very much appreciate it. Just this week I found out by pure accident that the awesome Avis is FeLV+. His counts show nonregenerative anemia: RBC 4.37, HCT 21%. I'd love to get these numbers up a little, or at least keep them from going down for as long as possible. Because right now, he is loving life: eats well, plays with Max the Dog, stalks all those critters on the other side of the window purrs purrs purrs. So, the questions: 1) How long have Murphy Rosie been taking LTCI shots how have they benefited from them? 2) Ditto Interferon -- how long what benefits. Also, do you use the feline Interferon (omega) version if so, how do you get it? Because my understanding is that feline interferon is only available in Europe, maybe Canada, and that there are some risks to using human interferon. 3) Procit -- I was under the impression that Procrit/Epogen is used when the anemia is a result of chronic renal failure. Does Murphy have CRF? 4) Any experience/thoughts on ImmunoRegulin Staph Protein A? I am struggling with what treatments to try and when to start. Is sooner better or should I keep these treatments in reserve for when HCT goes under 20%? Thanks again, hearing your real world experience helps tremendously! Kris B. From: Alice Flowers aliceflow...@sbcglobal.net To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Fri, October 1, 2010 8:01:24 PM Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Murphy's little comeback-he definitely has 9 lives!! jbero tds.net (Jenny) Hi Jenny! OK-we live at the vet-LOL With FeLV, the sooner you can nip anything in the bud, the better. Murphy was put on Cyproheptadine in April for sneezing-we thought allergies because he liked to hang out at the screen door to watch the birds. I had been giving fewer LTCI shots-went to 8 weeks-dumb.the end of July he became anemic-still sneezing and now lethargic, he had lost almost a pound in the 3 months. July 23-He has always tested negative for FHM (formerly known as Hemobartonella). We added the Doxy 2x a day (1/4 of a 100mg tab that I put in a gel cap with the 1/2 tab of 4 mg Cypro) on July 23, along with Procrit 3x a week and the iron capsule 1x a day. Still on Interferon 1cc 2x a day (both he and Rosie). I think the Doxy as more of a preventative measure. He had lots of URIs his first year. Absolute Reticulocyte count was 35200. Autoplatelet 744..Large platelets present, Slight Howell jolly bodies persent. No FHM seen. Went to every 2 wks with the LTCI. Aug 6 he had a temp of 104.7 and was given a shot of .5 ml PennG which I repeated every 5 days at home. But his in-office PCV was up to 27 from 18 in July. CBCs- RBC 3.07 HGB 6.9 HCT 22.5 Autoplatelet 897 Platelets appear increased Large platelets present Absolute Reticulocyte count 70610 Marked degree of regeneration. Sept 18-Breathing too fast-103.5 temp ultrasound showed fluid in the chest cavity and she could not see his heart and lungs on the test-his breathing was raspy. Added Prednisolone 5mg 2x a day and Lasix 1/2 tab 2x a day (I put both in one gelcap) CBC showed RBC 6.48 HGB 11.6 HCT 38.7 (no reticulocyte done) Auto Platelet 621 Platelets appear increased. Decreased Procrit to 2x a week and Iron capsule to one every other night. Added Rutin when Dawn wrote about using it and it helped her cat-1 gel cap 2x a day. LTCI once a week. Today Oct 1 Marked Improvements! ultrasound showed very scant fluid -lung sounds great. In office PCV 36 TP 6-continue the meds except decrease the Procrit (21 units in an insulin syringe) to once a week-mucous membranes nice and pink, temp 101.1, up to 11 lbs 1/2 oz (from 10 lbs Aug 6 but he was 12 lbs a year ago) Come back in a month for CBC (Hahahaha-we
Re: [Felvtalk] Murphy's little comeback-he definitely has 9 lives!!
AliceI'm thrilled for you. I've been concerned...things didn't look too good not so long ago. Congratulations! Sara -Original Message- From: felvtalk-boun...@felineleukemia.org [mailto:felvtalk-boun...@felineleukemia.org] On Behalf Of Alice Flowers Sent: Friday, October 01, 2010 1:13 PM To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Subject: [Felvtalk] Murphy's little comeback-he definitely has 9 lives!! We just got back from Murphy's vet check. The end of July, he was crashing with anemia-(in office PCV 18) HCT 22.3 RBC 3.5 HGB 5.1 even his Absolute Reticulocyte count was 35200 and the lab notation said a count of over 5 was evidence of regenerative anemia-which he was below that level. Our vet had us give him Procrit 3x a week, Doxy, Cypro and an iron supplement. He was getting Interferon 2x a day and we bumped the LTCI to every 2 weeks. He rebounded from that-in 2 months he went to HCT 38.7 RBC 6.48 HGB 11.6. Then 2 weeks ago he seemed to be breathing really fast-I took him in and his lung sounds were raspy and an ultrasound showed lots of fluid pockets, so much that she couldn't see his heart or lungs-she suspected Lymphoma-sent us home with Lasix and Prednisolone to add to his meds 2x a day, lowered the Procrit to 2x a week and we bumped his LTCI to once a week. Dawn on this list said Rutin helped-I immediately went to the health food store and bought the tablets and a pill grinder and put the powder into #3 gel caps and gave him 2 a day. She thought that he may not make 2 weeks judging by the fluid and how much trouble he was having with his fast breathing-it's 2 weeks today and his lung sounds are good-the fluid is 99.5% gone!!! His gums are still nice and pink. We did not do a CBC, but the in office PCV was 36!! I told her about the Rutin and she was impressed (thank you Dawn!!!) and said that they had used it for other conditions, but didn't think of using it on FeLV cats-now she will!! We will stay on the same meds for now but drop the Procrit to only once a week since he seems to be regenerating now. I am so grateful for this list and all of the selfless people out there trying to give these kitties a good life, no matter how short. I have learned so much from all of you and I am no longer afraid to ask my vet questions and to do what I feel is good for my babies. We are all in a limbo trying keep our cats healthy and happy. This disease is horrible-we lost the 4 brothers a year agoI was not ready to lose Murphy-he is such a happy and silly cat-he's a poly with 3 thumbs-he goes click click when trotting down the hallway and acts more like a puppy than a cat. He's not a lap cat, but is right there and likes to lay nearby and reach out and keep a paw on you-just likes to touch. He and Rosie automatically come into the kitchen morning and night and wait for their meds-she is just on Interferon and LTCI monthly-her HCT was 44.7 a few weeks ago. Our vet said to come back in a month for CBCs!! Purrayers and positive thoughts-at least today.Alice and the furry cats that own us!! ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org __ NOD32 5496 (20101001) Information __ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Murphy's little comeback-he definitely has 9 lives!!
What a great update. Glad Murphy responded so well to your treatment plan. Hugs to everybody. Sharyl --- On Fri, 10/1/10, Alice Flowers aliceflow...@sbcglobal.net wrote: From: Alice Flowers aliceflow...@sbcglobal.net Subject: [Felvtalk] Murphy's little comeback-he definitely has 9 lives!! To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Date: Friday, October 1, 2010, 4:13 PM We just got back from Murphy's vet check. The end of July, he was crashing with anemia-(in office PCV 18) HCT 22.3 RBC 3.5 HGB 5.1 even his Absolute Reticulocyte count was 35200 and the lab notation said a count of over 5 was evidence of regenerative anemia-which he was below that level. Our vet had us give him Procrit 3x a week, Doxy, Cypro and an iron supplement. He was getting Interferon 2x a day and we bumped the LTCI to every 2 weeks. He rebounded from that-in 2 months he went to HCT 38.7 RBC 6.48 HGB 11.6. Then 2 weeks ago he seemed to be breathing really fast-I took him in and his lung sounds were raspy and an ultrasound showed lots of fluid pockets, so much that she couldn't see his heart or lungs-she suspected Lymphoma-sent us home with Lasix and Prednisolone to add to his meds 2x a day, lowered the Procrit to 2x a week and we bumped his LTCI to once a week. Dawn on this list said Rutin helped-I immediately went to the health food store and bought the tablets and a pill grinder and put the powder into #3 gel caps and gave him 2 a day. She thought that he may not make 2 weeks judging by the fluid and how much trouble he was having with his fast breathing-it's 2 weeks today and his lung sounds are good-the fluid is 99.5% gone!!! His gums are still nice and pink. We did not do a CBC, but the in office PCV was 36!! I told her about the Rutin and she was impressed (thank you Dawn!!!) and said that they had used it for other conditions, but didn't think of using it on FeLV cats-now she will!! We will stay on the same meds for now but drop the Procrit to only once a week since he seems to be regenerating now. I am so grateful for this list and all of the selfless people out there trying to give these kitties a good life, no matter how short. I have learned so much from all of you and I am no longer afraid to ask my vet questions and to do what I feel is good for my babies. We are all in a limbo trying keep our cats healthy and happy. This disease is horrible-we lost the 4 brothers a year agoI was not ready to lose Murphy-he is such a happy and silly cat-he's a poly with 3 thumbs-he goes click click when trotting down the hallway and acts more like a puppy than a cat. He's not a lap cat, but is right there and likes to lay nearby and reach out and keep a paw on you-just likes to touch. He and Rosie automatically come into the kitchen morning and night and wait for their meds-she is just on Interferon and LTCI monthly-her HCT was 44.7 a few weeks ago. Our vet said to come back in a month for CBCs!! Purrayers and positive thoughts-at least today.Alice and the furry cats that own us!! ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Murphy's little comeback-he definitely has 9 lives!!
Alice, This is fantastic news. I think you are the first person I know to have reversed a nonregenerative anemia without transfusion. There are probably others but I do not know of them. I would love to recreate your success. To recap since the anemia (was this hemolytic - sounds like since doxy and cipro were added - this dampens my enthusiasm a little but that's okay). 1. Anemia - started on Procrit (3x/week) (doxy and cipro) iron supplement Interferon 2x/day (you said he had been on this already?) LTCI injections every two weeks (I know he's been on this for awhile) 2. This combination caused rebound in HCT - was there evidence of regeneration (I mean obviously there was - but what was the reticulocyte count at that time) 3. Pleural edema or effusion (? lymphoma) added: Lasix (diruetic) Prednisolone (steroid) cut back on procrit (2x/week) LTCI up to once/week (is there a concern with injections this frequently - has the manufacturer any warnings on this?) Rutin 4. Currently HCT good - is his appetite and behavior normal. What is his lymphocyte and platelet count - do you know? So this has all occured in the span of two months. The fact that the bone marrow responded to the procrit suggests to me that at least the bone marrow is capable to responding. The question is, is it the addition of LTCI and interferon that is putting the virus at bay enough for the bone marrow to respond. Are you going to continue with the LTCI injections weekly or planning on cutting back? I am so happy. I really hope that his success continues. If this is reproducible I will be estatic. God bless you for your endurance. Jenny On Fri, Oct 1, 2010 at 3:13 PM, Alice Flowers aliceflow...@sbcglobal.netwrote: We just got back from Murphy's vet check. The end of July, he was crashing with anemia-(in office PCV 18) HCT 22.3 RBC 3.5 HGB 5.1 even his Absolute Reticulocyte count was 35200 and the lab notation said a count of over 5 was evidence of regenerative anemia-which he was below that level. Our vet had us give him Procrit 3x a week, Doxy, Cypro and an iron supplement. He was getting Interferon 2x a day and we bumped the LTCI to every 2 weeks. He rebounded from that-in 2 months he went to HCT 38.7 RBC 6.48 HGB 11.6. Then 2 weeks ago he seemed to be breathing really fast-I took him in and his lung sounds were raspy and an ultrasound showed lots of fluid pockets, so much that she couldn't see his heart or lungs-she suspected Lymphoma-sent us home with Lasix and Prednisolone to add to his meds 2x a day, lowered the Procrit to 2x a week and we bumped his LTCI to once a week. Dawn on this list said Rutin helped-I immediately went to the health food store and bought the tablets and a pill grinder and put the powder into #3 gel caps and gave him 2 a day. She thought that he may not make 2 weeks judging by the fluid and how much trouble he was having with his fast breathing-it's 2 weeks today and his lung sounds are good-the fluid is 99.5% gone!!! His gums are still nice and pink. We did not do a CBC, but the in office PCV was 36!! I told her about the Rutin and she was impressed (thank you Dawn!!!) and said that they had used it for other conditions, but didn't think of using it on FeLV cats-now she will!! We will stay on the same meds for now but drop the Procrit to only once a week since he seems to be regenerating now. I am so grateful for this list and all of the selfless people out there trying to give these kitties a good life, no matter how short. I have learned so much from all of you and I am no longer afraid to ask my vet questions and to do what I feel is good for my babies. We are all in a limbo trying keep our cats healthy and happy. This disease is horrible-we lost the 4 brothers a year agoI was not ready to lose Murphy-he is such a happy and silly cat-he's a poly with 3 thumbs-he goes click click when trotting down the hallway and acts more like a puppy than a cat. He's not a lap cat, but is right there and likes to lay nearby and reach out and keep a paw on you-just likes to touch. He and Rosie automatically come into the kitchen morning and night and wait for their meds-she is just on Interferon and LTCI monthly-her HCT was 44.7 a few weeks ago. Our vet said to come back in a month for CBCs!! Purrayers and positive thoughts-at least today.Alice and the furry cats that own us!! ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Murphy's little comeback-he definitely has 9 lives!! jbero tds.net (Jenny)
Hi Jenny! OK-we live at the vet-LOL With FeLV, the sooner you can nip anything in the bud, the better. Murphy was put on Cyproheptadine in April for sneezing-we thought allergies because he liked to hang out at the screen door to watch the birds. I had been giving fewer LTCI shots-went to 8 weeks-dumb.the end of July he became anemic-still sneezing and now lethargic, he had lost almost a pound in the 3 months. July 23-He has always tested negative for FHM (formerly known as Hemobartonella). We added the Doxy 2x a day (1/4 of a 100mg tab that I put in a gel cap with the 1/2 tab of 4 mg Cypro) on July 23, along with Procrit 3x a week and the iron capsule 1x a day. Still on Interferon 1cc 2x a day (both he and Rosie). I think the Doxy as more of a preventative measure. He had lots of URIs his first year. Absolute Reticulocyte count was 35200. Autoplatelet 744..Large platelets present, Slight Howell jolly bodies persent. No FHM seen. Went to every 2 wks with the LTCI. Aug 6 he had a temp of 104.7 and was given a shot of .5 ml PennG which I repeated every 5 days at home. But his in-office PCV was up to 27 from 18 in July. CBCs- RBC 3.07 HGB 6.9 HCT 22.5 Autoplatelet 897 Platelets appear increased Large platelets present Absolute Reticulocyte count 70610 Marked degree of regeneration. Sept 18-Breathing too fast-103.5 temp ultrasound showed fluid in the chest cavity and she could not see his heart and lungs on the test-his breathing was raspy. Added Prednisolone 5mg 2x a day and Lasix 1/2 tab 2x a day (I put both in one gelcap) CBC showed RBC 6.48 HGB 11.6 HCT 38.7 (no reticulocyte done) Auto Platelet 621 Platelets appear increased. Decreased Procrit to 2x a week and Iron capsule to one every other night. Added Rutin when Dawn wrote about using it and it helped her cat-1 gel cap 2x a day. LTCI once a week. Today Oct 1 Marked Improvements! ultrasound showed very scant fluid -lung sounds great. In office PCV 36 TP 6-continue the meds except decrease the Procrit (21 units in an insulin syringe) to once a week-mucous membranes nice and pink, temp 101.1, up to 11 lbs 1/2 oz (from 10 lbs Aug 6 but he was 12 lbs a year ago) Come back in a month for CBC (Hahahaha-we didn't know if he was going to make it to this appt and now it's see ya in a month!!) Wooo Hooo!! He has a good appetite-loves the AD wet food from the vet, strained ham is his favorite baby food-he eats dry food really well also-blue buffalo with probiotics and a few other premium grain free holistic foods without fishmeal (some fishmeal is preserved with carcinogens). I do let him have some junk food-LOL cuz he loves the hairball control treats in the silver package, and he is a fluffy boy. I hope you can make sense of the numbers. It's one heck of a roller coaster ride. Alice ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Murphy's little comeback-he definitely has 9 lives!! jbero tds.net (Jenny)
Hi Alice, Thanks so much for sharing all this. I'm learning a lot following your posts and am so happy that Murphy is having a comeback. If you don't mind answering some more questions, I would very much appreciate it. Just this week I found out by pure accident that the awesome Avis is FeLV+. His counts show nonregenerative anemia: RBC 4.37, HCT 21%. I'd love to get these numbers up a little, or at least keep them from going down for as long as possible. Because right now, he is loving life: eats well, plays with Max the Dog, stalks all those critters on the other side of the window purrs purrs purrs. So, the questions: 1) How long have Murphy Rosie been taking LTCI shots how have they benefited from them? 2) Ditto Interferon -- how long what benefits. Also, do you use the feline Interferon (omega) version if so, how do you get it? Because my understanding is that feline interferon is only available in Europe, maybe Canada, and that there are some risks to using human interferon. 3) Procit -- I was under the impression that Procrit/Epogen is used when the anemia is a result of chronic renal failure. Does Murphy have CRF? 4) Any experience/thoughts on ImmunoRegulin Staph Protein A? I am struggling with what treatments to try and when to start. Is sooner better or should I keep these treatments in reserve for when HCT goes under 20%? Thanks again, hearing your real world experience helps tremendously! Kris B. From: Alice Flowers aliceflow...@sbcglobal.net To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Fri, October 1, 2010 8:01:24 PM Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Murphy's little comeback-he definitely has 9 lives!! jbero tds.net (Jenny) Hi Jenny! OK-we live at the vet-LOL With FeLV, the sooner you can nip anything in the bud, the better. Murphy was put on Cyproheptadine in April for sneezing-we thought allergies because he liked to hang out at the screen door to watch the birds. I had been giving fewer LTCI shots-went to 8 weeks-dumb.the end of July he became anemic-still sneezing and now lethargic, he had lost almost a pound in the 3 months. July 23-He has always tested negative for FHM (formerly known as Hemobartonella). We added the Doxy 2x a day (1/4 of a 100mg tab that I put in a gel cap with the 1/2 tab of 4 mg Cypro) on July 23, along with Procrit 3x a week and the iron capsule 1x a day. Still on Interferon 1cc 2x a day (both he and Rosie). I think the Doxy as more of a preventative measure. He had lots of URIs his first year. Absolute Reticulocyte count was 35200. Autoplatelet 744..Large platelets present, Slight Howell jolly bodies persent. No FHM seen. Went to every 2 wks with the LTCI. Aug 6 he had a temp of 104.7 and was given a shot of .5 ml PennG which I repeated every 5 days at home. But his in-office PCV was up to 27 from 18 in July. CBCs- RBC 3.07 HGB 6.9 HCT 22.5 Autoplatelet 897 Platelets appear increased Large platelets present Absolute Reticulocyte count 70610 Marked degree of regeneration. Sept 18-Breathing too fast-103.5 temp ultrasound showed fluid in the chest cavity and she could not see his heart and lungs on the test-his breathing was raspy. Added Prednisolone 5mg 2x a day and Lasix 1/2 tab 2x a day (I put both in one gelcap) CBC showed RBC 6.48 HGB 11.6 HCT 38.7 (no reticulocyte done) Auto Platelet 621 Platelets appear increased. Decreased Procrit to 2x a week and Iron capsule to one every other night. Added Rutin when Dawn wrote about using it and it helped her cat-1 gel cap 2x a day. LTCI once a week. Today Oct 1 Marked Improvements! ultrasound showed very scant fluid -lung sounds great. In office PCV 36 TP 6-continue the meds except decrease the Procrit (21 units in an insulin syringe) to once a week-mucous membranes nice and pink, temp 101.1, up to 11 lbs 1/2 oz (from 10 lbs Aug 6 but he was 12 lbs a year ago) Come back in a month for CBC (Hahahaha-we didn't know if he was going to make it to this appt and now it's see ya in a month!!) Wooo Hooo!! He has a good appetite-loves the AD wet food from the vet, strained ham is his favorite baby food-he eats dry food really well also-blue buffalo with probiotics and a few other premium grain free holistic foods without fishmeal (some fishmeal is preserved with carcinogens). I do let him have some junk food-LOL cuz he loves the hairball control treats in the silver package, and he is a fluffy boy. I hope you can make sense of the numbers. It's one heck of a roller coaster ride. Alice ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
