Re: Fu's red cell blood count
I have been thinking a lot about Fu, and I read the info on the site, emailed by someone else, saying that Tapazol can cause anemia and kidney damage. I am thinking there is a good chance that this is what has happened to Fu. I am wondering if it would make sense to decrease or stop the Tapazol, since the info said that such side effects stop after the drug is stopped. Our cat Percy was hyperthyroid for several years before she died at a month short of 20, and did not get any treatment for it because she also had slight kidney problems and the vet said the two would keep each other in check. She was horribly thin and ate a tremendous amount for her size, but lived quite happily like that for most of her elderly years. We finally started her on Tapazol when she was so think we could not believe she could live that way, and she died two days after starting it, and we always wondered if the meds did it. Anyway, what I am trying to say, is that the effects of hyperthyroidism may be less fatal, or fatal in a slower way, than the anemia if that is coming from the Tapazol, so it might be worth trying him off it. Michelle
Re: Fu's red cell blood count
I should have said in the last email that I meant to talk to the vet about it, or to people on the feline hyper-t group, not to just stop it because it may need to be tapered or may not be possible at all. Michelle
Re: Fu's red cell blood count
Michelle, Fu's been off the tapazole for about two days now, at the vet's suggestion. Thanks for thinking of him. Bonnie www.elephants.com - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Friday, January 6, 2006 8:59 pm Subject: Re: Fu's red cell blood count To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org I have been thinking a lot about Fu, and I read the info on the site, emailed by someone else, saying that Tapazol can cause anemia and kidney damage. I am thinking there is a good chance that this is what has happened to Fu. I am wondering if it would make sense to decrease or stop the Tapazol, since the info said that such side effects stop after the drug is stopped. Our cat Percy was hyperthyroid for several years before she died at a month short of 20, and did not get any treatment for it because she also had slight kidney problems and the vet said the two would keep each other in check. She was horribly thin and ate a tremendous amount for her size, but lived quite happily like that for most of her elderly years. We finally started her on Tapazol when she was so think we could not believe she could live that way, and she died two days after starting it, and we always wondered if the meds did it. Anyway, what I am trying to say, is that the effects of hyperthyroidism may be less fatal, or fatal in a slower way, than the anemia if that is coming from the Tapazol, so it might be worth trying him off it. Michelle
Re: Fu's red cell blood count
Not any better though? Michelle In a message dated 1/6/2006 10:19:49 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Michelle,Fu's been off the tapazole for about two days now, at the vet's suggestion.Thanks for thinking of him.Bonnie
Re: Fu's red cell blood count
Fu's been on it for 3 1/2 years. Bonnie www.elephants.com - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Tuesday, January 3, 2006 10:39 pm Subject: Re: Fu's red cell blood count To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Bonnie~ The anemia may be a result of the methimazole. (Check out _www.vetinfo.com/cthyroidtreat.html_ (http://www.vetinfo.com/cthyroidtreat.html) ). How long has Fu been on the methimazole? I agree, 19 is a risky age for the surgery. Another side effect from methimazole use is damage to the kidneys... It's so hard when our babies get on in years. Your damned if you do, and damned if you don't. My Felix, who suffered IBD was diagnosed with CRF at 17. After fighting with him with meds and special prescription diet, I decided to just give him subq fluids and homeopathic supplements, and let him eat what ever he wanted Dear boy, lived another 2 and 1/2 years. Best wishes for Fu and you. Patti
Fu's red cell blood count
Michelle and all - the vet just said Fu's red cell blood count is 15. I know that's pretty low. I wonder if the methimazole he's taking for hyperthyroidism is causing the anemia? I think at a very frail 19 years, he's certainly too old for surgical thyroid removal. Bonnie
Re: Fu's red cell blood count
15 is low, but not deathly low. It depends on how fast it is dropping. Kerry's Bandy was down to 17, I think, and is back up to 32 through a combination of folic acid and some other supplements, and I think he was on Epogen for a while. Did you save the post with all her recommendations? I have it and can send it to you if you didn't. I know little about thyroid and nothing about methimazole. Michelle In a message dated 1/3/2006 7:35:46 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Michelle and all - the vet just said Fu's red cell blood count is 15. Iknow that's pretty low. I wonder if the methimazole he's taking forhyperthyroidism is causing the anemia? I think at a very frail 19 years,he's certainly too old for surgical thyroid removal.Bonnie
Re: Fu's red cell blood count
Could you please send me Kerry's post? Thanks very much, Bonnie www.elephants.com - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Tuesday, January 3, 2006 7:22 pm Subject: Re: Fu's red cell blood count To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org 15 is low, but not deathly low. It depends on how fast it is dropping. Kerry's Bandy was down to 17, I think, and is back up to 32 through a combination of folic acid and some other supplements, and I think he was on Epogen for a while. Did you save the post with all her recommendations? I have it and can send it to you if you didn't. I know little about thyroid and nothing about methimazole. Michelle In a message dated 1/3/2006 7:35:46 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Michelle and all - the vet just said Fu's red cell blood count is 15. I know that's pretty low. I wonder if the methimazole he's taking for hyperthyroidism is causing the anemia? I think at a very frail 19 years,he's certainly too old for surgical thyroid removal. Bonnie
Re: Fu's red cell blood count
Bonnie~ The anemia may be a result of the methimazole. (Check out www.vetinfo.com/cthyroidtreat.html). How long has Fu been on the methimazole? I agree, 19 is a risky age for the surgery. Another side effect from methimazole use is damage to the kidneys... It's so hard when our babies get on in years. Your damned if you do, and damned if you don't. My Felix, who suffered IBD was diagnosed with CRF at 17. After "fighting" with him with meds and special "prescription diet", I decided to just give him subq fluids and homeopathic supplements, and let him eat what ever he wanted Dear boy, lived another 2 and 1/2 years. Best wishes for Fu and you. Patti
Re: Fu's red cell blood count
Bonnie,I'm sorry Fu is not doing well. I don't know about the methamizole affecting the anemia, but I don't think you can just stop giving it. I lost my cat Olive who had hyperthyroidism to kidney failure. There is a great hyper-t yahoo group that might be able to give you some ideas to help Fu. They know a great deal about the medicine you're using, hyper-t, and the usually related kidney disease. I can't remember, but I believe I recall discussing anemia when I was on that group as well. I wish I had joined the group as soon as I found out Olive had the hyper-t, but she was doing fine and I didn't join until she began having problems. Keep us posted.take care, tonyaBONNIE J KALMBACH [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Could you please send me Kerry's post?Thanks very much,Bonniewww.elephants.com- Original Message -From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]Date: Tuesday, January 3, 2006 7:22 pmSubject: Re: Fu's red cell blood countTo: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org 15 is low, but not deathly low. It depends on how fast it is dropping. Kerry's Bandy was down to 17, I think, and is back up to 32 through a combination of folic acid and some other supplements, and I think he was on Epogen for a while. Did you save the post with all her recommendations? I have it and can send it to you if you didn't. I know little about thyroid and nothing about methimazole. Michelle In a message dated 1/3/2006 7:35:46 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Michelle and all - the vet just said Fu's red cell blood count is 15. I know that's pretty low. I wonder if the methimazole he's taking for hyperthyroidism is causing the anemia? I think at a very frail 19 years,he's certainly too old for surgical thyroid removal. Bonnie
