Re: cost of epogen/transfusion?
Bonnie, Ask your vet about giving him a dexamethasone shot. It really makes them feel better, even when they are really sick. And sometimes helps with anemia. It may be contraindicated because of his kidney and thyroid problems, though, I don't know. Michelle In a message dated 1/5/2006 10:42:47 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Fu is pretty wiped out, Michelle. He can barely move, but I think thefolic acid has helped a little. When he looks like he had to go to thelittle box, I carry him there and support him while goes - or tries to go. I'm hand-feeding him a/d with Fancy Feast beef liver mixed in. I've gotsome beef liver on hand that I'll cook up for him later. Bonnie
Re: cost of epogen/transfusion?
Michelle, Thanks for the suggestion, but Fu is already on Prednisone to keep his cancer in remission. I will ask the vet about the dex though. My Nina takes it in pill form for her IBD and asthma. Bonnie www.elephants.com - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Friday, January 6, 2006 10:16 am Subject: Re: cost of epogen/transfusion? To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Bonnie, Ask your vet about giving him a dexamethasone shot. It really makes them feel better, even when they are really sick. And sometimes helps with anemia. It may be contraindicated because of his kidney and thyroid problems, though, I don't know. Michelle In a message dated 1/5/2006 10:42:47 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Fu is pretty wiped out, Michelle. He can barely move, but I think the folic acid has helped a little. When he looks like he had to go to thelittle box, I carry him there and support him while goes - or tries to go. I'm hand-feeding him a/d with Fancy Feast beef liver mixed in. I've got some beef liver on hand that I'll cook up for him later. Bonnie
Re: cost of epogen/transfusion?
Michelle, Thanks for the info. I was basically wondering if a transfusion would help Fu. The vet is leaning toward thinking that his cancer, although in remission could be causing the anemia. Fu did start to come out of remission earlier last year, but we doubled the dose of pred and that put him into remission. The vet referred to this as anemia caused by chronic disease. Bonnie www.elephants.com - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Thursday, January 5, 2006 8:07 pm Subject: Re: cost of epogen/transfusion? To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org If you are wondering about cost for a blood transfusion (I answered only about Epogen before), Simon's were each about $400, I think, when given to him as an outpatient. Each transfusion took a few hours. I think I remember others saying this was the cost they paid as well, except for someone in NY who had trouble finding one for under $1,000, which seemed very odd to the rest of us. Michelle
Re: cost of epogen/transfusion?
Fu is pretty wiped out, Michelle. He can barely move, but I think the folic acid has helped a little. When he looks like he had to go to the little box, I carry him there and support him while goes - or tries to go. I'm hand-feeding him a/d with Fancy Feast beef liver mixed in. I've got some beef liver on hand that I'll cook up for him later. Bonnie www.elephants.com - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Thursday, January 5, 2006 5:45 pm Subject: Re: cost of epogen/transfusion? To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org In my experience vets would not transfuse until the hematocrit was down to 13. But a transfusion could help. Epogen normally takes a few weeks to kick in, I think, so you might need to do a transfusion to keep him strong until then. Epogen is definitely expensive. If his cancer is in remission, it does not make sense to me that the anemia is from the cancer. If it is from the cancer, it means the cancer is in his bone marrow and not in remission. How is Fu feeling? Michelle In a message dated 1/5/2006 6:19:09 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: How much does Epogen cost? My vet called one pharmacy; they told him they have to order it in units of ten, which would come to $350. I wonder if Fu could use a blood transfusion. His rbc is 15. The vet thinks the anemia is probably due to his GI tract cancer, although thatis pretty much in remission at present. Fu also takes methimazole for a hyperthyroid condition, And I've heard tat long term use of that couldcause anemia. Thanks, Bonnie and her 19 year-old Foozer
Re: cost of epogen/transfusion?
That's what I thought too; I'll ask the vet to clarify. If his cancer is in remission, it does not make sense to me that the anemia is from the cancer. If it is from the cancer, it means the cancer is in his bone marrow and not in remission. How is Fu feeling? Michelle In a message dated 1/5/2006 6:19:09 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: How much does Epogen cost? My vet called one pharmacy; they told him they have to order it in units of ten, which would come to $350. I wonder if Fu could use a blood transfusion. His rbc is 15. The vet thinks the anemia is probably due to his GI tract cancer, although thatis pretty much in remission at present. Fu also takes methimazole for a hyperthyroid condition, And I've heard tat long term use of that couldcause anemia. Thanks, Bonnie and her 19 year-old Foozer
Re: cost of epogen/transfusion?
Bonnie~ Have your vet set up an account with PVPL (Professional Veterinary Products, Ltd.). It is a veterinary supplier, like a co-op, and they are offering a 30 day trial period. When I did all the ordering for the shelter, our main supplier was PVPL, and I ordered our Epogen (epoetin, procrit) from them all the time, as needed. (It's been 2 years since I did the ordering, at that time, a single vial was approx. $40.00) I was able to order a single vial at a time If your vet will not do that, perhaps you can check w/ any local shelters/sanctuaries, and perhaps they can order it for you.. Didn't Belinda just order from Fred Mayer? Would that be a possibility? Best wishes, Patti
Re: cost of epogen/transfusion?
Bonnie~ It sounds like maybe a transfusion would be beneficial for Fu right now With my feral girl who was on Epogen (she was dx.w/ CRF _ I basically took her home for hospice care cause no one at the shelter could touch her), after I found a vet willing to treat a terminally ill "feral", we gave her a transfusion first step. It's been so many years, I don't recall what her bloodwork was, but the vet felt if she responded to steroid shots transfusion, we'd proceed w/ Epogen. And, miraculously she did respond... Very well. We then did the Epogen and my Beauty lived an additional 9 months after I took her home... Transfusions can really make a BIG difference. Keeping Fu and you in my prayers, Patti
