Update on Puddy; she's gone*9/29* see post #421

[Medusa]

Dr. Lee called this morning and he feels that the mass on Puddy's x-ray is a lipoma, which is fat, but to get a better idea he feels that an ultrasound should be done. See what I mean about him? He has the instincts. I was right there and Dr. Feeman could have suggested that and saved me the time and money and Puddy the stress of another trip there. Here's the bad part, though: she's anemic. He feels that she could benefit from thrice weekly treatments of epogen. It would cost me $600 a month! I just do not have that in my budget, I just don't! I want Puddy to have a good chance but that's a lot of money! If it was a one time thing, I'd do it but every month for who knows how long. Sigh. I told him I'd have to think about it. I told him what Dr. Feeman said about making a list of how Puddy's quality of life has diminished and to think about having her PTS in the not-too-distant future and he was totally silent. Then I said that I feel that Puddy still has a lot of fight left in her and he said "I totally agree w/you. She's been through tougher times than this. I've told you before that this cat astounds me. She's an amazing girl. Her creatinine and BUN levels have actually gone down, so you're doing a good job." I just don't know what I'm going to do. I've been trying to see where I can cut some things out but $600 a month is quite a chunk. So anyhow, that's where we are.

Btw, I don't want to give the impression that I don't like Dr. Feeman or that he isn't a good vet. He absolutely is a good vet but, as I said before, Dr. Lee is the man.

[Grace]

Did he say how long it would take for the epogen to work its magic? Maybe you could try it out for a couple of weeks and see how it goes. And maybe the frequency could be reduced after a month or so - down to twice a week?

[Medusa]

Did he say how long it would take for the epogen to work its magic? Maybe you could try it out for a couple of weeks and see how it goes. And maybe the frequency could be reduced after a month or so - down to twice a week?

She would have to be on the injections for the rest of her life. I thought maybe trying it for a month and see how she does w/it, then go from there. I just don't know. I've got Specs and his heart murmur to check out and if he has something more serious, then I've got to take that into consideration. My Pidge is in early CRF and Boo is healthy now but he's 17 and that's when things start to go wrong. I'm just overwhelmed.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Mary, I hope that Puddy's UTI goes away quickly. I also hope that the mass isn't anything life threatening. I'm so sorry to hear that she's anemic and needs medication that's so expensive. I know that I wouldn't be able to afford something like this either. Do they make a generic version for this that might be more affordable? I'm also sorry to hear that you're so overwhelmed right now. I now that when it rains it pours and I've been there many times. Puddy and the rest of your gang will be in my thoughts and prayers. Please take care of yourself too. (((HUGS)))

[Moesha]

Is there any kind of iron supplements that you could add to her diet and see if that would increase her levels? I'm glad you have found Dr. Lee. He sounds like quite a guy.

[Catlady711]

Is there any kind of iron supplements that you could add to her diet and see if that would increase her levels?

I had to look up the drug her vet recommends, I'm not familiar with that one myself.

The information I found indicates that the anemia her kitty has is not just a lack of supplement.


http://www.vin.com/VINDBPub/SearchPB...00/PR00043.htm

Erythropoietin as a Therapeutic Agent. Erythropoietin (Epogen[TM] - Amgen) is used almost exclusively in treating anemia associated with feline chronic renal disease. Dosage is 100 to 150 units/kg subcutaneously every two to three days. As it is a human recombinant product, about one fourth to one third of cats receiving this hormone will produce antibodies against it in six to eight weeks. Care must be taken against overzealous use of this product, which can lead to as polycythemia with severe to fatal results. As the Hct reaches the reference level, the interval dosage of erythropoietin is reduced to every fourth or fifth day. The underlying renal disease is unaffected, but the quality of life is markedly improved.

[Moesha]

Ahh, I'm familiar with the name erythropoietin from use in humans.

[Medusa]

the quality of life is markedly improved.[/I]

It's this line that got to me. If Dr. Lee had said that it might not make a difference in Puddy's overall health, I'd say that I won't do it. But he told me that he has seen remarkable results w/it. So I'm going to ask him if giving her iron supplements could possibly help or maybe a homeopathic remedy. And if the shots are given under the skin, I can probably do it myself if they teach me how. I just don't know. I'm going to think about it over the weekend and see how I feel. I want to give Puddy every chance but I also have the rest of my Fur Posse to think about and my own health problems. If I'm not well myself, I won't be able to take care of my cats. I hate it when it comes down to money!

[Freedom]

Jst now catching up on your day yesterday, Mary. Prayers for you and Puddy, she is such a sweet lady, I hope a solution can be found for all of this. Best get that UTI heading outta town! {{HUGS}} to you, Mary.

[nepeta]

There is a good article on Epogen use for cats in renal failure at


http://www.felinecrf.org/anaemia.htm

[Purr-tender]

I haven't checked in on Cat Health for awhile, usually just check Cat General several times a day. I was so saddened to read that Puddy isn't feeling well. My heart and prayers go out to you and your precious Puddy. Along with everyone else here, I'll anxiously wait for updates. <<<BIG HUGS>>>

Mary

[Medusa]

Just thought I'd include a pic of my Puddy. No reason. Just wanted to. I can hardly ever get her to look at the camera. She was feeling pretty punk when I snapped this yesterday. She wanted to sleep downstairs w/the rest of the Fur Posse so, of course, I let her but at 2:00 AM she banged on the door so loudly that I thought someone was knocking on my front door. I let her out and she scampered upstairs straight to the bathroom. She wanted me to help her up to the sink again so that she could drink out of the faucet. I did it several times and finally I just let the faucet dribble a little and left her there so I could get some sleep. She jumped down when she was finished and I turned the dribble off at 6:00 AM. God forbid she should use her own private fountain. Good thing I didn't have to get up early this morning. LOL