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

[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.

[Catty1]

Mary - seems to me iMom has had clients who need out-of-the ordinary medication. Why not try them?

Is it possible that after a while she would be able to go down to fewer injections?

And we here will help too!
(PS - would it be any cheaper if you learned to do the injections? Just a thought.)

[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!

[Catty1]

I know she will need the shots for the rest of her life - but always three times a week? Ask Dr Lee

I think Jen's BraveHeart (RIP) was on that, and perhaps Mr Meow also. You might want to ask her.

Again, try iMom for initial help with the cost, especially if it won't always be that high.

And your Abundance Check just might come through unexpectedly!

[Barbara]

Epogen is one of the things cyclists take for doping. It has been in discussion with Filou as well ( who also is anemic). I don't know what it would cost here but I know 400 € a month would be trouble

[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

[Medusa]

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


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

Thank you so much for this article. I haven't read the entire site because it's quite lengthy, however, I did read much that pertains to Puddy and I'm leaning towards not giving her the Epogen. Dr. Lee had indicated to me several months ago that she had possibly a year left and giving her these injections may help her feel a little better but, seeing that she has only one kidney, the risks appear to outweigh the benefits. I will still talk to him again tomorrow, though.

[Medusa]

Puddy is still behaving strangely. She purrs a lot which, as you may know, doesn't necessarily mean contentment. Cats also purr when they're comforting themselves and it's also a symptom of anemia. Puddy hisses and she hasn't done much of that lately at all. It's Puddy's hiss that tells me she's herself. When I first began her subQ treatments a couple of years ago, she really put up a fuss, partly due to my lack of confidence and fear of hurting her and also because who likes to have a needle jabbed into them every day? However, after I got the hang of it, she accepted it w/grace, sat there calmly during the treatment and scampered off afterwards. Now she cries during the entire subQ treatment and she quivers. I fear that 3 more injections of Epogen a week will just be too much for her body and even for her strong spirit. I've contemplated iron injections but they're intramuscular and painful and I will not put her through that. She had one during her last vet visit a few days ago and that's enough. I will talk to Dr. Lee about the possibility of giving her iron supplements, though, perhaps in liquid form. I've had to accept that Puddy's care from here on may be palliative. I've also emailed Nancy Efrusy to see if she could schedule me for a reading. Her insight couldn't hurt.

Something else to consider is that Dr. Lee told me that most vet clinics do not stock Epogen; it has to be special ordered. He has it in stock but he's a 45 minute drive each way, so I'd have to put Puddy through the stress of the drive plus the injection and I'd have to figure out how I would take time off from my work schedule to do that. So until I talk to Dr. Lee tomorrow and get a reading w/Nancy, I'm just not going to rush into a decision. It isn't the money. I've decided that I'll do whatever it takes to get the money. It's Puddy's quality of life that is my main concern. She's my "heart kitty" and has been my loyal friend and companion for 14 years and it's my obligation and pleasure to make her as comfortable as possible during whatever time she has left.

[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