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

[carole]

Good luck with the further tests,i know how it feels to have things not normal and never getting to the bottom of it, so fustrating and very worrying, i really empathise with you Mary, and yes if you are under stress with kitties that will indeed make you unwell too, completely understand where you are coming from on that issue, I am hoping all is well with you and you can find out what is troubling you, and ease the worry,that in itself will make you feel so much better, thinking of you and wishing you all and puddy all the best.

Thank goodness you did not have ovarian cancer, i am so relieved for you.

[Medusa]

I called my local vet to see if they stock Epogen and they don't but she said she could have it overnighted. She'll call me tomorrow w/the exact cost of each injection but she ballparked it today and it came to approximately $30 instead of $50 w/Dr. Lee. That would help and I also would only have a 10 minute drive instead of a 45 minute one and the gas expense would go way down as well. So, if the price stays around $30, then I'm going to give Puddy at least a couple of weeks worth of injections and have her blood work done to see if the RBC count and her energy have improved. Right now it's as though I have a little stuffed animal. She doesn't want to come out of her carrier at all. Before, at least, she would lie in the sun in the patio room. Now, even if I carry her there, she goes back to her carrier. She wants to be left totally alone. I have to bring her food to her or I take her to feed w/the rest of the Fur Posse but, as soon as she's finished eating, she goes back to her carrier. Puddy is just a shell of what she used to be and it's making my heart so sore to see her this way.

[jenluckenbach]

I had totally lost track of this thread ( sorry), but prayers are always with you and Puddy.
If you go the Epogen route, ask about an iron/vitamin suppliment to go along with it. BraveHeart got Pet-Tinic.

[Medusa]

I have a call in to Dr. Lee so that he'll get it first thing tomorrow morning. I'm not going to wait for the Epogen to come in to my local vet's. I want to start her on it tomorrow and get the ball rolling, then call my local vet and tell her to order it. Puddy is fading quickly, which is why I was hesitant to start the Epogen in the first place. It isn't a miracle drug but it can raise the RBC count. Given her extreme renal failure, though, I'm not sure at this point that it will make any difference but I feel that I at least owe her that chance. I'm ready to cry so I'm going to sign off for now.

[jenluckenbach]

I just reread some of this thread that I had missed.

1st, after the first injection, YOU should be able to give them at home. Make them show you how (it is a sub-Q shot)

2nd, the dosage WILL decrease once it is shown that RBCs are being made again.

3rd, The Epogen I got was from a human compounding pharmacy, not through the vet. Possibly the price might be different at a local pharmacy.

Best of luck with this. I hope it can perk her up fast.

[Catty1]

Oh, Mary! {{{{hugs}}}}

C'mon, little Puddy-cat - hang on til you get to see Dr Lee!

Mary, I know it's hard to focus right now with Puddy in such weak shape...but do note what Jen has said - maybe your local vet can get this from a human compounding pharmacy.

PT Prayers that Puddy makes it through the first few shots...then she will perk up.

Gentle {hugs} and cuddles to that dear girl.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Mary, I'm so sorry to hear that Puddy isn't doing well. I hope that Dr. Lee will be able to help her tomorrow and that the Epogen shots will help her and make her feel much better. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent her way. Please take care. (((HUGS)))