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

[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)))

[Emeraldgreen]

You have so much going on right now! My prayers are with you and with all of your cats, especially sweet Puddy right now. After reading through this thread I think your idea to start her on the Epogen is a good idea. Perhaps it will make a difference or maybe it won't but then you will be able to decide knowing that you gave it a try. If it does seem to begin to help her maybe you could eventually switch over to your local vet for convenience for both you and Puddy.
I was also wondering if her being so withdrawn and maybe uncomfortable could also be due to the UTI or to the Zeniquin she is on to fight the UTI. I don't know anything about this drug but maybe with everything combined (kidney issue, anemia, UTI and possible side effects from the Zeniquin) she might be feeling awful. I am wondering if the UTI clears up or the meds are finished she might come around a bit and be a bit more ready to combat the anemia issue. How many more days will she be on the Zeniquin?
She is so beautiful and I know that it is so hard living in this limbo trying to figure out what is the best decision to make. Whatever you decide, it will be based on love. You have her best interest at heart and she is blessed to have you.
I'm sorry that you are going through all this and I hope that things will begin to get better on all fronts, especially with you and your health! Praying that the diabetes and thyroid tests will show that you don't have an issue with either. But I do hope that you will be able to get to the bottom of what is going on with your health and the recent changes. Please keep us posted.
P.S. I was so relieved to hear that you do not have ovarian cancer. The stress of wondering if you had it or not must have been tremendous. I'm glad that part is over and hope that a solution to whatever is going on is around the corner. {{{{{HUGS}}}}}