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

[Barbara]

Sending all my best wishes to you and Puddy. Sweet tender kisses for the poor girl.

[Medusa]

I say "seems" because I'm just not sure yet. I was up w/her all night again last night. I apologize for not posting sooner. I had to rush her to Dr. Lee's yesterday morning, I didn't even have time to shower, then I had to catch up on my work, then go to a dinner last night. I didn't have time to breathe. By the time I got home, I was so exhausted I went straight to bed but Puddy was up all night again anyhow, so I'm running on empty.

She got her first shot of Epogen and Dr. Lee measured 3 more injections for me into syringes so that I can inject her myself. He showed me how and it's simple; they're under the skin, as Jen said. Then she'll go back and have her RBC count checked. If she's improved, we can back the injections off to once a week. I talked to my local vet about buying the Epogen from her but she wants me to buy, get this, $3000 worth at a time. Yes, that's right, a 3 w/3 zeros. She isn't convinced of its efficacy and she feels that it actually has harmful effects, so she stopped using it. She said that she ordered a med once before for someone and they changed their mind about its use, so she was stuck w/the med and it spoiled. I told her that it isn't in my budget to spend $3000, that I have 6 other cats to care for and myself, too. And God forbid, if Puddy was to die, then I'd be stuck w/the Epogen. So, depending on whether or not Puddy will have to be on it long term, I'll just get it from Dr. Lee for the time being. I misunderstood what Dr. Lee told me; Puddy may not need to be on it forever.

Puddy was so still and quiet when I took her in that I was afraid she'd die on the way but when I tried to take her out of the carrier, I thought I'd have to take it apart because she clung on so tightly. And for the first time ever, Puddy's bladder gave way on the exam table. Poor little girl was so embarrassed that she hid her head. She actually covered her face w/her paws. They cleaned her up and gave her to me and she hid her head in my arm, so I put her back in her carrier. She was still so lethargic all day, then last night she started up again w/wanting to drink only out of the faucet and weakly crying. She doesn't appear to be in pain and she isn't vomiting or losing bladder control. I just think she's miserable. I hope these injections make a difference and fast because I'm feeling pretty crummy about all this. Dr. Lee said that if the Epogen doesn't work, we can try anabolic steroids, which are also very expensive, and I told him 'no', that I will have put Puddy through enough. I want her to live out the rest of her days in relative comfort and peace. If I could just hear her hiss, it would be music to my ears. And I wish she would feel good enough to lie in the sun in the patio room again. Well, she at least ate some chicken last night, so that's something.

I hope I made sense in this post and that I didn't ramble too much. I had to reschedule my own medical tests for today because I just couldn't make it in time yesterday, so I have to catch up on more work before I head to the dr.'s office. Thank you so much for your continued prayers for my calico queen Puddy. She sure does need 'em and when I began my prayers last night, I lost my train of thought because I was so tired. I'll keep you posted if there's any change, good or bad.

[Catty1]

Awww...poor Puddy, so embarrassed. That's okay, sweetheart, you were scared and things like that can happen.

You and Momma will get well together. After a couple of more needles, you will start feeling better.

Looking forward to news of your first hiss!

[nepeta]

That article I posted earlier does mention getting Epogen in smaller quantities from places like Walgreen's or Walmart. I think this link will take you directly to that section of the article:
http://www.felinecrf.org/anaemia.htm#usa

If not, from the start of the article, search for the word "obtaining"


It may be more realistic than getting $3000 worth at one time.

[Medusa]

That article I posted earlier does mention getting Epogen in smaller quantities from places like Walgreen's or Walmart. I think this link will take you directly to that section of the article:
http://www.felinecrf.org/anaemia.htm#usa

If not, from the start of the article, search for the word "obtaining"


It may be more realistic than getting $3000 worth at one time.

Oh trust me when I say that there's no chance that I'll buy it in that mass quantity. I'm playing it by ear right now to see how Puddy does on it and then I can make a decision as to how much and where I buy it. Thank you, though; your info is much appreciated.

[Medusa]

I stopped at Pet Supplies Plus on the way home today and bought a drip bottle that's used in cages for gerbils. I thought maybe Puddy would drink out of that and not want to drink out of the faucet. I attached it to the inside of the carrier because she likes to sleep in there but so far, no luck. She is stubborn!

[krazyaboutkatz]

I hope that Puddy will start feeling better and that the epogen will help her. I also hope that you'll both get some much needed sleep tonight. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent to both of you. Please take care.