BraveHeart (disappointing UPDATE 3-17-08, page 7)

[jenluckenbach]

New update:
The good news

His kidneys are STILL improving!!!

His BUN (normal is 10-30) was 180, 1 week later was 103 : NOW (3 more weeks later) is 85

His Creatinine (normal is 0.3-2.1) was 8.2, 1 week later was 5.3 : NOW (3 more weeks later) is 3.5


His Phosphorous (normal is 3.4-8.5) was 20, 1 week later was 13.3 : NOW (3 more weeks later) is 10.2

The bad news

He is anemic. The most likely reason is discribed here:

Some anemia causes include:

Kidney failure. Anemia of chronic failure is primarily
associated with reduced stimulation of bone marrow to
produce red cells due to low production of the hormone
erythropoietin.

So he will start a new medicine called Epogen (see this website:
http://www.petplace.com/drug-library...rit/page1.aspx..)

Also found that Any severe, chronic disease or Very poor nutrition can cause the bone marrow to not produce enough red blood cells. Definitely Braveheart is in this category.

[phesina]

So glad to hear his kidneys continue to improve!

I hope the Epogen will help. Can they pin down a specific cause for the anemia?

We are saying our prayers and sending our heartfelt good healing wishes and energies to sweet BraveHeart and to you, Jen.

Love, hugs, and purrs,
Pat, Peony, Sydney, Poppy, Elmer, and Priscilla Angel who is watching over BraveHeart and purring to him

[DJFyrewolf36]

Im glad that Braveheart is improving! Hopefully the new medication will improve his anemia and get him in top shape again. Bless you for helping this sweet kitty

[Catlady711]

That's good news for BraveHeart with the tests coming down. I hope the new med works good for him.

BTW you might want to change the title of this thread or add *update* to it. You had me worried that BraveHeart had passed away with the way it's written. I'm glad to see that he is still with us though.

[Catty1]

I really hope the new medication helps. If the kidneys keep improving, maybe the anemia will get better?

Also, BraveHeart baby, you gotta start EATING on your own.

Jen - what is the normal range for the levels you are posting? Glad that they are going DOWN.

Poor baby has been through SO much pain and illness, the health he has recovered is miraculous. I loved how you said he snuggled right into you at the vet - a real mommy's boy!

HUGS and more prayers going out for BraveHeart's continued recovery.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm glad to hear that he's been improving and I hope he'll continue to do so. I'll continue to keep him in my thoughts and prayers.

[jenluckenbach]

Jen - what is the normal range for the levels you are posting? Glad that they are going DOWN.

The normal ranges are posted in the first post, the numbers in the parenthesis.

[jenluckenbach]

BraveHeart has not been feeling well, and I am hopping that his new medicine for the anemia will perk him up. He has not been eating on his own, as he had been, still syringe feeding. And I don't think his 2 pound weight gain was accurate, because today he was at 6 pounds (not 7, as we thought on Monday).

And his rear leg is hurting him where they took the blood. He is not putting wieght on it. he has some pain meds to take.

This has been a hard road for him.

For anyone who wants to donate towards all the vet bills (medicines, special food, Sub-Q fluids, repeating blood tests......) PLEASE donate to One by One cat rescue!!

[Laura's Babies]

C'mon boy! Perk up and get on that direct road to recovery!! You have touched my heart like it hasn't been touched in a long time! You have a great life ahead to enjoy so get well and be happy! Such a handsome boy and I know you are a real sweetheart without even meeting you. I am pulling for you here in the south and sending you tons of good healing vibes, lots of love and prayers for you are being sent!

♥XXXXX♥OOOOO♥

[Catty1]

BraveHeart! HUGS to you beautiful boy...you have had a hard time, but you are getting there...just getting treated for one thing at a time....

Poor baby!

Give him a gentle scritch for me, Jen? And I am sending out PT Prayers to him.

Payday is tomorrow, and I will do what I can for BraveHeart.

[Medusa]

Oh my, poor Braveheart. Just when things were looking up. Lots of prayer going out for him and you....

[phesina]

Love and prayers for sweet BraveHeart continue. And I just made a PayPal donation.

[cassiesmom]

For anyone who wants to donate towards all the vet bills (medicines, special food, Sub-Q fluids, repeating blood tests......) PLEASE donate to One by One cat rescue!!

you can donate via the Web site at http://1by1catrescue.org

[jennielynn1970]

Poor Braveheart! I was hoping he'd be doing better. I'll be keeping him in my thoughts and prayers.

[Freedom]

How frustrating. I am praying that this is just a minor wee set back and he is going to continue to pick up, heal, and recover!