Red Bank called to say that now I do not have a return appointment for
tomorrow, that the cytology reports won't be back until tomorrow, and that I
will
get a call tomorrow morning after the oncologist and internist look at the
reports, with a plan. Meanwhile, this morning Lucy is not eating at all. I
syringed her a little food, but am concerned at the worsening of symptoms. Her
back end seems ok now, but she is drinking more. her fever went down last
night with fluids and ice packs, but she is warm again-- but can't tell if
this
is because she is lying in the sun (her choice). She can walk to litter box
and jump up on 1 foot tall cardboard box without problems. Her pads and gums
are still a little pink, though light pink.
Thanks to Hideyo, I now have feline interferon and epogen. The oncologist
is insisting that I not start her on anything until they look at all the test
results. If she has an infection or heart disease, steroids could be harmful.
If her blood cells are regenerating but then dying, epogen won't help and
she could have a reaction. I have not heard back on any particular reason not
to start the feline interferon.
Do you think I should start her on something, against the advice of the
oncologist and internist? I generally trust specialists, but it seems clear she
is going down hill and days are passing. Plus, a friend's dog had neurological
problems and saw specialists at a big hospital in Boston for a week before
they tested for lyme disease (which I had suggested immediately)-- they had
had
him on steroids, then when finally saw he had lyme put him on heavy doses of
antibiotics and stopped the steroids, and when he got worse they put him
back on heavy doses of both and he pulled through. Obviously it would have
been
better if a) they had tested him immediately (they had not thought the neuro
symptoms matched lyme) and b) absent the test if they had just loaded him up
with both abx and steroids. So I am wary of specialists waiting for test
results that take a while before starting treatment when an animal is going
downhill. At the same time, I don't want to harm any possible treatment she
could ultimately get if they figure something out.
Do any of you have strong opinions or thoughts on this?
Thanks,
Michelle
