Re: Update on Olive: Dilemma...
This is totally and absolutely incorrect but warned me that it usually only works a couple times because an immunity develops please ask him to do some research on this, I know from experience of my own cat and hundreds of people on the anemia list with cats getting epogen, procrit and the news drug for anemia, starts with an A and I can't think of the name right now, that it is less than 30% of cats that may develope a reaction and then only after an average of 4 or more months of bein on the drug! AND when that happens your just basically back where you started and the epogen doesn't work anymore. As I said Bailey was on it 6 MONTHS with NO problems, sorry to yell but it seems like nobody is listening half the time and a cats life is at stake So . try and possibly save your cat don't try and your cat dies FOR SURE, for me the choice is very easy. -- Belinda happiness is being owned by cats ... Be-Mi-Kitties http://bemikitties.com Post Adoptable FeLV/FIV/FIP Cats/Kittens http://adopt.bemikitties.com FeLV Candlelight Service http://bemikitties.com/cls HostDesign4U.com [affordable hosting web design] http://HostDesign4U.com BMK Designs [non-profit animals websites] http://bmk.bemikitties.com
Update on Olive: Dilemma...
Dilemma, dilemma... Last night, I was pretty much resigned to letting Olive pass. Not happily resigned, now, for I cried for hours and then couldn't sleep. I had actually typed up a huge email about my reasoning a few minutes ago, but I just got off the phone with my vet, and now I'm once again lost as to what to do. First off, I want to mention that my vet does actually seem to want to help, he just doesn't think much will come of it and doesn't want to give me false hope. Apparently, he wrote down my number wrong last night, which is why I never got a return call. I asked about the reticulocyte count. She had some last week, but it was so low that they considered it nonregenerative anemia. Apparently, she had also received two shots of steroids along with the transfusion. This worries me, because the transfusion started wearing off only after 5 days, when it usually lasts around 10 days. The shots seemed to help within the first couple of days, but then wore off. I also asked if haemobartonella was still a possibility, and he thought it might be. He is going to find out the price of getting a combo of doxy with something else that can be given in a form other than pills. He said he'd be willing to try epogen, but warned me that it usually only works a couple times because an immunity develops. I called the vet school about the price, but had to leave a message. I asked my vet about it, and he reassured me that their given price was indeed $2000-3000. He isn't sure what it entails, though I'm assuming it's everything under the sun, and that kind of scares me. I don't want to subject Olive to a million tests... So, I'm facing this huge problem now. While I would of course love to save Olive, I don't know if it's really going to do any good. And yeah, trying to do something may be better than doing nothing at all. But I'm not sure. I don't want to put her through this stage of slowly dying again, for the third time. I don't know if she'll even be helped unless she can get another blood transfusion, and if I do that at my vet, I'll have to use Juniper as a donor. That scares me. I don't really have time to look elsewhere, though. I wish someone could just give me the answer, but I know that ultimately it is up to me. I wish I was stronger, and not the most indecisive fool on the planet. One of my biggest concerns is that if I do manage to keep Olive alive, my other two babies will continue to be susceptible to this godforsaken virus. = Original Message From Belinda [EMAIL PROTECTED] = I do not all animals or people suffer when they are dying and I can tell you for a fact unless any of my furkids are in a great deal of pain and I clearly get from them they want help passing I will let all of them pass on their own, I personally believe most prefer it. It may not be pretty for me but I don't think they suffer as we think they do, once the process gets to a certain point the body goes into shock and I don't think you feel much of anything. Of course I have never died, that is just my sense of the process and I could be as right as anyone who insists helping an animal pass is the best and kindest thing you can do for them, I don't think that is always the case. I personally would never want to be euthanized if that was an option humans had. You will regret seeing it and much worse, allowing it to get that far for her sake. You will see her suffer. -- Belinda happiness is being owned by cats ... Be-Mi-Kitties http://bemikitties.com Post Adoptable FeLV/FIV/FIP Cats/Kittens http://adopt.bemikitties.com FeLV Candlelight Service http://bemikitties.com/cls HostDesign4U.com [affordable hosting web design] http://HostDesign4U.com BMK Designs [non-profit animals websites] http://bmk.bemikitties.com
RE: Update on Olive: Dilemma...
Megan, I feel for you right now, and I'm sending positive thoughts, prayers, vibes, your way. I hope that you are able to find the right solution for you and Olive. I'm not really sure what to advise you. As for the bill, I'm not sure what your financial situation is, but you could check out the IMOM website where you can apply for funding in you qualify. Here's the site: www.imom.org Keep us posted, breathe, and know that whatever happens, you've been such a wonderful influence in Olive's life. Bless you for all that you do. This can't be an easy time right now. Melissa -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Megan Heikkinen Sent: Friday, August 31, 2007 9:26 AM To: felvtalk Subject: Update on Olive: Dilemma... Dilemma, dilemma... Last night, I was pretty much resigned to letting Olive pass. Not happily resigned, now, for I cried for hours and then couldn't sleep. I had actually typed up a huge email about my reasoning a few minutes ago, but I just got off the phone with my vet, and now I'm once again lost as to what to do. First off, I want to mention that my vet does actually seem to want to help, he just doesn't think much will come of it and doesn't want to give me false hope. Apparently, he wrote down my number wrong last night, which is why I never got a return call. I asked about the reticulocyte count. She had some last week, but it was so low that they considered it nonregenerative anemia. Apparently, she had also received two shots of steroids along with the transfusion. This worries me, because the transfusion started wearing off only after 5 days, when it usually lasts around 10 days. The shots seemed to help within the first couple of days, but then wore off. I also asked if haemobartonella was still a possibility, and he thought it might be. He is going to find out the price of getting a combo of doxy with something else that can be given in a form other than pills. He said he'd be willing to try epogen, but warned me that it usually only works a couple times because an immunity develops. I called the vet school about the price, but had to leave a message. I asked my vet about it, and he reassured me that their given price was indeed $2000-3000. He isn't sure what it entails, though I'm assuming it's everything under the sun, and that kind of scares me. I don't want to subject Olive to a million tests... So, I'm facing this huge problem now. While I would of course love to save Olive, I don't know if it's really going to do any good. And yeah, trying to do something may be better than doing nothing at all. But I'm not sure. I don't want to put her through this stage of slowly dying again, for the third time. I don't know if she'll even be helped unless she can get another blood transfusion, and if I do that at my vet, I'll have to use Juniper as a donor. That scares me. I don't really have time to look elsewhere, though. I wish someone could just give me the answer, but I know that ultimately it is up to me. I wish I was stronger, and not the most indecisive fool on the planet. One of my biggest concerns is that if I do manage to keep Olive alive, my other two babies will continue to be susceptible to this godforsaken virus. = Original Message From Belinda [EMAIL PROTECTED] = I do not all animals or people suffer when they are dying and I can tell you for a fact unless any of my furkids are in a great deal of pain and I clearly get from them they want help passing I will let all of them pass on their own, I personally believe most prefer it. It may not be pretty for me but I don't think they suffer as we think they do, once the process gets to a certain point the body goes into shock and I don't think you feel much of anything. Of course I have never died, that is just my sense of the process and I could be as right as anyone who insists helping an animal pass is the best and kindest thing you can do for them, I don't think that is always the case. I personally would never want to be euthanized if that was an option humans had. You will regret seeing it and much worse, allowing it to get that far for her sake. You will see her suffer. -- Belinda happiness is being owned by cats ... Be-Mi-Kitties http://bemikitties.com Post Adoptable FeLV/FIV/FIP Cats/Kittens http://adopt.bemikitties.com FeLV Candlelight Service http://bemikitties.com/cls HostDesign4U.com [affordable hosting web design] http://HostDesign4U.com BMK Designs [non-profit animals websites] http://bmk.bemikitties.com
Re: Update on Olive: Dilemma...
Hey Megan, Make sure you do research on the doxy shot. The protocol for hemobaronella is 3 weeks of consecutive treatment with pills (not sure of the dosage). How long will a doxy shot last? I would pill her instead, especially if your vet doesn't know much about hemobart. I've never heard of just doing a doxy shot and nothing else. If he is doing the doxy shot in conjuntion with pills, and the treatment will last AT LEAST three weeks, that might be ok. Immunity doesn't always develop with Epogen. If it's hemobart, and the doxy works which it should, is Epogen necessary? Anyone have any ideas on this? I would do research on this as well. The stats for immunity to Epogen I think are 1 in 3 cats, but not sure on this. Still, if Olive needs it and is going to die without RBC's, I think a 33% chance of reaction is not a bad statistic. Why is it up to you to find a blood donor for your kitty? We don't go looking for a donor when we need blood. Can't your vet call around and see if he can find some blood at another vet's? Or can you call around and see if any vet's have a donor cat that they keep around? Many do. I can't say I'm 100% positive on this, but the chance that your other two are still at risk is small because one, they all came from the same litter, and I'm betting Olive got it from momma, and two, even if not, chances are they've already been exposed and I'm pretty sure they can't be exposed twice to the same strain. Not enough is known on strains yet. :) Wendy Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world - indeed it is the only thing that ever has! ~~~ Margaret Meade ~~~ Need a vacation? Get great deals to amazing places on Yahoo! Travel. http://travel.yahoo.com/
Re: Update on Olive: Dilemma...
Megan Let me complicate things a bit more but perhaps it will help too... Anemia isn't just the cat feeling sleepy... It is all the organs dyeing because the blood can't feed them without the red blood cells... If you are going to try and save Olive you have to stick a stake in the ground and go with it now I think the odds are that Olive won't make a full recovery no matter how much you spend and if you only keep her alive to live in a hospital cage away from you... is that what you want ??? Now this is my personal decision... There are so many really wonderful kittens that test positive every day and are still healthy and enjoying life as much as any cat does and they get put to sleep on the spot just because of the test I know you have formed a bond with Olive but I bet she would forgive you for letting her go if she knew that you were saving the life of another kitty that still has time left to enjoy life... In five years I have had 31 FeLV+ cats and have buried 21 of them... And I have cried 21 times but there have been 31 times that I have felt a great joy in knowing I have saved a life very often the same day that I picked the cat up I have spent a lot on vet bills in that time but I think the $3000 estimate would cover my 5 years time with my FeLV kitties Just something to think about Tad Megan Heikkinen wrote: Dilemma, dilemma... Last night, I was pretty much resigned to letting Olive pass. Not happily resigned, now, for I cried for hours and then couldn't sleep. I had actually typed up a huge email about my reasoning a few minutes ago, but I just got off the phone with my vet, and now I'm once again lost as to what to do. First off, I want to mention that my vet does actually seem to want to help, he just doesn't think much will come of it and doesn't want to give me false hope. Apparently, he wrote down my number wrong last night, which is why I never got a return call. I asked about the reticulocyte count. She had some last week, but it was so low that they considered it nonregenerative anemia. Apparently, she had also received two shots of steroids along with the transfusion. This worries me, because the transfusion started wearing off only after 5 days, when it usually lasts around 10 days. The shots seemed to help within the first couple of days, but then wore off. I also asked if haemobartonella was still a possibility, and he thought it might be. He is going to find out the price of getting a combo of doxy with something else that can be given in a form other than pills. He said he'd be willing to try epogen, but warned me that it usually only works a couple times because an immunity develops. I called the vet school about the price, but had to leave a message. I asked my vet about it, and he reassured me that their given price was indeed $2000-3000. He isn't sure what it entails, though I'm assuming it's everything under the sun, and that kind of scares me. I don't want to subject Olive to a million tests... So, I'm facing this huge problem now. While I would of course love to save Olive, I don't know if it's really going to do any good. And yeah, trying to do something may be better than doing nothing at all. But I'm not sure. I don't want to put her through this stage of slowly dying again, for the third time. I don't know if she'll even be helped unless she can get another blood transfusion, and if I do that at my vet, I'll have to use Juniper as a donor. That scares me. I don't really have time to look elsewhere, though. I wish someone could just give me the answer, but I know that ultimately it is up to me. I wish I was stronger, and not the most indecisive fool on the planet. One of my biggest concerns is that if I do manage to keep Olive alive, my other two babies will continue to be susceptible to this godforsaken virus. = Original Message From Belinda [EMAIL PROTECTED] = I do not all animals or people suffer when they are dying and I can tell you for a fact unless any of my furkids are in a great deal of pain and I clearly get from them they want help passing I will let all of them pass on their own, I personally believe most prefer it. It may not be pretty for me but I don't think they suffer as we think they do, once the process gets to a certain point the body goes into shock and I don't think you feel much of anything. Of course I have never died, that is just my sense of the process and I could be as right as anyone who insists helping an animal pass is the best and kindest thing you can do for them, I don't think that is always the case. I personally would never want to be euthanized if that was an option humans had. You will regret seeing it and much worse, allowing it to get that far for her sake. You will see her suffer. -- Belinda happiness is being owned by cats ... Be-Mi-Kitties http://bemikitties.com Post Adoptable FeLV/FIV/FIP Cats/Kittens
Re: Update on Olive: Dilemma...
Hi Megan, Everyday I get on the computer. I first look to see how Olive is doing. I so want her to have some good quality time with you. There are others on this group that may be more experienced with this disease than I, but I wound up on a very fast learning curve with one cat initially dying from unknown anemia and probably hemapatic lipodosis On 8/31/07, Megan Heikkinen [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Dilemma, dilemma... Last night, I was pretty much resigned to letting Olive pass. Not happily resigned, now, for I cried for hours and then couldn't sleep. I had actually typed up a huge email about my reasoning a few minutes ago, but I just got off the phone with my vet, and now I'm once again lost as to what to do. First off, I want to mention that my vet does actually seem to want to help, he just doesn't think much will come of it and doesn't want to give me false hope. Apparently, he wrote down my number wrong last night, which is why I never got a return call. I asked about the reticulocyte count. She had some last week, but it was so low that they considered it nonregenerative anemia. Apparently, she had also received two shots of steroids along with the transfusion. This worries me, because the transfusion started wearing off only after 5 days, when it usually lasts around 10 days. The shots seemed to help within the first couple of days, but then wore off. I also asked if haemobartonella was still a possibility, and he thought it might be. He is going to find out the price of getting a combo of doxy with something else that can be given in a form other than pills. He said he'd be willing to try epogen, but warned me that it usually only works a couple times because an immunity develops. I called the vet school about the price, but had to leave a message. I asked my vet about it, and he reassured me that their given price was indeed $2000-3000. He isn't sure what it entails, though I'm assuming it's everything under the sun, and that kind of scares me. I don't want to subject Olive to a million tests... So, I'm facing this huge problem now. While I would of course love to save Olive, I don't know if it's really going to do any good. And yeah, trying to do something may be better than doing nothing at all. But I'm not sure. I don't want to put her through this stage of slowly dying again, for the third time. I don't know if she'll even be helped unless she can get another blood transfusion, and if I do that at my vet, I'll have to use Juniper as a donor. That scares me. I don't really have time to look elsewhere, though. I wish someone could just give me the answer, but I know that ultimately it is up to me. I wish I was stronger, and not the most indecisive fool on the planet. One of my biggest concerns is that if I do manage to keep Olive alive, my other two babies will continue to be susceptible to this godforsaken virus. = Original Message From Belinda [EMAIL PROTECTED] = I do not all animals or people suffer when they are dying and I can tell you for a fact unless any of my furkids are in a great deal of pain and I clearly get from them they want help passing I will let all of them pass on their own, I personally believe most prefer it. It may not be pretty for me but I don't think they suffer as we think they do, once the process gets to a certain point the body goes into shock and I don't think you feel much of anything. Of course I have never died, that is just my sense of the process and I could be as right as anyone who insists helping an animal pass is the best and kindest thing you can do for them, I don't think that is always the case. I personally would never want to be euthanized if that was an option humans had. You will regret seeing it and much worse, allowing it to get that far for her sake. You will see her suffer. -- Belinda happiness is being owned by cats ... Be-Mi-Kitties http://bemikitties.com Post Adoptable FeLV/FIV/FIP Cats/Kittens http://adopt.bemikitties.com FeLV Candlelight Service http://bemikitties.com/cls HostDesign4U.com [affordable hosting web design] http://HostDesign4U.com BMK Designs [non-profit animals websites] http://bmk.bemikitties.com -- Sally, Eric (not a cat),Junior, Speedy, Grey and White, Ittle Bitty, Little Black, Lily, Daisy, Silver, and Spike Visit my BB for some pictures post your as well. http://www.k6az.com/ki4spk/index.php?sid=c57c00cf5804ef13853ed6e77a68eed3
Re: Update on Olive: Dilemma...
Oops guys I was trying to look up spelling of hepatic and hit send. I will complete the email here. That cat was Pumpkin, Junior had already been treated for anemia and lethargy. Pumkinwas hiding symptoms so I was not aware how sick he was. Pumpkin crashed at the vets office and I could not bear to put him though more. Meanwhile I had Junior who although appeared better I was very concerned about Pumpkin dying from anemia. I took Junior back to the vet he had a fever of 106.5. They did fluids an asked to do e felv test. I ok'd he was negative 5 months Oralie. This time positive. I am in panic mode bc I have 10 cats still and like yourself little money to spend. I decided not to euthanize Junior, but to see what I could do and I found this group. Juniors anaemia did get better he was treated with Baytril a strong antibiotic. I cannot remember how long but maybe 10 days to 2 weeks. I had all the cats tested after a lot of work. I had two other positives and both are now dead one euthanized and the other died suddenly at home. He never had any of the usual symptoms. I am not saying this to scare you. I think you can treat for hemobartonella and do the immunoregulin fairly inexpensively. Treat any infections that come along aggressively and get him on immune boosters. This is basically what I did with Junior and it is now almost 1 year form DX. I am not a rich person but this is doable. Good luck, my prayers are with you. Sally On 8/31/07, Sally Davis [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi Megan, Everyday I get on the computer. I first look to see how Olive is doing. I so want her to have some good quality time with you. There are others on this group that may be more experienced with this disease than I, but I wound up on a very fast learning curve with one cat initially dying from unknown anemia and probably hemapatic lipodosis On 8/31/07, Megan Heikkinen [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Dilemma, dilemma...
RE: Update on Olive: Dilemma...
I am endlessly conflicted. I think I'll have resigned myself to something, then I'll change my mind, then I decide to do something else, and then I get on here and feel horrible for not doing anything, so I feel like I really need to now. I have to admit, the list has been helpful, but it's also been causing me a lot of stress. If I had never known about this group, then I could've just accepted the vet's word and been better able to cope with Olive's death. Now I feel like I'm little better than a murderer. It's no fault of you all. I just sort of wish I hadn't joined the list sometimes... It's making it so much harder to not do anything. I don't know why you brought up the doxy shot. That was never offered to me as an option... The problem with putting her on any meds is that she is going to have to have another transfusion, and it will probably have to be today. I don't know if my vet called around for blood--I think he might've called a few places--but a lot of the vets around here don't seem to have donors. I called about five other ones, and only one actually had a donor cat, and they didn't even know its type. The vet school has blood, but they won't send it to other vets. And I cannot afford going there. It's getting to the point where I'm going to be too late to help Olive. I want to help her, I really really do, but this is something that I obviously can't handle. I don't have tons of money, and I don't have tons of time because of classes. I'm also inexperienced in matters like this. Nobody is helping me, really, and it's making me have a nervous breakdown. = Original Message From wendy [EMAIL PROTECTED] = Hey Megan, Make sure you do research on the doxy shot. The protocol for hemobaronella is 3 weeks of consecutive treatment with pills (not sure of the dosage). How long will a doxy shot last? I would pill her instead, especially if your vet doesn't know much about hemobart. I've never heard of just doing a doxy shot and nothing else. If he is doing the doxy shot in conjuntion with pills, and the treatment will last AT LEAST three weeks, that might be ok. Immunity doesn't always develop with Epogen. If it's hemobart, and the doxy works which it should, is Epogen necessary? Anyone have any ideas on this? I would do research on this as well. The stats for immunity to Epogen I think are 1 in 3 cats, but not sure on this. Still, if Olive needs it and is going to die without RBC's, I think a 33% chance of reaction is not a bad statistic. Why is it up to you to find a blood donor for your kitty? We don't go looking for a donor when we need blood. Can't your vet call around and see if he can find some blood at another vet's? Or can you call around and see if any vet's have a donor cat that they keep around? Many do. I can't say I'm 100% positive on this, but the chance that your other two are still at risk is small because one, they all came from the same litter, and I'm betting Olive got it from momma, and two, even if not, chances are they've already been exposed and I'm pretty sure they can't be exposed twice to the same strain. Not enough is known on strains yet. :) Wendy Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world - indeed it is the only thing that ever has! ~~~ Margaret Meade ~~~ __ __ Need a vacation? Get great deals to amazing places on Yahoo! Travel. http://travel.yahoo.com/
Re: Update on Olive: Dilemma...
When I worked @ the Austin Humane Society, we had blood donors w/our dogs cats all the time. Susan J. DuBose ^..^ www.PetGirlsPetsitting.com www.Tx.SiameseRescue.org www.shadowcats.net As Cleopatra lay in state, Faithful Bast at her side did wait, Purring welcomes of soft applause, Ever guarding with sharpened claws. Trajan Tennent - Original Message - From: wendy [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Friday, August 31, 2007 11:50 AM Subject: Re: Update on Olive: Dilemma... Hey Megan, Make sure you do research on the doxy shot. The protocol for hemobaronella is 3 weeks of consecutive treatment with pills (not sure of the dosage). How long will a doxy shot last? I would pill her instead, especially if your vet doesn't know much about hemobart. I've never heard of just doing a doxy shot and nothing else. If he is doing the doxy shot in conjuntion with pills, and the treatment will last AT LEAST three weeks, that might be ok. Immunity doesn't always develop with Epogen. If it's hemobart, and the doxy works which it should, is Epogen necessary? Anyone have any ideas on this? I would do research on this as well. The stats for immunity to Epogen I think are 1 in 3 cats, but not sure on this. Still, if Olive needs it and is going to die without RBC's, I think a 33% chance of reaction is not a bad statistic. Why is it up to you to find a blood donor for your kitty? We don't go looking for a donor when we need blood. Can't your vet call around and see if he can find some blood at another vet's? Or can you call around and see if any vet's have a donor cat that they keep around? Many do. I can't say I'm 100% positive on this, but the chance that your other two are still at risk is small because one, they all came from the same litter, and I'm betting Olive got it from momma, and two, even if not, chances are they've already been exposed and I'm pretty sure they can't be exposed twice to the same strain. Not enough is known on strains yet. :) Wendy Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world - indeed it is the only thing that ever has! ~~~ Margaret Meade ~~~ Need a vacation? Get great deals to amazing places on Yahoo! Travel. http://travel.yahoo.com/
RE: Update on Olive: Dilemma...
Megan, I'm sorry that I can't help you! I understand your pain and frustration. It's a horrible place to be in when you don't know which way to go. Yes, ignorance is bliss, but you will benefit from this down the road even though it seems more appealing to be in the dark. You'll be a stronger, better, more compassionate and aware person of your world and your surroundings. I hate going through these situations. I think, This can't be happening. I just want it all to go away. But, it won't, and although this list has caused you more stress, take peace in knowing that whatever you decide, you based your choices on education--and that is a wonderful thing. Education and learning is power. Can you tell I've been a teacher? If you're thoughts and ideas and ways of thinking are never challenged, then you'll never form your own beliefs for your own reasons. If you make this decision on your own, with your own knowledge that you've gained, you form your own beliefs in the process and reaffirm your morals and life views. This is what makes you who you are and builds your character (to use a cliché). I know none of this helps you right now. Im sorry. I wish I could take your pain away. Hugs and prayers to you and Olive. Melissa -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Megan Heikkinen Sent: Friday, August 31, 2007 1:08 PM To: felvtalk; wendy Subject: RE: Update on Olive: Dilemma... I am endlessly conflicted. I think I'll have resigned myself to something, then I'll change my mind, then I decide to do something else, and then I get on here and feel horrible for not doing anything, so I feel like I really need to now. I have to admit, the list has been helpful, but it's also been causing me a lot of stress. If I had never known about this group, then I could've just accepted the vet's word and been better able to cope with Olive's death. Now I feel like I'm little better than a murderer. It's no fault of you all. I just sort of wish I hadn't joined the list sometimes... It's making it so much harder to not do anything. I don't know why you brought up the doxy shot. That was never offered to me as an option... The problem with putting her on any meds is that she is going to have to have another transfusion, and it will probably have to be today. I don't know if my vet called around for blood--I think he might've called a few places--but a lot of the vets around here don't seem to have donors. I called about five other ones, and only one actually had a donor cat, and they didn't even know its type. The vet school has blood, but they won't send it to other vets. And I cannot afford going there. It's getting to the point where I'm going to be too late to help Olive. I want to help her, I really really do, but this is something that I obviously can't handle. I don't have tons of money, and I don't have tons of time because of classes. I'm also inexperienced in matters like this. Nobody is helping me, really, and it's making me have a nervous breakdown. = Original Message From wendy [EMAIL PROTECTED] = Hey Megan, Make sure you do research on the doxy shot. The protocol for hemobaronella is 3 weeks of consecutive treatment with pills (not sure of the dosage). How long will a doxy shot last? I would pill her instead, especially if your vet doesn't know much about hemobart. I've never heard of just doing a doxy shot and nothing else. If he is doing the doxy shot in conjuntion with pills, and the treatment will last AT LEAST three weeks, that might be ok. Immunity doesn't always develop with Epogen. If it's hemobart, and the doxy works which it should, is Epogen necessary? Anyone have any ideas on this? I would do research on this as well. The stats for immunity to Epogen I think are 1 in 3 cats, but not sure on this. Still, if Olive needs it and is going to die without RBC's, I think a 33% chance of reaction is not a bad statistic. Why is it up to you to find a blood donor for your kitty? We don't go looking for a donor when we need blood. Can't your vet call around and see if he can find some blood at another vet's? Or can you call around and see if any vet's have a donor cat that they keep around? Many do. I can't say I'm 100% positive on this, but the chance that your other two are still at risk is small because one, they all came from the same litter, and I'm betting Olive got it from momma, and two, even if not, chances are they've already been exposed and I'm pretty sure they can't be exposed twice to the same strain. Not enough is known on strains yet. :) Wendy Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world - indeed it is the only thing that ever has! ~~~ Margaret Meade ~~~ __ __ Need
Re: Update on Olive: Dilemma...
Oh, Megan, it is so hard to know what to do! I'm praying (and so are my kitties) for you, the doctors and little Olive, too, to be able to make the right decision for her. Sleeping on it really does work and may somehow clear your head for the decisions you all have to make. Please have a peaceful night and know that we are all dreaming about the best care for little Olive along with you. Love, Tee 'n' the Wildlife Consciousness is Causal and Physicality is its Manifestation. On Aug 31, 2007, at 9:26 AM, Megan Heikkinen wrote: Dilemma, dilemma... Last night, I was pretty much resigned to letting Olive pass. Not happily resigned, now, for I cried for hours and then couldn't sleep. I had actually typed up a huge email about my reasoning a few minutes ago, but I just got off the phone with my vet, and now I'm once again lost as to what to do. First off, I want to mention that my vet does actually seem to want to help, he just doesn't think much will come of it and doesn't want to give me false hope. Apparently, he wrote down my number wrong last night, which is why I never got a return call. I asked about the reticulocyte count. She had some last week, but it was so low that they considered it nonregenerative anemia. Apparently, she had also received two shots of steroids along with the transfusion. This worries me, because the transfusion started wearing off only after 5 days, when it usually lasts around 10 days. The shots seemed to help within the first couple of days, but then wore off. I also asked if haemobartonella was still a possibility, and he thought it might be. He is going to find out the price of getting a combo of doxy with something else that can be given in a form other than pills. He said he'd be willing to try epogen, but warned me that it usually only works a couple times because an immunity develops. I called the vet school about the price, but had to leave a message. I asked my vet about it, and he reassured me that their given price was indeed $2000-3000. He isn't sure what it entails, though I'm assuming it's everything under the sun, and that kind of scares me. I don't want to subject Olive to a million tests... So, I'm facing this huge problem now. While I would of course love to save Olive, I don't know if it's really going to do any good. And yeah, trying to do something may be better than doing nothing at all. But I'm not sure. I don't want to put her through this stage of slowly dying again, for the third time. I don't know if she'll even be helped unless she can get another blood transfusion, and if I do that at my vet, I'll have to use Juniper as a donor. That scares me. I don't really have time to look elsewhere, though. I wish someone could just give me the answer, but I know that ultimately it is up to me. I wish I was stronger, and not the most indecisive fool on the planet. One of my biggest concerns is that if I do manage to keep Olive alive, my other two babies will continue to be susceptible to this godforsaken virus. = Original Message From Belinda [EMAIL PROTECTED] = I do not all animals or people suffer when they are dying and I can tell you for a fact unless any of my furkids are in a great deal of pain and I clearly get from them they want help passing I will let all of them pass on their own, I personally believe most prefer it. It may not be pretty for me but I don't think they suffer as we think they do, once the process gets to a certain point the body goes into shock and I don't think you feel much of anything. Of course I have never died, that is just my sense of the process and I could be as right as anyone who insists helping an animal pass is the best and kindest thing you can do for them, I don't think that is always the case. I personally would never want to be euthanized if that was an option humans had. You will regret seeing it and much worse, allowing it to get that far for her sake. You will see her suffer. -- Belinda happiness is being owned by cats ... Be-Mi-Kitties http://bemikitties.com Post Adoptable FeLV/FIV/FIP Cats/Kittens http://adopt.bemikitties.com FeLV Candlelight Service http://bemikitties.com/cls HostDesign4U.com [affordable hosting web design] http://HostDesign4U.com BMK Designs [non-profit animals websites] http://bmk.bemikitties.com
