Oh, I'm so sorry Tuxedo is not doing well. Poor Gary. I'll be thinking about all of you.
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Tuxedo could really use some board magic!
- Thread starter ldg
- Start Date
I'm praying for her, and for your entire family.
Tuxedo, and you and Gary, are in my thoughts. Tuxedo looks so much like JC that I'll be thinking of him every time I look at Jamie.
This is so scary. I feel so bad for Gary and for you. I hope the vet can figure out quickly what is causing the anemia and especially hope that it will be easy to cure.
I am mustering up all of my healing energy and sending it directly to Tuxedo.
I am mustering up all of my healing energy and sending it directly to Tuxedo.
Oh No
Tuxedo is in my thoughts, along with you and gary!
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #27
I can't thank everyone enough for all your good thoughts, vibes, prayers and support for Tuxedo and Gary (and me).
Unfortunately, there was "debris" in the bone marrow biopsy, so there are no results.
We've basically moved into automoton mode.
Our vet has referred us to a specialist in feline internal medicine. Tuxedo's file is being transferred and we meet him tomorrow (Thursday) at noon.
Again, thank you so much on behalf of all of us.
Unfortunately, there was "debris" in the bone marrow biopsy, so there are no results.
We've basically moved into automoton mode.
Our vet has referred us to a specialist in feline internal medicine. Tuxedo's file is being transferred and we meet him tomorrow (Thursday) at noon.
Again, thank you so much on behalf of all of us.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #29
Thanks, Ady. I cannot even begin to tell you how upsetting this is that the biopsy was worthless. Poor Tuxedo went through all of that fear and pain for nothing. Now his hip is shaved, he's got staples in that have to come out in (now) 9 days, his front leg is shaved... poor little boy!!!!
omg!! This poor cat.. I am so sorry
I hope you find out what's wrong with him soon (((( hugs ))))
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(((((((Tuxedo)))))))
(((((((Laurie & Gary)))))))
(((((((Laurie & Gary)))))))
I'm so sorry Laurie! I'm sending mega vibes, prayers, thoughts...the whole works to you, Gary & Tuxedo!!!
Many hugs to you all!
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Many hugs to you all!
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #33
1) I was wrong - Tuxedo was not given a blood transfusion - when was that - Monday? Apparently cats can have a reaction, so the vet would have given him the transfusion Monday, kept him overnight, then performed the biopsy Tuesday. Thank god he didn't have to go through all that then given the biopsy didn't come out.
2) We saw a feline "internal" specialist yesterday. He reviewed all of Tuxedo's test results. I forgot to mention that Tuxedo has an enlarged spleen and a "heart-shaped" heart (meaning some muscle overdevelopment).
Doc said everything points to either cancer (some type of Leukemia), some type of autoimmune problem, or a "newly discovered" disease in cats called Bartonella.
However, blood tests revealed both a low red and low white blood cell count, but a high level of platelettes (sp?). "Very unusual." He is not generating (regenerating?) red blood cells.
He checked the red blood cell count again, which was now 12. Ultrasound revealed no masses. Spleen was uniformly enlarged. Heart muscle most likely overdeveloped because the anemia has been very slow onset.
Interesting note: specialist told us that eating litter (a problem Tuxedo has and a concern we brought up with his normal vet) is very often a sign of anemia!
Bottom-line - time is now an issue, and diagnosis critical. So instead of doing just more blood work and testing, he felt it imperative that we go ahead and get tissue samples, despite Tuxie having just been through this Monday.
He had two different types of bone marrow samples taken, a spleen "aspirate."
We picked him up just before the snowstorm hit here at midnight. They left the catheter in his leg, taped up, because he's going in for a blood transfusion today.
So we're going in with Flowerbelle, who's getting her eye out today, and Tuxedo.
We've been up all night preventing him from ripping at the bandage on his leg. Poor boy looks like he's been a pin cushion, with little bits of bare skin peeking out in various places all over his body.
But he's handling it REALLY well. He was very happy to be home, and despite our intervention at his ripping at the bandages (we tried a collar, but it was just too depressing. He kept backing up and bumping into things, shaking his head around, and we could stand about five minutes of it), he purrs when we pet him. His happy purr, not his "I'm scared" purr. He's not shedding excessively, doesn't ever fight being put into the crate, and is traveling really well. I hope he keeps this up, because I have a feeling he's going to need to do quite a bit more before this is through.
Thank you all again for the good thoughts for his recovery!
The blood transfusion will "buy" us about 2 - 3 weeks. Cats don't take to "foreign" things in their system well, and their bodies attack it like it's sick, so they "eat up" the new blood within a few weeks. If you're lucky, three. And each successive transfusion lasts for less time.
Test results should start coming within two days, and all results should be back within five.
2) We saw a feline "internal" specialist yesterday. He reviewed all of Tuxedo's test results. I forgot to mention that Tuxedo has an enlarged spleen and a "heart-shaped" heart (meaning some muscle overdevelopment).
Doc said everything points to either cancer (some type of Leukemia), some type of autoimmune problem, or a "newly discovered" disease in cats called Bartonella.
However, blood tests revealed both a low red and low white blood cell count, but a high level of platelettes (sp?). "Very unusual." He is not generating (regenerating?) red blood cells.
He checked the red blood cell count again, which was now 12. Ultrasound revealed no masses. Spleen was uniformly enlarged. Heart muscle most likely overdeveloped because the anemia has been very slow onset.
Interesting note: specialist told us that eating litter (a problem Tuxedo has and a concern we brought up with his normal vet) is very often a sign of anemia!
Bottom-line - time is now an issue, and diagnosis critical. So instead of doing just more blood work and testing, he felt it imperative that we go ahead and get tissue samples, despite Tuxie having just been through this Monday.
He had two different types of bone marrow samples taken, a spleen "aspirate."
We picked him up just before the snowstorm hit here at midnight. They left the catheter in his leg, taped up, because he's going in for a blood transfusion today.
So we're going in with Flowerbelle, who's getting her eye out today, and Tuxedo.
We've been up all night preventing him from ripping at the bandage on his leg. Poor boy looks like he's been a pin cushion, with little bits of bare skin peeking out in various places all over his body.
But he's handling it REALLY well. He was very happy to be home, and despite our intervention at his ripping at the bandages (we tried a collar, but it was just too depressing. He kept backing up and bumping into things, shaking his head around, and we could stand about five minutes of it), he purrs when we pet him. His happy purr, not his "I'm scared" purr. He's not shedding excessively, doesn't ever fight being put into the crate, and is traveling really well. I hope he keeps this up, because I have a feeling he's going to need to do quite a bit more before this is through.
Thank you all again for the good thoughts for his recovery!
The blood transfusion will "buy" us about 2 - 3 weeks. Cats don't take to "foreign" things in their system well, and their bodies attack it like it's sick, so they "eat up" the new blood within a few weeks. If you're lucky, three. And each successive transfusion lasts for less time.
Test results should start coming within two days, and all results should be back within five.
You poor things, i really feel for you and your babies.
I hope Flowerbelle and Tuxedo fight back!
I know what you mean about those collars as well!. When Rosie was spayed she was walking backwards and bumping into things, and with being drowsy still she was falling all over. Very stressfull to watch them!
I hope Flowerbelle and Tuxedo fight back!
I know what you mean about those collars as well!. When Rosie was spayed she was walking backwards and bumping into things, and with being drowsy still she was falling all over. Very stressfull to watch them!
Laurie, you guys are in my thoughts.
Laurie, I am so sorry to hear about this! I hope Tuxedo will be ok. I'll be thinking about you and your crew!
You and your family are in my thoughts!
(((HUGS)))
(((HUGS)))
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #39
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
At least this stage of the process is going well, so far.
Flowerbelle is awake and "doing great." She's on pain killers and will be so at the hospital through the night.
Tuxedo is just about done with the transfusion. No sedation required because the other hospital had left the IV tube in place. He's currently curled up asleep while this goes on. What a good, strong, brave boy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They'll keep him overnight to make sure there's no reaction, but it looks good so far. We get our final update of the day at 8:00 tonight.
We call at 8:00 am tomorrow to make sure, but Doc expects they can both come home with us at noon tomorrow.
The rest of the pins and needles (for us, not Tuxedo) is now just waiting for test results.
THANK YOU ALL AGAIN! It has made such a difference to me (and all of us), but especially me, to have this place to come to just to write about Tuxie and Flowerbelle. That alone helps me feel better. But knowing that so many people are sending up "be healthy" vibes, thoughts or prayers really helps me deal with the uncertainty of what is happening.
At least this stage of the process is going well, so far.
Flowerbelle is awake and "doing great." She's on pain killers and will be so at the hospital through the night.
Tuxedo is just about done with the transfusion. No sedation required because the other hospital had left the IV tube in place. He's currently curled up asleep while this goes on. What a good, strong, brave boy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They'll keep him overnight to make sure there's no reaction, but it looks good so far. We get our final update of the day at 8:00 tonight.
We call at 8:00 am tomorrow to make sure, but Doc expects they can both come home with us at noon tomorrow.
The rest of the pins and needles (for us, not Tuxedo) is now just waiting for test results.
THANK YOU ALL AGAIN! It has made such a difference to me (and all of us), but especially me, to have this place to come to just to write about Tuxie and Flowerbelle. That alone helps me feel better. But knowing that so many people are sending up "be healthy" vibes, thoughts or prayers really helps me deal with the uncertainty of what is happening.
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Lots of healing prayers for Tuxedo, and also for Flowerbelle too.
