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Please pray for Tuxie... it doesn't look like he's going to make it.
- Thread starter ldg
- Start Date
I'm praying for Tuxie's bone marrow to produce a healthy amount of red blood cells. I've seen a lot of miracles on this board and I'm still sending vibes for Tuxie's full recovery.
You are going through such a difficult and uncertain time and I pray that it gets better soon. Mega-vibes for Tuxie.
Laurie, I'm so glad to hear that Tuxie has picked up and is eating again. Sending lots of vibes his way that his bone marrow keeps going and hopefully, kicks in to better production again.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #65
Well, since I last updated, Tuxie went up to 8 pounds 2 ounces, but this past week just hasn't been a good one.
He's still eating a LOT, though not eating on his own. We've been feeding him a lot of kitten kibble on top of everything else. Doc doesn't know why he's continuing to lose weight.
He's at 7 pounds 14 ounces. His hematocrit continues to fall. He's down to 13. He's back at the point where he doesn't move around much at all. He's distracted easily, forgets what he was doing (walk over to water, stand there for a minute or so staring at the wall. Look around if he hears a noise. Then notices the water and takes a drink). He'll start to eat - hear a noise, look up - then walk away. We put the bowl down in front of him again, and he'll start eating again. Sometimes I have to touch the food to his lip before he'll eat, and that's starting to happen more frequently.
I've been giving him Transfer Factor. I now mix it with just 1/2 teaspoon of water, and shoot it down his throat. I feel terrible, because he hates it. But we're desperate.
The problem remains the same. EVERYTHING checks out normal - except his blood profile indicates that he is just not producing red blood cells.
Thank you so much for your kind thoughts, prayers and support. We've tried to be so upbeat and positive, but right now I'm bawling because I'm so so scared that he's running out of time - running out of his nine lives.
He's at 7 pounds 14 ounces. His hematocrit continues to fall. He's down to 13. He's back at the point where he doesn't move around much at all. He's distracted easily, forgets what he was doing (walk over to water, stand there for a minute or so staring at the wall. Look around if he hears a noise. Then notices the water and takes a drink). He'll start to eat - hear a noise, look up - then walk away. We put the bowl down in front of him again, and he'll start eating again. Sometimes I have to touch the food to his lip before he'll eat, and that's starting to happen more frequently.
I've been giving him Transfer Factor. I now mix it with just 1/2 teaspoon of water, and shoot it down his throat. I feel terrible, because he hates it. But we're desperate.
The problem remains the same. EVERYTHING checks out normal - except his blood profile indicates that he is just not producing red blood cells.
Thank you so much for your kind thoughts, prayers and support. We've tried to be so upbeat and positive, but right now I'm bawling because I'm so so scared that he's running out of time - running out of his nine lives.
I am so sorry...I pray that your vet figures this out, gets a consult with the nearest specialist (I've seen my vet contact others around the country when we had a very strange circumstance with a bone lesion on Ophelia).
Most of all, I simply pray that Tuxie pulls out of this.
Most of all, I simply pray that Tuxie pulls out of this.
Laurie, our strongest vibes and prayers are still being sent. I know how you feel.....sometimes you just wonder how many lives he has left. We did with Freddie. And it took all his 9 to fight. You are such a good spirit. It's so obvious to all that Tuxie is in the best hands. Your light will provide comfort for him.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #69
Pat & Alix, our vet has gone so far above and beyond. He's already consulted with the specialists that the specialists have referred him to. He's spent nights on the web at JAVMA, NIH, the Universities, etc., searching. Our vet is very active in "new medicine," and frequently attends conferences. Because in the end it boiled down to looking like a blood disease, the "mayo clinic" of cats referred him to a specialist in cat hematology in GA (where they have more blood borne diseases than they do up here).
At this point (over a year later), he's been tested for every known cat blood disease, parasite, etc. He's had biopsies, a blood transfusion, etc.
The very last thing Doc is working on is Cornell. A drug called Epogen helped Tuxie produce red blood cells for a while. But it's a human drug, and cats develop a resistance to it, as did Tuxedo. Cornell did a clinical trial of a cat-based Epogen back in 2001. The study results were expected out earlier this year, but they have not been published yet. Although this is a long shot of long shots, he's trying to track down the researchers to see if it's possible to obtain any cat-based Epogen. The problem is the trials ended in 2002, which means in all likelihood the production of the Epogen would have stopped when the trials did. But there's no harm in asking, and he's doing what he can to find out.
And thank you so much for your prayers.
At this point (over a year later), he's been tested for every known cat blood disease, parasite, etc. He's had biopsies, a blood transfusion, etc.
The very last thing Doc is working on is Cornell. A drug called Epogen helped Tuxie produce red blood cells for a while. But it's a human drug, and cats develop a resistance to it, as did Tuxedo. Cornell did a clinical trial of a cat-based Epogen back in 2001. The study results were expected out earlier this year, but they have not been published yet. Although this is a long shot of long shots, he's trying to track down the researchers to see if it's possible to obtain any cat-based Epogen. The problem is the trials ended in 2002, which means in all likelihood the production of the Epogen would have stopped when the trials did. But there's no harm in asking, and he's doing what he can to find out.
And thank you so much for your prayers.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #70
In fact, I remembered someone from TCS who'd mentioned a pet psychic that helped save an animal's life. I've PMd this person.
If any of you have worked with a pet psychic or nutritionist or ANYTHING that has helped you in the past, PLEASE PM or e-mail me with the info so we can contact that person!
If any of you have worked with a pet psychic or nutritionist or ANYTHING that has helped you in the past, PLEASE PM or e-mail me with the info so we can contact that person!
And you've listed this before, forgive me for being forgetful. I do remember your mentioning epogen - this gets discussed on the crf support list I belong to since many cats with crf develop anemia (as Patrick has - his hematocrit is holding at 22%). I am sorry it is no longer an option for Tuxie.
You will continue to have them until he's better
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Oh Laurie...I am so sorry that little Tuxie is having such a difficult time.
My prayers are with you, your family & dear sweet Tuxie.
My prayers are with you, your family & dear sweet Tuxie.
I'm so sorry to hear he's had a relapse.
Laurie I'm sending my strongest vibes for Tuxie and for you both, his devoted carers. I hope he pulls through and that your vet can find that extra something that makes the difference.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #75
Well, our baby's hanging in there. He's really been eating up a storm, and I don't know if it's my imagination or not, but some of it appears to be "sticking." He's still terribly skinny (that wouldn't change in less than a week!) - but he's alert again, and fiesty enough to bite Ming Loy's ear when she's bugging him. He's up and downstairs much more (though I wish he wouldn't burn up those red blood cells doing that!) - but he seems to like checking in on us....which is GREAT, because when he doesn't feel well he just holes up in a corner. And I don't know if it's the heat or what - but he even looks a little "pinker" in the nose, gums and his foot pads. This is just such a rollercoaster.
But he's enjoying his brushes and generally seems pretty perky and happy. So that's good!
But he's enjoying his brushes and generally seems pretty perky and happy. So that's good!
Aww Tuxie what a brave little fighter you are
. I'm keeping you all in my thoughts Laurie and sending lots of good vibes so that this "up" will last a long time.
So glad to hear this good report
I'm so glad to hear that Tuxie is getting better!
