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please pray for my LEO! He has critical anemia!!
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Awwwww 4 days away from the site and like Sasha more good news
Keep going little boy!
Keep going little boy!
Originally Posted by cookie
Thank you all for your kind words and understanding what I have been going through! Leo is improving everyday! Today he chased Piper up the stairs full speed! I was shocked and so happy for him! He is still has a pale nose and pads though, but they did look a little pinker today, so maybe the pills are kicking in, and soon his count will climb, since he is doing much better, the vet said to give it a few more days to let the pills really make a difference before we test him again....
Today was a good day for me and Leo, I really hope there are many more to come!
Oh Anita, I get so happy when I read posts like this!
Here's where we stand on Tuxedo. Our vet consulted with the Specialist about Tuxie's recent numbers. The specialist wants us to take him off of Epogen, and continue with just the iron supplements and prednisone (for immune suppression). If his numbers continue to deteriorate, we're moving to an anti-cancer agent. I have SO got my fingers crossed!
BUT - we consulted with a pharmacist who's also a nutrionist and holistic advisor (cool combo, no?
GO LEO GO!!!!!!!!! And... c'mon Tuxie... We need BOTH of you to be OK!
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- #104
oh LDG I really hope they can find something to get Tuxedo's numbers up!
And if they do get something to help produce red blood cells, you got to ship me some for LEO! I have always fed Leo Medical- preventative form the vet, which I have been told is one of the bests avaible here in canada, and the one to continue feeding for illness....
Is Tuxedo still feeling fine and still pink? Silly thought, but what a coincidence they are both bi-color cats! Leo is a grey Tuxedo!
Do you need links for the study that was released on transfer factor? I should be able to get the page I read some of the impressive stuff from...I would really love to know a medical proffesional's opinion about it!
I am praying and hoping for Leo and Tuxedo! We can't lose these precious fur babies! It is comforting knowing I am not alone fighting this, and that you LDG are also doing all you can to help your baby! Please keep me posted as often as you can, you are in my thoughts!
And if they do get something to help produce red blood cells, you got to ship me some for LEO! I have always fed Leo Medical- preventative form the vet, which I have been told is one of the bests avaible here in canada, and the one to continue feeding for illness....
Is Tuxedo still feeling fine and still pink? Silly thought, but what a coincidence they are both bi-color cats! Leo is a grey Tuxedo!
Do you need links for the study that was released on transfer factor? I should be able to get the page I read some of the impressive stuff from...I would really love to know a medical proffesional's opinion about it!
I am praying and hoping for Leo and Tuxedo! We can't lose these precious fur babies! It is comforting knowing I am not alone fighting this, and that you LDG are also doing all you can to help your baby! Please keep me posted as often as you can, you are in my thoughts!
cookie , I want you to know that even if I don't post in here a lot I do check in here to see how your baby is doing . I am still praying for your baby , just so you know .
to you and hang in there
Anita - how's Leo doing? Tuxedo is still acting great. His nose and paws are pink - not nearly as bright pink as Flowerbelle's and Sheldon's, but there is definitely color. He leapt straight up to the top of the cat tree today (six feet), so he MUST be feeling good!!!!
And we haven't heard from the pharmacist yet, but he was conducting research and WILL BE making a supplement. We'll have an extra batch made. PLEASE PM me or e-mail me your address.
Also, if you have the link (transfer factor) to research as opposed to testimonials, that would be really, really helpful.
And we haven't heard from the pharmacist yet, but he was conducting research and WILL BE making a supplement. We'll have an extra batch made. PLEASE PM me or e-mail me your address.
Also, if you have the link (transfer factor) to research as opposed to testimonials, that would be really, really helpful.
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- #107
Thanks Hedi, I appreciate your support!
LDG glad to hear Tuxedo is still doing great! Leo is doing good too! He has some days that are better than others, but has had some great days where he jumped and caught a fly! He is playing more, and eating more, so those are good signs. BUt he still is not pink, which has me worried. We are going for the test on thursday at 5 pm, and I am really nervous about the results. I know he is getting better but I suspect he is still anemic due to the lack of pink...but he is not legarthic anymore, so I think the cancer pill must be doing something! Leo is also our highest jumping cat, but since he got sick he hasn't done this except for the fly....
Here is one link about the research on transfer factor. I going to try to find some other links I saw too....
http://www.intohealth.com/newtfresearch.html
http://batonrouge.unclewebster.com/l...ctorplus.shtml
BELOW IS A GOOD REVIEW:
http://www.mnwelldir.org/docs/Newsle...y.htm#Transfer
Also LDG, one site featuring a cat of the month, had a cat with the same problem Tuxedo had, low read and white blood cell count, no explanation (auto-immune) and they are giving that cat the same pilll Leo is on, even if that cat doesn't have cancer, and the cat has been doing well ever since and it's been two years and the cat still takes the pill everyday. I am trying to find the web page, to give you the link, but I have been to so many I haven't been able to relocate it yet!
I really hope we get good news for Leo! I really hope the pills are working, and he will continue to get better! Seeing Leo starting to enjoy life again has been so rewarding for us!
LDG glad to hear Tuxedo is still doing great! Leo is doing good too! He has some days that are better than others, but has had some great days where he jumped and caught a fly! He is playing more, and eating more, so those are good signs. BUt he still is not pink, which has me worried. We are going for the test on thursday at 5 pm, and I am really nervous about the results. I know he is getting better but I suspect he is still anemic due to the lack of pink...but he is not legarthic anymore, so I think the cancer pill must be doing something! Leo is also our highest jumping cat, but since he got sick he hasn't done this except for the fly....
Here is one link about the research on transfer factor. I going to try to find some other links I saw too....
http://www.intohealth.com/newtfresearch.html
http://batonrouge.unclewebster.com/l...ctorplus.shtml
BELOW IS A GOOD REVIEW:
http://www.mnwelldir.org/docs/Newsle...y.htm#Transfer
Also LDG, one site featuring a cat of the month, had a cat with the same problem Tuxedo had, low read and white blood cell count, no explanation (auto-immune) and they are giving that cat the same pilll Leo is on, even if that cat doesn't have cancer, and the cat has been doing well ever since and it's been two years and the cat still takes the pill everyday. I am trying to find the web page, to give you the link, but I have been to so many I haven't been able to relocate it yet!
I really hope we get good news for Leo! I really hope the pills are working, and he will continue to get better! Seeing Leo starting to enjoy life again has been so rewarding for us!
Thanks for those links.
Re: Cat with same problem as Tuxedo on same pill as Leo. Anti-cancer agents are used for immune suppression, and our vet told us this would likely be the next step if the Epogen didn't work. Which it did while we were using it - but he appeared to be becoming resistant to it.
We had Tuxedo's blood tested today. We won't have full results until tomorrow, but the PCV fell to 23.5
He's been off Epogen for a week. Reticulocyte count should indicate whether the problem is in the production of the red blood cells (which Epogen had been boosting) - or whether the problem is the over-active immune system "eating up" the cells. Gary almost passed out when Doc told us the number - we were so, so, so hoping that off the Epogen he'd do OK. But it dropped from 28 last week.
After he has the full results of today's blood work-up, Doc's calling the specialist. He's not sure, but he's pretty sure the next step is the anti-cancer treatment, Leukeran (chlorambucil) - and he says there's been excellent results in other cases. In humans it's generally used to treat Leukemia. One of the side effects is the suppression of bone marrow function - so though I'm doing the research now and can't ask until tomorrow, I guess the issue is to suppress whatever immune problem is attacking the bone marrow function. Kind of like a double-negative? I don't know. I just found a great article on Feline Anemia from the World Small Animal Veterinary conference - it does mention chlorambucil (Leukaren) is a great immunosuppressive agent and has few side effects in cats. Got my fingers crossed.
I've been searching for Hydroxyurea and anemia (Hydroxyurea is Hydrea 125), but can't find anything. Did find out that it is used to treat sickle cell anemia (with good success) in humans!
Sending up prayers for Leo!!!! It's so hard not to count on those numbers - but their behavior says so much. Do you get your results right away or should I be thinking of you Friday, not Thursday? (I'm not going to be around Thurs afternoon or Friday).
Re: Cat with same problem as Tuxedo on same pill as Leo. Anti-cancer agents are used for immune suppression, and our vet told us this would likely be the next step if the Epogen didn't work. Which it did while we were using it - but he appeared to be becoming resistant to it.
We had Tuxedo's blood tested today. We won't have full results until tomorrow, but the PCV fell to 23.5
After he has the full results of today's blood work-up, Doc's calling the specialist. He's not sure, but he's pretty sure the next step is the anti-cancer treatment, Leukeran (chlorambucil) - and he says there's been excellent results in other cases. In humans it's generally used to treat Leukemia. One of the side effects is the suppression of bone marrow function - so though I'm doing the research now and can't ask until tomorrow, I guess the issue is to suppress whatever immune problem is attacking the bone marrow function. Kind of like a double-negative? I don't know. I just found a great article on Feline Anemia from the World Small Animal Veterinary conference - it does mention chlorambucil (Leukaren) is a great immunosuppressive agent and has few side effects in cats. Got my fingers crossed.
I've been searching for Hydroxyurea and anemia (Hydroxyurea is Hydrea 125), but can't find anything. Did find out that it is used to treat sickle cell anemia (with good success) in humans!
Sending up prayers for Leo!!!! It's so hard not to count on those numbers - but their behavior says so much. Do you get your results right away or should I be thinking of you Friday, not Thursday? (I'm not going to be around Thurs afternoon or Friday).
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- #109
thanx for the update and info LDG! I really hope the new treatment help Tuxedo!
I should get some results on thursday night, but the full results on friday, after my vet sends them to the faculty that treated Leo (they are the only ones who can deal with special cases like Leo) so think of me both days if you can!
Your Tuxedo is on my mind as well, please let me know what happens next...
I can so understand how hard it is to hear the results...I am dreading this myself and I am very scared...
I also found this drug to help them produce red blood cells and think it might be a form of epogen, but it's called
erythropoietin
it supposedly helps them keep producing when the cancer drugs unfortunately reduce bone marrow production...I am concerned about this fact, that the chemo pill stops the bone marrow from functioning like normal, how will Leo's body produce enough red blood cells to get his count back up? I am going to ask my vet on thursday to clarify....and if this drug can help my Leo...
Leo was more sleepy today and had me worried, but is a little better tonight...right now he and Roxy are on my bed, and I am going to join them! It is so hard to feel like I can't help Leo enough, when he shows me how full of life he still is. Leo is even closer to me now, and this past two weeks have been so special, I can feel his trust, when he purrs as I hold him, when I come home...my Life will never be the same without him......I really don't know how to handle all this sometimes...it just breaks my heart such a sweet animal has to go through this, and I feel so helpless....so I pray to G-d not to take him from me yet, to please give us more time together, he is not ready to let go, and ofcourse neither am I! Most of all I just want to see him acitve and happy and know he is enjoying his life as much as possible...
I should get some results on thursday night, but the full results on friday, after my vet sends them to the faculty that treated Leo (they are the only ones who can deal with special cases like Leo) so think of me both days if you can!
Your Tuxedo is on my mind as well, please let me know what happens next...
I can so understand how hard it is to hear the results...I am dreading this myself and I am very scared...
I also found this drug to help them produce red blood cells and think it might be a form of epogen, but it's called
erythropoietin
it supposedly helps them keep producing when the cancer drugs unfortunately reduce bone marrow production...I am concerned about this fact, that the chemo pill stops the bone marrow from functioning like normal, how will Leo's body produce enough red blood cells to get his count back up? I am going to ask my vet on thursday to clarify....and if this drug can help my Leo...
Leo was more sleepy today and had me worried, but is a little better tonight...right now he and Roxy are on my bed, and I am going to join them! It is so hard to feel like I can't help Leo enough, when he shows me how full of life he still is. Leo is even closer to me now, and this past two weeks have been so special, I can feel his trust, when he purrs as I hold him, when I come home...my Life will never be the same without him......I really don't know how to handle all this sometimes...it just breaks my heart such a sweet animal has to go through this, and I feel so helpless....so I pray to G-d not to take him from me yet, to please give us more time together, he is not ready to let go, and ofcourse neither am I! Most of all I just want to see him acitve and happy and know he is enjoying his life as much as possible...
Yes - Epogen is the name of the human drug. Erythropoietin is the chemical in the body (that is part of the process of red cell creation stimulation). Cornell has run clinical trials in 2001 and 2003 in both cats and dogs with an erythropoietin-based drug that was created from canine and feline erythropoietin as opposed to human erythropoietin. The thinking, obviously, is that there's something in the human eruthropoietin that the animals develop a resistance too. Unfortunately it sometimes then causes them to attack the erythropoieten they are manufacturing themselves, which is why the anemia can become worse if a cat or dog develops resistance to Epogen treatments.
I wrote to Cornell, and found that academia moves at VERY different speeds than corporations! They should be publishing the results of the feline erythropoieten study sometime later this year or early 2005, and the trials were closed back in 2003. (Usually takes corporations just six to nine months to compile the results of clinical trials, though the process of getting published in a peer-review journal definitely add some time. But the process doesn't take 2 years!)
My guess is Epogen wouldn't be indicated if the anemia isn't the result of a lack of erythropoietan production.
We got the reticulocyte count. It's "OK - a little below normal." So Tuxedo started Leukeran. And the idea is that it will suppress his immune system in order to prevent it from attacking the red blood cells he is producing. Got my fingers crossed.
And Anita, I know just how you feel. Gary and I feel so blessed that Tuxedo seems to be feeling actually really good. We're just so scared that that could end at any moment. It's really a difficult thing to live with. You really have to take it one day at a time, though that is just impossible sometimes.
Did I already include this link? It's from the World Small Animal Vet Association conference (2001). It's really helpful in discussing what Anemia is, and what can cause it in cats - although it doesn't go into any detail as regards cancer, tumors, though it does discuss the use of Epogen in renal failure cases. Here's the link: http://www.vin.com/VINDBPub/SearchPB...00/PR00043.htm
Anita, I'll be thinking of you tomorrow AND Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My guess is Epogen wouldn't be indicated if the anemia isn't the result of a lack of erythropoietan production.
We got the reticulocyte count. It's "OK - a little below normal." So Tuxedo started Leukeran. And the idea is that it will suppress his immune system in order to prevent it from attacking the red blood cells he is producing. Got my fingers crossed.
And Anita, I know just how you feel. Gary and I feel so blessed that Tuxedo seems to be feeling actually really good. We're just so scared that that could end at any moment. It's really a difficult thing to live with. You really have to take it one day at a time, though that is just impossible sometimes.
Did I already include this link? It's from the World Small Animal Vet Association conference (2001). It's really helpful in discussing what Anemia is, and what can cause it in cats - although it doesn't go into any detail as regards cancer, tumors, though it does discuss the use of Epogen in renal failure cases. Here's the link: http://www.vin.com/VINDBPub/SearchPB...00/PR00043.htm
Anita, I'll be thinking of you tomorrow AND Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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- #111
thanks LDG for all the info...it clears some things up!!
Hope Tuxedo continues to feel great!
My Leo is still doing about the same...
I am really nervous about tommorrow's test's....
here are some pics I took a few days ago....Leo acutally looks better now than these pics..
Hope Tuxedo continues to feel great!
My Leo is still doing about the same...
I am really nervous about tommorrow's test's....
here are some pics I took a few days ago....Leo acutally looks better now than these pics..
What a stunning boy he is! Both of you are in my thoughts and prayers....Please keep us posted! I'm sending out some Good News Vibes!
Leo is so handsome.
Good Luck Anita with the tests.
Awwwww what a sweetie
Put lots of kisses on his furry tum for me
Put lots of kisses on his furry tum for me
Leo is such a darling baby!
Please let us know as soon as possible how the tests go!
I just know he'll do great!
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- #117
Hi everyone, I got the first results from the vet.
Unfortunately his count went down a little bit, it was 18% it is now 16%
but the vet said the blood didn't look bad, but the cytology will tell us. Basically what we are looking for is a decrease in the abnormal (cancer) cells to indicate the pill is working. We will only know this tommorrow. The goal is that if it is reducing the cancer, he should stay on the pill. Basically I was told there is no way to know what to expect or what will happen, since this condition is very rare there are not enough cases for information.
It is luck right now. One Positive thing is Leo gained a half a pound! He is 10lbs 10 ounces.
My vet said as long as Leo continues to eat, and play we should let him enjoy life as much as we can.
I hope the cancer has reduced. The transfer factor plus came in the mail today. I will start giving it to him tommorrow, if it is more bad news. It's the only treatment left I can try to help my Leo, since I know it can't harm him, I have nothing to lose and hopefully he will benefit from the immune boost, along with the chemo pill.
Today he was good, he played, he purred, he is a happy furbaby, and that matters a great deal to me. Not knowing what is going to happen freaks me out, but just seeing his cute face, makes me cherish the time we do get to spend together.
I am still praying for a miracle, that the transfer factor give him the boost he needs to fight this! I know the chances are very slim to none, but it's not over till it's over right!
Thanks for all the sweet comments about my Leo! He says thanks for your support, and to keep cheering him on!
As soon as I know more tommorrow I will post....
Unfortunately his count went down a little bit, it was 18% it is now 16%
but the vet said the blood didn't look bad, but the cytology will tell us. Basically what we are looking for is a decrease in the abnormal (cancer) cells to indicate the pill is working. We will only know this tommorrow. The goal is that if it is reducing the cancer, he should stay on the pill. Basically I was told there is no way to know what to expect or what will happen, since this condition is very rare there are not enough cases for information.
It is luck right now. One Positive thing is Leo gained a half a pound! He is 10lbs 10 ounces.
My vet said as long as Leo continues to eat, and play we should let him enjoy life as much as we can.
I hope the cancer has reduced. The transfer factor plus came in the mail today. I will start giving it to him tommorrow, if it is more bad news. It's the only treatment left I can try to help my Leo, since I know it can't harm him, I have nothing to lose and hopefully he will benefit from the immune boost, along with the chemo pill.
Today he was good, he played, he purred, he is a happy furbaby, and that matters a great deal to me. Not knowing what is going to happen freaks me out, but just seeing his cute face, makes me cherish the time we do get to spend together.
I am still praying for a miracle, that the transfer factor give him the boost he needs to fight this! I know the chances are very slim to none, but it's not over till it's over right!
Thanks for all the sweet comments about my Leo! He says thanks for your support, and to keep cheering him on!
As soon as I know more tommorrow I will post....
Oh Anita, I'm dying to know! I didn't think I was going to get the chance to visit TCS today, but I did, and the results aren't here, and I just want you to know that no matter what they are, whatever you are doing for Leo is obviously helping!!!! He looks GREAT in those pics, BTW, so unless it's just that he's put on a little more weight, I really can't imagine how he'd look better!
Thinking about you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(((((((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Laurie
Thinking about you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(((((((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Laurie
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- #119
Thanks Laurie you are really sweet!
sorry for the delay!
My vet didn't call me on friday which got me really scared, but then he called me this morning!
There has been a decrease in the abnormal cells!!!!!!!! (what we were hoping for!)
He also said there are other positive (good) changes in his blood!!!!!! (didn't expect this!)
and he thinks it is worth continuing the treatment! He will confirm everything with the faculty next week, before he gives me the details! (they have more sensative equipment so he wants them to check before he gives me numbers!)
and he will get back to me in a few days!
I am really glad about this, it means for now my Leo is improving! I have started giving him the transfer factor plus anyway, maybe it will speed up the progress he is making!
I truly believe everyone postive thoughts have really helped! I am so greatful.... (espcially when my own mother has not even asked me once how Leo is doing!
, but my father has.. ) my friend Debbie, is really the only one who I have here that understands...
hugs to you to Laurie, and to Tuxedo too! How is he doing? Any news?
sorry for the delay!
My vet didn't call me on friday which got me really scared, but then he called me this morning!
There has been a decrease in the abnormal cells!!!!!!!! (what we were hoping for!)
He also said there are other positive (good) changes in his blood!!!!!! (didn't expect this!)
and he thinks it is worth continuing the treatment! He will confirm everything with the faculty next week, before he gives me the details! (they have more sensative equipment so he wants them to check before he gives me numbers!)
and he will get back to me in a few days!
I am really glad about this, it means for now my Leo is improving! I have started giving him the transfer factor plus anyway, maybe it will speed up the progress he is making!
I truly believe everyone postive thoughts have really helped! I am so greatful.... (espcially when my own mother has not even asked me once how Leo is doing!
hugs to you to Laurie, and to Tuxedo too! How is he doing? Any news?
I am so glad for you and Leo! What a little
