He fought uphill from March to Sep/Oct of last year, stayed in a "well" zone through Jan/Feb, then took a severe turn for the worse. Our vet has gone so far above and beyond, and at the advice of KTLynn (THANK YOU!) consulted with a specialist from the "Mayo Clinic for cats" in NYC. She referred him to a specialist in GA that deals with blood borne diseases. They're now convinced it's a blood borne parasite (type unknown). GA specialist says a certain type of antibiotic is best to use - but it might be too late. Tuxie's been on drugs to stimulate his appetite, but they've stopped working. His organs still work, but it looks like his system is starting to shut down. He's down to 7.5 pounds and is skin and bones (several of our rescues have really large frames). He has no interest in food at all. His red blood cell count fell from 15 to 12 this week (should be 40. Under 24 is anemic. Under 10 and he doesn't have long to live. Vet says at some point his heart will just stop beating).
He's going to receive a blood transfusion tonight. He'll be on intravenous doxycycline (the antibiotic GA specialist recommends) through tomorrow. He received a shot of something to stimulate his appetite. Unless he starts eating, he won't make it, though how long he'll live, doc doesn't know. If he starts eating, hopefully the blood transfusion will buy him enough time for the doxy to start working. Vet says even that is ify, and didn't recommend or not recommend it. He did say if he becomes even more anemic, it will be too late. So Gary decided not to wait, but to try it. Right now his red blood cell production system appears to have shut down - so all our hopes are pinned on buying him enough time for the Doxy to work - if it's going to.
I can't thank everyone enough for all the prayers, thoughts and good will sent Tuxie's way already. I also appreciate all the PMs and e-mails with helpful thoughts and suggestions. We did try transfer factor - but we had no way to feed it to him as he'd basically stopped eating. I don't know how to give him two teaspoons of the stuff a day when he barely takes one lick of wet food, and I can't mix it and shoot it down his throut as we're already giving him several meds that way and that's so stressful already.
So...at this point, he really needs some magic to survive. Doc says he believes all odds are against it, and Tuxie has somewhere between a few days and maybe up to a few weeks. He's been SUCH a fighter, and such a good boy though, I really believe that if he survives the blood transfusion, he'll have a fighting chance. Gary, Tuxie and I would so appreciate (again!) any positive energy you can spare.
