12/31 Blue 75 AMBG

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Patty and Blue GA & Brat

Patty and Blue GA & Brat

Member Since 2020
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/12-29-blue-ambg-85.240678/

I got up early to test and feed Blue and get out the door. He's at Blue Pearl and
not very happy about it.

The attendant who came to get Blue didn't offer much information. She just kept
saying no news is good news. I guess that's their answer for not phoning.
The CBD will not interfere with chemo however they don't say one way or another
if they recommend. It was like pulling teeth. Hopefully I'll get more from the oncologist
if she calls. Of course, she may not call because "no news is good news". So frustrating.
 
Hi Patty,

I am so upset for you at the response that you're currently getting from Blue Pearl. You need answers to your questions and progress updates from the treating specialist. Grrrrrr....

I get the sense that there are some vets who are actively using covid restrictions to duck out of engagement with clients, and I think it's both irresponsible and unprofessional of them.

I reckon you may have to resort to the squeaky wheel method if they don't get their act together on the communication side of things fairly sharpish.

Nag.

Patty and Blue said:
The CBD will not interfere with chemo however they don't say one way or another
if they recommend.
Click to expand...
I got a somewhat similar response from our main vet when I told him I wanted to trial Saoirse on slippery elm bark. He said to me that, while there was no research to support its alleged efficacy, it would be OK to give it to her to see how she'd get on with it. I accept that, from a liability perspective, he could only actively recommend stuff for which there's some form of evidence base but he wasn't in any way dismissive in his tone about my wanting to try out a kitty 'folk remedy'. It sounds like the person you were dealing with today didn't demonstrate similar consideration towards you. Poor show.

Hope the day gets some bit better as it goes along. Keeping you both in my prayers.

((((Patty and Blue))))

:bighug:


Mogs
.
 
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Patty, I learned the hard way to ask for copies of the labs every visit. Their client service sure leaves a lot to be desired. :bighug:
 
Yes, communication was still not great. I did at least get a form from the oncologist with a letter.

It says that the mass does not seem any smaller, but it states (Elise) he has only had one dose of chemo.
Weight is up a bit. They want to recheck in 3 weeks. Run another ultrasound. If it's shrinking they will give a
third dose of chemo, if not shrinking, we should consider alternative chemo options. Another single-agent drug
that might work is CCNU, an oral chemo given in the clinic once every 3-4 weeks.

That's about it. The "diplomat" let me know that the reason I wasn't called was because the blood work was
fine.
Whatever!!! They could have let me know that.

I agree they are using Covid as a way to not have to speak to clients. My regular vet always comes to the
car after an appointment to talk with me. I like that. I don't want to speak to the "diplomat".

Bottom line is he's normal, all but a mass. Eating and drinking. Sleeping and playing. My Bluebird.
 
Did they give you a copy of the blood tests ? I would want to see it myself. After my experiences I won’t leave without it or have it emailed to me if sent out. I’m not sure how they can tell if it’s any smaller. ;)

I like your bottom line.
 
You can easily feel it on the side of his abdomen. That's why I was upset a couple of days ago. It didn't appear to be any smaller.
I didn't get the blood work. I'll try to call later but they are slammed. The parking lot was overflowing. I didn't even get a space when I picked him up. This is funny....this morning when I took him there were only a few numbers spaces left. I pulled in and I was in space 13. I started to call and said to myself no, you have to move. I got space 7. I'm not normally superstitious but didn't take a chance. :)
 
Lol. I think I would have done the same. You might want to consider nausea meds today and tomorrow because I think he was nauseous after the first injection if my fuzzy memory is working.
 
Patty and Blue said:
The "diplomat" let me know that the reason I wasn't called was because the blood work was
fine.
Click to expand...
And you're supposed to know this how? By ESP???

Patty and Blue said:
I did at least get a form from the oncologist with a letter.
Click to expand...
And someone with the smarts to qualify as a specialist vet can't fathom out how to use a telephone???

To borrow your expression, Patty, I'm using very bad words right now. Grrrrrrr...


Mogs
.
 
No problem. Hijack away.

You are correct about meds for nausea. I had forgotten. He ate again and went upstairs for a nap, just like he did last time. I'll make sure I give him the cerenia.

I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt since she was on holiday. I do think a “diplomat” should have phoned to let me know blood work was ok to treat. “No news is good news” :rolleyes:
 
I know Mogs. When she said that I wanted to roll my eyes.

Blue came down and is laying on me. He seems good. He's not drooling so I'm wondering if I should give him the Cerenia or wait. Will it prevent nausea?
 
Patty and Blue said:
I know Mogs. When she said that I wanted to roll my eyes.

Blue came down and is laying on me. He seems good. He's not drooling so I'm wondering if I should give him the Cerenia or wait. Will it prevent nausea?
Click to expand...
Glad to hear your Bluebird is snuggling with you.

Re the Cerenia, you've got a choice of approach: proactive or reactive. A proactive dose should help reduce the likelihood of his feeling nauseated/vomiting but you then would have no idea of whether the chemo had made him feel queasy. If you wait for him to feel queasy you'll have a truer picture of how the chemo affected him but then you'll probably feel absolutely pants. :( (Sorry I don't have anything better to offer you on this.)


Mogs
.
 
I think I'll keep a close eye on him. He drank some water from the faucet and seems to feel ok. He is on CBD now so maybe that is helping.
 

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I hope they do, Patty. Chase it if you need to. (That's what I have to do sometimes, even though my vets are used to me wanting copies.)

Fingers 'n' paws crossed that the CBD helps your Bluebird.

((((Blue))))


Mogs
.
 
He's still doing great. He ate again and then ate some of the other cats food. He's off for a nap now.

Thanks Mogs, glad you like the pictures. I should get out my good camera to take some nice pictures
but my cell is just so easy.
 
It looks like he’s anemic with that HCT. I would give your vet a call to see what can be done for His kidney values are elevated as well. That could explain the low HCT. It’s likely from the chemo rather than kidney disease since his kidneys were normal in the past. If this is to be expected it would be nice to be told what to expect. He’s clearly acting fine which is wonderful.
 
tiffmaxee said:
It looks like he’s anemic with that HCT. I would give your vet a call to see what can be done for His kidney values are elevated as well. That could explain the low HCT. It’s likely from the chemo rather than kidney disease since his kidneys were normal in the past. If this is to be expected it would be nice to be told.
Click to expand...

I agree. Wish they had said something. The BUN bothered me when I saw it. I hear there is a liquid supplement to help
with hydration. It's by Pro Plan but I think you have to have a prescription. I'll call tomorrow.
 
Hi Patty,

I note that there's a comment at the bottom of the results about manual entry. I also see the haematocrit (HCT) value shows as 1.9%. I think the latter is probably 19% and, if the results were entered into their system manually, the 1.9 looks like a keying-in error. I'd suggest getting back in touch with Blue Pearl to make sure that there aren't any other errors in the results.

I agree that you need to get some veterinary input about the markers that are out of range, especially the low HCT. I also agree with Elise that they should have discussed the results with you, given you a full interpretation of them and the significance of the values that are out of range - plus what they're going to do to address them.

Hope you're both doing OK today.

((((Patty and Blue))))

:bighug:


Mogs
.
 
Hi Mogs,
They are leaving it up to my vet to handle any other problem with Blue. The only reason
they run the CBC is to see if he can get the chemo.

I sent the report to my vet but I doubt they are open today.
 
Patty and Blue said:
They are leaving it up to my vet to handle any other problem with Blue.
Click to expand...
What?! Do you know whether your own vet is in direct dialogue with them?

I still suggest checking the accuracy of the results with them, Patty, because if there are any other errors then it's likely that's what your own vet will be working to.


Mogs
.
 
I agree that the 1.9 is not correct and I even question the accuracy of that. Are his gums pale or pink? I suspect you won’t be able to speak with your vet until Monday. As long as he’s acting normal I would try not to worry.
 
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