5/24 Connor - needs your thoughts and prayers ...

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donnancarolina

donnancarolina

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He hadn't been eating much and this morning threw up blood. Took him to the vet and he has a PCV of 13 - it indicates very bad anemia. He's on antibiotics and another med.

He just had the cancerous fibrosarcoma lumps removed from his right hip this past Wednesday. And he's been doing so well with his BG levels. Just hope he can pull through this latest trial.

He has a PCV of 13 and if it drops below 10, that cannot sustain life. So he needs all you beans and kitties to think good thoughts (like, go HIGHER Connor, go HIGHER). I'll take him in for another reading tomorrow afternoon and will let you know how he does. This next 24 to 48 hours is critical, so please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Thanks!

Donna and Connor
 
(((donna)))
talked to libby earlier. have been sending connor white light, blizzards of snowflakes, and tons of positive thoughts all afternoon.
will continue to keep him close in thought...
 
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Lots of vines and tons of snowflakes for Conner. The little guy has been through so much -- he deserves a chance. Get those numbers up Conner!
 
yikes that's critically low. did this develop suddenly? was it at normal level pre-surgery? did they say if it's regenerative or non-regen, did they test for reticulocytes? do they have any idea what's causing it? sorry for all the questions; 13% is very alarming. do you remember the name of the other med he got?

will be keeping him and you in my thoughts.
 
Sending prayers for Connor - get that PCV up very quickly. I'm sure you are worried sick, so sending you peace and comfort so you can help Connor get better.
 
snowflakes and vines and Meezer songs are headed full blast to FL. Come on, Connor, you've fought everything else, don't let this get you...

Trust me, Connor, Donna has forgotten the world "foster", she's your mom and she wants you better.
 
Doc told me to stop all meds except for the doxy and sucralfate. She also said to not shoot if his number was less than 250. I just checked and its 118 (he was 161 at the vet's around 11am today). I guess that sounds right to everybody?

I'll check again later tonight. He didn't have a shot this morning (he went to the vet before it was time to shoot).
 
HIGHER PCV Connor. HIGHER PCV Connor. HIGHER PCV Conner. HIGHER PCV Conner. HIGHER PCV Conner.
HIGHER PCV Conner. HIGHER PCV Conner. HIGHER PCV Conner. HIGHER PCV Conner. HIGHER PCV Conner.
Come on Conner, you can do it.
 
Come on Connor higher and higher PCV. I'm gonna be singing that song by Sly and the Family Stone "I want to take you higher" until you get back where you need to be. You can do it buddy -
 
Sending lots and lots of healing vines and snowflakes for Connor.
Please Connor, we need your numbers higher.
We are all praying for you.

((Donna)) a true mama bean you are.
 
Donna,

My thoughts are with you and Connor.

Belle was as low as 12% recently and needed a transfusion to help her through. She has a Mycoplasma infection and I'm assuming that's why Connor is on the Doxycycline. Belle is up to 27% after two weeks, so it can be a slow process. Since he threw up blood, I guess blood loss is a likely cause, so if the bleeding has stopped and he is regenerative, he may get better slowly. I'm not sure if your vet mentioned a transfusion, but it could make a big difference for him.

Jason
 
Thanks everybody!

Somehow I keep losing the messages I've been composing. So - thanks for that picture of the snowflake covered vines - what a photo!

And, he had a HCT (same as PCV I think) of 23 in January. I don't know about alot of the questions but the folks at "headquarters" for Siamese Rescue talked to the vet for me. They hashed out what to do - treat as if he has Hemobart. The most conservative thing. I know it's got to be difficult to decide how far to go with a 13 year old diabetic rescue kitty who just went through cancer surgery.

They don't think it's internal bleeding because there are no symptoms of that (bloody stool, etc). Could be something that's been around for a while and got kicked into high gear with the stress of the surgery.

I think I've typed these same words multiple times so hopefully you haven't had to read it that many times.

Sounds like something we'll find out soon, not weeks of waiting. Just hope he'll be able to kick this too and keep on going. He's sure performed miraculously so far.

Thanks for all your good thoughts!

Donna and Connor
 
OMG Donna. You've got my prayers for Connor!!! I am so, so sorry that he's sick. As a fellow flame point lover my heart goes out to you guys. I'll be thinking of him often.
 
Donna,

I can give you my experience with Hemobart. Belle had her first bout 3 months ago and got as low as 17%. 3 weeks of Doxycyline put her over 40%. She had a relapse a month ago around the time she got pancreatitis. She needed surgery and her recovery from Hemobart the second time has been much slower. She was at 20% before surgery and dropped as low as 12% after. The vet says the slower recovery is due to the surgery because her body has so much else going on from a recovery and healing standpoint. 3 weeks post op, we're at 27% and rising.

I would have thought an HCT of 23% in January would have raised a red flag, and that would seem to rule out any acute episode as a cause. If it is Hemobart, if you can get him over this hurdle, he can live a completely normal and long life, so consider that when you think about treatment options. A transfusion can be a few hundred dollars, but it can give him the time he needs to fight the infection. My vets recommended it when Belle fell to 15%. Hemobart(Mycoplasma) can always relapse as it did with Belle, but now that you are aware of it, you can be on the lookout and treat as soon as you see any signs.

You did say he threw up blood this morning, so if he has Hemobart, this could have just made things look a little worse than they would have otherwise been. Also, since it seems like he has been fairly low in RBC's for quite a while, he has likely adapted somewhat to his condition. Even when Belle was at 12%, you wouldn't have even known it. Since her RBC's dropped over time, her body was used to it.

Here's to wishing Connor is on his way up, and the Doxycycline will work it's magic. I lived and died by Belle's PCV numbers, so I know how difficult it can be, but an improvement can take time. I'll be thinking of you guys.

Jason
 
Thanks again everybody.

Jason - what you said is very encouraging. So if he's coming up tomorrow, it sounds like he would benefit from a blood transfusion. I guess I'm getting a little ahead of myself here but initially when I heard 'transfusion' earlier today I was thinking of which of my cats would be a good donor. I have no idea if that's even how it works.

I guess we'll see what tomorrow holds.

Mr Purrfect just tested at 131 (last shot was his less-than-half-dose last night at 10:30) and has finished the entire can of tuna. I just shot 2.5 cc's of the Doxy mix down his little throat and it hasn't reappeared.

I am so encouraged that he's eating. He's not eating his Temptations (he's an addict) so that's a little worrisome. Be he's definitely scarfing down that tuna. I think I'll leave some DM canned out just to see if he tries any of that.

Well, I'll be back in touch tomorrow around 2-3 after his test.

"I want to take you higher!" - Keep that tune in your head! (Thanks Amy and Pedro!)

Donna & Conner
 
Sending many healing snowflakes and prayers for Conner. Donna you are so wonderful to be there for him, you are a kind and generous soul. (((Conner))) (((Donna)))
 
Donna,

I hope everything goes well today. I wouldn't think the worst even if his numbers haven't gone up, since Belle was on a rollercoaster for days and her PCV was flat for a week after she came home. As for the transfusion, your vet may have an in house donor, or they may have blood from a blood bank. One of your cats may be able to donate, but I would do that as a last resort since I wouldn't want to compromise an otherwise healthy cat. Your vet can explain the issues involved on both sides of a transfusion. If Connor has gone up, I'm not sure he would need a transfusion, if he's stayed the same or gone down, then you should discuss it with your vet.

Also realize that predisolone can be extremely helpful in fighting Mycoplasma. It slows the bodies destruction of the red blood cells, so it can regenerate better. Mycoplasma should cause a regenerative anemia, so your vet should be able to tell you through blood tests if that is the case. Belle ran into problems when they lowered her prednisolone for surgery. The Mycoplasma got much worse when we lowered her dose, and didn't start to get better until a few days after she was increased again.If his anemia is regenerative and they believe it is Mycoplasma, you want to ask about prednisolone. It will likely raise his BG's for the duration, but the anemia is a primary concern now.

Good luck, and keep up hope.

Jason
 
Just seeing your condo and am sending two days full of snowflakes and blizzards to Conner

Go Higher Conner Go Higher Conner Go Higher Conner
Go Higher Conner Go Higher Conner Go Higher Conner!!!!!

I am thinking of you and praying for Conner.
 
Connor's PCV number went from 13% to 11% - wrong direction. As a last ditch effort we're starting him on steriods (pred).

When he came home after the vet trip he looked absolutely terrible. Earlier today I saw him stumble to his bed and fall down. But now, he's scarfing down some tuna. I guess it might be up and down for a while. We'll see how it goes.

He also went from 11.2 lbs to 10.13 in one day. So, it doesn't look very good at this point. He'll have his numbers checked again tomorrow around 2:30. I'll let you know.

Thanks everybody for your care and concern.

Donna and Connor

PS He's had fabulous blood glucose numbers and he hasn't had insulin since Sunday night.
 
Glad he is back home with you and he ate some tuna!
Hang in there - he is tired so it makes everything a bit worse. You both need some rest. Tomorrow is another day
 
Donna,

You got it. I'm keeping Conner in my thoughts and sending get well vines. Let us know how he makes out after vet visit tomorrow.

I know you must be very worried. We are pulling for him at this house.

jan and sara
 
Donna,

I have my fingers crossed and will have Connor in my prayers. If it is Mycoplasma, the pred should help quite a bit. I hope it kicks in while he still has enough strength. Eating is always a good sign.

Jason
 
Thank god for Chicken of the Sea.

The pred seems to be working. I even had to give him a shot tonight. He read 271 - first reading over 200 in the last two weeks - if you don't count the 396 he got after they fed him a bag of dextrose after surgery! And his first shot since Sunday night.

I go from hope to abject resignation (and back again).

But...Connor is no longer a rescue kitty. And I am no longer his Foster Mom.

He has been officially adopted and now I am his Forever Mom!
 
donnancarolina said:
But...Connor is no longer a rescue kitty. And I am no longer his Foster Mom.

He has been officially adopted and now I am his Forever Mom!
Click to expand...

Yay Donna! I was waiting for you to post that news. :mrgreen:

Congratulations, I bet Connor is thrilled to know he has his very own forever family, no matter the end result of this battle. You're awesome for doing this for Connor.
 
donnancarolina said:
But...Connor is no longer a rescue kitty. And I am no longer his Foster Mom.

He has been officially adopted and now I am his Forever Mom!
Click to expand...

oh my. congratulations!!! :) i hope you've told him; he'll fight even harder now that he has a reason too :)
 
Thinking of YOUR boy today....hoping to hear good news.
Come on Connor....bring those numbers up....sending healing vines to you sweet boy......fight hard now...
 
All day I've been near tears thinking that I might take Connor in for his test and not bring him home.

Well, he's at 10% - right at the edge. Could go either way. If I can just get him to eat and keep down his meds. Vet said he could be dead tomorrow or he could pull out of it.

He got his stitches out and the cone-head removed. I'd been home 10 minutes, looked down, and there was a gaping hole in his side. Could see bone - sorry. Gross. Rushed him back to the vet and they stapled it shut.

It is absolutely amazing that this cat is still alive.
 
Donna,

I've been waiting for your update. I've read about cats that have been as low as 7% and pulled through, so hope is not lost. Again, since it doesn't seem to have been an acute drop but a gradual one, maybe he can better deal with the low PCV. I'm no expert, but I'm also not convinced there's not some variance in PCV tests, so 11% to 10% may not be a big deal. Belle went up and down hourly with no rhyme or reason, so it's hard for me to read much into such a small change. It sounds like his body is still fighting to heal from the surgery, so that just adds to the stress he's under and another day for the pred to work can only be a good thing in fighting Mycoplasma. I assume you've ruled out a transfusion, so I have my fingers crossed that Connor can keep fighting.

You may also want to ask about B12 shots. B12 is important for people in making RBC's, and although my vet isn't sure it's the same with cats, I don't think it can hurt.

I'm happy to read about the adoption, and I hope you have a lot more time with him.

Jason
 
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