5/27 Connor

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donnancarolina

donnancarolina

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Just realized I should have started a new condo yesterday instead of adding to the old one.

I don't even know how to enter his numbers since he's had so few shots lately (one in the last 4 days). Vet says don't shoot unless he's over 250. He's been in beautiful blue otherwise.

He's still hanging in there. I'm just trying to keep him comfortable, fed, and medicated.

On the other condo someone asked 'why no transfusion?' Rescue had rejected it as too risky and stressful (and expensive). Yesterday was the first day it became my decision (because I'm now his Forever Mom instead of his Foster Mom!) & I spent most of it near tears thinking I'd have to have him euthanized yesterday.

So I called my vet this morning and talked to her about it. When I asked if she would do it, she said "no, not with all his other problems". So I'm no longer questioning that decision.

Just taking it day by day and hour by hour. Thank you all so much for your support. We feel the love!

Donna and Connor
 
Sending healing vines and energies (along with prayers) to Connor. You have been through a rough time, but hang in there. You are a wonderful forever mom to Connor.
 
Connor is home! Day by day and hour by hour - hang in there, you are doing everything you can.
Thinking healing thoughts~
 
Donna,

Every minute that goes bye is positive news since it's another minute for doxycycline, pred and his body to fight this. I can't say that I understand the vets stance on the transfusion since Belle has more problems than I can count, but they would know best. Transfusions do add their own set of issues to the mix.

Fingers crossed for Connor.

Jason
 
You are a special angel for making Conner your fur-baby. We are all pulling for him to improve every day... little by little, come on sweet boy, you are a fighter.
(((Hugs to you Donna)))
 
Donna:
Here is the link to your previous condo Sweetie.... viewtopic.php?f=9&t=15399

We are sending so much love across the miles to you and Connor....praying so hard for him.....
You know, we are all family here....we wring our hands over our kitties and their numbers....their food and their Ps...
and we kid around a lot too. But when of our kitties is sick, we all feel it and wish that we could do something to make it all better.
Healing vines are being sent to Connor...hopes that he can fight these unbelievable odds....use the meds well and get strong soon.
A blizzard of healing vines to Connor....he is in our thoughts and prayers....((((Connor & Donna))))
 
((Donna))

I don't want to question the vet but it might help if you could ask your vet to lay out the pros and cons of a transfusion. IMHO, you are entitled to know what the vet is thinking and to be a participant in the decision making. This is the nature of informed consent. Connor is now your cat and it's your money. Once you hear the vet's explanation, you may be in agreement or you may have more questions or you may want to brainstorm with us here. As Jason pointed out, just because there may be multiple health issues, you still need to understand the rationale for a decision otherwise you will end up questioning whether you are doing the right thing.
 
Donna,

To add to what Sienne said, there may be issues with Connor that the vet is aware of that make a transfusion more risky, but in my recent experience, it may be the only way to help Connor.

Belle had these issues at the time of her transfusion:
Recent Invasive Surgery- First transfusion was the day after surgery
Pancreatitis
Asthma
Cardiomyopathy
IBD
Diabetes
ALT of 4000
Kidney and Bladder Stones
Mycoplasma
Torn Knee Ligament

Here are a few of the negatives I was told:
Potential transfusion reaction- Him being Siamese could be a factor in blood type- Belle had no problem(4 transfusions)
Fluid Overload- Did occur with Belle- No lasting issue
Could help or hurt healing time- The vet said help, but human studies say they can slow the healing process
Body will produce antibodies so future transfusions will need more intricate blood typing
May need multiple transfusions- Belle got 4 over a five day period

Positives I was told:
Could save her life- There was no question in the vets mind that it should be done, and done when the PCV hit 15%

Despite all of Belle's problems, I never for one second got the impression that a transfusion was any riskier for her than an otherwise healthy cat. The vet never hesitated in recommending one, and in Belle's case, she needed 4. With Mycoplasma, more than one may be necessary because the infection will attack the transfused cells. Usually she jumped 6-10% after a transfusion. One time within 12 hours, she was lower than before the transfusion, so there are no guarantees, but the next one brought her from 12 to 18, and steadily up to 30 after that. She did have a drop from 30 back to 24, but she hasn't been lower since. She was monitored very closely throughout the transfusion for any reactions. My cost for 2 Packed RBC transfusions was $280 each, and my cost for two from donor cats was $240 each. I know economics comes into it, but when I considered that she could fully recover and it wasn't simply a temporary fix, it was worth it.

The issue with Connor is that you really don't know why he's anemic. If they did his blood work and say he's regenerative, it could be from blood loss or Mycoplasma. I haven't looked into non-regenerative anemia. I can't say why your vet said not to do it, but I do know my vets were 100% in favor of one. I'm not saying I know better than your vet, but I wanted to give you my experience with anemia and transfusions. You can go back to my condos and read how, like you, I was tortured by her PCV levels. It's horrible to sit and wait. I'm not sure what other health issues concern the vet, but I do know they don't matter if the anemia doesn't resolve. People here say it all the time, treat the most pressing problem first, and worry about Diabetes, or other secondary issues later.

Again, I am no doctor and no expert, but I really really want to see Connor pull through this, and I'm not sure why the vet would be against the one thing that could make the difference. Transfusions are fairly common. Tuesday my Mom had knee replacement surgery and her blood levels dropped to half of normal, and she since has had two transfusions. She felt terrible before them and feels much better now. I want Connor to feel better too.

Still have my fingers crossed.

Jason
 
I hope as his Furever Mom that he rallies and you have a lot of time together. He must be very special to have come this far and landed with you.
 
Hang in there, Donna. We are all pulling for Connor and hoping that the right treatment will help him. Lots of healing vines are coming your way.

Ella & Stu
 
I don't know much about anemia or anything about transfusions beyond what I've read in the CRF list, so I can't speak to the pros and cons. It may very well be that it's not appropriate for Connor, and you and your vet are the best judges of that.

If you're interested, this site covers some basics on anemia from the perspective of kidney disease (usually non-regenerative anemia), and treatments including transfusions. See also Making your Cat Comfortable, especially about making sure he's warm enough.
 
Donna,

We are pulling for Conner and sending you many many hugs. :YMHUG:

I know this must be very hard on you. What ever you decide I'm glad that Conner has the best forever Mom he can have.

My heart and thoughts are with you.

Keep us posted.

jan and sara
 
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