EPO. Darbepoetin , suspected of epogen antibodies reaction h

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Cheryl

Member Since 2014
Need help ,, my cat is suspected of developing antibodies to epogen .. I want to switch to Darbepoetin .. my cats had 2 transfusions so far and will need another one within the next 4-5 days ... Anyone else have this issue ????
 
Re: EPO. Darbepoetin , suspected of epogen antibodies reacti

We seldom have diabetic cats needing transfusions. What else is going on?

Tanya's Feline CRF site says this
 
Re: EPO. Darbepoetin , suspected of epogen antibodies reacti

She is actually a Renal cat . I saw a lot of post about EPO"s on here so that is why I made this post on this site ..
 
Re: EPO. Darbepoetin , suspected of epogen antibodies reacti

Her renal levels , last done dec 5, we're all within normal limits . Her issue is her red blood count . She was started on epogen when her count first started to drop not long after first being diagnosis as having CKF .. Count was around 25.. , but from mid oct - count around 38 to Dec 5 , was discovered to be 7 !! From mid oct to dec 5, was receiving it once a week , so unsure if drop was due to dosage too low or antibodies developed .. So we will now be facing a 3 rd transfusion within the next 4-5 days . Current doc not so supportive of transfusions , my idea to switch to Darbepoetin . He wanted to put her to sleep .. So it has been awful and I don't know how many transfusions before trying Darbepoetin , many questions , no answers .... So so upset , hardly eating etc
 
Re: EPO. Darbepoetin , suspected of epogen antibodies reacti

If you need to go vet hunting, some of the questions in my signature link Vet Interview Topics may be helpful.

Are you also providing iron or a feline multivitamin? Iron and the B vitamins are needed to make hemoglobin, so those need to be on board too.
 
Re: EPO. Darbepoetin , suspected of epogen antibodies reacti

I asked the vet about iron , he says he won't help .. At my request has has had a few b shots but again he didn't feel it would really help . I've read / researched for countless hours . I think the vet kinda feels like I'm trying to tell him what to do ... But I'm trying to learn all I can about this issue . And I'm sick that epogen was started so soon as also as a first treatment for her anemia ...
 
Re: EPO. Darbepoetin , suspected of epogen antibodies reacti

The vet may be assuming all necessary nutrition is being provided by the diet ... but that isn't necessarily true if the cat isn't eating well.

What are you feeding? Have you been to Cat Info and read what Dr Pierson thinks about feeding a renal cat?
 
Re: EPO. Darbepoetin , suspected of epogen antibodies reacti

She has been eating can food and she likes to munch on a little dry food , but not much . She gets epakitin in her food .. I tried some raw food but she wouldn't touch it .. She likes the liver/chicken and beef/ liver the best .
 
Re: EPO. Darbepoetin , suspected of epogen antibodies reacti

The food list at Cat info gives phosphorus levels - the lower, the better.
 
Re: EPO. Darbepoetin , suspected of epogen antibodies reacti

Yes thnx ,, that was helpful to read .. But Keefe will need a transfusion within the next few days .. And I have an appt with an internal med . Doc ,, don't know what will happen after that ... The costs are killing me , I've spent a fortune , owe thousands and now another transfusion .. I really need some hope for this situation and good news .. I just stay so upset All the time ... Grateful for any information / support !
 
Re: EPO. Darbepoetin , suspected of epogen antibodies reacti

Dear Cheryl and sweet Keefe,
My heart goes out to you. I don't have any information to offer, but wish you all the best. My mom had transfusions and epogen, at times. All of that is a misty memory for me (stress, crying, not eating!!! -- I believe that I understand what you're going through) but I remember how accurately the plasma had to be matched to her needs.
Please take care of yourself so you can take care of all the challenges facing you. (((((many hugs))))
Best wishes, Sophie
 
Re: EPO. Darbepoetin , suspected of epogen antibodies reacti

Thnx. Sophie ,, Keefe is getting a transfusion now . I have an appt with specialist. Monday .. This doc today questioned whether keefes problem with red blood cells is really due to her kidneys or something else ,, since her level is falling weekly and according to the doc this decrease is more than expected .. So I just Don't Know ,, where all this is leading ... But I can't afford but one or two more transfusions ,, so answers /solution is sooo desperately needed , clock is ticking and I am only sleeping a couple hours a night and just constantly. Worrying .....
 
Re: EPO. Darbepoetin , suspected of epogen antibodies reacti

Any check of the stool for occult blood? GI bleeding is one way levels may fall. Are the feces black?
 
Re: EPO. Darbepoetin , suspected of epogen antibodies reacti

No , she wasn't checked for that , but stool not black that I recall .. She has had bright red blood before in stool , not a lot but has had it . When first diagnosesed with CKF in aug . Her count was 29. It was rechecked about 9 days or so later it had dropped a little , so it was then that epogen was started . Nothing else was done . Her levels came up , but she was on Epogen 3 times a week . Then after about 7 weeks of being on it once a week her level was discovered to be 7.. Something has to be figured out soon , I will pick her up in about an hour , transfusion finished at 9:20 last night .
 
Re: EPO. Darbepoetin , suspected of epogen antibodies reacti

I'm sorry. You may be running out of options for her and have to let her go.
 
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