12/31 Blue 75 AMBG

Discussion in 'Feline Health - (Welcome & Main Forum)' started by Patty and Blue GA & Brat, Dec 31, 2020.

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  1. Patty and Blue GA & Brat

    Patty and Blue GA & Brat Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
  2. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Jun 16, 2014
    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.

    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
    .
     
    Last edited: Dec 31, 2020
    Reason for edit: Grammar.
  3. tiffmaxee

    tiffmaxee Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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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:
     
  4. Patty and Blue GA & Brat

    Patty and Blue GA & Brat Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2020
    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.
     
  5. tiffmaxee

    tiffmaxee Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
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  6. Patty and Blue GA & Brat

    Patty and Blue GA & Brat Well-Known Member

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    Aug 11, 2020
    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. :)
     
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  7. tiffmaxee

    tiffmaxee Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
  8. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    And you're supposed to know this how? By ESP???

    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
    .
     
  9. Pookie (GA)

    Pookie (GA) Member

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    Oct 10, 2020
    I don't mean to hijack this thread, but a member who just shot her first injection and had numbers drop to 61 could use some guidance from someone more experienced than me. Can anyone help?

    Is Duke dropping too fast...
     
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  10. Patty and Blue GA & Brat

    Patty and Blue GA & Brat Well-Known Member

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    Aug 11, 2020
    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:
     
  11. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Jun 16, 2014
    Wrong. No news is absolute torture when a deeply beloved member of your family is undergoing chemotherapy and you've been left completely in the dark.

    Glad Blue's back home now.

    ^ This. ^

    ((((Patty and Blue))))

    :bighug:


    Mogs
    .
     
  12. Patty and Blue GA & Brat

    Patty and Blue GA & Brat Well-Known Member

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    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?
     
  13. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    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
    .
     
  14. Patty and Blue GA & Brat

    Patty and Blue GA & Brat Well-Known Member

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    Aug 11, 2020
    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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  15. Patty and Blue GA & Brat

    Patty and Blue GA & Brat Well-Known Member

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    I called Bluepearl and they said they would email the bloodwork. We shall see.
     
  16. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Jun 16, 2014
    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
    .
     
  17. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Love it when you post pics of what the Bluebird is getting up to. :cat:


    Mogs
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  18. Patty and Blue GA & Brat

    Patty and Blue GA & Brat Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
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  19. Patty and Blue GA & Brat

    Patty and Blue GA & Brat Well-Known Member

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    Aug 11, 2020
    I don't know. Doesn't look that great to me. I might send it to my vet.
     

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  20. tiffmaxee

    tiffmaxee Well-Known Member

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    Nov 15, 2013
    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.
     
  21. Patty and Blue GA & Brat

    Patty and Blue GA & Brat Well-Known Member

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    He's at 87 tonight so didn't go up from chemo. He seems to be doing pretty well so far.
     
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  22. Patty and Blue GA & Brat

    Patty and Blue GA & Brat Well-Known Member

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    Aug 11, 2020
    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.
     
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  23. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    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
    .
     
  24. Patty and Blue GA & Brat

    Patty and Blue GA & Brat Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2020
    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.
     
  25. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Jun 16, 2014
    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
    .
     
  26. tiffmaxee

    tiffmaxee Well-Known Member

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    Nov 15, 2013
    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.
     
  27. Patty and Blue GA & Brat

    Patty and Blue GA & Brat Well-Known Member

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    Aug 11, 2020
    His gums are pink. The tech at Bluepearl said the oncologist would not have sent him home if that lab work read like that. Still waiting on a revision.
     
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  28. tiffmaxee

    tiffmaxee Well-Known Member

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    Nov 15, 2013
    I am VERY relieved to hear this! I think the labs should be run free of charge. :bighug:
     
  29. Larry and Kitties

    Larry and Kitties Well-Known Member

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    Dec 28, 2009
    If the HCT was really 1.9 the cat wouod be dead.

    The high BUN and especially Creatinine indicate severe kidney degradation.
     
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