Wanted to give a Stanley Update. He went to the vet yesterday (is 15 1/2ish now).

Since the Steriods are working SO well on his brain swelling and his liver number has elevated again slightly since the last check 5 months ago, she is going to have me reduce the steriod slightly (2 days on, one day off, vs. every day).

More notably, his kidney values came back with one number higher than the last check and one number lower than the last check, but the food (Science Diet KD) is esentially holding at a pretty stable value for now... However, he has picked up another problem as a result of the Kidney Failure (CRF), Anemia. I hear Anemia is pretty common side-effect of Kidney problems. The vet is going to have me start on a human anemia med for him (have to get it at a human pharmacy). I am to give him a .1 ml shot twice a week for now and recheck in 3 months. May be able to go to once a week. Practiced giving him a shot at the vets w/sterile water yesterday and it was pretty easy (he's an easy cat to medicate).

I won't start the steroid change or the anemia shots until I get back from Texas in a couple weeks. We agreed no major changes while I am gone to levy on the cat sitter... I want to be around to catch any symptoms of the reduced steroid or new anemia med... She said he'll be OK until then, no worries waiting.

I do have a question for KitKat or anyone else with Anemia experience. Are you familiar with the shots? I can't remember the human meds he can use, but she wrote down erythropoietin. I thought something like Procit and something that started with an "E" as sutible meds... Anyway, I have been reading online about it (Cornell site, etc.) and understand that one side effect of the human drug is that the cats develop antibodies against it and become immune and can even have worse anemia as a result of the antibodies... Is human grade meds a common treatment for feline anemia? Is it fairly commonly practiced? Is it pretty successful? Are there any alternatives to treat? I am assuming not as she prescribed this and she is an excellent geriatric vet. I know MA and KitKat have had experience w/CRF. Any thoughts or experience w/Anemia?

Thanks!!
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Tammy
Stanley and Pookey

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