Brownie's update

[14+kitties]

Took Brownie in for his follow up and another round of blood work. I have to wait till Friday to find out the results of the work up. She said his blood was still really thin. Now to add to the problems he has an enlarged spleen. :sad:
The good news is that he gained a pound and a half. She was ecstatic about that and so am I. It shows he is fighting hard to win this battle. She said she would be a lot more worried if he hadn't gained weight.
We are waiting to find out the results to figure out where to go next. She put him on Vitamin B and told me to keep giving him the LiverTone. I had really expected a fight when I told her I started him on that a couple of weeks ago but she was good. She said to wait till we find out what's going on before starting him on the SAM-e. She may have something that will work better for him. The VB will help with his appetite. He has been eating like a trooper though. I cook up chicken for him (he won't eat it raw) and he mows it down. Plus he eats a can or more of food a day.
So..... it's a wait and see thing. He seems to be doing well as far as energy goes but with the enlarged spleen there has to be something else going on.

[hazelrunpack]

What a fighter he is! And you're such an to him! The weight gain is wonderful!

that you can get to the bottom of what's ailing him and it turns out to be something fairly easy to manage! Give him some extra chin scritchies from me, k?

[Chris21711]

Good to hear that Brownie has put some weight on 14k , he has lots of will to live that boy, such a good sign.....I guess it is day by day, one thing at a time.

I think it's time for a pic of your fighter boy

[14+kitties]

Ask and I will do my best to deliver.
'Course he was resting when I took the pics so he wasn't too impressed. In the second pic you can see where she shaved his neck to take the blood. He was such a good boy. Only flinched a bit.

[Chris21711]

Can't beat that for service ..He is very beautiful ..You did say that he was getting used to being in the house

[14+kitties]

Originally Posted by Chris21711

Can't beat that for service ..He is very beautiful ..You did say that he was getting used to being in the house

Oh yeah. He seems to be enjoying the warmth. I broke the news to hubby today that Brownie is an indoor kitty now.

[Chris21711]

Originally Posted by 14+kitties

Oh yeah. He seems to be enjoying the warmth. I broke the news to hubby today that Brownie is an indoor kitty now.

Love it

[14+kitties]

Originally Posted by Chris21711

Love it

He didn't.

[krdahmer]

Originally Posted by 14+kitties

He didn't.

He'll get over it, they always do...those 'tough' guys!!!

That's awesome that Brownie's gained again, hope the blood tests have more good news for you too! Brownie looks handsome as ever, and I take it he's not fussing too much anymore about being stuck in the house, looks rather comfy to me too!

[Love4himies]

I am so glad he is putting on weight. That is a good sign that he is fighting the whole way.

Originally Posted by Chris21711

Love it

Originally Posted by 14+kitties

He didn't.

, I think you have a DH like mine, always says no, then gets so darned attached the them, that they think that not giving in to their every whim is cruel and unusual punishment. Of course I don't get treated like that

Awwww, beautiful Brownie

[ancientgirl]

He's such a handsome boy. I'm glad he gained some pounds. I hate waiting for tests, I always start to worry about a million things. If the vet is happy about him gaining weight though, it sounds like really good news.

[Frenchy]

ohhhh he's so handsome

I'm glad he's doing a bit better , and I hope the enlarge spleen can go back to normal

good job 14+

[14+kitties]

Originally Posted by krdahmer

That's awesome that Brownie's gained again, hope the blood tests have more good news for you too! Brownie looks handsome as ever, and I take it he's not fussing too much anymore about being stuck in the house, looks rather comfy to me too!

He has adjusted to indoor living really well. The only kitty that gives him grief any more is Mittens. They do a little swatting dance once a day and they're good to go.

Originally Posted by Love4himies

I am so glad he is putting on weight. That is a good sign that he is fighting the whole way.
I think you have a DH like mine, always says no, then gets so darned attached the them, that they think that not giving in to their every whim is cruel and unusual punishment. Of course I don't get treated like that

Awwww, beautiful Brownie

I wouldn't say he gives in to them L4. I am still the one who does all the work with them. He just knows better than to complain. He knows what my cats mean to me. He says they come before him. I tell him I'm glad he's finally figured that out.

Originally Posted by ancientgirl

He's such a handsome boy. I'm glad he gained some pounds. I hate waiting for tests, I always start to worry about a million things. If the vet is happy about him gaining weight though, it sounds like really good news.

Originally Posted by Frenchy

ohhhh he's so handsome

I'm glad he's doing a bit better , and I hope the enlarge spleen can go back to normal

good job 14+

I am hoping that the numbers come back better. The vet didn't think there would be much difference. :sad: I haven't found a whole lot of info on enlarged spleens with cats but what I have found is scary. I did ask the vet if it is an issue if it could be removed. She said yes it could. Didn't even argue with me. Do you think she's figured out it won't do her any good?

He ate another small chicken breast for supper tonight plus a little bit of canned food.

[Chris21711]

Originally Posted by 14+kitties

He didn't.

Go figure ....has Brownie sat on DH's lap yet?

[14+kitties]

Originally Posted by Chris21711

Go figure ....has Brownie sat on DH's lap yet?

No. Brownie isn't a cuddler. :sad: He sits with me for a while at night and buries his head under my arm but he really does not cuddle much. He loves it when I walk around with him though.

[krdahmer]

Originally Posted by 14+kitties

He has adjusted to indoor living really well. The only kitty that gives him grief any more is Mittens. They do a little swatting dance once a day and they're good to go.

Well he's the only one in the house in the same weight class as Mittens!!!

[Love4himies]

Originally Posted by 14+kitties

No. Brownie isn't a cuddler. :sad: He sits with me for a while at night and buries his head under my arm but he really does not cuddle much. He loves it when I walk around with him though.

Wait for it. Took Jasper a year to start cuddling, now he has to take over my pillow all the time

[rainbow]

What a handsome boy Brownie is and YAY for the weight gain.

Glad that he is liking the house living now ....he certainly looks comfy.

Did your vet say what causes the spleen to enlarge? Are his lymph nodes enlarged as well?

Good luck with the test results tomorrow

[sugarcatmom]

Yay for Brownie gaining weight, that's a huge improvement! I think you mentioned before that he was tested for Haemobartonella (now called Feline Hemotropic Mycoplasma) but was that just checking a blood smear, or was the blood sent out for a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test? The blood smear method tends to be hugely unreliable with frequent false negative results. Mind you, the treatment for FHM is exactly what Brownie has already been getting (Doxycycline and prednisone), and since he does seem to be improving, further diagnostics might only be useful if it turns out to be something like cancer (which is much less likely in a cat so young).

[hazelrunpack]

Originally Posted by 14+kitties

I broke the news to hubby today that Brownie is an indoor kitty now.

He'll never even notice the extra one

Brownie sure is a handsome boy!

Sending more for the results tomorrow!

[14+kitties]

Originally Posted by sugarcatmom

Yay for Brownie gaining weight, that's a huge improvement! I think you mentioned before that he was tested for Haemobartonella (now called Feline Hemotropic Mycoplasma) but was that just checking a blood smear, or was the blood sent out for a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test? The blood smear method tends to be hugely unreliable with frequent false negative results. Mind you, the treatment for FHM is exactly what Brownie has already been getting (Doxycycline and prednisone), and since he does seem to be improving, further diagnostics might only be useful if it turns out to be something like cancer (which is much less likely in a cat so young).

Well, news is in. All the numbers are down. One is down significantly but darned if I can remember and I can't put my hands on the other test at the moment. She was happy it was down. The numbers for his anemia are down a little but not much. She said he is still a very sick boy. :sad:
He is still going to be taking 1/2 prednisone every second day. I have to get more when they are gone. He is also on Vitamin B and I am giving him the LiverTone. I am going to be starting him on SAM-e as soon as I can get some. I will be phoning the health food store first thing tomorrow to see if they shipment has arrived. And I have the Aangamik for him as well. I feel like I am always bugging him with these pills. I have to get him more liver too. He seems to not mind it. It's me that can't handle the stuff.

SCM - I think from what the vet said today it was a smear that was done. The blood was sent out to a lab. I am not sure what exactly they did. Hopefully I can get into the office tomorrow before they close. If not on Monday I will try to get a copy of his blood work. She wants to have him retested again in another six weeks. I am a little concerned that is too soon. Three work ups in four months?
When I get the results I will try to post them here.

So, all in all, it's still going to be a long haul for Brownie. Keep those fingers crossed for him please.

[hazelrunpack]

So basically the biggest concern right now is the anemia, which isn't improving? Does she have an idea as to what is causing all the symptoms?

Sending more and of course you know we'll all have Brownie in our prayers on this end.

A little , but is TT holding his own, still?

[14+kitties]

Originally Posted by hazelrunpack

So basically the biggest concern right now is the anemia, which isn't improving? Does she have an idea as to what is causing all the symptoms?

Sending more and of course you know we'll all have Brownie in our prayers on this end.

A little , but is TT holding his own, still?

Yep. The anemia. But normally from what I have read anemia is just the result of some underlying cause. We just haven't found the cause yet. She has no idea what is going on. I don't think she knows of any other tests she can try to find out. The enlarged spleen may be the only culprit but we aren't sure.
Thanks for the prayers hazel. It helps.
As for TT - no fear, the leader of the hood is back!! He's seems to be fine. A little more tilted on some days more than others but fine. He is harassing his sister, attacking daddy's feet in bed, being his curious self when I am preparing meals...... the list goes on.

[hazelrunpack]

Glad to hear that TT is doing well!

Not that you have much malaria in your area but could Brownie's problem be some sort of parasite? Don't things like malaria cause enlarged spleens and anemia? I wonder if there might be a nematode or some other type of organism that might set up house in the spleen?

I've got parasites on the brain. Macie has a new one (to us, anyway)--Capillaria aerophilia or lungworm. Makes me wonder what else is out there.

[14+kitties]

Originally Posted by hazelrunpack

Glad to hear that TT is doing well!

Not that you have much malaria in your area but could Brownie's problem be some sort of parasite? Don't things like malaria cause enlarged spleens and anemia? I wonder if there might be a nematode or some other type of organism that might set up house in the spleen?

I've got parasites on the brain. Macie has a new one (to us, anyway)--Capillaria aerophilia or lungworm. Makes me wonder what else is out there.

We talked about parasites. I know she checked for all kinds of worms. I don't think she checked for anything unusual. She has it stuck in her head that the kitties are around coyotes in the catuary and coyotes pass along all kinds of diseases.
I will talk with her. Thanks.

[Love4himies]

So sorry to hear that he is still anemic, I was hoping the weight gain was a sign he was improving.

Sending lots and lots of for him and a for you.

[ancientgirl]

Sending lots of and for Brownie. The good thing is you and the vet are on top of it so he's getting his meds and plenty of love.

[chico2]

Aww Brownie,sooo beautiful,does not look sick at all,glad he put on weight
Hope the anemia is something that can be figured out quickly and treated
I can just see little TT trying to be the top-catit's called the Napoleon syndrom

[rainbow]

Originally Posted by 14+kitties

She has it stuck in her head that the kitties are around coyotes in the catuary and coyotes pass along all kinds of diseases.

What diseases do coyotes pass along to cats or dogs for that matter?

Sending lots of for Brownie ....I hope you get some answers soon.

[14+kitties]

Originally Posted by chico2

Aww Brownie,sooo beautiful,does not look sick at all,glad he put on weight
Hope the anemia is something that can be figured out quickly and treated
I can just see little TT trying to be the top-catit's called the Napoleon syndrom

Yep, TT has it! He likes to try to beat up everyone. Still hasn't figured out he's smaller than the others.

Originally Posted by rainbow

What diseases do coyotes pass along to cats or dogs for that matter?

Sending lots of for Brownie ....I hope you get some answers soon.

She mentioned before about the droppings from coyotes. I just can't figure out why she would think the cats are able to get close to those. The coyotes very very seldom even come out of the bush.