• Where can I find help for feline Myelofibrosis + Anemia

    From Laura Fenik@21:1/5 to All on Tue Jun 30 00:14:27 2020
    We have a beautiful, white, almost seven years young female cat who has
    been unfortunately diagnosed with myelofibrosis and non-regenerative
    anemia.

    Thus far, we've had no luck with finding a specialty veterinarian who can
    treat these two diseases with a positive outcome. I find it very
    frustrating that no one seems to have a cure, help or answers for feline myelofibrosis and non-regenerative anemia.

    Of course, we are told by many to make an appointment. That we'd gladly do
    and have done with about six veterinarians in three different states.

    We don't mind making an appointment and paying, if we can find a
    specialist who can provide definitive help with feline myelofibrosis and non-regenerative anemia.

    I've reached out to various veterinary departments at universities and
    such, to no avail. I thank very much, those who pointed me in these
    directions and gave me advice on other feline matters.

    Why on earth, in this era are there not more answers, a cure, treatment(s)
    for feline myelofibrosis and non-regenerative anemia? I've read about stem
    cell transplant and understand that there can be serious side effects. I
    also understand that Ruxolitinib (trade names Jakafi and Jakavi) is a drug
    that is used to treat myelofibrosis but I don't know enough about it.

    Can anyone point me in the right direction to get answers about feline myelofibrosis and non-regenerative anemia? A veterinarian that specializes
    in these two diseases? Or a scientist or anyone else who could help?
    Websites or other Usenet groups that could provide answers or help?

    We are in Cambria County, Pennsylvania.

    Thank you in advance for any and all help.

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  • From Mack A. Damia@21:1/5 to Laura@LogicalInsight.net on Mon Jun 29 18:54:30 2020
    On Tue, 30 Jun 2020 00:14:27 -0000 (UTC), Laura Fenik <Laura@LogicalInsight.net> wrote:

    We have a beautiful, white, almost seven years young female cat who has
    been unfortunately diagnosed with myelofibrosis and non-regenerative
    anemia.

    Thus far, we've had no luck with finding a specialty veterinarian who can >treat these two diseases with a positive outcome. I find it very
    frustrating that no one seems to have a cure, help or answers for feline >myelofibrosis and non-regenerative anemia.

    Of course, we are told by many to make an appointment. That we'd gladly do >and have done with about six veterinarians in three different states.

    We don't mind making an appointment and paying, if we can find a
    specialist who can provide definitive help with feline myelofibrosis and >non-regenerative anemia.

    I've reached out to various veterinary departments at universities and
    such, to no avail. I thank very much, those who pointed me in these >directions and gave me advice on other feline matters.

    Why on earth, in this era are there not more answers, a cure, treatment(s) >for feline myelofibrosis and non-regenerative anemia? I've read about stem >cell transplant and understand that there can be serious side effects. I
    also understand that Ruxolitinib (trade names Jakafi and Jakavi) is a drug >that is used to treat myelofibrosis but I don't know enough about it.

    Can anyone point me in the right direction to get answers about feline >myelofibrosis and non-regenerative anemia? A veterinarian that specializes
    in these two diseases? Or a scientist or anyone else who could help?
    Websites or other Usenet groups that could provide answers or help?

    We are in Cambria County, Pennsylvania.

    Thank you in advance for any and all help.

    This one is Penn State:

    https://agsci.psu.edu/industry/services

    Try Pitt. This is the Bradford campus:

    https://bradford.pitt.edu/academics/pre-veterinary-medicine

    Colleges and universities with schools of veterinary medicine will
    give you advice and assistance. Find the schools in your general area
    and phone them.

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  • From John Doe@21:1/5 to Laura Fenik on Tue Jun 30 01:24:55 2020
    Laura Fenik <Laura@LogicalInsight.net> wrote:

    Of course, we are told by many to make an appointment. That we'd
    gladly do and have done with about six veterinarians in three
    different states.

    Apparently your neighborhood is different. Here, if it is suffering, I
    would euthanize it and concentrate on cats that have basic needs, there
    are plenty around here.

    Good luck, whatever you do.

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  • From Laura Fenik@21:1/5 to All on Tue Jun 30 03:31:36 2020
    Thanks for the good luck, John.

    Take care

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  • From Laura Fenik@21:1/5 to All on Tue Jun 30 03:42:45 2020
    Thank you very much, Mack (that's a great Usenet name). I will definitely
    be reaching out to Penn State's Animal Diagnostic Laboratory and U. of
    Pitt's Bradford Pre-Veterinary Medicine department.

    You have pointed me in a good direction from my previous post back in
    March.

    Take care

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  • From Peter W.@21:1/5 to All on Tue Jun 30 04:12:47 2020
    As I am sure you understand, it is the first condition that is causing the second. They are not separate processes, although they have separate names.

    Myelofibrosis is progressive, and the treatments are best described as 'heroic' and something that *will* be painful for the animal as well as pretty much ongoing for the rest of her life. These include treatments using a combination of steroids and
    male hormones or thalidomide, transfusions, up to a bone marrow transplant.

    The side-effects can be wretched, painful and often fatal.

    Just to touch on the best chance of a cure - a bone marrow transplant - and that chance is only about 20% in cats, you will find that the procedure starts somewhere around US$20,000 and upwards from there for the post-op treatments. Not to mention the
    difficulty of finding a donor.

    So, here is your dilemma: Spending (at least) somewhere in five figures for your cat, a sum that could do massive amounts of good in these troubled times, or come to terms with losing her, while having control on how that loss transpires. You might also
    look into volunteering your cat in a research program for Myelofibrosis if such a thing exists. But, again, none of these options will make the cat actually feel any better immediately, and the most likely outcome is that she will feel much worse.

    Best prognosis, in general, is between 6 and 8 months, with progressive and painful deterioration in her health.

    Were this my cat, I would have her euthanized while she still had some quality of life.

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  • From Laura Fenik@21:1/5 to All on Sun Jul 12 04:03:26 2020
    Thank you, Peter, for your logical and helpful advice. Yes, we understand
    the the myelofibrosis is causing the anemia.

    What dosage of thalidomide or steroids and male hormones are recommended
    for a 10 pound cat and are there any medical white papers for my
    veterinarian to read about the efficacy of these treatments?

    We do not want to cause Victoria additional pain or have her feel worse.

    We will be giving all of this very careful thought.


    On Tue, 30 Jun 2020 04:12:47 -0700, Peter W. wrote:

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  • From Peter W.@21:1/5 to All on Sun Jul 12 03:22:56 2020
    Dosage: 50 mg/cat sid-bid

    Administration: When sid, give in the evening to account for natural sedative effect.

    There is plenty of literature on the subject - but one requires membership to most sources. Your vet will typically be a member.

    This is not a medication to be given willy-nilly, or by a non-professional. I do not expect that your cat will be having kittens, at the same time, a drug of this nature is incredibly dangerous if abused.

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  • From Laura Fenik@21:1/5 to All on Wed Jul 15 18:48:57 2020
    Thank you, Peter.

    What about dosage for steroids / male hormones?

    No, Victoria will not be having kittens. If we choose to go with these medications, we will conduct a thorough research and consult with veterinarians.



    On Sun, 12 Jul 2020 03:22:56 -0700, Peter W. wrote:

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  • From Peter W.@21:1/5 to All on Thu Jul 16 07:25:31 2020
    Laura:

    Steroids and similar treatments are based on a number of factors that cannot be determine at a distance, or other than the prescribing vet:

    a) Weight and age of the animal.
    b) Purpose of the treatment - long-term or condition-specific.
    c) Intended result - palliative or cure.
    d) Tolerance of side-effects - what level of temporary or permanent side-effect is acceptable during or as a result of the treatment.

    When our middle-male cat was getting over his blockage five years ago, he was treated with a 5-day course of steroids to reduce the inflamed urethra and bladder, including a very high first-dose, titrating down to a final low dose on the 5th day. But had
    he stayed on the first dose, he would not have lasted 10 days - it was that high. Our oldest dog (female Scottie, age 12) is on a very low maintenance dose of prednisone for her eyes, a tiny fraction of what the cat got, and she weighs 7 pounds more than
    he does (25 vs. 18 pounds). So, you get the picture.

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  • From Laura Fenik@21:1/5 to All on Tue Aug 11 01:02:16 2020
    Peter,

    Thank you. I've replied via email.


    On Thu, 16 Jul 2020 07:25:31 -0700, Peter W. wrote:

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