I went to the hospital to visit Garfield and Panda every day this week again, except today, because Michael went.
Garfield is doing great, is full of energy, very playful, very cuddly, and he’s looking so much better than he did two months ago.
Panda, on the other hand, is not doing great. He is very very cuddly, but doesn’t have the same energy at all. Yesterday, the vet sent me an update:
The HCT has continued to decrease and is now around 18%. We are trying to stimulate red blood cell production, but so far the response has not been strong enough. We have two additional immune-support medications we can try. The first is 200 baht once daily. The second is 450 baht twice daily, or about 900 baht per day, and it is specifically marketed for cats with FeLV.
I want to be clear that neither drug can cure FeLV, and we cannot promise that the HCT will improve.
We will monitor the HCT closely. If it falls to around 15%, or if your cat develops significant weakness or other signs from the anemia, we may need to give a blood transfusion.
I asked how long the medication would be needed and what would happen if we didn’t give him that medication.
That was the answer:
According to the treatment protocol, the 900-baht injection is usually given for around 90 days.
The 200-baht injection can be given for a longer period, as it is an immune-support medication. Based on the veterinarian’s current plan, we would continue giving it until Panda’s red blood cell level (HCT) improves to a safer and more acceptable range. At that point, the doctor will reassess his condition and consider stopping the medication. The purpose of the immune-support injection is to help stimulate Panda’s immune system and support his body in fighting the disease, with the hope that his body will be able to start producing more red blood cells. However, at this stage, we cannot guarantee that the treatment will bring his red blood cell level back to normal. We may need to try the medication first and monitor how Panda responds to it. If we decide not to give the medication, there is a possibility that his red blood cell level will continue to decrease. If the anemia becomes severe, Panda may eventually become very weak and could die from severe anemia and lack of oxygen to his body. We understand that this is a difficult decision, especially because Panda is not originally your cat. We will continue to monitor him closely and discuss his response to treatment with you so that you can make the best decision for him.
So, if we decided to give him the 900/day medication for 90 days, that would come up to 81,000 baht (about £1,820). We currently have just under £1,500 left from donations, and I still have unpaid bills for both Panda and Garfield. So basically, I can’t afford this treatment.
I asked what treatment he was on now:
At the moment, Panda is receiving:
– An injection once a week to stimulate the hormone that helps the body produce red blood cells.
– An immunosuppressive medication to help control the immune system.
– Two blood-support supplements/medications to support red blood cell production and overall blood health.
We are continuing to monitor his blood values closely and will adjust his treatment depending on how he responds.
I think I want to try the 200/day medication and see what happens after a week or two, if his blood levels go up. Whatever happens, I don’t want him to suffer.
I know his life expectancy is lower because of the FeLV, which he likely got as a kitten. I think it’s different for Garfield, who is older, and who I assume got the disease later in life.
I’m unlikely to find a family to adopt Panda. It’s already hard enough to find families to adopt healthy cats.
I want him to keep living for as long as he’s not in pain.
If money wasn’t an issue, of course, I would try the 900/day medication, because why not? But money is an issue, and I’m having to make a choice I don’t want to make, and it’s breaking my heart.
I’m going to get him the second best option and hopefully it will help to stabilise his red blood cells.
I’m sad, and I’m also angry. I’m angry at all the loaded people who come live here to enjoy a luxury life and who don’t give a fuck about helping the community. Animal rescuers are always begging for money, for help with fostering, and almost always end up in burnout. Some people help, but most people who could really help and make a difference choose not to. I’m not sure they even think about it. In the same way they don’t think or care that a forest was destroyed to build the expensive pool villa they’re renting, making it harder for animals to survive in the wild, because their living spaces keep shrinking. All because of greed.
I’m probably going to have to let Panda die because not enough people care and there’s no fucking sense of community in this place.
I’m upset.