Thursday, August 9, 2012

Baggy has leukemia (and the prognosis is poor)

My worst fears were realised today and it explains why Baggy has been losing weight and is still very pale.

Baggy is FeLV positive. Her blood PCV is only 8% now. She is extremely pale. The vet says she is already dying and there is nothing we can do.

The only thing we can give to help her is Prednisolone (steroids), RetroMAD1 and a liver supplement called Hi-Vite. The Doxycycline will have to be continued as well. I'm also giving her AD.

The vet says she is very pale and her body is not making blood anymore. Blood transfusion will only give temporary relief for a few days, but it will not help in this case. So, the best is to give her these supplements.


 Baggy is still very alert and can jump and run.


I was not shocked at the FeLV test results, but was shocked when the vet said she is already dying and could die anytime. She has been eating well and seemed normal except for the paleness. That is why I brought her in for a check-up again today.


Yesterday, she behaved quite strangely. When it was feeding time, she sniffed her food, but decided not to eat it. Instead, she went to the spade (made of metal) and started licking it. Then, she licked the dry soil. I had to coax her to eat her food (which she did). I mentioned this to the vet and he said sometimes, by nature, animals will look for what they need. Maybe there is natural iron in the soil or on the spade.


Her appetite was good this morning and she finished the home-cooked food. The vet said the diet is already good enough for her. It is her body which isn't making enough blood and there is nothing we can do.



 One day at a time now.


There are things in life which we have to accept because there are so many things that we cannot change.


I'm crushed but I will do everything possible to make every moment comfortable and happy for Baggy.



This is Baggy's favourite place. She loves the sun.


Updates at 6.10pm: After coming back from the vet's, the first thing I gave her was the RetroMAD1. Later, Baggy took the Hi-Vite quite happily (it's a dark-coloured thick liquid like the consistency of Marmite) and after half hour, I fed her AD.  She ate quite a lot all by herself.


We are totally banking on the RetroMAD1 to turn things around now because conventional veterinary medicine has no cure for leukemia.


When we came back from the vet's and I wrote the first part of this post, I was still in shock. I guess it was the vet's words that shocked me and I felt very unprepared for the suddenness of it all. But I understand the vet has to tell it as it is.


Please send positive vibes to Baggy and keep her in your prayers. I'm cheering her on. She seems happy and comfortable too. She just groomed herself just now, while Indy, Bunny, Cleo and I sat with her.



 Baggy wants to thank everyone for sending her positive wishes.



 Be well and happy, Baggy!


We're all cheering you on!

17 comments:

Wong Yoke Mei said...

I know exactly how you are feeling right now.....One day at a time....Hope the RetroMAD could turn things around....

Alin said...

Poor little Baggy tapi sehingga saat itu tiba,jom sama2 berdoa semoga Baggy dipanjangkan umur & sihat seperti dahulu..Semoga keajaiban berlaku di Ramdhan yang mulia ini..

chankahyein said...

Terima kasih atas doa-doa rakan-rakan sekalian. Semoga Baggy bahagia selalu.

Hani said...

Dr Chan , Our prayer always for Baggy and you & your family.

Mei Leng said...

Hi Kah yein, court each day as a blessing when u still can c baggy. knowing yr
loved one having cancer (be it a human or an animal) is a challenge to your emotion. but i always tell myself that parting from my loved one in this world is just temporary and for sure, i will c them again at a better world.

Megaa said...

Be strong Dr.Chan and we are sending positive vibes and loads of hugs to her speedy recovery.

Linda Suhaili said...

In the end, everything dies but till that day comes, may the both of you stay strong and keep fighting.

chankahyein said...

Thank you, dear friends. I'm putting all my hopes on RetroMAD1, the supplements and Baggy's own fighting spirit. We're cheering her on. All your collective positive wishes help very much - thank you!

lynn yap said...

You are doing your best, Dr Chan, Baggy knows it too. Am praying for her recovery, for good vibes work miracles sometimes.

JOE NG said...

My prayer to Baggy will goes on and CHEERS BAGGY..... we are with you!

BlackieAsh said...

I cried the moment i finished this post. I know how you felt when the vet told u the bad news. I've experienced it before. But i know u are such strong person and will do the best for her. Most importantly Baggy eats well and happy for the timebeing. Will pray for her.

Karmen said...

Oh my.. so sorry to hear.. never expected this. Will keep her in my prayers.

Donovan said...

Oh no! Poor baggy. Hang in there Dr Chan. I'm sure that she will get through it. We will all pray for her.

Bern said...

Sharing merits and thinking and sending positive thoughts...With you and Baggy. My heart aches....

loh lay peng said...

May Baggy Be Well N Happy.i will disseminate metta to her.

Nz said...

I will keep on praying to god to continuously give Baggy strength ...
Love you Baggy! Stay strong and be happy always!

Asmalinda said...

Kesiannya pada Baggy... Saya faham perasaan Dr Chan. Harap Dr Chan tabah. Saya mendoakan agar Baggy mendapat satu keajaiban untuk terus sihat atas keberkatan doa semua orang di bulan Ramadhan ini. Moga Allah menyelamatkan dan menyembuhkan Baggy.