Grimm Updates

I figured I'd give everyone a quick update from time to time on Mr. Grimm.

Monday: He seemed more "normal" today. He came out of his hiding spot in the office and slept on the kitchen chair, under the table. He also came out when Sam and I got home and seemed excited about eating dinner; however, a kitten walked up to his food and Grimm was immediately done with eating. (Which usually happens when Odin tries to eat Grimm's food, too.) Sam and I put the food in his room, but Odin went in there after he was done eating... and ate all of Grimm's food! Odin is such a greedy jerk. haha! I talked to a friend of mine at work- she used to work at Dove Lewis. I told her about all the different medications and she agreed; if Grimm isn't puking, he doesn't need the Pepcid. If Grimm is eating, he doesn't need the appetite stimulant. If we check the dehydration signs and Grimm is fine, then he doesn't need the subcutaneous fluids. I felt better about our decisions.

However, we were getting mixed information from the vet today. I called this morning to ask about the Epogen, the hormone that the 24 hour clinic help Grimm's anemia. I also asked WHY we were referred to the 24 hour clinic only to have Grimm come home WORSE than he was when we dropped him off. I was sure to be very blunt and somewhat bitchy... but I ended up crying at some point. :-/ The receptionist apologized because what Grimm has is "so rare" that they don't treat it often. She said she'd ask the vet and have someone give us a call back. With the first call back, Sam was told the shots would be needed one a week. Apparently, that person had never really heard of Epogen and had to do more research on it, even though the 24 hour clinic had told us specifically to follow up with our vet for the Epogen. Later in the day, Sam was told the shots would be needed three times a week with weekly blood tests until the RBC goal was achieved. After Grimm reached that point, he'd need weekly shots and then monthly shots with blood tests every month to monitor his RBCs. Either way, we have decided that this vet is obviously NOT properly educated in how to best help treat chronic renal failure... and we may need to find a new vet that is educated in Epogen treatment. Also, a vet that doesn't over-exaggerate test results would be good, too. I called the vet two times today, once before work and once after work. That's one more time than I should have had to call and complain about my "service..." two more calls even, considering both calls were me complaining about our service/lack of service there within the last 2-3 weeks. /sigh

Sam and I would like to try the Epogen for two weeks... and see what the blood tests show. We found a website that will allow us to buy a 2 week supply at a time, which should give us time to see if the Epogen will work or not. If the Epogen works... then we would have no problem buying it in packages of 6 vials at a time. If it doesn't work, weren't not stuck with 5 vials of Epogen that we'll never use or get reimbursed for. And I'm trying to figure out a way to get the vet to give Grimm the shots three times a week (for free) instead of having us do it at home, considering Grimm will let the vet give him shots, but he puts up a fight when we try to get a syringe full of water down his throat. But I'm still working on that one.


Tuesday: Grimm actually let me scratch under his chin and rubbed against my knuckles today (which is his way of asking me to scratch more). I was overly excited about that. Also, he played with my name badge from work! hehe... I tricked him! He's eating wet food (which is better for him than kibble, considering it contains some water), but he's still sleeping most of the day. I'm glad we're making a little progress.

Wednesday: Grimm came out from hiding for a little bit tonight- I was very excited to see him out and about. It was a nice change of pace.

Thursday: Grimm was on the kitchen table when I got home and he stayed out in the front room most of the evening... including jumping on top of me and purring... TWICE! My heart melted. I was so happy to see him being more like him again. He sniffed the catnip toys, he ate his favorite Greenies (Tuna flavored), and he ate kibble *on his own* and wet food, too! I am beyond overjoyed.

Friday: He's out and about this morning, too! He's sitting by his toy box. Adorable. He doesn't look comfortable, but he's trying to stay out of Odin's way, since Odin is on a crazy war-path, running all around the house with his tail fluffed up... so I don't blame Grimm for looking the way he does. haha! When we came home after being out for New Year's Eve, Grimm woke up and came out of the office to greet us. I was again impressed.

Saturday: I woke up to Grimm sleeping by my feet! It was amazing! He got up and sat in the window, too! I'm going to say my Grimm is back to "normal" again... definitely now more than ever. When he was done in the window, he went back onto the bed, by my feet! It was awesome... and warm. :) hehe... When I took a shower, he was pawing at the door, wanting to come inside the bathroom. He came inside, purred for a bit, and then wanted out. I think he's recovered. :)