From:
Melissa Litwicki
Date: 2001-11-06 20:46:00 UTC
Subject: Polycythemia vera
Hello,
I posted to the list two weeks ago with questions about an elevated red
blood cell count. The results of the second test are back, and Puff's PCV
and RBC are higher than last time (75% and 16.0?). Puff was not
dehydrated during this test whatsoever, so the vet strongly feels she has
polycythemia vera. We have scheduled an appointment for a week from today
for a phlebotomy. After that, she wants Puff back in another two weeks
for a follow-up blood test.
We are obviously unfamiliar with treatment procedures here. I've given her
contact information for Dr. Williams so that she can get more information
on how frequently we need to draw blood. I am under the impression that,
with mild doses of steroids, we can keep phlebotomy appointments down to
one every couple of months. Is this correct? Also, they will need to
mildly sedate Puff (with iso) in order to draw blood. Is this common?
Last, about how much should such an appointment cost?
What causes p. vera? I'm more or less still completely in the dark here.
Is there a reduced life expectancy? Is there a place I can go for more
information?
Thanks,
Melissa