I'll wait for doc to give an animal-specific reply, but I'm somewhat familiar with its use in people. I've mostly seen it in HIV patients on AZT meds that have become anemic. Mostly what my clients who've had it have complained of is feeling hot, dizziness, and irregular BM. Some have said they throw up and have little appetite but then again with these types of illnesses it's hard to know what's causing it when they are ill and on other meds too.

They usually get shot up with it up to 3x/wk for a few months as a test b/c it takes about a month or so to kick in. I've heard some on 1x/wk. Some stay off it for a while and relapse, but some need it for longer to keep at a normal level. It's supposed to be a man-made version of what triggers RBC production that for some reason doesn't kick in when people are immune-compromised and on tx that destroys blood cells. That's as much as I know about it.

And yeah....it's really expensive!

I have heard the vials are several hundred dollars, but I would hope and guess that kitties would be on smaller doses than people anyway. I'm guessing you have the vial with multiple uses. Be sure to be careful with it (as I'm sure your doc said), never shake it and store it in the fridge carefully. For some reason some people have the urge to shake it and it can be rendered unable to be used sometimes. Also it's very light-sensitive. I'm not sure if it matters but I'd probably store it in the fridge away from the light bulb, like on the bottom shelf.

If the cause of the anemia is lack of that protein, this stuff does work. Again, in people....this is another med I didn't know was used in animals. It's a matter of trial and dose adjustment. If this is the majority of Toby's issues, it likely will stimulate RBC production. Hopefully there aren't many side effects in cats. I've only had a few clients on it but none of them have quit it b/c of side effects and all of them did improve. I think most of their other meds along with HIV cause enough discomfort and problems that this one would be a minimal problem.

Give Toby a light squeeze for us when he's feeling a bit better

Wow that would be hard for me to learn how to do. I have issues with needles for myself and others. If I had to I am sure I would, but as of right now I prefer Chloe is taken in the back room if blood is drawn.

Also, the clients I've had on it also injected themselves at home. I remember one had a nurse come out a couple times and actually teach her so she could take over, but she had just been d/c from an inpt stay. The way things work now, health insurance companies for people probably wouldn't pay for such frequent doctor visits for injections if they had an inkling people could do it themselves for $5k+ less a year. In fact, I don't think they do, for the most part.

If the anemia hasn't improved, don't lose hope. Procrit does take some time to kick in. It's usually about a month in people.

I didn't realize it'd been a year already since Rusty passed, I'm so sorry! He was a cute little pumpkin, I was wondering which of your guys was in your pic. He looked like an outdoor-neighbor cat here on my block. I remember he was a tough patient to say the least ^^;

Needles...I'm terrible with them, receiving and watching others get them. If I had to do it for Chloe I would manage somehow. She's pretty cooperative but she has been getting a little rebellious in her older years. I do manage to get things done though she'll try to avoid me at first (nail cuts, pills, ear wiping) but she never has bitten. Nowadays you *may* get a mild lip curl in a situation of great stress but that's about it. I get annoyed when I need to have blood drawn for myself b/c I tell them "Give me a butterfly in my hand, trust me" and they go "No, your veins are right there, I can get it", then they try 3x and fail on both arms and put me through agony. Then they'll do my driving arm that'll hurt for days with bruising galore. I'm told my veins sink and move. I also tell them "Just do it, don't warn me or let me see" and I look away until it's done. I don't want to hear "Now you're gonna feel a little stick...". I never liked needles b/c of a lot of dental work and frequent blood draws when I was on Accutane in my mid teens (it was biweekly). IV's suck especially b/c they stay in there and if I look at it in my arm, I'll feel queasy. I know it's my own mind doing that though.

I am pretty sure the Procrit will take at least a month to get going, so I'm not sure what the doc will recommend in the meantime. I'm guessing it's not an iron issue. I think if the level goes below 12% that's usually time for a transfusion, but Procrit's usually used to avoid the need for it if possible. I'm hoping it does kick in a little sooner.