Re: [Felvtalk] Husband has passed away..... :( terrie
Terrie-My sincerest condolences on your husband's passing. 64 is way too young. You are lucky to have had a soul mate to share in the rescue and caring of so many sweet fur babies. He was lucky to have you and he is with the kiddos at the bridge-sharing head bonks and purrs. God Bless Alice ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Please add Rosie to CLS
Rosie passed last night, I could not bear to watch her wasting away. The Lymphoma had beat her. We had her on Pred and Leukeran-which shrank the mass near her throat the first week, then it came back with a vengeance the next week. We increased it to every other day on the Leukeran to no avail. She was also on Lasix, Lysine, iron, b vitamins, Interferon. She always came into the kitchen and waited for me to give her the meds, but the last few days she began to clamp her jaw, like enough. She was being syringe fed, she couldn't eat-the mass in her neck got so large and hard. Her eyes became empty and she just wanted to hide, she was miserable. When I came home from work last night, I knew it was time. Thank you to the wonderful vets and staff at Sacramento Cat Hospital for staying late so we could help Rosie join her man, Murphy at the bridge-he passed in October from Lymphoma and anemia. Rosie is our 6th and last FeLV kitty-her 4 brothers passed in their first year from anemia, despite all our efforts. I have never felt so defeated and empty in my life. I did not have a clue about FeLV when we rescued the feral babies. It has been a long and sad 2 years, Rosie and Murphy each just made it to 2 1/2 yrs old. Bless all of you fighting this battle-it is a long, and difficult journey, but these babies deserve all the love in the world. Alice with Miso and Sachi-the 2 negatives we adopted when Rosie got so depressed when she was left alone after Murphy passed. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Rosie's mass has returned
Rosie had such a great check up with the mass almost gone-now she is sleeping most of the time and I have been feeling the mass grow large again. She is on Leukeran every 3 days and pred daily with interferon 2x a day. I am calling the Dr tomorrow to see what we should do. I am beat down by this disease. Alice ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Rosie's Check Up Today-Pretty Good!
WooHoo!! Rosie had a great check up today!! The mass in her throat / neck was so much smaller in just 3 weeks on the Pred / Leukeran regime. We are going to decrease the Prednisolone and keep up the Leukeran. Ultrasound showed no Lymphoma in her abdomen (so far)Her hot, red ears may get better with the lower dosage. Dr said she had good color, no temp. Looks like with luck and purrayers, she may be around to thump on Miso a bit longer! Alice and the kids-Rosie, Miso and Sachi (the 2 negatives I adopted a few months ago) ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Wyatt and Booker T. Please add to the CLS :( :(
Sherry-My heart goes out to you-Bless you for giving these precious babies all the love that you do. I don't know how you and the others do it-over and over. My heart has been shattered by losing Rosie's 4 brothers and Murphy, who was tossed into the feral colony that we rescued Rosie and the boys from when they were about 8 weeks old, Murphy was about 6 months old when we brought him home-all 6 were positives and I didn't have a clue what we were up against. We are down to just Rosie being positive and the 2 negatives we adopted when she was devastated with Murphy's passing in October and she was all alone. But you have the strength to take in all the positives and give them the love and care they need, not just cage them away in a dark room-you give them your heart and energy-they blossom and thrive in your care. Thank you and all the others who give so much of yourselves. All of our fur kids are playing together with boundless energy, free of the anemia, Lymphoma and all the other opportunistic ailments they so easily succumb to. I am so thankful there are people like you with the big hearts out there to save these babies. Alice ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Rosie's Lymphoma-Still Hanging In There!!
Going on 3 weeks since her labs and diagnosis Feb 24. She's been on 5 mg prednisolone 2x a day along with 1cc of Interferon squirted in her mouth. She also gets a shot of PennG every 5 days and one Leukeran pill every 3 days. She's had 5 Leukeran pills so far. Last week she began sneezing alot so I added Cypro again. To make it easier, I crushed the 1/2 tab of Cypro and combined it inside one gel cap with the pred-there was room left in the cap so I added a pinch of Lysine and a tiny bit of iron for good luck. I divided one of Murphy's iron capsules I had left since he went to the rainbow bridge in October. One iron cap into 6 of the gel caps. She has been eating and drinking fine-too much-she was meowing constantly-at first I thought she was in pain, but she wanted treats...constantly. The Pred has her eating too much-she was sleek, now she seems all bloated and has a belly and waddles-not a pretty look for a princess! She also sleeps a lot. I tried to feel for the mass in her left lymph node by her throat and it does seem to be smaller. I'll call her Dr tomorrow to see about the Pred dosage and her being all bloated. Thanks for all the purrayers-so far, so good-I am not ready for her to join her 4 brothers and Murphy-mom needs her princess here! Alice, Rosie, Miso and Sachi (2 FeLV- kitties adopted after Murphy passed away) ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Thank Goodness For This Group!
I was thinking this morning about this group-All of us trying to save or prolong our kitty's lives, or to keep them comfortable for as long as possible. Trying different treatments or none-we are all the same. Getting comfort or condolences...it's a hard journey. I can say that I have tried different things with my 6-Spent a huge fortune-so far lost 5 in 2 yrs and now having to watch Rosie in a downward spiral. Nothing has worked to save mine, maybe prolonged their lives by what...minutes, days, months-I don't know. Two and a half years ago, I had never heard of this damn disease-maybe because I hadn't had a cat in over a decade, just Aussies and horses. God bless the really special people who take in positive kitties knowing there is heartache up the road, but have saved them from being euthanized because of a positive test-they're not all accurate. I am rambling, I am sad-but so grateful for all the shoulders to cry on. Every time I log on, more babies have gone to the bridge, finally free to play together and wait for us. Alice ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Rosie's biopsy results-BAD
She has a very aggressive lymphoma. This was the biopsy on her lump in the throat / neck area. Started on Pred and ordering Leukeran. Staying on Interferon and may give LTCI. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Waiting for Rosie's biopsy now.
What I had prayed for was an abscess-the vets don't think I am going to be that lucky. They did a couple of needle aspirations and we will wait for the results. They want me to begin pred and pennG right away while we wait. Keep her on the Interferon to help her immune system because the pred will suppress it. She is extremely bright, no temp-has gained almost 1/2 lb since her tonsillitis in January. She has been hallway racing with Miso and wrestling too! Picture of health-God I hate this disease. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Purrayers for our Rosie
We thought she was the survivor-She is the last of the litter of 5 kittens we caught in Oct 2008. Her 4 brothers passed in 2009, a month apart. She made it to 2 years, now 2 1/2tonight I felt a lump on the left side of her neck. I am hoping our vet is open tomorrow. She is not showing any pain-I checked her neck and throat because she gagged a little tonight, but nothing came up. She had tonsillitis in January and was on Zithromax-she came out of that just fine. I am dreading this-we just lost Murphy in October from Lymphoma. Rosie was so lonely when he passed-she became depressed-slept all of the time, we were so worried-she checked out fine, we had her blood work done-all ok. We ended up adopting 2 negative kitties-a male that was 6-7 months old and a female that is 9-10 months old. The rescue vaccinated each one twice for FeLV and kept them an extra month-their vet thought they would be fine since they were pretty mature and were already negative. She has been running and playing again and we thought all was well in the world. I hope this lump isn't Lymphoma. Alice...owned by Rosie, Sachi and Miso!! ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Interferon - darn Andy!!
Poor Andy!! He can be a little tongue in cheek at times, but believe me-he has been there with the most compassion and kind words when we were struggling to keep our sweet babies alive. He loves his kitties as much, if not more than most I know-which probably helped him to be the best people dad ever! We are all on the same journey-some people get really lucky and their cats remain healthy for ages-I lost Rosie's 4 brothers before they reached a year old-they were on Interferon 2x a day, no lapses. Murphy, who we just lost the end of October after a heroic struggle with anemia, a rebound with Epogen, then diagnosed with Lymphoma, another anemia setback which did not respond to increasing the Epogen. We had Rosie and Murphy on LTCI (over a year) and Interferon. He was 2 1/2 and had been found in the same feral colony our litter of positive kittens came from, a friendly throw away. Andy was there in our corner, always kind and caring, offering support. This is the same fella that threw the name Pirate into the name hat (on my facebook page) when I got the one eyed kitten! LOL If the kitten would of had a black and white spotted face, maybe..but the name Miso won out-my 1/2 Asian heritage and his miso coloring. Anyway-SacTown boy is a good-un and I'll vouch for him. Alice Flowers-Clark ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] how to know if your only needs a friend?
I was not sure if getting a kitten would be the right thing for Rosie because she was so territorial when we brought Murphy home after he tested positive at the spay/neuter clinic and they were going to euthanize him if I didn't come pick him up quickly. She hissed and stalked him forever, but he was so mellow and stayed clear. At the time, she still had 2 of her brothers that she would cuddle up with and play with. After the 2nd brother passed, she walked the halls at night yowling and crying. It took a long time, but she finally stopped being mean to Murphy and they would lie side by side, birdwatching and they stayed fairly close to each other all day. Not the cuddly relationship, but they were company for each other. When Murphy passed, she again began to cry at night and spent alot of time sleeping. She checked out ok at the vet-she was just sad. When we brought Miso home, we had a large wire crate about 4 feet long with 2 doors. He stayed in that most of the first few days. Rosie would charge at him, hissing and screaming-not a pretty sight. When he was eating or drinking, she tried to smack him through the bars of the cage! We had to barracade that side of the cage. We began to let him out in short intervals. Luckily, he is about 6 months old and as big as her and very outgoing. Oh-he also has only one eye, which was a concern-we trimmed her nails. He followed her everywhere, when she'd turn to thump him, he laid down and was submissive, she would stop and walk away. He followed her everywhere-she did thump him a few times without using her claws and it didn't faze him at all. He loved all the toys and was so busy that he drew her into playing a few times. Now it's been almost a week and they are inseparable, she has her spark back and is playing all the time. It's been a really long time since she's played like a kitten, since her brothers died over a year ago. She never did have that relationship with Murphy-he was too afraid of her, I think. This one eyed kitten is fearless and so full of energy! We have adopted another kitten the same age, solid black, about 6 months old and he will be coming home in 3-4 weeks, after his 2nd FeLV vaccine. I hope things go as well. Miso still gets crated at night and he's fine with it, still alot better than the small cages at the adoption center. I am so grateful for CATS (Cats About Town Society) rescue group for allowing us to adopt these sweet babies and truly going the extra mile, getting them vaccinated and keeping them the extra month. They are all vaccinated, tested and FeLV negative, neutered, microchipped, clean and well socialized kittens that I have seen at the Natomas Petsmart near us (Sacramento, CA). I think keeping him in the big crate and letting her get used to him slowly the first few days really helped. I hope things go as well with the next one. I figured she was happy cuddling with her original brothers that it may work out fine. Also in the back of my mind is just in case she becomes ill and passes away, the kittens will still have each other. We have learned the hard way that it can happen so quickly. We have tried so hard to save them, even a transfusion for Jack, but he had such a bad reaction that we asked them to stop. Ahh-here comes Rosie now with a toy mouse in her mouth that she just stole from Miso!! Life is good again. Alice Flowers-Clark ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Question About Inegrating Positive and Negative Cats
Well, here we go into the fray!! After losing 5 FeLV+ boys in the past 1 1/2 years and suffering the worst heartache and financial strain-we were down to just Rosie-littermate to 4 of the boys who passed first, a month apart, all by the time they were a year old. We just lost Murphy the end of October, he was 2 1/2, and our big, elderly Aussie on Nov 6. We went to Petsmart to get some dog food and a local rescue had their adoptable kitties there. I had already asked the SPCA, been honest with Rosie's FeLV+ status-they said no kitty for me. I fell in love with 2 of the boys there and had picked one out-a semi long haired lilac colored kitty. He was so cuddly and also played tough with the other kittens-he was about 5 months old and fully vaccinated for the regular stuff and neutered. I asked them to consult their vet about letting me adopt-they did and she said no problem!! They kept him an extra month and vaccinated him twice for FeLV. He had already tested negative for it. So Miso has been home for a week now and our home is active again-Rosie is playing-they chase each other all over the house! Oh-Miso had been a feral baby-and had a badly infected eye which had to be removed-but he isn't hampered at all by it!! He is 100 mph all over the place and up the cat trees! When we went to pick him up, I visited the first kitty and he wants to live with us also-so we adopted him too-he's a solid black, compact kitty-mellow purr machine, also about 6 months old-the rescue people were so happy-he'd been with them for a long time-black kitty syndrome, I guess. But I had gravitated to him first because my lap kitty that passed 2nd was Jack-a solid black boy who insisted on cuddling with me as soon as I got home every day and I missed him so much. So in a month, he will be coming home to our kitty disneyland-with a living room full of cat towers and pop tents, ball toys in the tracks and tons of kitty toys! I can't wait. But I think it helps to get older kittens who have already tested negative and then vaccinate-it may not be foolproof, but we are trying. Alice ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Stacy and Sweet Spanky: Spanky's chest cavity fluid - rutin?
Hi Stacy-I was thinking of you and Spanky today while I was at work-staring at Murphy's photo on my wall. Yes-we did use the Rutin, thanks to Dawn's tip and our vet was pleased with how it helped to clear his fluid out-he was on Lasix initially and I think we lowered the dose after about a week with the Rutin. I got the Rutin tablets and used a pill grinder-put it into #3 gelcaps that I get from the vet. I gave him 2 a day. It is a natural herb type thing (I as sooo scientific!). Perhaps some lasix and Rutin? The fluid was almost completely gone within weeks. I am purraying as hard as I can for you and your sweet baby. Alice and Rosie... missing the 5 boys so much! ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Stacy and Spanky
Stacy-I have you and Spanky in my purrayers! I know how difficult things are right now. It seems you are on the right track, trying to find a non-invasive way to shrink those darn granulomas. You know, it's only been almost 3 weeks since Murphy passed-it seems like an eternity. Our vet clinic said they have learned so much in the past 2 years we have been battling FeLV with our 6 kitties-especially with Murphy-I think they are more positive with the small victories we did have. We did draw the line on doing transfusions, feeding tubes, iv fluids-as long as he was happy, we kept trying. I miss him every day and Rosie does too. Hugs to you and Spanky! Alice and Rosie ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Murphy is gone.
You asked if he passed at home. No, I got home from work and checked on him, he was laying stretched out on the bedroom floor. Glenn had syringe fed and watered him through the day. He was breathing harder than normal, he had been breathing fast, trying to get oxygen. I kept thinking any day he'll begin to improve like he did in July and August when he first crashed with anemia. I gave him some pedialyte and carried him to the bathroom to see if he needed to use the litter box. For the first time, he did not stand up and his sides were heaving-he laid out on the linoleum and even laid his head on the floor, which he has never done when anyone was near. He was always alert and watching his people and interacting. His eyes were clear, but he was exhausted. After a lot of tears and wavering back and forth, we ended up taking him to the emergency vet clinic. It was very hard, but I did not think he was going to last very much longer, maybe another day and thought it would be cruel to let him go through the night unable to get enough oxygen-the anemia robbed him of all the rbcs needed to circulate oxygen. He was the bravest and most willing little guy-always came in for his meds when he thought it was time, never fussed. He was truly our little prince and our lives have a huge emptiness right now. Rosie is having a time trying to figure out where he is, but I think she will be ok in a while. We took him to the crematorium and have picked his little picture urn and his name plaque. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Murphy is gone.
Murphy has passed to the bridge tonight to join Buster, Oni, Jack and Schatzi-Rosie's 4 brothers that passed last year. He was 2 1/2. Glenn and I saw in his eyes tonight that he was tired. He gave it all he had but in the end FeLV took him too.We will miss him so much-he filled the house with his incredible personality. He always ran to the door to greet everyone-he never knew a stranger. I will miss his big, poly-dactyl feet going clickity-click around the house and how he could leap up the wall and turn the light switch off and on when he chased the laser toy. Rosie will miss giving him vampire kisses-she's a tough love kinda girl and she is the last Mohican of the 6 FeLV+ kitties we began this journey with. Thanks to all of you for your kindness and caring. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Thank you for sharing Murphy's journey-we learned so much from all of you here!
This has been a long journey and we have so much to thank all of you for. First of all, most of the people in our day to day lives haven't got a clue what we are going through. We had Rosie to the vet today for her check up-she's been sneezing a bit the last few days. She got her CBC drawn (results tomorrow) and she checked out perfect, but a little PennG and cypro to see if we can nip the sneezing-so far tonight she has not sneezed. I'll add the Lysine for good measure. Murphy did sneeze right in her face a few times recently. She will barely touch wet food the last week since Murphy hasn't been eating along side of her. Last night about 1 am she was wailing-carrying her toy around the house. Glenn got up and spent some time with her in the living room so I could get to sleep, I had to work today. Our vet was so kind-Dr Krysta at the Sacramento Cat Hospital and she said they have learned so much with Murphy and treating FeLV with open eyes and minds. Thanks to this board, we discovered the Imulan LTCI-they ordered it for us over a year ago. I believe it did give us more time with Murphy. Thanks to Dawn and the suggestion to try Rutin for the fluid in his lungs-the vet was amazed at how great his lungs sounded after a short time with the Rutin-she said they used it for another condition but had never considered using it for FeLV cats and the fluid in their chests with the Lymphoma. When Rosie came home from the vet today, she searched the entire house for Murphy-for the first time in her life, she is solo. I'm not sure what to do, but time will help. I am so grateful for all of your support the last year or so. Our lives are much enriched with learning how precious every day is. Gratefully, Alice, Glenn and Rosie ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Murphy's not bouncing back yet
He is still super lethargic and I am back to syringe feeding him. His gums are still really pale-I am just praying that he can recover from this last challenge. For a day he was acting like he was making a quick recovery, but has backslid-his eyes are bright and he finally left the bedroom and is in the kitchen, lying on the floor. I worry less when he joins the world rather than hide away. Alice ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Murphy's vet visits
He is at the vet's quite a bit: 7/23 first anemia crash, pcv 18.5 tp 4.2 cbc also done hct 22.3 hgb 5.1 7/29 pcv 23 tp 5.0 8/06 pcv 27 tp-forgot to get it cbc hct 22.5 hgb 6.9 8/13 pcv 19 tp 19 8/28 cbc hct 33.9 hgb 12.5 9/17 cbchct 38.7 hgb 11.6 breathing fast-diagnosed with Lymphoma 10/01 pcv 36 tp 6 10/19 pcv 28 tp 4.9 but he was a bit dehydrated so #s may be off ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Murphy's vet visits / what he looks like
Murphy is the most beautiful black / white, sorta fluffy tuxedo boy. He was either a throw away or a lost kitty that was in with the ferals-he was a sweet and friendly boy-we posted his photos in the local newspapers and craigslist for a month, not one response. We then took him to clinic to neuter, vaccinate and find a foster home for him so he could find a family. I didn't want him to come to my home with the 5 FeLV kittens I already had rescued from the ferals and had tamed. The clinic called and said he was positive and was going to be euthanized unless I came right away and picked him up. So we brought him home and said it was Murphy's Law-LOL hence his name. He has the biggest paws with 3 thumbs (7 toes) and goes clickity when he walks around the house. He is the official greeter, like a nosy puppyloves everyone. I was not a cat person, but raising the 6 kitties has me totally a cat nut job! I am smitten with his sweetness and will miss him so much. He has the biggest eyes, maybe part persian, has a fluffy coat, not real long but is soft and he has a spring loaded tail that is always straight up in the air. Even with all the meds and treatments he has had, never held a grudge, he normally comes into the kitchen and waits when it's time. His pic and Rosie's too are on my facebook (along with all my FarmVille therapy!!) if you want to see him, go to my photos and they are under my random photos album. We only have 2 out of the 6 that we began with. Alice Flowers-Clark ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Murphy is improving!! Beginning to eat on his own!!!
Wooo Hooo!! Before I left for work this morning, I gave him his meds (Interferon 1cc into the mouth, and the capsules-one with doxy and cypro, one with lasix and 1/2 pred, I fill the extra space in those capsules with powdered Lysine, and one cap with Rutin, so his am is 3 capsules and in the pm he gets one more with iron). Washed it down with unflavored Pedialyte and then 3 syringes (I use the 3cc) of watered down AD food from the vet. I left instructions for Glenn and my son Corey to try to give him some food and Pedialyte throughout the day. When I got home tonight he came wobbling out into the kitchen to greet me!! I am ecstatic at this point. I gave him his meds and fixed some food, some fancy feast and another dish of AD. I put him up on the counter (I have to feed above Aussie height!) in the spare bathroom and he worked on the fancy feast for awhile. He came into the kitchen for some kitty treats, then laid down for quite awhile. When he woke up, I carried him into the bathroom where the litter box was (we took the cover off of it) and he went in by himself!! He is still real wobbly and spends most of the time lying down, but he is more alert and wanting to spend time near us, not in the dark spare room. A little while ago I felt something brush my legs, I looked down expecting Rosie but it was Murphy!! He laid down quickly and I sat on the floor petting him and talking to him. He'll get another 21 units of Procrit tomorrow night. Man, all of your purrayers are working!! Hopefully he is going to keep improving, good thing they have 9 lives. Another funny thing-last night when I walked past Rosie, she reached out and smacked my leg. I turned around and walked past her to see what she was trying to do and she smacked me again!! I think she is feeling neglected!! I haven't spent much time with her since Monday with all the worrying about Murphy. So tonight I have been playing with her-she likes to race ahead of you and do a forward roll, flop over on her back and have you rub her tummy! Thanks for all of your purrayers and kind thoughts. This is a battle not easily won and these little victories are sadly temporary for the most part, but I am grateful for every day. I just want the last 2 kitties to be with us longer, it hurts so much. Your friends, Alice, Glenn and the kids Rosie n Murphy ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Murphy-still not eating or drinking
He is still refusing to eat or drink on his own. I am using a little syringe to give him water and plain Pedialyte and also some watered down AD food from the vet. While I was at work today, Glenn was able to carry him to the litter box and he did pee in it (Murphy-LOL), so the plumbing is still functioning. He spends most of his time sleeping, but for a short while tonight he actually walked into the kitchen and sat down, I was able to give him his meds and some food and water with the syringe. He is still very pale and way too quiet. I gave him a Procrit shot last night with a prayer that he will bounce back, but I don't know. Hopefully he will want to eat tomorrow. In July, he was like this for 2 days, then began feeling better fairly quickly except for the sneezing and drippy nose. Got my fingers crossed and saying little purrayers all day long. Alice ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Aww Geez-Murphy's starting to crash-vet visit today
This is the craziest roller coaster!!! Geez-Sunday Murphy was a busy bee, all happy and jabbering up a storm. He was finally feeling better with a week of Lysine under his belt and the sneezing and sniffles were subsiding. Yesterday he was fairly quiet but I thought he may have done too much the day before. Last night he did not eat, went into the spare room and laid on the floor in the dark. Not his style, normally he's nearby. This morning he laid in the kitchen until he got his meds, then didn't want to eat. I was able to call the vet from work and get him in this afternoon. We just got home. His PCV dropped 10 pts to 28 and may be even lower because he's a bit dehydrated. We will bump the Procrit up to 2x a week and increase the iron caps to every night instead of every other night. Maybe we lowered the dose too quicklyhe began the end of July with his first crash at 3x a week with the Procrit, then we dropped it to 2x-he bounced back so well that we dropped him to once a week when his HCT got to 38 two weeks ago. His lungs still sound good, but breathing is a little labored from being anemic. Ultrasound showed a little fluid around the heart, but nothing like the fluid in his chest in July and August, temp is normal, eyes clear. So please friends, more little purrayers for my bestest buddy!! Alice and the kiddos! ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Murphy-One week on the Lysine and much improved!! (after 2 weeks of dripping and sneezing)
It's been a rough two weeks with poor Murphy and his drippy and sneezy nose. He got so lethargic and became congested in the nose that by mid-week he wasn't eating much. I started him last Sunday on the Lysine. He will not eat anything with Lysine added, nor will he go near those expensive Lysine treats that I bought at the vet's office. I didn't try it in the water because I have water all over the house 2-3 dishes for him and Rosie and also a 5 gallon water dispenser for the 3 Australian Shepherds that co-rule our home. The cats drink out of it also. I put the powdered Lysine into the #3 gel caps that I get from my vet. I think I went overboard the first day-gave him 2 in the AM and 1 in the PM-u oo-he had the runs the next day-poor boy was dripping outta both ends. Not a fun clean up when you have a fluffy cat!! I called the vet and they said I could try saline spray and/or a mild Afrin spray for his nose-steam (he already perches on the toilet seat every night while I shower, so I turned the fan off to keep the steam in the room). So then I disassembled all the gel caps-one had doxy and cypro and the other had the lasix and pred. I filled all the empty space in the caps with Lysine and reassembled them. So maybe he was getting 3/4 to a whole caps worth of Lysine 2x a day. On Thursday I gave him his LTCI and Procrit injections-he's once a week on each. He was still sleeping alot Friday, but his nose was less drippy and he seemed brighter. Today he is following me all around the house and is more involved and talking again. Oh-another thing I tried, on Wednesday I diluted some Afrin nasal spray with 2 parts saline spray and gave him a few squirts into the snoot- He went into 4 wheel drive trying to escape! He was not a happy kitty at all, so it may have helped for a short while, I only did it once. Thank goodness he is such a forgiving soul. He is feeling much better today, hardly any sneezing and barely any drips. He was jabbering away in the kitchen this morning, sitting on his little throne (I have a little plastic step cuz I'm short. It's in the corner of the kitchen and he claims it as his throne.) He wouldn't shut up until he and Rosie got their 1cc of Interferon and he got his meds, 3 capsules. He sits and waits for them, then when that's done, he expects fresh wet food! Anyway-that's our little update-I am a believer in the Lysine now, but it takes a little time to knock out the Herpes virus that we think flares up whenever his immune system is low. Doe anyone know how long he can be on it? Alice (Rosie and Murphy too!) ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Another Murphy relapse-now URI
Another Murphy relapse...poor boy is all congested and sneezy with a URI, he began with light sneezing earlier this week, I gave him a PennG shot Friday night because he had sneezed so much that he was getting bloody droplets. Now he's really getting plugged up. I called the vet to see about reducing his prednisolone dose because steroids suppress the immune system. He's been on Lasix and Pred for 3 weeks since his diagnosis of Lymphoma. We are cutting him down to 1/2 from 5mg 2x a day to once a day. I have put some L-Lysine powder into gel caps because he will not eat it in his food nor eat the very expensive Lysine treats we tried in the past. Seems the Lysine is supposed to help keep the herpes virus (viruses in general) from replicating. This flares up every time his immune system is low and he ends up with upper respiratory problems. I know he's not feeling well because I've waken up with him snuggled with me on the bed for the last 2 mornings. He normally doesn't get on the bed, he likes to sleep by the open slider screen door. I am still optimistic because his breathing is still better, hopefully the fluid is still gone from his chest area, he was in for his check up a week ago and the vet was impressed with how clear his lungs sounded. Maybe he picked up a bug from the exam room-he was wandering on the floor, my fault for letting him move around. He's such a people person, he likes all the people at the vet clinic and wants to see what they are doing. I hope the Lysine helps soon. They said if he's still congested, we can try a mild Afrin nasal decongestant. He's not that bad yet, I don't think, just somewhat depressed. Not eating as much, but still eating the AD and all the gravy from the fancy feast plus some dry food. I know some may be tired of hearing about Murphy, but I think it may help to keep hope alive, he keeps bouncing back since the end of July when he became so anemic that by the first of August I had to syringe feed him for a few days. He is on Procrit now just once a week instead of 3x a week. Please, purrayers help!! Alice ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Another Murphy relapse-now URI / Sharyl
Hi Sharyl-I was thinking about the once a day being alot at once anyway-so I now I have fixed up his weekly pill box (am-pm LOL) and split the pred caplet into 2 and will give one morning and night. Thanks so much for the suggestion!! He is a bit brighter tonight and talking a bit! Thanks again!! Alice n Murphy ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Another Murphy relapse-now URI / trmckelvey
Terry-I will ask about the azithromycin , we used it alot the first year for all the URIs. Strawberry flavor from the Walmart pharmacy-it was the children's version. He has had regular CBCs all along and also checked for Hemobartonella and always negative for any mycoplasmas. Since beginning the LTCI last Sept, he has had 10 CBCs. We did testing in the beginning to monitor how he was doing while we went from weekly to bi-weekly then monthly LTCI injections. Then lately since his anemia crash in July to see how well he's recovering so we can reduce the Procrit injections (from 3x a week to 1x a week now). I think they suspect it's a flare up of the Herpes virus-he's had quite a bit of that this last year, but in the beginning I thought he may have had allergies and didn't jump on it. Thanks so much! Alice ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Kris-Avis ...me n Murphy and some random thoughts
Kris-just looking back over the past 2 years with the 6 kitties, as a total amateur on FeLV, here are some of my random thoughts. Interferon-Good-I am glad to be giving it-not a cure, but it may keep the virus somewhat at bay. LTCI-it gave me alot of hope, and still does-but for cats like mine who are infected from a very young age or in utero, I feel it helps them develop a stronger immune system than they would normally have. They seemed to not get URIs after we began the LTCI. My only experience is with the one litter of 5 feral kitties and Murphy, a sweetie who ended up in the same colony-either a throw away, or lost. There are people here that have so much more knowledge and have helped lots of rescued kitties with FeLV-probably not giving all the stuff, but that's fine-It's very expensive and I don't think it's really a cure anyway. But they are giving the cats a chance to live and be cared for, maybe for the first time ever-they were probably going to be euthanized quickly at the shelters. They are giving them a loving touch, maybe a sunny window to snooze in. I could not do rescue-Bless all those that do. I have tunnel vision when it comes to my babies. I look at Murphy and know we are on borrowed time now-he's only 2 1/2 (I didn't count on my fingers the other day and typed 1 1/2-LOL) but as long as he is comfortable and happy go lucky, we continue the little battles. He waits in the kitchen for his meds morning and night-takes less than a minute for the Interferon and the 3 capsules. He eats like a horse most days. He is Rosie's only companion now since her 4 brothers passed. She will be running around the house in the middle of the night, wailing when he passes, looking for him like she did for her brothers. That makes me really sad, plus he is my little shadow when I'm not at work. I guess it's a melancholy Sunday for this old lady-LOL ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Interesting article on FeLV
I just found this on the internet: http://www.reference.com/browse/lymphoid+system ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Murphy's little comeback-he definitely has 9 lives!!
We just got back from Murphy's vet check. The end of July, he was crashing with anemia-(in office PCV 18) HCT 22.3 RBC 3.5 HGB 5.1 even his Absolute Reticulocyte count was 35200 and the lab notation said a count of over 5 was evidence of regenerative anemia-which he was below that level. Our vet had us give him Procrit 3x a week, Doxy, Cypro and an iron supplement. He was getting Interferon 2x a day and we bumped the LTCI to every 2 weeks. He rebounded from that-in 2 months he went to HCT 38.7 RBC 6.48 HGB 11.6. Then 2 weeks ago he seemed to be breathing really fast-I took him in and his lung sounds were raspy and an ultrasound showed lots of fluid pockets, so much that she couldn't see his heart or lungs-she suspected Lymphoma-sent us home with Lasix and Prednisolone to add to his meds 2x a day, lowered the Procrit to 2x a week and we bumped his LTCI to once a week. Dawn on this list said Rutin helped-I immediately went to the health food store and bought the tablets and a pill grinder and put the powder into #3 gel caps and gave him 2 a day. She thought that he may not make 2 weeks judging by the fluid and how much trouble he was having with his fast breathing-it's 2 weeks today and his lung sounds are good-the fluid is 99.5% gone!!! His gums are still nice and pink. We did not do a CBC, but the in office PCV was 36!! I told her about the Rutin and she was impressed (thank you Dawn!!!) and said that they had used it for other conditions, but didn't think of using it on FeLV cats-now she will!! We will stay on the same meds for now but drop the Procrit to only once a week since he seems to be regenerating now. I am so grateful for this list and all of the selfless people out there trying to give these kitties a good life, no matter how short. I have learned so much from all of you and I am no longer afraid to ask my vet questions and to do what I feel is good for my babies. We are all in a limbo trying keep our cats healthy and happy. This disease is horrible-we lost the 4 brothers a year agoI was not ready to lose Murphy-he is such a happy and silly cat-he's a poly with 3 thumbs-he goes click click when trotting down the hallway and acts more like a puppy than a cat. He's not a lap cat, but is right there and likes to lay nearby and reach out and keep a paw on you-just likes to touch. He and Rosie automatically come into the kitchen morning and night and wait for their meds-she is just on Interferon and LTCI monthly-her HCT was 44.7 a few weeks ago. Our vet said to come back in a month for CBCs!! Purrayers and positive thoughts-at least today.Alice and the furry cats that own us!! ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Murphy's little comeback-he definitely has 9 lives!! jbero tds.net (Jenny)
Hi Jenny! OK-we live at the vet-LOL With FeLV, the sooner you can nip anything in the bud, the better. Murphy was put on Cyproheptadine in April for sneezing-we thought allergies because he liked to hang out at the screen door to watch the birds. I had been giving fewer LTCI shots-went to 8 weeks-dumb.the end of July he became anemic-still sneezing and now lethargic, he had lost almost a pound in the 3 months. July 23-He has always tested negative for FHM (formerly known as Hemobartonella). We added the Doxy 2x a day (1/4 of a 100mg tab that I put in a gel cap with the 1/2 tab of 4 mg Cypro) on July 23, along with Procrit 3x a week and the iron capsule 1x a day. Still on Interferon 1cc 2x a day (both he and Rosie). I think the Doxy as more of a preventative measure. He had lots of URIs his first year. Absolute Reticulocyte count was 35200. Autoplatelet 744..Large platelets present, Slight Howell jolly bodies persent. No FHM seen. Went to every 2 wks with the LTCI. Aug 6 he had a temp of 104.7 and was given a shot of .5 ml PennG which I repeated every 5 days at home. But his in-office PCV was up to 27 from 18 in July. CBCs- RBC 3.07 HGB 6.9 HCT 22.5 Autoplatelet 897 Platelets appear increased Large platelets present Absolute Reticulocyte count 70610 Marked degree of regeneration. Sept 18-Breathing too fast-103.5 temp ultrasound showed fluid in the chest cavity and she could not see his heart and lungs on the test-his breathing was raspy. Added Prednisolone 5mg 2x a day and Lasix 1/2 tab 2x a day (I put both in one gelcap) CBC showed RBC 6.48 HGB 11.6 HCT 38.7 (no reticulocyte done) Auto Platelet 621 Platelets appear increased. Decreased Procrit to 2x a week and Iron capsule to one every other night. Added Rutin when Dawn wrote about using it and it helped her cat-1 gel cap 2x a day. LTCI once a week. Today Oct 1 Marked Improvements! ultrasound showed very scant fluid -lung sounds great. In office PCV 36 TP 6-continue the meds except decrease the Procrit (21 units in an insulin syringe) to once a week-mucous membranes nice and pink, temp 101.1, up to 11 lbs 1/2 oz (from 10 lbs Aug 6 but he was 12 lbs a year ago) Come back in a month for CBC (Hahahaha-we didn't know if he was going to make it to this appt and now it's see ya in a month!!) Wooo Hooo!! He has a good appetite-loves the AD wet food from the vet, strained ham is his favorite baby food-he eats dry food really well also-blue buffalo with probiotics and a few other premium grain free holistic foods without fishmeal (some fishmeal is preserved with carcinogens). I do let him have some junk food-LOL cuz he loves the hairball control treats in the silver package, and he is a fluffy boy. I hope you can make sense of the numbers. It's one heck of a roller coaster ride. Alice ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Kris re: Murphy and Rosie's meds so far
Aww Kris-I am so sorry you are going through this and we all have to meet here-Avis' numbers are so similar to Murphy's in July. I am so glad your little terrier has found his soulmate-LOL I'll try and remember the questions I tend to wander: Interferon-we had caught a litter of 5 wild little ferals, (Oct 2008 about 8 wks old) all with snotty faces, some had eyes glued shut with yellow mucous, one had sores inside his mouth (calici virus?)-treated all for URIs, ear mites, fleas, ear and eye infections, worms-you name it-we got them all well after days and nights of taming, cuddling, washing snotty faces and scrubbing butts-original goal was to tame, neuter, vaccinate and adopt out the kitties. Got them their kitten shots-they looked nice and healthy-took them to be tested-all 5 positive. That vet kinda just stared at us and asked what are you going to do with them?-I said we just got them healthy-look at them, purring little fur balls-she said some people opted to euthanize FeLV+ cats and you don't want them around non FeLV cats...well, I didn't know about the disease-we went home and rather than adopt them out and take a chance they be let outdoors, kept them-I guess I showed her LOL. Got them all neutered. We found a nice vet clinic-cats only and got them on the Interferon when they were about 4-5 months old. It was 1cc once a day. With their bad immune systems, someone was always sick-we had a constant prescription for Zithromax at the Walmart pharmacy-we'd get the bigger bottle and add our own water at home so we could mix up 1/2 at a time as needed-the kittens got really used to the strawberry flavor! Then we found Murphy in with the feral colony the kittens came from-he was such a sweet kitty-fluffy tuxedo with all those toes! 7 on the fronts, he looked like he was wearing ov-gloves. Unfortunately we left him there while we posted photo ads in the paper and on-line-surely someone was missing him-a month, not one call. We decided to take him to clinic and get neutered and vaccinated to adopt out-we got the call, he was positive and they were going to euthanize him unless I wanted to add him to my gang. So being Murphy's law-he got a name! The 4 brothers died a month apart, beginning when Buster was 8 months old-the anemia hits so fast. One day he was playing hard-somersaults, running-2 days later he was at the vet with PCV of 8. The second one, Jack we rushed to UC Davis in the middle of the night-we opted to try a transfusion-he had a bad reaction during the procedure, we told them to stop and let him go to his brother. You know, we took the remaining 4 to UC Davis, thinking they would be more advanced and have something great to treat them-got all the blood work done and exams. Nothing more to tell us than we had already been learning. I was so desperate to find help.Then Oni, he became anemic and died at home in my son's arms-horrible.The last was almost a year old when he became anemic-had trouble breathing and was crying out-he went to Davis at midnight, when they gave him the shot, fluid bubbled out of his nose. Anemia seems to hit so darn quickly. That was Aug 09. After finding some articles on line regarding the peak anti viral qualities of Interferon (Alpha) not lasting 24 hours, we discussed with our vet the 2x a day and she did not think it would hurt them. We found the articles on LTCI and took them to our vet and asked her to order it for us. She spoke with their vets and thought it may help boost their immune systems. We began in Sept 09 with once a week for a month, then every 2 weeks for a month, then monthly etc. We kept tabs on their CBCs and they seemed to be doing well, so I decided to go to 6 and 8 weeks on the injections. Then Murphy became anemic in July and he actually, 2 weeks after beginning the Procrit, stopped eating and moving-I was using a little syringe to give him canned AD and strained baby food (chicken and ham). I'd give him a syringe full (only 3cc) of water every half hour or so. On the 3rd or 4th day he became more alert and began to eat on his own but I'd still give him water now and then to keep him hydrated. It takes time to get the body working again-I do not know for sure how the Procrit (Epogen) works but I think the kidneys have a role in RBC production and it stimulates the kidneys to produce that element (a hormone?? I don't know) in case the kidneys have quit making it. He is not CRF as far as I know and the fact that we can reduce the Procrit so quickly seems to point to his kidneys functioning ok. This is a horrible disease-your babies can be sleek, shiny pictures of health and energy one day and be on death's door the next-I have never cried so much in my lifeand I was not really a cat person...I guess I is one now! LOL. Rosie is now a year and 2 months-she is the survivor of the litter, a small sleek tabby-very hyper-busy and Murphy is about 2 months older-the polar
Re: [Felvtalk] Murphy's check up and the week after / Dawn-I got the Rutin
Dawn-I went to the health food store right away and got the Rutin-pulverized the tablets and put it in gel caps. I am giving it 2x a day with his other meds. His breathing is easier-5 days now on the Lasix and pred along with the cypro and doxy and iron. We are cutting the Procrit shots down to 2x a week and I will bump the LTCI to once a week-his HCT went up almost 6 points to 38.9 and RBC is 6.48, HGB is 11.6. I still am numb-he survived the anemia crash and is in normal ranges again just to be hit with lymphoma. Some of what I read up on the Rutin said it has anti cancer qualities along with being an antioxidant. All I can do is pray the lymphoma goes into remission, but the vet said it would be quick-maybe a week or two if she had to guess and we are approaching a week. But you never know. He is absolutely the sweetest boy and my shadow. I am dreading this. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Murphy's check up
We seemed to have the anemia under control with the Procrit (epogen) and iron, doxy and cypro, but we got hit hard today. I told our vet that although he seems good with color in his mucous membranes, he looks to me to be breathing too fast. She checked and his lungs sounded raspy-the ultrasound showed that he has pockets of fluid and lymphoma. We are going to be giving lasix and pred for the short time he has left. This FeLV has ravaged our little family-soon Rosie will be the last kitty standing out of the 6 we began this awful journey with 2 years ago. I am sick and cannot think-this is too much to bear. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Murphy's check up-Dawn / Procrit
I will go to the health food store tomorrow to see if I can find the Rutin! When we began with Murphy's anemia crash on 7/24 his RBC was 3.5, HGB 5.1, HCT 22 On 8/28 his RBC was 4.8, HGB 12.5, HCT was 33.9 I really think the combo of doxycycline (in case there was any parasites or other bacterial secondary junk) cyproheptadine because he had been sneezy and it helped with his appetite-the iron caps to help the anemia. The Procrit was only 21 units in an insulin syringe-easy to give at home sub q 3x a week. He had quit eating and drinking for a few days and I was using a syringe to feed him-he had lost almost 2 pounds-from 12 lbs to 10-today he was back up to 10 lbs 13 oz. I just feel like we crossed a big hurdle just to hit a brick wall. I am tired of losing my babies and crying. Whoda thunk it-I didn't even have a cat at all for over a decade before we trapped the feral babies-and I'd take a bullet for these guys-there has been so much loss, so quickly. This whole group has been on the same path with our sweet innocents. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Please add grey and white kitten to the CLS list
Karen-how lucky she was to have a kind touch and care in her final moments-no little one should have endured whatever torture she received. It breaks my heart-this goes on every day. People should have to pay for doing this to God's creatures-but they get away with it over and over. Thank you for helping her-she has joined all of our angels. Alice ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Murphy is improving!!
It is one day at a time-the roller coaster is going up this week. Last Sunday evening I thought he would not make it through the night. I had spent the weekend hand feeding and watering him with a syringe-he spent most of the time stretched out on the bed. We went ahead and gave him the Procrit (Epogen) and LTCI shot-I put them in one syringe so I would only have to give him one shot. He didn't even flinch. I thought he'd be gone by morning. I woke up at 5:30 to get ready for work and I didn't see him on the bed-I went to the kitchen and saw both he and Rosie sitting at the open slider door screen (it was a nice cool evening-we left it open) watching the birds at the feeders!! He came trotting over complaining about breakfast-got his meds and ate a decent amount of wet and a few morsels of dry. He slowly improved over the week and we had a vet appt on Friday (8/13). They did an in house PCV, but it was 19-I think the last time he may have been dehydrated-it was 27-28 and the time before it was 18.5 (7/23). She was happy with the pinkness of his gums-not real pink, but not that death white color we dread. His fever was gone, back down to 100.5 from 104.7 the week before. She suspected he had a herpes virus-he developed a little lesion on the top of his nose that has healed. Luckily we picked up our LTCI order that day-she said she wanted to keep him on it weekly for now until his numbers get back up. I will never try and space the LTCI 8-10 weeks apart. That is when he crashed with this anemia. Luckily his last CBC on 8/7 stated that the Absolute Reticulocyte count of 70610 shows that it is so far a regenerative anemia. I have the higher calorie wet food from the vet and he really likes it. We are taking it a day at a time, but he is perking up-he still sleeps alot-but in his usual spots near the desk and he is wanting to stay near us. He isn't up to leaping for the top of the bookcase yet. When I woke up this morning, he was jabbering at me, lying between the pillows and watching the young pheasants eating spilled birdseed from the feeders through the low bedroom window at the head of the bed. We watched the birds for awhile, then I got up-he raced to the kitchen ahead of me, wanting his breakfast! He got his pills and a good breakfast. I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but today is a good day. He is to stay on the Procrit 3x a week, doxy 2x a day, interferon 2x a day, LTCI once a week, and iron capsules once a day. We will give one more PennG shot for good measure-they last 5 days. I am grateful for your purrayers-I do believe they help immensely! I am lucky to have such kind vets-they take us at a moments notice. I think it helps to have a cat only practice to go to, (Sacramento Cat Hospital) plus they are open minded and progressive-they did not hesitate when I asked them to order the Imulan after they read up on it. This is a hard journey we are all on, we lost the 4 brothers last year despite trying the transfusion and other meds. It helps to have people who understand-sometimes even family members look at us like we are insane-LOL Alice and Glenn - owned by Sweet Rosie and Mr Murphy! ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Murphy is tired
My little man is sleeping alot. The weirdest thing is that he has been sleeping with us the last few nights and is spending days on the bed-he never does this. He is the one perched on the cat tree, on a bookcase or in his favorite cardboard boxes near the computers. I have been giving him syringes of water in his mouth to keep him hydrated. I have been adding water to his wet food with the supplements. When he is up and about, he wants to be really near-when I go out into the garage-he waits by the door for me to come in. I don't know if his time is now or a while, but I am overwhelmed with heartache-I do not think he will survive this roller coaster ride. Poor Rosie is having to amuse herself as he is not playing anymore, gone are the nightly hallway races that end at the top of one of the cat trees. He is still on all the meds and I'll give him an LTCI along with the Procrit today, but he seems so tired. I hate this disease. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] LTCI Rumor
I am hearing that after Sept or so, the new distributors of the LTCI will only sell 10 packs-this is going to make it very difficult for most of us to afford-plus the price went up. I think they are wanting the veterinarians to carry the product in stock-but I am thinking most won't - Like my vet...I researched and found the product and begged them to order it for me. Has anyone else heard anything about this?? ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] LTCI Rumor (for Heidi)
Heidi-here is a good link that describes the product: http://www.imulan.com/felv-fiv-treatment.html It is from the Imulan Company and it's called LTCI. There has been increased interest in the product for FeLV and FIV cats. I have had 2 cats on it for almost a year. Does it work, I don't know as both of mine are still positive-but I truly believe their health has been improved with this product. We lost Rosie's 4 littermates last year before they reached a year old-Rosie is turning 2 this month!! YAY! The literature said that some cats can fight off the virus and test negative. Rosie is doing great but Murphy has been struggling the past 2-3 weeks with anemia, but is trying hard to rally back. He became so anemic a few weeks ago and I thought we were going to lose him. I think part of it may be due to trying to go 2 months and more between injections. Before that-they were both in the high 30s with HCT, and actually Rosie's last HCT was on 7/24 and it was 46.5. I started the treatments before they became ill, some people begin it when symptoms appear and they find this product out there in web searches. I hope your sweet little baby stays healthy. As you can tell from the postings on this site, many of us have lost our dear fur-children, I don't think it ever gets easier. Alice ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] LTCI etc..Interferon Heidi
We were giving all 6 kittens Interferon once a day 1cc orally. After the 4 brothers passed, we went to 2x a day after reading that it doesn't keep the virus from multiplying the full 24 hours. Plus, our cats have never had a reaction to taking it once a day, they even come in the kitchen and sit when it's time for the little squirt. We are all just scrambling for any hope. I am lucky that our vet really cares for our kitties and supports us in obtaining the LTCI for us and is just a phone call away. Here is the passage from that document on Interferon: -- #1) NEVER give with food. Inteferon breaks down in the stomach with stomach acid. Always squirt it directly into the mouth where it is absorbed in the mouth and throat lining. #2) ALWAYS keep refridgerated. It's useless if it hits room temperature. Keep unused dilutions frozen until needed. It's unknown how long Interferon stays effective in the fridge. Keep unused dilutions frozen until needed. #3) It's USELESS to do on/off dosing. It MUST be given every 24 hours to maintain consistent levels in the bloodstream. (See excerpts below regarding peaks and valleys). It must be kept in the blood at all times. On/Off protocols are worthless because it progresses forward in times of no intervention. It is relatively new, and being used off-label which means no studies were done for FDA approval in animals. The use of Interferon for feline viruses was experimental and the results that vets who use it are seeing are being shared and tried by others. Most of the medications used in veterinary practise are off-label human medications that have FDA approvals based on human trials and you will not find specific studies done on cats or dogs unless the drug was specifically developed for, and tested in animals for FDA approval. Interferon is Interferon. It acts the same way in cats as it does in humans. The recent understanding that low doses can be as effective as the higher, more toxic doses and a better understanding of diluting and freezing the Interferon to extend its shelf life has meant great strides in it's use in veterinary medicine. The purpose of low dose Interferon in cats is to mimic the same levels that are naturally produced in response to a viral attack. Many people ask what is the connection between human viral treatments and feline, and why should I care? The connection is this. Viruses all work the same way. They may be species specific, but their biochemical mechanisms are the same. Just as we use human Amoxycillin to treat bacterial infections in both humans and cats, so too can human anti-virals work to help reduce viral loads in cats. Interferon works the same way against the Hepatitis C virus in humans. If you read the La Roche link you will see that the primary functions of Interferon are: anti-viral, anti-proliferative and immunomodulatory. It interferes with the virus replication. By keeping the level of the virus down in the host's system it allows the cat's own weakened immune system to help suppress symptoms. The lower dose in veterinary practise is not designed to eradicate the virus as it is with Hepatitis C. Cats chronically infected with FIV or Herpes will always have the virus, so the high dosage therapy is of really no use. The idea is to either replace or supplement the levels of natural Interferon the cat is either not producing or not producing enough of. Interferons are natural virus killers. There are definitely some immune boosting benefits to Interferon but it's primary function is to keep the viral load in the system down. WHY IS DAILY DOSING BETTER? Jere Hough Three Times Weekly Is A Terribly Poor Way to Dose Interferon This is a great article and also discusses the development of longer acting pegylated interferons to better manage the peak and valley effects of the current generation of Interferons: “PEAKS AND VALLEYS - Because interferon has a half-life in serum of only about 7 -10 hours. This means it peaks in the body at about 12 hours and is then rapidly metabolized and excreted. At 24 hours after injection it is barely measurable. By 36 hours it is not detectable with current measurements. During this peak the is a rapid, dramatic drop in viral load. As the levels of interferons quickly drop to negligible levels at about 24 hours viral loads start rapidly climbing again. By 48 or especially 72 hours much of the gain in viral reduction has been lost. In other words, viral loads in the body fluctuate directly and rapidly along with levels of interferon in serum, and when plotted on a graph look like a sine wave, or a roller coaster. This graph, along with a description of this phenomena, can be viewed on many websites and texts on the subject, including the http://www.roche-hepc.com/ page. These peaks and valleys have been followed for days in human subjects, and are invariably similar in those who respond to IFN. As
[Felvtalk] Fingers Crossed-Murphy gets a check up this morning
Well, in the last 2 weeks, Murphy has gone from crashed and not moving with white gums and little appetite to slowly improved and now pretty normal acting. He does sleep a bit more and doesn't race around the house with Rosie (hallway racing), but does fly up the cat tree to the ceiling once or twice a day and will make it to the top of the bookcase in the spare room for a nap. On 7/23 his PCV was 18.5 and TP 4.2. Almost a week later his PCV was 23 and TP 5.0 on the in house test. The CBC from the lab test on 7/23 showed RBC 3.52, HCT 22.3. I think it's the Procrit injections that are helping-he's had 7 in the last 2 weeks-we are giving them at home to save a little $ and trips to the vet. They've (both cats) also had their LTCI injection 2 weeks ago. His gums and tongue are definitely pink now, much better from the gray-white of 2 weeks ago. He's also been on Doxy 2x a day, Interferon 1cc 2x a day, an iron capsule once a day. I've been mixing a little lysine powder and Missing Link (vitamin Bs and stuff like kelp) supplement with their wet food. So we have our paws crossed and are saying purrayers! I know deep down that this darn disease will win eventually, but we are fighting as best we can. We've had so much loss already losing Rosie's 4 brothers last year-they (and we) were so cheated, not making it to a year old. Alice and Glenn-fur parents ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Murphy-PCV is up to 27-28 but has a fever
What the heck-we can't get well!!! His gums are looking nice and pink-his PCV in the office is up to 27-28 from 2 weeks ago. His temp was 104.7 today when it had been 101.6 the last 2 visits-7/23 and 7/29. That explains his dry, warm nose. They gave him a shot of PennG and I will repeat in 5 days at home and to keep him on all the meds like we have been the last 2 weeks. He's been on Doxycycline for 2 weeks. He is down only 2.5 oz but overall has gone from 11 lb 15 oz in November to 10 lb 2 oz today. He looks bright, but is sleeping a lot. I don't get it-what is causing the fever??? ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Murphy has improved! Keep Purraying!!
I am cautiously optimistic. After a bad Friday and Saturday when he slept and I cried, I woke up Sunday (yesterday) and he raced me down the hall and he was talking again-he ate a little here and a little there. He napped off and on, but not all day like on Saturday. My parents came over and he was the official greeter-he's like a puppy-he runs towards any noises to see who's here while Rosie is running the other way to hide until she feels safe. I gave him an injection of the Procrit Friday evening and he is getting the Doxy 2x a day and an iron capsule 1x a day. Interferon 1cc orally 2x a day. I gave the LTCI injection to both Rosie and Murphy (it was 4 weeks from the last injection) last night. I woke up this morning and he was his usual busy self-jabbering about what he wanted for breakfast and wanted it now! So I gave him his Doxy (1/4 tab put into a capsule and I give a small syringe of water after to make sure it gets washed down) then his wet food. They have the dry food free choice. I just got home from work and he greeted me-his gums are still pale and he's napping now. I don't know how this is going to turn out-hopefully his recheck on Thursday will be good news when they check his PCV. I'll give another Procrit injection tonight, Wednesday and Friday. I hate this disease so much-it has already taken Rosie's 4 brothers, why can't it leave us the last 2? Man-my heart goes out to all the people who will deliberately take in the FeLV kitties, knowing what may be in store. In just the past 1 1/2 years that I've been watching the posts on this site-overwhelming sadness over all of our losses and the pain is so deep. I still miss the brothers that passed and the joy we had raising them up to almost adults. They may have been born feral, but you cannot put a price on the joy they brought us. In fact, their feral mother is now a spoiled house cat-she slowly, over a years time decided she likes sleeping on my sister in law's bed-LOL. I will keep you posted on Murphy's condition-I dread any bad days, but I know this disease has no mercy. Alice ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Now it's Murphy-I can't take much more
Murphy has been sneezing-We took Murphy and Rosie in yesterday for check ups and blood work. They did an in house PCV on him because his gums were pale. He is anemic at 18.5%. This is the beginning of the end. I had hoped that after losing Rosie's 4 brothers last year that we would get a reprieve. I had hoped that the vet's rough rule of 1/3 would apply to us since we began with 6. We had Rosie and her 5 brothers-and Murphy, the friendly kitten that was tossed into the feral colony that we caught Rosie and the boys from after trapping and neutering their mother-1/3 of kitties would succumb quickly, 1/3 would die young and 1/3 generally live fairly uneventful lives for quite a while. Murphy is becoming lethargic at times, sometimes stretching out and sleeping on the floor-not his usual pose-he is my eagle, if he isn't on the computer desk next to me-curled up in an envelope box (any box will do-he has even tried to squeeze into a box barely big enough for his head-LOL)-he is asleep in the spare room-on top of the bookcase! He has a talent of springing from the floor and landing in a box on top of a 4' cabinet without touching the edges-he is like a little antelope with his springy legs. Murphy is the king of cats-I have never been owned by such an awesome kitty. He is beautiful with his fluffy, tuxedo coat, huge eyes and even huger paws-he has 7 toes on his front feet and 6 on the backs. He can snag a cat toy tossed at him like in mid-air like a baseball player and can even pick up things using the extra toes like fingers. I cannot believe this is happening again. We have begun Procrit, iron supplement and Doxy for the sneezing/cold thing he has going on-his lungs are clear, but a little wheezing in his throat area. Wish us luck-I am so sad right now and keep tearing up. I can't take much more of this disease, so much loss for all of us. Alice and Glenn (humans), Rosie and Murphy-furkids ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Now it's Murphy-I can't take much more
Terry-thank you for keeping Murphy in your thoughts. He has consistently tested negative for Hemotropic Mycoplasmas. His Absolute Reticulocyte count is now 35200. Both Murphy and Rosie have been on LTCI injections since last September. We began treatment before any symptoms appeared and their HCT levels were in the high 30s, low 40s. I just got the faxes on their blood tests. Murphy's HCT is 22.3, Rosie's is 46.5. I am thinking of giving them another injection tomorrow, the last one was June 27-it will be 28 days-but the other thing is, should I do both cats or just Murphy? Is there such a thing as having a too high HCT level (like Rosie's 46.5)? Just watching my Murphy sleep and hurting because we can't stop this train wreck. Alice ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Murphy's tests came out gibberish
Sorry to look and see all the careful typing came out all run together. I will see if I can put dashes between the numbers.??? ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] trying again to post Murphy's results
I am going to put asterisks between them- 04/25**01/08**11/21/09**REFERENCE WBC*7.86.26.6***4.2-15.6 RBC*4.85***10.95**10.22*6.0-10.0 HGB*11.1***14.4***12.8**9.5-15 HCT*32.3***39.5***3629-45 MCV*67*36*3541-58 MCH*22.9***13.1***12.5*11.0-17.5 MCHC34.4***36.5***35.6**29-36 the dates**04/2501/08***11/21/09***reference Neutrophil Seg***85*62*34***35-75 Lymphocytes**7**29*55***20-55 Monocytes5**4**5*1-4 Eosinophil***3**6**6*2-12 Basophil*0**0**0**0-1 Auto Platelet63887?343**170-600 Absol. Neutophil Seg**6630**3844**2244*2500-12500 Absol. Lymphocyte*546***1798***36301500-7000 Absol. Monocyte390*248330***0-850 Absol. Eosinophil***234***372***396*0-1500 Absol. Basophil***000**0-100 ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Just checking in...Murphy and Rosie
I've been off boards for a bit-This whole FeLV thing is so sad-reading all the new people's posts desperately seeking information and hope (like me a year and a half ago). Then reading as our sweet little babies lose their battle with this dreaded disease-Like the 4 sibling brothers I had. We have been lucky so far with Murphy and Rosie since starting the Imulan treatments last September (before they had any symptoms). Their bloodwork has been pretty good-both have HCT in the 35-39 range. We got behind in the blood testing and have an appt today because Murphy has developed a sneeze that appears to be allergies, but I cannot take a chance-so we will have them both checked and I may get brave and order another FeLV test-This is so hard financially-in a year and a half-we had the 6 kitties to the vets on numerous occasions-tried one transfusion that didn't help ($1500 for that alone) we are damned if we do and damned if we don't-it rips your heart out-we tried to treat this disease and have spent our savings - got behind and are fighting foreclosure...(over 7500 in vet bills in the past 1 1/2 yrs on the 6 kitties-and that's not the old dogs or horses) it's a disease of the heart-we were so heartbroken and desperate to save this feral litter-we loved them so muchand we weren't even cat people until we rescued them. Their sweet little faces and kitten antics...how could you resist?? Anyway-the last 2 appear to be well so far and we were at 8 weeks apart with the injections-have one dose each left and I've postponed giving it to stretch the dollars. So we are headed to our vet for check ups and blood work today. I just want to say bless you to all of you-this is a battle not won too often, but your support and kind words have helped so many of us! ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] MeMe-Jane I am sorry
She is a beauty, I am so sorry for your loss-just reading about her brings back tears and memories of our boys also-This disease is so unpredictable and horrible. She had so much love in your home and her life was cherished. I am truly sorry. Alice Flowers-Clark ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Stryker Please add to the CLS :(
Sherry-Isn't it amazing how these kitties know just how to make you love them? Stryker was so lucky to have you as his mom-it's not the length of time but the quality-you gave him his dignity and the very best of times! Alice ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Lyttle Guy passed away
James, my deepest sympathies-nothing prepares us for this sadness. You were a great dad and LG will always be with you in your heart-remember the great days, not the last days. Alice ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Bitzer Please add to the CLS :(
Sherry-bless you for giving him a chance-my boys will be waiting at the bridge to greet him. He will have so much fun with all of our kitties who are now healthy in the rainbow's light. I'll never understand this disease. Alice with Rosie and Murphy ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Mozart Update
Jason, my heart is so heavy reading about Mozart. We have suffered the sadness that you and your wife are going through with your baby. I am praying for a miracle for Mozart. We are doing well with the Imulan, but our 2 remaining cats weren't having anemia problems when we began, they were just constantly sick with one URI after another and other little illnesses. We haven't had a sniffle or cough since the end of Oct. Is he still eating and drinking? We lost 4 young brothers last year to anemia that came on so quickly-From a few days to two weeks from symptoms of anemia beginning to non-moving. They had to fed fed at the end. Everyone on this board is so awesome and caring-seems some days we are tilting at windmills-but we are all dreaming of the day this damn disease can be controlled or cured. We are all sending positive prayers vibes for your family. Alice ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] question
Aww Jane-I hope MeMe gets better quickly. I have both of mine on LTCI and they are both doing great with it. We began Rosie and Murphy the first of Sept with weekly injections and are now on 6 weeks between the injections. We just got their CBCs done last week and they both have HCTs at 39.5. We began the LCTI before they began to crash. It was right after we lost Rosie's 4 brothers to anemia before they reached a year old. Our vet, Dr. Krysta (Wozniewicz) at the Sacramento Cat Hospital has spoken to the Imulan veterinarians and says that they are very helpful. Perhaps your vet can speak with them about MeMe? Alice ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] More about Ben's Zapper treatments
Natasha-Thank you so much for sharing this with all of us desperate parents! Does the cat need restraint by you, or is he sedated during the treatments? The word Zapper brings shocking to mind, but I'm sure it's more like the treatments at the chiropractor. How does he act during the treatment-can you feel the electrical pulses? I currently have our 2 on the Imulan treatment, and they are doing really well, but this treatment sounds really exciting also. Alice ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] gassy cat
Hmmm-maybe you're hugging him too tight!! LOL! But seriously, after having the 6 positives, I began researching the food. So many popular brands, Hills included, contain carcinogens. The big baddie is Ethoxyquin-with Lymphoma a common disease of FeLV kitties, I tried to eliminate that from their diet-they are at our mercy, having to eat what we put in front of them. Just do a google search for ethoxyquin in pet food-it is shocking! I am now feeding a combination of Evo, Felidae (certain formulas, the fish meal has Ethoxyquin-so avoid that) and mainly Blue Buffalo. I think all are made with human grade ingredients and contain probiotics-my cats are less farty these days and much shinier. I wish I had known about the ingredients years ago, I lost my last 3 big dogs, 2 Aussies and a mixed breed to cancer. It was horrible to go through. I have subscribed to a site that reviews pet foods and lists all the red flag ingredients and also rates each food. Many animal fats and meat by products can mean stuff from the rendering plants-diseased animals and euthanized pets-containing the euthanasia drugs also. There have been articles on pets having horrible reactions to foods with those chemicals in it. All we can do is try, thank goodness (somedays) for the internet.It does help with research. Alice ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] gassy cat
Ahh-the true test of a mother's love! Root a toot! Just do a search on-line. Type in Evo Cat Food and it will bring up their website to click on. They all have store locators-just usually put in your zip code. I can get the Blue Buffalo brand at Petsmart or Petco along with my local feed dealer-they have a really great pet food dept with a good selection of holistic style foods. Felidae is made by the Canadae people. The others-Evo and Felidae I get at the feed store. The site that lists pet food and the ingredients is Petsumers? Reports- I think-the truth about pet food...It costs something like $17 for a year-but it has both dog and cat foods and treats listed and alerts you on food recalls and important pet news. I now have my dogs on the Blue Buffalo dry food after seeing the brands I had used had bad ingredients and by products and way too much grain and garbage. Alice ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Help - I can't get LTCI in Georgia!
I am shocked that your vet cannot order it. It's not even a drug per se. Perhaps your vet can contact another vet that can order it? My vet is the Sacramento Cat Hospital and if you google it, they have a website with all their contact info. As I type this, Rosie has Murphy in a headlock and is trying to bite his eyehe has these huge persian-like eyeballs and fluffy hair-she is a sleek tabby from a feral colony and loves to terrorize him these days even though she's half his size. I believe they'd both be dead if we hadn't begun the Imulan before they began crashing like Rosie's 4 brothers did. (The 4 brothers didn't see their 1st birthday.) These two have so much energy-galloping up and down the hall-one minute she's chasing him and then when they reverse directions-he's chasing her! I absolutely love it-not a sneeze or a sniffle since Sept, when they were constantly sick before the treatments. Rosie is 16 months old, Murphy just a few months more. I am only giving the subq injection every 6 weeks now. (It was once a week for 4 weeks in the beginning, then 2 weeks, 4 weeks etc). If I didn't have the Imulan, I have been reading alot of great things about the IV vitamin C therapy-I just read an article that said it cured a bad case of H1N1 in a human-but I didn't try to verify it-there is alot of information out there on the IV vitamin C-I do believe it is worth checking into. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Help - I can't get LTCI in Georgia! to Hotmail Junk!!!
OK-I didn't realize that we are in the same area!! How crazy is that? I live in Rio Linda (Sacramento County) with my kitties, horses and antique Aussies (all over 10 yrs old). Citrus Heights is within 15-20 minutes away. Small World! ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Bridget will be started on LTCI Gloria B. Lane
I am so excited for you! Let us know how she does. I will be giving Rosie and Murphy their 7th injection tomorrow-we are at the 6 week interval (this is the first time we have gone 6 weeks) now. I still give them the interferon. We have switched to a combination of Felidae and Blue Buffalo dry food, plus wet food morning and night right after the interferon. These two kitties are doing so well, knock on woodthey play for hours now-Plus they both fetch their soft mouse toys and wait for you to throw them-they won't stop pestering until we throw them!! Good luck with the treatments! Alice, Rosie and Murphy ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Rosie and Murphy Update-LTCI
We just got the results back from the lastest blood tests-They are still doing great on the Imulan LTCI. We began them in Sept after losing 4 kitties in 5 months (Rosie's brothers). Only one made it to a year old. They developed the anemia so quickly and died within a week of showing symptoms of slowing down. We were desperate to save the last 2 and found references to the Imulan product and begged our vet to order it for us. They have had 6 injections so far (1st 4 were a week apart, then 2 weeks apart. We are at 4 weeks apart now-the next is Dec 4th-then we go to 6 weeks apart-very easy, we give the injections at home to save money) and their HCT levels are great-they have s much more energy and race around the house-I have never seen them play so much. We didn't want to wait until they showed signs of becoming anemic to try it, I hold onto hope that maybe, just maybe they can beat this blasted disease. But they have always tested positive (4 tests in the past year) the last test June 3rd at UC Davis. I am almost afraid to get them tested again and probably won't for awhile. But their HCT levels range from 36-41 and Murphy has gained a half pound since Sept-Now up to 11 lbs 15.5 oz and little Rosie is a solid 10 lbs 1 oz-she surprises us because she is so petite-her paws look like kitten feet! But then you pick her up and get surprised, you expect maybe 5-6 pounds, not 10! Our vets are really excited about the product, this is their first experience with it. We are still giving the Interferon 1 cc orally 2x a day for good measure, since it is relatively cheap and is also somewhat anti-viral. (I'm on the fence with the Interferon...we were giving it to the other 4 that died..I think the dose is really low to have much effect on the virus when it ramps up) I am just glad we didn't wait to start. Even if we just gain months or even a year or two, it will be worth it-losing the 4 siblings in such a short time was heartbreaking. Another thing we noticed...knock on wood firstthey have not had a sneeze, vomited or had the runs since we began the LTCI, even Murphy's bad molar is pefectly fine, no gingivitus. We had open prescriptions for antibiotics in the past because of the constant infections. We are still very anxious over their health, but are beginning to relax a little bit. __._,_.___ ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Jenny-I am so sorry about Autumn
I don't know why, but I've been thinking about her and had been wondering how things have been going. I think it's the leaves changing-I look out my window to see what the old nags are doing out in their little field and see the mulberry trees turning colors and dropping leaves in the wind-I kept thinking Autumn...and then I realized you've been quiet, then I worried. I am so very sad-this #!*% disease steals our youngest from us. I lost the 4 brothers, Rosie's littermates this past year-only one made it to a year old, just barely. When I read of the Imulan product through your postings and Christy and Gray Kitty's postings-I knew I had to try and catch this before it became full blown anemia-their bloodwork at UC Davis in June was showing changes-nothing real bad, just indicators of anemia signs, little things-Murphy's and Rosie's tests said slight anisocytosis-the same as Oni who passed at 10 1/2 months (July) and Schatzi-he died right at a year old mid August. Buster and Jack had died already in May and June. My little feral litter-who knew that these sick little ones would turn our world upside down in such a short time. I pray for all our babies-it seems when they have the virus from birth or shortly after, it's almost surely a death sentence at a young age. I am glad we are trying the LCTI and we are still giving the Alpha Interferon 2x a day. They have soo much energy now-they play and play. I never knew they could be so energetic. Even if it's temporary (I am hoping it's not) it is so worth it. It's giving us time we need to have with them and not worry constantly about if this is itand I noticed, neither one has had a sniffle or a sneeze since beginning the LCTI...strange...we were constantly buying antibiotics-we had constant refills of Zithromax at the Walmart pharmacy...knock on wood-but it's been over 2 1/2 months since their vomiting and diarreah spell. Strange how a good month seems like a lifetime when your kitties have been sick most of their lives. Jenny-Autumn is in good company-she is free of this horrible disease and is running and playing with all of our kitties now-she was so loved and I know she is ok. You are a very special lady with a big heart and I appreciate all I've learned here from you. I can hear Murphy galloping around the living room, chasing Rosie (he has a little bell) and I am grateful that I have this extra time with them. I have you and the others who are the pioneers with these new products to thank. So it was not in vain. Alice ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Jenny-How is Autumn??
Just wondering how she's doing-We are into our 2nd month with the treatments and all is great with our 2. Alice ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Interferon Thoughts??
Hooray for you and your vet! I think it's a good idea. We began losing our kittens at around 7 1/2 months old. We lost 4 littermates before they hit a year old-well, the last was exactly a year old. They were a feral litter and must have been born with the virus. We began Interferon when they were about 5 months old-1cc orally once a day. After the 3rd one passed away, I read up on the anti viral qualities and it seems one dose only stays at an active level about 1/2 a day. We began giving it 2x a day and still lost another one. We have the last littermate, the only female-Rosie, a sleek tabby and another non-related male-Murphy, a cool, fluffy tuxedo polydactyl (7 toes) that was tossed into the feral group-these 2 are just over a year old. We began the Imulan last month-before the anemia hits hard-we want these 2 to live so badly. On the baseline CBCs, Rosies platelets were low-2 weeks later they were in the normal range! The other levels are coming up too-PCV are higher. They are still testing positive (4th test) They are getting so energetic and playful-I can't belive they are the same cats! Murphy loves to chase the laser pointer now-he can leap up the wall and above the light switches-he can hit the switch with his big paws and turn the lights off! Rosie is addicted to fetching her little sheepskin mousie. It's just exciting to have active cats, we never realized until now that they were rather sluggish-slept a lot. I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but every minute we have is a gift. We can't give up yet-and the Interferon is easy-they come over and wait to have their doses. The injections take just a few seconds-we are saving money by doing them at home. You can't begin soon enough to be proactive andtry and slow the virus down-when they are infected so young, they crash so quickly-our first, Buster, was playing hard one day and crashed the next with his HC at 10. Thank you for caring so much for your baby. You can learn a lot by scrolling through the earlier posts. We are all learning from each other. Alice ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Check up and 2nd CBC since beginning Imulan treatment
We have our 2nd check up and blood draw to see how they are doing on the Imulan. Rosie had a low platelet count 2 weeks ago-her baseline CBC right before she got her first shot. We'll have to find out what it means. I still have them on the Interferon twice a day. They have much more energy these days and are galloping after the laser pointer and I can hear them at night running around the living room-chasing each other up the cat trees. They are eating really well-acting as close to normal as I've ever seen. I just hope it's not the calm before the storm. I'm slowly switching their dry food from the Taste of the Wild, which I learned has preservatives that are a know carcinogenthe last thing I need when cancers are too common in FeLV cats. I joined the Petsumer site that reports on pet foods-so many have animal fats which can be fats from rendering plants-including euthanized animalsanother health issue. I think they are doing pretty good, but I can help but think of Algernon. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Amanda and Tora's passing
I am so sorry for your loss-Tora knew he was loved so very much. Lymphoma is one of my biggest fears. Tora was so young-I am glad he has his father to go with him over the bridge. This is the worst disease-stealing our young furbabies from us. Hugs Alice - Murphy and Rosie ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Just wondering-Isn't the purpose of this site for progressive treatment?
I was directed to this site because of the Mission Statement being one of progressive treatments. I don't understand the negativity towards people who opt to treat their cats with newer treatments. If you don't want to treat, that's fine-it's just really mean to knock the people who are treating and have hope still. I did just lose 4 kitty brothers in the past 6 months-I only tried to transfuse one...forgive me for wanting him to live. The last one (at just a year old) did not get that, but he screamed out while he panic-ed and couldn't breathe due to all the fluid in his chest-forgive us for having him euthanized to spare him a few hours of agony. The fluid came bubbling out his nostrils after his last breath. We probably should have gone to the movies until he passed. Why are you on a site constantly harping at and about people who are trying the products that are listed on this site as showing promise.I don't get it at all-I know you care about your pets, why can't you allow us to care for ours? What I do know is my 2 remaining cats have so much energy now-they beg to play with the laser pointer, Rosie brings her favorite mousie for us to throw so she can play fetch-are they suffering?? Quite the opposite, these 2 are having fun finally! I haven't had a cat in over 12-15 years, then rescued these 6 kittens last year-I didn't have a clue-never even knew anyone with FeLV cats. Please forgive me for wanting to learn and try and treat the disease. I did not expect this site to have all the nasty cattiness (ha-ha) of some of the other sites when I read the website's opening page-have you read it? Here is a portion of it cut and pasted from the site: Our mission in presenting the information on these web pages is intended to help those whose feline babies are not responding to traditional veterinary methods of treating feline leukemia. People should be forewarned that many vets are skeptical and will resist using these newer treatments. We urge folks that encounter such opposition to seek out another vet that is willing to administer these medications as recommended below. In July of 1997, the Central States Veterinary Conference held in Kansas City, Missouri held discussions on these newer methods and were optimistic about their use in treating FeLV+ cats. For more details on the protocols for these drugs, please review the book, The 5 minute Veterinary Consultant: Canine and Feline by Tilley and Smith 1997. Although we are not veterinarians, much of the information available here was written by veterinarians. Our sole purpose in presenting these pages is to educate people on newer, more effective treatments for feline leukemia. Ours is a not-for-profit endeavor, even though we may mention companies by name that sell some of these products. Veterinarians and researchers are encouraged to send comments and contributions for this site to me: James G. Wilson NOTICE: All materials at this website (including HTML pages, text pages, and images) are the property of the owner of this website. This includes external links to some Geocities sites, Fortunecity sites, and Prohosting sites. Under no circumstances are these pages to be copied, altered, or otherwise misrepresented. All other external links (including image links) are the property of those website owners. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Just wondering-thank you Sharyl
Finally a voice of reason and kindness...Can I afford to treat this way? No-I could have paid my 5 yr old car off in the last year's vet bills and I wouldn't be behind in my mortgage. Maybe it's menopause or empty nest syndrome...But I had a few yard sales, bought enough hay for my old horses for the winter. I still need to get some more Rimadyl for my arthritic dogs. I am still selling off stuff I don't need. I live at Walmart, BigLots and the dollar store, but I get top stuff for the cats and dogs to eat.I take peanut butter and jelly every day for lunch. I just so desperately want the last 2 to live...but if they were getting sick from the Interferon, I'd stop in a heartbeat-they come over and wait to take it. Giving antibiotics was a bigger hassle when they had URIs and Bartonella...Treating for ear mites was a pain too, but I did it-I guess I shouldn't have? If the Imulan proves to be a good treatment and enough vets use it-the price will eventually go down. I save money by doing the injections at home. I work full time, but I may have to go back to sewing in my spare time. I try and help with TNRing the ferals with a local group, network and donate food and litter to individual rescuers. Seems like the people willing to do the most-have the least. I just don't understand why people who are so adamantly against all the things this site promotes seem to ger off on bashing the people who are getting information from this site on treating their sick pets. Perhaps they can get the owners of this site to change their Mission Statement. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Whoo Hooo!! CBCs are in-Rosie and Murphy
Our vet just called-the blood tests results from this morning are back and they are both improving! Rosie's platelets are in the normal range too! She said there is a buzz in the office and they have been telling their other patients about this product and how it appears promising. We will retest in 2 weeks and will be cutting down from once weekly injections. This one tonight will only be the 3rd one. We are following the manufacturer's protocol to be sure it is effective. We did not wait for them to crash before starting the treatments, hoping to get months, not weeks-but it is looking better than that, but I am afraid to hope for too much-I am grateful for every healthy appearing day. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Interferon-Article that explains why I now give it 2x daily
Here are some excerpts from some research on Interferon-I have been giving it 2x a day-orally 1 cc to Rosie and Murphy. I had been giving it onece a day to the other 4 that passed away. I always give it right before the canned food-they both come into the kitchen and pester me, Murphy bangs the cabinet door until I get the little syringe filled. Then they sit and wait for the little squirt, Rosie will tilt her head sideways-she likes it squirted on the right side of her mouth, I don't have to force them to take it, it's just the routine. I even tasted it, just tastes like saline solutine-similar to sinus rinse or saline nasal spray. I have not noticed any side effects, except maybe lately, combined with the Imulan treatments the last 2 weeks-they are playing much more and are awake for longer periods and are looking for things to get into. They are making up for being so sick the first year. WHY IS DAILY DOSING BETTER? Jere Hough Three Times Weekly Is A Terribly Poor Way to Dose Interferon This is a great article and also discusses the development of longer acting pegylated interferons to better manage the peak and valley effects of the current generation of Interferons: “PEAKS AND VALLEYS - Because interferon has a half-life in serum of only about 7 -10 hours. This means it peaks in the body at about 12 hours and is then rapidly metabolized and excreted. At 24 hours after injection it is barely measurable. By 36 hours it is not detectable with current measurements. During this peak the is a rapid, dramatic drop in viral load. As the levels of interferons quickly drop to negligible levels at about 24 hours viral loads start rapidly climbing again. By 48 or especially 72 hours much of the gain in viral reduction has been lost. In other words, viral loads in the body fluctuate directly and rapidly along with levels of interferon in serum, and when plotted on a graph look like a sine wave, or a roller coaster. This graph, along with a description of this phenomena, can be viewed on many websites and texts on the subject, including the http://www.roche-hepc.com/ page. These peaks and valleys have been followed for days in human subjects, and are invariably similar in those who respond to IFN. As interferon levels go up viral loads go down immediately. Then as IFN levels drop, viral loads increase again rapidly. In the period from 24 to 48 hours viral loads peak to erase most of the gains made. In standard TIW dosing the increase in viral loads is even more pronounced during the 72 hour break once each week.” 1) NEVER give with food. Inteferon breaks down in the stomach with stomach acid. Always squirt it directly into the mouth where it is absorbed in the mouth and throat lining. #2) ALWAYS keep refridgerated. It's useless if it hits room temperature. Keep unused dilutions frozen until needed. It's unknown how long Interferon stays effective in the fridge. Keep unused dilutions frozen until needed. #3) It's USELESS to do on/off dosing. It MUST be given every 24 hours to maintain consistent levels in the bloodstream. (See excerpts below regarding peaks and valleys). It must be kept in the blood at all times. On/Off protocols are worthless because it progresses forward in times of no intervention. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Fw: Big Prayers for Lukey and Sally
I am saying multiple, multiple prayers for you both!! How many injections has he had so far? We just gave the 2nd one Friday night to Rosie and Murphy. We had lost Rosie's 4 brothers within a 5 month period and they were so young, 6 1/2 months to just turned a year old. We had tried a transfusion that went badly on the 2nd brother. We've had them on Interferon for a long time and now are giving it 2 times a day-it just slows the virus down, but it is ever advancing. We didn't wait for our last two to crash...we know it's coming. We begged our vet to order the Imulan and she did. They are as anxious as we are to see how it goes. Yes, we all know it is just an Aid, as everyone here does. It is posted as such on the Imulan website. What I do know is that Rosie and Murphy are playing much more and much harder-they fly around the house-up and down the cat trees and are now chasing each other-something they haven't done before. They have spent 85% of their short lives on antibiotics for one infection after another. In June and July, I thought Murphy was going to die-he was vomiting and had diarreah so bad- 2 courses of Zithromax and he pulled through. After watching Schatzi-the last brother to pass, struggle to breathe as his lungs filled with fluid and he cried out over and over-his heart rate through the roof and he was panting-his little ribs and chest heaving to get oxygenno, this is the hardest thing to go through as a parentdriving in the middle of the night again to UC Davis to release him from his agony like his 3 brothers before him-a monthly ritual. I didn't ask for a litter of sick feral kittens a year ago, but it is what I got. I didn't ask to fall in love with these 6 kittens, but we did-and thank goodness, my husband, my son and his wifewere as smitten as I am. I HAVE TO TRY to save these last 2 and I don't want to be told basically that I am a fool. I work long hard days, we are already struggling-but we CHOOSE to buy the Imulan and we are saving money by administering the shots at home. Our vet will work with us on the CBCs every 2 weeks (Rosie's platelets were low last week) -and this treatment is way cheaper than a transfusion. Bless all who are staying hopeful and positive that someday we will find a Treatment Aid that helps these poor babies. Alice ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] First Doses of Imulan For Murphy Rosie
We have our fingers crossed!! We arrived at our vet's office right after the shipment arrived. Rosie and Murphy had their exams and blood drawn for baselines-CBCs and their 3rd FeLV tests. We have previous tests from June 3rd this year also. Those tests showed that Murphy's levels were changing (similar to Schatzi's who just passed less than a month ago). We are really concerned for our last 2 cats because Rosie (tabby) is the only female of the litter of 5-her 4 brothers have passed away in the last 5 months from severe anemia. She has just turned a year old last month-she insists on a game of fetch several times a day with her lamb's wool mouse. (she has plucked most of the wool off and I can't find another one.) Murphy is a semi long haired, polydactyl, tuxedo boy with 7 toes on each front foot and a spare on each hind foot-He was dumped into the feral colony that Rosie and her brothers came from. He is the sweetest boy, so playful and just wants to hang out with you-he follows you around like a dog. He looks like he has Ov-Gloves on! Anyway-this disease seems like a switch is flipped on and there is nothing we can do to save them-we are hoping that using this product before the symptoms of anemia appear will give us some chance of them surviving for a long time. Maybe by taking a proactive approach we will be able to turn the odds a little. We are beginning with one injection a week for a month, then every two weeks...to once a month. Blood will be drawn every two weeks at first. We had the first injections at the vet's office today (the tech did Murphy's and she watched while I gave Rosie's). I will be giving the remaining 8 doses at home to save costs. We'll have the blood test results back Monday. Say a little prayer for us. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] IMULAN
After hearing about this product-I called our vet here in Sacramento and she agreed to order it for us. I want to try it because we lost the 4th kitty this morning-my son drove him to UC Davis emergency early this morning because he was struggling to breath and crying out. Out of the 5 kittens in the litter-Schatzi is the 4th brother to pass in 41/2 months-he just turned a year old this month- we even tried a transfusion that Jack had a reaction to and was euthanized (over $1500). Buster, the first to die-screamed out...Oni died in Corey's arms. I still have the sister, Rosie and another cat-Murphy, the tuxedo polydactyl that was dumped into the feral colony that the litter came from-he was positive also. So why do I want to try this product? I have HOPE that it may prolong Rosie and Murphy's lives-These 6 have been on antibiotics most of their lives-Finally now it's been a good month and a half without them, maybe we've turned a corner. We have upped them to Interferon 2x a day. When the FeLV switch gets tripped-they just crash so fast. If we can postpone it for months or years.that's great. We are down to 2 cats left out of 6-we have cried rivers of tears, and spent over 6 grand-and we weren't cat people a year ago. How do we know it will work? We don'tbut if we don't try, no one will know. What I do know is that Rosie is due to die soon-being from the same litter, she is due to crash with anemia like all her brothers. But I have HOPE, otherwise I should just euthanize the last 2 now and call it a day. Rosie and Murphy are racing up and down the hallway and up the cat trees right now-they are healthy (appearing), loving and happy. They are a year old-I think they deserve to live longer. Alice, Rosie and Murphy ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Sherry Mo
My deepest condolences.we all share your loss of a lovely boy. He is surely making friends with 3 of my boys, littermates that passed in the last 3 1/2 months. All of our babies are playing in the garden by the bridge, no bug is safe! hugs Alice ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
