I wonder if there is a way to test for an antibody titer level in Cricket as well as my other two adult cats?
I actually have considered using Feliway for Cricket's dislike of Cotton. I wonder if anyone has had luck with it? I find I have been able to lessen the frequency of her attacks on him by modifying my own behavior. Cricket gets her treat first before Cotton, even if he asks first. Also I changed a few things around in my kitchen, so that she can put more space between herself and Cotton if they both want to look out the window. I have seeds outside for squirrels and birds. They seem to spend more time enjoying "Cat TV" than chasing each other around. I also made Cricket a special hammock in the chair she likes to sleep in, which she loves. I also try not to correct Cotton so much by talking to him in front of her. And I have been trying to give her more one on one time. And finally, I try not to hug on Cotton when Cricket is around. All of these things seem to make a difference in her. I would say she is after him....25% less in the last week. I think if I keep it up, the situation will continue to improve. Jenn, thanks again for all the suggestions. Sandy ----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, November 05, 2005 10:11 PM Subject: Re: Introduction > If Cricket previously tested positive, and on retest is negative (WE HOPE SO!), NO I > would NOT booster her with the FELV vaccine, as it will put excess strain on her > already over-worked immune system, and could UNDO her effective natural immune > response to the virus. If she had it, and then doesn't have it on retest, then she > will likely be naturally immune (or at least it proves her body is WORKING on the > immune response). You should repeat the tests in 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months, > and then once a year after that, to be sure her result stays the same, or to know if > it changes. Some cats have gone on and off with their results, being first positive, > then negative, then positive, then negative. What you should do is keep giving her > the Interferon-A (the oral kind available in the USA), and keep her as stress-free > and healthy as possible. Stress is a big factor in proper immune responses and > fighting the FELV. Limit vet visits and other stressors as much as possible, if she > doesn't get along with the other cats, or seems stressed at home, get a feliway > comfort zone diffuser, it releases cat pheromones that induce calmness and reduce > stress in cats. Some people swear by an oral homeopathic remedy called "rescue > remedy", you can find that at most health food stores or natural foods co-ops. I > believe you just add a few drops to the water bowl (someone will correct me if I am > wrong there). And of course, switch slowly over to a good premium food, but don't do > it too quickly, add a little of the new food to the old one day at a time, until two > weeks later, you've made the switch completely. > > In addition... if possible, you should contact the caretaker of the feral colony that > Kuma was hanging out with, and let him/her know that a FELV positive cat was known to > be socializing with the colony. That person deserves to know, and will be able to > keep a closer eye out for symptoms in the colony, and possibly to reduce some > suffering in the colony. Most feral caretakers do not routinely test for FELV and > FIV, but if you tell them it's likely to be there, some will want to test and remove > the positives. It's certainly something that person should be notified of, so he/she > can make that judgment call him/herself. I would be more than happy to speak to this > person via email if they need or want more info. (I have feral and FELV experience, > luckily not both at the same time, my ferals are negative) > > Jenn > http://ucat.us > http://ucat.us/domesticcatlinks.html > Adopt a cat from UCAT rescue: > http://ucat.us/adopt.html > Adopt a FIV+ cat: > http://ucat.us/AWrescue/FIV/ > "Saving one animal won't make a difference in the world, but it will make a world of > difference for that one animal." > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~ > I collect KMR kitten formula labels for Bazil, a 3 yr old special needs cat who must > live on a liquid diet for the rest of his life. > Bazil's caretaker collects labels and sends them to KMR, where they add up until she > earns a free can of formula! > PLEASE save your KMR kitten formula labels for Bazil! > > If you use KMR, even just one can, please email me for the NEW address to send them > to! > > > > -- > No virus found in this outgoing message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.12.8/161 - Release Date: 11/3/2005 > >
