Rebecca: Please remember I am totally new, and I might be wrong, so please keep in mind that I am learning along side you. Here are some of my thoughts.
Hm...in my experience with Cotton becoming sick with GI symptoms recently, the ER vet said that with all FeLV+ cats, they can NOT be treated like a normal cat, and it should be assumed that any GI symptoms relate to the underlying FeLV+ status. The reasoning I was given is because of the lymph nodes in their abdomen are usually the first to become involved. On the other hand, how wonderful is it that Brooklyn is feeling better! I might be inclined NOT to give medication, in fear that they might worsen his symptoms if he is on the upswing. I think I might wait to see if he can recover on his own, and perhaps support with plain yogurt, or probiotics. But that is my opinion only. Does anyone agree? Also, and I'm thinking it's because of the difference in our cats' ages, (Cotton is under a year old), but both vets I talked to about neuter were very reluctant to put Cotton under anesthesia of any kind, especially so soon after an episode of illness. So I'm interested in others' experienced viewpoint on this matter as well. And finally, I'm wondering if some bloodwork might have been in order, definitely a cbc, and a basic metabolic to see how his kidneys/liver function is, because nausea and vomiting can be symptoms of kidney or liver problems. Just my thoughts. Someone please correct me if I'm noticing red flags unneccessarily, and I'm way off base, please correct me. ----- Original Message ----- From: "veggiepugs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, November 26, 2005 12:59 PM Subject: Brooklyn's vet visit > Well, Brooklyn went to the vet today for an exam and to see about the G.I. issues he's been having since last night. > Dr. said that there's no way he could know whether the diarrhea and vomiting are just a GI upset or if it's FeLV > causing it. FeLV is so confusing. He just explained it all to me and it helped some but the more he talked about it, the > more my brain fried. > > Brooklyn was feeling a little better late around 2am as he asked for food and then wanted breakfast this morning > which he was sure to rush me on. The vet says he looks good, he didn't feel any masses or see anything clearly wrong > with Brooklyn and said he was going to treat these symptoms the same way he would with any other cat. So, he gave > me Flagyl and Fimotidine. I know what Flagyl is for but I'm about to look up the other one. I had so many questions > that I was still asking more as the vet was walking out the door. There was so much information flying at me all at > once that I think I need a nap now. lol. He also said that Brooklyn COULD possibly be younger than 5 as he doesnt > see any tartar/plaque on his teeth really and he's also small but said that could be as a result of being a stray. > > He said that he would absolutely recommend that I get him neutered so as to prevent any other possible conditions > for the FeLV to cause and he said something about helping to ease stress by calming his hormones, something to that > effect. He said he is more at risk than a healthy kitten without FeLV but he said the procedure literally takes 5 minutes > from start to finish and that if Brooklyn gets better from this in 3-4 weeks he would definitely suggest that. He said he > also recommends at least some 5 in one vaccine for Brooklyn which I don't understand if he's an indoor cat. He said > rabies is mandatory by state law but that he doesn't vaccinate his cats for it (he told me not to tell so shhh...lol). So, > I have questions for all you wonderful knowledgable FeLV+ cat parents. > > 1. Should I vaccinate and if so which yes and which no? > 2. Should I neuter? The vet gave what I felt was a good argument, so I'm leaning towards yes. > 3. Are these medications ok for him to take? > 4. Should I have had him retested for FeLV+ again? > 5. Someone mentioned a specific kind of anesthesia but i couldn't remember what it was to ask about it. Anyone? > > So, we don't know if these symptoms are FeLV related but he said the only thing I can do is watch and see. If it is, he > said he will probably feel sick on and off until finally he doesn't get well. :( But he said that could be 2 weeks from > now, 2 months from now or 10 years from now and there's no way to tell. He said doubtful 2 weeks based on his > overall appearance and exam. Anyhow, that's all for now. > > Any and all information is so appreciated. Thanks so much everyone! > Hugs, > Rebecca & B-man >
