Thank you Tad and Nina for your quick responses.
I did read about Spencer's reaction to Interferon and as (I believe it was Michelle) pointed out last week FeLV+ cats are 600 times more likely to get Lymphoma, it makes me a little nervous, though Satch isn't showing signs of anything more than a cold, but I'd hate to help out the big, bad that lives under the bed. From what I've heard though, it seems like Interferon is accepted to help more than hinder, if it does either.
I like your suggestion Tad of putting both on it. Why would you stop at signs of a URI? Just too much going on at that point?
Nina, how long has Spencer been in your mix? When will you retest the others?
Thank you!
Leslie
Message: 3
Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2006 11:37:57 -0700
From: Nina < [EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: Interferon questions - after some venting
To: [email protected]
Message-ID: < [EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
My understanding about the reasoning behind the pulse method protocol,
(7 days on 7 days off), is because the oral interferon, (Interferon
Alpha), is actually a human interferon, (derived from human dna, rather
than feline). After extended use, the cats develop an immunity to it
and it is no longer effective. The feline interferon, (Interferon
Omega), can only be given by subq injections. It's expensive and
difficult to get because it has not been approved for use by the US FDA,
but it is supposed that the same concerns about it losing it's
effectiveness don't apply.
When I had pos kitties on Interferon A, I would give it to them whenever
they were presenting with symptoms. Upping the dose according to how
they were feeling, (the usual recommended dose is 1 cc daily). Did you
see my latest post about Interferon and Spencer this morning?
As far as mixing... I am reluctantly conducting an experiment here to
test my trust in the difficulty of transmitting felv to healthy cats.
Spencer has been mixed since he arrived here about 7 mos ago. Since
he's been sick, I haven't confined him, (mostly because it stresses him
out more than most cats). I've been putting food in front of him every
few hours and he's doing that thing that so many sickly cats do...
picking up pieces of food and spitting them back out again. I've been
trying to pick up any food, but I don't want to take it away from Spence
before I'm absolutely sure he won't get any more down. I've caught
other kitties eating from his dishes, they're all sharing water dishes
and litterboxes. If after this, no one becomes pos, then I'll be able
to feel even more confident that it's not easily transmitted through
causal contact. If anyone else in my house turns up pos after this, I
won't have to worry about stressing out over my life anymore. Right
after I write to you people about it, I'll be executing a murder/suicide
pact with my entire household. I haven't decided if I should include
Bruce in that pact yet.
Nina
Tad Burnett wrote:
> Hi Leslie
> Somebody correct me if I am wrong here...
> Interferon is an immune system booster...
> The problem is that if you use it too much
> the immune system can become totally dependent on it...
> Most vets agree that 7 days on and 7 days off is the best
> compromise...
> It is diluted in water and tastes just like water...
> Best given orally by syringe and usually not a problem to
> give to tame cats.. Others mix it with canned food...
>
> Some people have found that it work with neg. cats
> with URI that won't go away...
> If it were me I would give it right away to both
> kites until any sign of a bug is present and many
> people believe any pos kitties should stay on it
> all the time.. Its not very expensive and easy to
> give so why not....
> Tad
