I'm so sorry to hear about Torri, I know how hard it is, as we all
do. Just thought I'd put out my 2c.
For low dose oral interferon, what I've read is that it's unlikely
that the kitty will develop a "tolerance" to it, unlikely that it
will lose effect. One theory (note just a theory) is that the FELV
kitty isn't producing his own interferon, and this is merely a
supplement for what's not there.
However, once they're ill, meaning once the virus has mutated into a
new form of virus, what I've read is that it's not going to reverse
the illness and kill / or cut back on the virus. Kitty will progress
thru the illness unless there's something else (unknown) that can
stop the virus.
I would personally guess the interferon *may* help to maintain
whatever health kitty has - and this is not to be taken lightly. But
not reverse the illness. But... taking him off interferon might
escalate illness. I've had two cats die within a couple of weeks
after stopping daily low-dose oral interferon. Think I was giving .5cc daily.
I've also read that oral low-dose interferon is an immune system
"modulator", note a booster necessarily. Immunoregulin is an immune
system booster, and I don't know much about it other than it can help
in other situations.
My take, IMHO, Blessings,
Gloria
At 06:37 PM 4/13/2007, C & J wrote:
He's been on the interferon for about 2.5 weeks at 1cc per day. It
doesn't look like its ever helped him though, since his PCV was at
19 before I started using it, and has been going down ever since.
Cassandra
----- Original Message -----
From: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>Hideyo Yamamoto
To: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Friday, April 13, 2007 6:11 PM
Subject: RE: Well, it looks like i'm going to lose Tomi :(
How long are you giving him interferon? If it's been for a few
weeks, is it possible that it is losing effect from antibody?
----------
From:
<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of C & J
Sent: Friday, April 13, 2007 5:08 PM
To: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Well, it looks like i'm going to lose Tomi :(
I took Tomi to the vet today to have his PCV rechecked. He's been
lethargic again lately. The PCV has gone down to 11 from 17 in the
last week and a half.
I just don't understand it. After his transfusion, his blood count
went up on its own from 13, to 17, then 19. Now in the last few
weeks, its gone down to 17, and now 11.
I've been giving him prednisone again for the last week and a half,
and now all the vet could suggest was to up his prednisone from 1 to
2 tablets a day.
I guess his hemobartonella wasn't the only problem with his
blood. The vet says that its likely his bone marrow is shutting
down, and she didn't think another transfusion would be worth it.
I don't know what the heck else to do. Maybe I should stop his
interferon while giving him the prednisone.
This is so hard, just when I had a glimmer of hope that he might
actually pull through this, now my hope is pretty much gone :( It's
such a feeling of desperation to see him slowly getting worse, and
not being able to do anything about it.
Cassandra
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