Hi Jane,
I have used both feline interferon omega, (injectable, non FDA approved,
expensive), and human interferon Alpha, (oral, easily obtained,
inexpensive). As far as I know I was the first list member to procure a
special FDA dispensation for the fio and I have to say, I was
disappointed at the results. While I do believe that it helps with
symptoms the great hope I had for it as a "cure" was dashed. I do
suspect that it might be something that would help those cats first
exposed to throw the virus, but at least anequdotally, it doesn't seem
to help them reconvert once the virus has taken hold. If the darn stuff
wasn't so expensive and hard to get I'd consider it a valuable tool in
our arsenal, as things stand, I just don't know. IA on the other hand
is something that I would always keep on hand and feel is worth using,
(that is what I was suggesting the last time I brought up your using
interferon for MeMe). It's easy to administer and it does seem to help
most cats, at the very least, feel better.
I have never personally used Immuno-Regulin, but the reports from list
members are enough to convince me that it is worth a shot, (no pun
intended), when symptoms are not alleviated with more common treatments
like antibiotics. There have been several accounts of it helping with
symptoms of infection like fever spikes. From what I understand, it is
a bacteria that when introduced causes a boost in immune response that
also helps battle current unexplained symptoms. The recommended
protocol is IV injection, but at least one of our list members had good
results using it subq and Best Friends uses it IM on a monthly bases for
their felv+ cats. Have you discussed using it with your vet? You might
point her to the vets at Best Friends since you seem fortunate enough to
have a vet that is willing to research options.
What type of antibiotic has MeMe been prescribed? There are so many
different abx out there you may not have hit on the right one to help
with her symptoms. Have you tried the broad spectrum abx like Baytril
and/or Doxi?
I am sending prayers and good thoughts that the recent lump you
discovered has dissipated by now and that it was nothing more than a
stubbornly swollen lymph node.
Hugs to both you and MeMe,
Nina
Jane Lyons wrote:
I am trying to decide what the best treatment would be for
my cat (MeMe) who has 'moderate, but improving symptoms' of FeLV.
(we are having success with stomatitis and giardia, but still have some
swollen glands and a runny nose).
I asked one vet that I use to order Virbagen Omega for me.
This is her response to my request:
Jane, The info on this is not encouraging. Besides the expense, the
European vets don't feel it's a cure all. Here's a brief summary of
the one study: J vet Int Med July-Aug 2004. "Therapeutic Effects of
recombinant feline interferon-omega on felv-infected and felv/fiv
infected symptomatic cats"
Recombinant feline interferon omega or felv and felv/fiv cats
compared to 42 controls, 39 Ifn treated cats at 9 ms, mortality was
39% in the Ifn cats, 59% in controls; at 1yr, mortality was 47% v.59%.
Ifn treatment gave minor but consistent improvement in blood
parameters (rbc count, wbc count).
So: statistical improvement but half still died by 1 year. Dr.E
I have just read an article that was referenced on the Feline Leukemia
site by Dr. Karen Thomas who was
promoting the use of ImmunoRegulin. The article is not dated, and it
is not clear if the information is current,
or if there is any connection to interferon.
Is there anyone who has experience with these treatments, or could
direct me to someone who does?
Thanks very much
Jane
