Hello Beckie,
I haven't been participating in the group lately, (just too
overwhelmed), but I poked my head in and saw your post. I'm so sorry
that Moe is having such a hard time! We all know how frustrating and
discouraging it can be to watch our furkids suffer and not be able to
come up with something to help them. I'm not familiar with Moe's
particular symptoms. Felv is such a devil of a disease in that it
effects each cat so differently. You never know what to expect from it
because it's not the condition itself, but the fact that it hampers
their immune response and leaves them vulnerable to cancers and things
that a neg cat might be able to more easily fight off. Moe's weak point
seems to be his skin.
One thing you can do for both your felv cats is help boost their immune
systems with supplements. Things like vitamins, interferon A, transfer
factor, colostrum, l-lysine etc might help him fight off whatever is
effecting his skin. Did your vet put Moe on antibiotics for his eye
infection? What kind? Salmon oil, (high in Omega 3), can help with
inflammation, but there are times when you have to haul out the big
guns, (steroids), to get it under control. It sounds like you may need
to seek out the help of someone more qualified to help you deal with
this. I'm sure your vet is doing everything they can, but a gp type vet
doesn't usually have the experience necessary and may not be willing to
do the research to help resolve each issue as it arises. I would look
for a board certified Internist and make sure that they are encouraging
about treating cats with felv.
Poor little Moe sounds like he's having a hard time emotionally as well
as physically. I'm not sure that getting rid of the odor from his
accidents will stop his improper elimination problems. You must be a
wreck too. That can't be helping either of you. Take a deep breath.
Resolve to do everything in your power to help Moe be more comfortable
and to bring him back to health. Let him know that everything you are
doing, no matter how uncomfortable or scary it is in the short term, is
aimed at helping him ultimately feel better. Know that there is only so
much we can do when it comes to this horrid disease and don't beat
yourself up for not knowing everything. Take it one step at a time and
be sure to spend as much quiet "quality" time with Moe as you can. Keep
telling him that you will stick by him, that you love him and that you
are grateful that he choose you to see him through this.
Blessings to you and your family, I hope that you and Moe find the
answers you need very soon,
Nina
Hi everyone.
My name is Beckie. I'm 25 and live in Iowa with my boyfriend and 3 cats
(2 of whom are FLV positive). I'm hoping you guys can help me.
I have a cat named Moe and he's about 3 and has FLV. About 3 weeks ago,
I noticed some bumps around his neck and on his back, and he started to
lose his hair. I took him to the vet, and she said it was an
environmental allergy, gave him some meds and sent us home. Well the
meds just made him worse, so the next week I took him back, and this
time he had a severe infection in his eye and tapeworms. This time,
different meds, and ointment for his eye. STILL not better.
This time I took him in to the vet and told them I wasn't leaving until
he was better. That was Wed. They gave him a shot for the tapeworms,
Frontline for some fleas, his eye was better so more ointment, and Sat.
he seemed fine. Now today when we woke up he had gone to the bathroom in
the kitchen (which he did when he was originally really sick), and as
soon as he sees either one of us, he runs and hides. He also has FLV.
I'm worried sick, and don't know what to do. Anyone else here ever deal
with something like this?
Also, what's the best way to clean up the mess in the kitchen? I want to
eliminate the odor so he won't go in there again!
Thanks so much!
Beckie >
- Re: Hi everyone. New here. Need help with my kitty please. Nina
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