Hi Wendy - just wanted to update you on Mandy. She is doing very well--my
own vet examined her and contacted a animal ophthamologist in regard to her
eyes. Dr. King (the ophthamologist) said she had not come across the exact
eye problem Mandy has but uses Prednisolone Acetate Ophthalmic Suspension
for all her leukemia-positive patients who exhibit eye problems. So, I am
to put drops in Mandy's eyes three times per day for two weeks.
Mandy is a very happy little cat (has gained some weight on the PetGuard
food) and has no symptoms other than the eye problems.
----- Original Message -----
From: "wendy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, July 29, 2007 2:38 PM
Subject: To Pat and Mandy
Pat,
It's possible Mandy's vision will return to normal when you figure out
what's causing the vision loss. Don't give up hope for that. I have not
seen any vision loss directly related to FeLV here in the past year and a
half, nor have I read anything about that. I have seen FeLV linked to
Uveitis. It's very important that it be diagnosed so that it can be
treated, if this is the case. Here is a good link to it:
http://www.animaleyecare.net/diseases/uveitis.htm
We think Uveitis is what caused Smookie to lose her eye before we adopted
her. Either that or conjuncitivis:
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=1&cat=1344&articleid=250
I'm really concerned that the vet just chalked up the vision issue to FeLV.
FeLV is a virus that surpresses the immune system. It allows other diseases
and conditions to develop. Those must be treated. Cat's don't die from
FeLV. They die from the diseases that develop from a weakened immune system
caused by FeLV. That's why I said bloodwork might be good. Whatever you
do, pursue this eye issue and get it cleared up or at least get it
diagnosed. It is not directly caused by the FeLV. So many of us here have
trusted our vet's opinion/diagnosis only to our cat's detriment. Yes, we
think vet's are great, but doing your own research will go a long way in
making sure your furbaby stays healthy. I have personally experienced my
own vet being wrong at least three times in the past few years. At least
one of those times would have cost my kitty his life had I not persisted and
kept asking questions. There are others here who can tell you those same
stories.
It's great that you have such a good relationship with your vet. It's hard
to find a good vet, or at least one that will listen to the opinions of
their customers. We have found that so many vets are not up-to-date on
FeLV, and many still recommend pts at first diagnosis. It's good your vet
did not do that.
Let me know what your vet says when you go see him again. I am curious to
see what he says about the vision issue.
:)
Wendy
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change
the world - indeed it is the only thing that ever has!" ~~~ Margaret Meade
~~~
----- Original Message ----
From: Pat Kachur <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Sunday, July 29, 2007 1:14:59 PM
Subject: Re: Valtrex toxic for cats or effective FeLV treatment
We "think" Mandy has only had the virus for about 5 months--but only because
the vision problem began at that time so it is really just a guess. The vet
said that the virus may attack most any part of the cat and he has seen
other cases where it did attack the vision. Thanks for the advice re dosage
of lysine. I am starting her on it today.
Also purchased some PetPromise food at Whole Foods this morning. I see
there is advice in one of these threads from a veterinarian regarding cats
getting enough protein and enough water in their diet--the list mentioned
two others Whole Foods sells so I am going to get some of those, too. So
far, she'll wolf down just about anything.
I did not see my "regular" vet who is also my friend as he is on vacation
until Thursday. When he returns, I am going to discuss Mandy with him--as I
think he is the world's best!! (Possibly a little biased.)
Pat
----- Original Message -----
From: "wendy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, July 29, 2007 2:06 PM
Subject: Re: Valtrex toxic for cats or effective FeLV treatment
Hey Pat,
When we started Smookie on the lysine (no additives; can cause problems), we
gave her 500 mg. capsules that we opened and mixed in with her wet food
twice a day. So she was getting 1000 mg per day. Lysine is an amino acid,
and it interferes with the virus's ability to replicate. Since your furbaby
is only 5 lbs., you might consider sticking with 250 mg. 2x per day. Also,
even though your kitty is almost 5 years old, she still can throw the virus,
depending on when she was exposed. Some even throw the virus a long time
after exposure, but that's more rare. Since your kitty has the
vision/hearing issues, have you done blood work on her? Hypertension can
cause overeating and vision problems. You might have to ask specifically
for a high blood pressure test. Does the vet know why she has loss of
vision?
:)
Wendy
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change
the world - indeed it is the only thing that ever has!" ~~~ Margaret Meade
~~~
----- Original Message ----
From: Pat Kachur <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Sunday, July 29, 2007 12:44:15 PM
Subject: Re: Valtrex toxic for cats or effective FeLV treatment
Wendy - I adopted just 3 days ago an almost five-year old cat who is FeLv
positive. (Didn't know it until I took her for testing the next day.) She
has no outward symptoms except partial loss of vision (and possibly some
hearing loss). Other than that, she is lively, playful and eats like a
small horse. Could you tell me how much lysine I should give her? I have
bought some at the Whole Foods store but, of course, it only gives human
dosage. She is very small--less than 5 lbs.
Thank you.
Pat
----- Original Message -----
From: "wendy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, July 29, 2007 11:16 AM
Subject: Re: Valtrex toxic for cats or effective FeLV treatment
Hi Quentin,
Welcome to the group.
Bad idea on the Valtrex. Don't give your kitty any medication that your vet
has not recommended. I have never heard of Valtrex being used on cats.
Asparin and Ibuprofen are also no-no's, FYI. I have a cat that was
diagnosed with feline herpes and had a bad corneal ulcer that we could not
get rid of with the meds the vet gave us, including antivirals. She only
had one eye to begin with and we almost lost the other one! We finally
started giving her 500 mg 2x per day of lysine with no additives (especially
propynol glycol, which can cause blood issues) into her wet food and the
ulcer went away! It was wonderful! So I definitely recommend lysine for
any kitties with viruses.
Your kitty has about a 40% chance to fight off this virus and seroconvert.
Give her about 3 months before you retest her again with an IFA test. Which
test did the vet do on her? Elisa or IFA? Elisa can give a false positive
and is what most vets use in-house. You might ask your vet about this.
Also, feeding her a high quality diet with supplements like lysine, and
keeping her environment stress-free and the two most important factors in
helping kitty to seroconvert and keeping the virus at bay if she doesn't.
Even if your kitty does not seroconvert, there are some kitties who live
long lives, especially if these two factors are taken care of. There is a
kitty at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary that is FeLV+ and 22 yrs. old!
:)
Wendy
Dallas, TX
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change
the world - indeed it is the only thing that ever has!" ~~~ Margaret Meade
~~~
----- Original Message ----
From: Quentin Sonnier <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, July 29, 2007 1:42:17 AM
Subject: Valtrex toxic for cats or effective FeLV treatment
I have a sweet little black with white tip
girl and I took her to the vet to get treated and wormed. We had her tested
and she had a very faint positive for FeLV. I've been reading up on
treatments and anti virals and I was wondering if it would be a good/ bad
idea to give her low dose of valtrex? Any help or ideas would be greatly
appreciated. The kitten is about 4 months old and VERY energetic.
Quentin Sonnier
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