It's a personal decision, Brenda, but ultimately you need to have a vet you trust and have confidence in. >From what you've said about this vet, she doesn't meet the standard. Also, run >as fast as you can from any vet whose first suggestion on hearing "FeLV" is >euthanization.
My vet had only ever dealt with one FeLV cat in the past (and I think the owner wanted euthanization--I can't be sure); but he jumped into top gear when he realized that I wanted to do everything I could to help my sick FeLV cat. He quickly did his research, and also asked me to send any new info I found on the felv website! Another vet in the same clinic--I couldn't always see my vet in an emergency--was cut from the same cloth, and although e.g. she had never used immunoregulin, she was keen to learn about it and work with me to try to save one of mine who had become symptomatic (non-regenerative anemia, in this case--there are several ways in which FeLV cats typically succumb. So you need someone who demonstrates that s/he's both highly competent and enthusiastic about working with you to do the best for Spazzy. I would not worry about checking blood counts as a matter of course. The important thing is to be on the lookout for abnormal behavior. For example, if Spazzy were to stop eating. Or begin eating his litter (a sign of anemia). Or become withdrawn---hiding, or turning his back on the room for prolonged periods. Or no longer interested in playing. Cats sleep a lot anyway---has he begun sleeping for an abnormal amount of time? What exactly makes you think he's not feeling well--can you be specific? Keep giving him those cuddles! Kerry -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Brenda Waterson Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2008 4:06 PM To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Stray Kitty I took in tests positive Kerry, THANK YOU SO MUCH!! I appreciate your kind words and input I now feel hopeful! I will try the Vita- Mineral mix recipe. I don't believe Spazzy has cancer although the Vet hasn't done any further testing. That was one of my first questions to the Vet ...isn't this like cancer? And she said no it's like AIDS in a person, it weakens the immune system. She said it's not the disease that will kill him it will be the leukemia. I agree with you, I feel at this point it would be worth looking for a new Vet for Spazzy one who is familiar with feline leukemia. Do you think I should call around and ask how familiar they are or how many cats they treat yearly with this immune deficiency? I will try my best to make him as happy as I possibly can, he does seem happy to be loved, and in a warm home not too mention, but I notice he sleeps allot. Is this common? I'm sure he's not feeling very well either. I'm sorry you've lost kitty's to this , my condolenses. Should he be checked every so often for blood counts? _____________________________________________________________________________ IRS CIRCULAR 230 NOTICE. Any tax advice expressed above by Mayer Brown LLP was not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by any taxpayer to avoid U.S. federal tax penalties. If such advice was written or used to support the promotion or marketing of the matter addressed above, then each offeree should seek advice from an independent tax advisor. This email and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. _______________________________________________ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
