My Dexter has been on interferon since October and the only effect I've ever noticed is that on the weeks he is on it, he is ever so slightly less energetic. I've never seen him act nauseated because of it. In Cali's situation, there are so many things that could be impacting her breathing and the nausea. Perhaps the smacking of the lips is an indication that she doesn't like the salty taste of the interferon? If possible, try to avoid getting it on her tongue and aim for the roof of her mouth or cheek. The interferon needs to get to her tonsils for absorption - either way, I'm sure she'll grow accustomed to taking it - Dexter has gotten to the point where he gets on the kitchen counter at the same time every day to take his dose - I think these kitties are able to put together that the bad tasting stuff makes them feel better.
As far as the rapid breathing is concerned, Dexter is having that problem now, actually... It's more than likely him experiencing stress from being to the vet 4 times this week, but any stress can cause it. Cali needs a safe spot where she can stay cool and keep from allowing any stress in your house (loud noises, the other kitty) to scare her. She should calm down and begin breathing more easily once she is relaxed. We started Dex on the lymphocyte t-cell immunomodulator yesterday. He's been taking immunoregulin for a week as well, though the doc recommended that we not give it to him yesterday as the iV injection was seriously stressing him. Today, I'm regretting not having given it to him as he is more lethargic than he has been all week and he looks as though he feels terrible. Dex had managed not to lose any weight during the last few weeks and had started showing signs that his red cell count was improving. Not the case today. He will be getting dose two of LTCI on Monday - I'm hoping he starts showing some better signs this weekend. On Jun 25, 2011, at 2:12 PM, Natalie <[email protected]> wrote: > IF Interferon causes nausea, perhaps you could get some anti-nausea pills > from the vet and crush into her food, something she would really like. > Natalie > > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] > [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected] > Sent: Saturday, June 25, 2011 2:58 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Cali - 7 month old kitten - Update > > Hi Everyone: > > I took Cali to Dr. Wright here in Dallas as Lakewood Vet Hospital. He is > very compassionate and took a lot of time trying to explain what was going > on. He agreed that it was highly unlikely that Sasha would get the virus > since Cali had probably had the virus from birth and they have always been > indoors. Sasha has been vaccinated and she also tested negative on Monday > of this week. > > He is doing a IFA test to be sure of Cali's situation. He drew blood on > Wednesday, but then his office called yesterday and said that I needed to > bring Cali back in because the lab (or someone) messed up the test, and it > had to be redone. So I still don't know the results. > > He wanted to start her on 1cc of Interferon Alpha 2B (1X a day for 7 days > and then 1 time a week for thereafter). > > She ate really well yesterday all day long but is still really tired and > basically wanted to eat, drink water, and sleep. > > Last night, before I started the Interferon, she started breathing with > short, fast, breaths. She was still eating and drinking well, just seemed to > be breathing more abruptly than normal. I went ahead and started her on the > medication, but now this morning, she doesn't really want to eat and isn't > drinking much water. She is still breathing kind of hard. I called the > Vet and told them I wasn't going to bring her in to draw more blood today > because she seemed nauseaed and she has been at a vet almost every day this > week. They tell you not to stress a cat the is FeLV+ and then you need to > take them to a stressful environment everyday. I don't understand. I told > them they would have to draw the blood on Monday morning. > > I guess my question is, can the Interferon give them nausea? She hasn't > thrown up, but she "smacks" her lips together, which I think is a sign that > she has an upset stomach. The Vet said that I needed to be concerned about > her not eating, but she was eating before I gave her the Interferon. > > It's just last night her breathing changed to quick short breaths, before I > started the medication, so I don't know if that is something I should be > more concerned about more than the not eating, or what. Too many things are > changing, and I don't know what to do first. > > Please give me some input. > > Thanks, > > Cathy > > _______________________________________________ > Felvtalk mailing list > [email protected] > http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org > > > > _______________________________________________ > Felvtalk mailing list > [email protected] > http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org _______________________________________________ Felvtalk mailing list [email protected] http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
