Re: [Felvtalk] struggling tonight

Margo Fri, 07 Jun 2013 05:25:58 -0700

                  Hi Karen,

                  I agree with the majority of this :)

                   I treat the symptoms with FeLV cats. My Vet is on board with this, and sees no point in bloodwork at every turn. There are occasions where it is warranted, but I wouldn't think this is one, at this point. Start with the basics. Does Cole have a temperature? Keep a thermometer on hand, it's essential for FeLV cats that you be able to determine this quickly. If it's only tonight tha he hasn't eaten, and there's no fever, give him a chance to get better. I know it's really difficult to sit on yours hands, but try to hold out. Offer food, but don't push it.

                   How is he acting, otherwise? Is he alert, responsive, aware of his surroundings? Or is he lethargic, and "out of it"? Is he drinking?

                    The one thing I would consider with caution is the Convenia. If you can get medication into a cat orally, I'd suggest (if an antibiotic seems warranted) trying to do that. Convenia sticks around for a long time (it's theraputic for 7 days, but can be detected for 2-4 weeks) and if the cat has an adverse reaction, you can't simply stop it. While drugs can be prescribed in multiples, it's more common to stop one if it doesn't help before adding another. Convenia seems to be indicated for skin infections, but on the plus side, doesn't seem to cause GI symptoms.

http://www.drugs.com/vet/convenia.html

                   Clavamox is a great broad spectrum abx, but notorious for causing vomiting and diarreah.

                   Is your Vet one who will take phone calls? It might be worth asking what s/he would suggest There are drugs like Cerenia that could help if the vomiting continues.

                   Please keep us up to date on Cole, we'll be pulling for him :)

All the best,

Margo

.-----Original Message-----
From: Lee Evans
Sent: Jun 7, 2013 6:00 AM
To: "[email protected]"
Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] struggling tonight

It's OK Karen. We all panic when our not-so-normal cats get sick because we assume that it's the FIV+ or FeLv+ that has kicked in and is going to deprive them of their little bit of happiness but I have learned to center myself and think positively about cat illness. First I try something obvious, that I would with an ordinary cat. In the case of throwing up and not eating, I try Petromalt, a hairball and constipation remedy. It's inexpensive and sometimes after a few hefty doses, the cat it cured. I also feel ears. Are they hot? Nose dry and too warm? That's a sign of fever. Take to vet and get a Convenia shot, a long acting antibiotic. Give your cats a feline vitamin compound with iron to build up the blood and prevent anemia. Open his mouth and see if his gums and tongue are pink, like a normal cat. Flea treat with Frontline Plus for fleas so no flea anemia gets him. But also reserve the option of taking him to the vet. You don't need massive blood tests and other tests. Most cats will respond to an antibiotic, even those who are positive for something. Your CRF cat is different. You need to take to vet at first sign of illness or at least call the vet and describe the symptoms. Cats don't like being hauled to the vet. Stress on top of not feeling well makes things worse.

Spay and Neuter your cats and dogs and your weird relatives and nasty neighbors too!

From: Karen Harshbarger <[email protected]>
To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>; "[email protected]" <[email protected]>; "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, June 7, 2013 4:38 AM
Subject: [Felvtalk] struggling tonight

Hi, I joined all of these group cause I have kittys with all of these illnesses---one with CRF, 4 with feline leukemia, and little Tig that I lost had very bad anemia/feline leukemia/upper respiratory/etc.etc. and unfortunately I know that Anemia is probably coming for my 4 kittys with feline leukemia---just a matter of when. My kitty with CRF has slight anemia. I have 5 other cats that live with me and there are 2 little ones that recently showed up on my patio.

Tonight I am sitting up with one of my kitties that has feline leukemia because he is sick ----he is throwing up white bubbly phlem and would not eat tonight. (before tonight, he was doing so good I thought that he might be one of the lucky ones that would fight off this awful illness before his second test)

Cole is very sick and I am very very worried about him and just trying to figure out what I am going to do next so that I don't loose him like I lost his brother little Tig recently

As I read through all the posts I realize that there are a lot of caring people out there trying very hard to do what I am doing----keep their cats as happy and healthy as they can and with them as long as they can. It is a good thing that there are so many caring people, but a sad thing that there are so many sick little cats. .I also wonder how all of you afford to get all the tests and medicines, as I am really struggling with that and not sure how I am financially going to keep up and worry that I am not doing all that I can or should cause I can't afford to do all these expensive blood tests, etc or a regular basis. so that better diagnosis can be done. I also worry that the vets around here are not up on all the latest things to help my little ones with all their illnesses.and that I am not smart enough to understand it all to figure out if the vet is doing the right thing. I some times worry, especially nights like this when I sit up tired and very worried with a sick little cat that I did not know enough or do enough for little Tig, causing him to leave this world at only 11 months old. I also worry that I am not giving these little guys all that they need.

Would love hearing any suggestions. Sorry about the rambling. I am just struggling to find direction as I sit up with poor little sick Cole as he struggles with this awful illness.    Thanks, Karen     [email protected]



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Re: [Felvtalk] struggling tonight

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