Re: [Felvtalk] Best litter for FeLV?

[Margo]

Antibiotics are a double edged sword. Since researching convenia, I no longer allow it's use without my express consent, and it won't be easy to convince me. I'm not sure why you believe the URI is not bacterial, I'm interested in knowing how to tell the difference without actual culture and testing. In my experience, oral Abx can be helpful, even with a viral URI. It can prevent a secondary bacterial infection from taking hold. I've got Pixel on both an anti-viral and and anti-biotic right now, for the URI that has resurfaced with the recent steroid use. And sadly, nothing is helping. It's a balancing act, at best. I'm unsure of the term homeo/allopathic, could you explain? Seems contradictory, but I'm interested in the understanding the combination. While I've had little success with Homeopathy, I do use Holistic remedies, along with conventional allopathic treatment. TCM and acupuncture helped some things, as well. But, my Holistic Vet is in another state, and I've yet to find a local Homeopath. It is important to have a Vet who will work with you and explain, and is also open to learning... Margo   -----Original Message----- From: Michelle B Sent: Nov 10, 2013 1:25 PM To: "felvtalk@felineleukemia.org " Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Best litter for FeLV? Did vet do xrays to check for asthma? My cat did the same thing and it was seasonal asthma and he got better with an oral tapering dose of prednisolone. NEVER do depo medrol injections for asthma or allergies please...do your own research on the side effects of depomedr ol in case that comes up. Also, its not a good idea to give antibiotics to 'blanket', especially in immune compromised cats. It doesnt sound like your cat has a bacterial URI and if it's viral the antibiotics wont help. A lot of vets throw antibiotics at cats when they don't know what else to do and that has its own plethora of issues. I know you can't do anything about it now but for future reference. I had to learn the hard way to question my vet and do my own homework. I also opt for homeo/allopathic treatments as much as possible and I notice a huge difference with my animals. -----Original Message----- From: Tina Smith Sent: 11/10/2013 2:56:46 PM To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Subject: [Felvtalk] Best litter for FeLV? Hi all, I have an FeLV+ kitty. He has been mostly healthy but is currently going through something that is causing a lot of coughing. We have noticed that he seems sensitive to the drier air of winter and perhaps has some environmental allergies. In addition to other things we are doing I am trying to find a dust-free cat litter for him. Last night I spent a small fortune on SWheatScoop litter and was appalled to see all of the dust that went flying when we put it in his litter pan. So much for dust-free. Has anyone here had luck finding a litter that is good to use for our FeLV+ sweeties? I'll also tell you a little more about what he's going through in case anybody has some insight into what might be causing it. The vet wasn't helpful. Just gave him a Convenia antibiotic injection but couldn't say what the problem might be except possibly pleural effusion. Darwin is coughing a lot - a little like the "hairball cough" but not exactly. He seems to be breathing mostly okay through his nose, although I have noticed occasionally that there does seem to be a little congestion. There has been no open-mouth breathing. He had a bout of diarrhea for a couple of days this past week but seemed to get over that. Now I think he might actually be constipated. When he coughs nothing comes out but he does swallow as if he has coughed a little something up and then swallows it. I have almost wondered if he might have an obstruction but it does seem to be affecting his breathing some. I haven't been able to pinpoint any triggers. He has coughed after drinking water, he has coughed when the heat was on, he has coughed right after using the litter box. But he has also coughed when he's just resting on the bed and nothing is going on. Any insight would be so welcome. Thank you, Tina Smith

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