Tonya,
Thanks for the support. It really helps to know that I am not alone in
this, even though it feels that way sometimes.
No word on Ernie's bloodwork and fluid tap yet. From what I've seen on the
Internet, Ernie needs to be on IV and force fed for the liver problem. You
are right about the feeding tube from what I've seen. I just called to get
a consult with the Cornell vet.
I keep hoping and praying that we can turn the corner and get Ernie back to
some quality of life.
Sharon
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On
Behalf Of catatonya
Sent: Thursday, February 15, 2001 6:14 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: RE: Advice Needed
Sharon,
You are so overwhelmed right now! My thoughts are with you and Ernie.
Liver disease is a tough one. I lost an older cat to it. He had aids
as well. if you're talking liver failure, the vet will be talking
feeding tubes. i wish i could give you advice on what to do.
it's so much easier if you have a vet you have a good relationship with
and who you really have confidence in. i hope this is your situation.
my first positive was with all my other cats 4 months before diagnosed.
we all mix together. i've brought in another positive. both positives
are positive elisa and ifa. so far no one has caught it. my older cat
that died this year had kidney disease, ibd, and several other
problems. he went through bouts of severe resp. infections and herpes,
yet he never contracted the leukemia from my positives. they all share
food/water/litter and groom each other. it's impossible for me to
separate even if i wanted to.
just know that we are all pulling for ernie to make it through this
episode. both my positives went through times when i first got them
that i thought i'd lose them. they recovered and have been ok now for
3 and 2 years. hopefully ernie will recover and have much more time
with you and his catmates.
just know that when it comes to making decisions while you're so
frazzled, it's hard, but you'll know what to do. you'll just have a
feeling about what's right for ernie.
tonya
--- Sharon Siders <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Helene,
>
> Thank you so much for your caring response. We quit giving Ernie the
> subQs
> on Monday because his belly was so distended. When we went to the
> vet
> yesterday, he thought Ernie was in liver failure. The lab report is
> back
> today. I fear the worst, but still hope for the best.
>
> Franklin, Ernie's brother, is not sick but is positive. I'm really
> afraid
> that if Ernie dies, this will so stress Franklin that he will become
> sick.
> This is a hellish disease!
>
> I'm beginning to believe that keeping Franklin and Carolina apart
> might not
> be best. I am concerned that Carolina, at 7 months, was only exposed
> for
> about two weeks before we found out about the positive status and has
> since
> been kept separate. The vaccine isn't 100% guaranteed. I've lost
> two cats
> within the year and don't know if I can bear losing anymore.
>
> Sharon
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On
> Behalf Of Helene Hand
> Sent: Wednesday, February 14, 2001 4:57 PM
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: RE: Advice Needed
>
>
> Sharon-mine have always been together and I could never have
> separated
> them.. Actually, while Sammy was so sick I never thought about
> Delilah
> getting sick-I focused so frantically on Sam- she never did; it has
> been 1
> 1/2 year since diagnosis and they eat and drink together and groom
> each
> other and always have----and Sammy is much better now.Think about
> how it
> would improve the emotional quality of your babies' little lives to
> be
> together; yes, even if it means one gets sick--- About Ernie- maybe
> you can
> give him fluids with d5 (Dextrose,)at home, yourself,(is he putting
> out
> urine?) and also ringers lactate to supplement his not eating--have
> you
> tried the heinz or gerber baby meats, or small cans of people tuna???
> I
> know that you must be frustrated and so worried...Poor Ernie-I have
> paws and
> fingers crossed for him. Helene
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On
> Behalf Of Sharon Siders
> Sent: Wednesday, February 14, 2001 10:57 AM
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: Advice Needed
>
>
> After hoping and praying that Franklin would test negative on the
> IFA, my
> hopes were dashed. He is positive but asymptomatic. I'm kind of at
> rock
> bottom emotionally. Ernie is not doing well at all. I think he is
> starving
> as I don't think my syringe feeding is getting enough into him.
>
> Questions:
>
> Those of you with "healthy" cats like Franklin, how long have they
> remained
> asymptomatic? Are they on any medication? Franklin is on interferon
> and
> Pet-tinic.
>
> Those of you allowing +s and -s to mix, were the cats exposed to each
> other
> for prolonged periods before the positive cat was diagnosed? Is that
> why
> you let them stay together? Franklin and Carolina hear each other
> through
> the door and want to play; it is breaking my heart. Neither of them
> has a
> buddy anymore; Ernie is too sick to be a buddy. Carolina was exposed
> for
> two weeks before we found out about the FeLV.
>
> Thanks for any help you can give.
>
> Sharon
>
>
>
>
>
>
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