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<<<I have an FeLV+ cat named Legolas who has been fighting ulcers on his
tongue since January '03. He has enlarged kidneys, typically has a PCV of
13-27%, is still active even when his PCV is 13%, and is getting 300cc's of
ringer's lactate a day. We've been gtiving him Depo shots - often once a
week, which helps some, but hasn't allwed his ulcers to heal completely.
When he's due for another shot, he drools profusely, after his shot, the
drooling stops.
We've tried amoxy, baytril, & clavamox - all of which had little effect.
He's had periodic doses of epogen for his anemia (which boosts him from 13
to mid/upper 20%s. He's been holdinng his own with his weight at just under
8 pounds - last December, he was up to 12 pounds - before the ulcers. I've
been giving him canned food every day in addition to the dry food the others
have to eat (I have 6 positives living seperate from the cats in the rest of
the house).
I've had slippery elm bark recommended for him, but I haven't been able to
try it yet (haven't gotten any yet). Is there anything else that might help
him and will the slippery elm bark cause any problems with his kidneys? He
urinates a lot (that's what tipped me off to get some bloodwork done on him
in Aug. '03 in the first place). What would be a safe dose for him? Thanks
for your time, >>>
I think your cat should have some up to date bloodwork - I recommend that
cats with FeLV have a complete blood cell count and serum chemistries done
every 6-12 months if they are stable. One of the risks of repeated Depo
Medrol injections is diabetes and this should be monitored closely. Some
cats do better on another form of corticosteroid, such as oral prednisone or
dexamethasone. These drugs still carry a risk of diabetes, but not as high
as with the Depo Medrol injections.
I don't know anything about slippery elm, so can't help you there.
It may also be worth biopsying the ulcers to find out their cause. They can
be a form of eosinophilic granuloma complex, in which case ongoing
corticosteroid treatment and a hypoallergenic diet are the treatments. If
they are viral, especially herpesvirus, then we try to minimize steroid use
and daily lysine at 250-500 mg might help keep the virus in remission.
I also want to let everyone know I am taking some vacation time over the
holidays, and won't be able to answer questions very promptly for the next
while.
Best wishes for a happy holiday and prosperous 2005,
Dr. Susan
Chapter Author, A Home Veterinary Guide, in:
The CFA Complete Cat Book
http://www.cfainc.org/catalog/books.html#completecatbook
Feline Reproduction Manual:
http://catvet.homestead.com/ReproCD.html
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Susan Little, DVM
Diplomate ABVP (Feline)
Bytown Cat Hospital
Ottawa, Canada
http://catvet.homestead.com
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