Re: Good Report

[Jennifer Ross]

So glad to hear Mama Kitty's good news!  Hope things continue to go well![EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:  Last week on Tuesday, MK (mama kitty) was diagnosed with FeVL+.  She was very anemic and had lost 14% of her body weight (1 and 1/4th lbs).  Her 3rd eyelids spanned about 1/2 of her eyes.     That Friday, we began treatment with Acemannan and also a course of Ammoxi drops and Pet Tinic.  (MK thinks that Pet Tinic is evil but that is another story).  The first thing I noticed the day of her first shot was that her appetite increased.     Today we got a good report from the vet.  She's gained 1/4th lbs in one week - up to 8lbs and her 3rd eyelid is just
 barely showing sometimes in one eye.     I don't know if these positive indicators are due to the Acemannan, the antibiotic, the iron...or simply the unpredictable nature of the disease - but we'll take any and all improvement we can manage.     MK is too traumatized by Pet Tinic (she takes liquid antibiotics beautifully though)...so we've stopped that and now every Friday when we go for a shot of Acemannan, we get a vitamin B12 shot as well.  We've stopped the antibiotics for now (she took them a week and a half) to see how she does..and if she shows any lethargy or signs that she doesn't feel well, we'll start back.     She's perkier - more energetic...tail straight up in the air ready to butt her head under your hand or claim you as her property.     One day at a time.  I'm grateful this is a good day.    
  
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Re: Questions

[Jennifer Ross]

I'm not sure about the licking surfaces, but I did notice that Allie would get lethargic, sleep more and get less playful when she spiked temps.  Spiking temps can be a sign of a secondary infection.  The diarrhea can also be a sign of some sort of infection.  Watch out b/c if he does have a fever and with the diarrhea he can get dehydrated easily.  Do you have a thermometer to check his temp at home?Nicholena Rushton <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:  Hello all,     I know that it has been some time since I wrote anything although I have been keeping up to date by reading the postings each day.  I want to say that all of you who have
 lost fur babies since the last time I wrote you are always in my prayers and thoughts.  I do have a reason for writing this though and I hope it is nothing to get overly concerned about but I just do not know and hope someone can help me.  My furkid Ziggy is now a little over a year old and just in the past week or so he has begun licking my hardwood floors, my walls (both cement basement and those in rooms) in addition to licking the marble threshold b/w my bath and hallway.  He also seems to be sleeping a lot more and not as playful at all.  I have been keeping an eye on his litter box and everything was fine up until about an hour ago when he used it and I saw he has diarrhea (I had cleaned it right before he used it).  Are these significant symptoms of some aspect of this disease that I should be paranoid about? (I am paranoid already and have lost sleep the past two days anyway).  I do have a vet appt tom at 5:30 for him but am not sure
 what to do in the meantime.  Does anyone have any advice?  Thank you so much and I do hope that this is not something to be extremely concerned about but for some reason I do not have a good feeling...      Niki
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Re: The Photo Of Bailey I Was Talking About (my sign)

[Jennifer Ross]

What an amazing and inspirational picture!  How wonderful to have had an opportunity to share that with Bailey (and to have a copy to cherish!)  My husband saw it on the computer when I was looking at it and not knowing the story thought that it was beautiful.  Of course, knowing the story makes it even more beautiful and powerful!Nina <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:  OMG! Isn't that amazing?! How wonderful that you were able to get the photo. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. It does look like the dog is looking up at Bailey. That's what I meant by wondering how many other lives Bailey touched with his "visit". So cool. Ya gotta love that Bailey Boy!NinaBelinda wrote:> Sent this to the list but it had to be approved because of the size > so I just went ahead and put it online.
 Here is the link, I still get > chills looking at it:>> http://bemikitties.com/BeachPhotoBailey.jpg>> > Not sure if this will come through if not I'll post it on the > internet, it is the photo I saw on TV that was my sign from Bailey. I > inserted the photo of him that it looks like for comparison. If you > look just at his face, you'll see what I mean, the two eyes, the white > spot on the right side of his face, under his eye ... >> PS. I wrote and thanked the person who took it for sending it to me.>
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Re: Demetri

[Jennifer Ross]

I will be thinking of all your sweet babies, especially Demetri.  I know just how you feel since I just lost Allie to the fight with FELV and FIV.  The combo of these diseases is so stressful to our little ones and it is so heartbreaking to see them every time they get sick.  I am hoping Demetri is soon feeling better.Sherry DeHaan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:Yes it's me again,needing prayers for my sweet Demetri AGAIN! I don't know how bad he is but he is at the clinic again.I believe he has the bad snoogies again,which hits him hard.He has felv and fiv.I will worry about him all weekend .I am going out of town till Monday camping and stopped in to see my babies and he was not there.I was about in tears,cause evertime he gets sick I am so worried.I give him all the love I can cause I know these diseases will take him way
 before his time. It is going to tear me to pieces when he loses his battle.So I am just asking for some of your wonderful prayers for him.Please forgive me for all the asking for prayers so much,but I believe they help.THank you so much  Sherry  Be a chatter box. Enjoy free PC-to-PC calls with Yahoo! Messenger with Voice.
	
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my first sign from Allie

[Jennifer Ross]

Well, Allie has already shown me her presence and that she is watching over me.  When doing laundry today I was emptying out my husband's pants pockets as always and found a tiny scrap of paper.  I sent it aside to throw away along with everything else.  When I looked at it again a few hours later I noticed it was shaped like a cat's head and was orange!!!  I asked my husband about it- where he got it, why it was in his pocket, etc., and he had no memory of it.  I couldn't help but think Allie sent me that tiny scrap of paper to let me know she's OK and that's she with me.    
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RE: 5 day old kitten -- please pray for her

[Jennifer Ross]

Poor baby!  Bless you for taking in this little one and caring for her!  I will be thinking of both of you!Hideyo Yamamoto <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:Hi, my neighbor found a two day old kitten a couple of days ago and I have been trying to hand raise this baby bottle feeding her every three to four hours – she nurses, but not enough, I think.. and I worry about her well being – she acts okay.. she crawls a lot.. but can’t eat a lot at a time.. please pray that she will grow with no problem…     Hideyo   
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Allie has said good-bye

[Jennifer Ross]

First of all, thank you all for all your prayers and good wishes.  You are an amazing group of people and Allie and I are blessed to have had you in our lives.       As you know from my last post, we made the decision to help Allie cross the bridge on Monday because she had declined so much over the weekend.  And I really think she was trying to tell me no more (she hates vets, needles, pills, etc- always has).  It was probably also hard for her to be indoors as she was always an outdoor cat and loved everything about being outside.  (She was quite the hunter as well!)     So, I cherished Monday night and stayed up half the night with her (for as long as she would sit and cuddle with me).  We sat in the big chair in the den together and watched Milo and Otis (a movie about an orange cat and a dog- Allie was an orange cat with white belly and paws).  When Allie decided she had had
 enough she jumped off my lap and almost fell over!  One of her back legs was hardly working- it broke my heart!  It almost looked neuro- and I definitely knew I was making the right decision at that point.  Allie was a very active cat- loved to run around outside and hunt- she was never meant to be incapacitated.  (The vet told me later that the leg could have been any number of things- a blood clot, menningitis, etc.- with having both FELV and FIV you just never know)     I carried Allie upstairs and placed her on the bed where she slept the rest of the night with me.  Yesterday (Tuesday), her back leg still wasn't working right and she was still sluggish.  She didn't want to cuddle and hid behind the couch most of the day.  We spent her last hour outside together walking around the yard and going to all her favorite spots.  She sat on her favorite outdoor chair for a while feeling the sunshine and breeze
 (and even a few raindrops!)  I'm so glad she was able to spend that time outside.  I told her over and over again Monday and Tuesday how much I love her and what a good kitty she is.  I told her I want her to be happy and not suffer anymore.       My husband and I brought Allie to the vet together for our final good-bye.  The vet was wonderful and explained everything (since this is the first time we have had to do this it made a big difference to know what was going to happen ahead of time).  I asked the vet to give Allie a sedative first since she doesn't respond well to IV's, so she got a sedative and went to sleep.  Then at 4:30pm on Tuesday 5/16/06 Allie went to sleep forever with me and my husband by her side.  We stayed with her for a while and I took a lock of her fur.  She looked so peaceful and I know she is in a better place now.       I know this was the
 right thing to do- she was really suffering over the past few days, but it is still so hard.  I miss her so much!  I have not been able to bring myself to put away all the cat stuff yet.  Last night my husband and I went through old pictures of Allie and relived our favorite Allie moments- there were so many!       So now it's one day at a time and one foot in front of the other.  I know I will continue to cry a lot and continue to miss her terribly.  But I know my baby girl is somewhere now where there is no more suffering and she can run around and chase mice, squirrels, birds, and rabbits all day long.       Thanks for listening!  
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Update on Allie

[Jennifer Ross]

I honestly never understood what you all meant by you will know when it is time, but it's true, our cats do have a way of telling us (this is the first sick cat I have ever cared for, so this is a totally new experience for me all around...).  Allie has rapidly been declining over the past few days despite treatments.  Her temp just keeps climbing (it's now up to 107.1 this am) and she has completely stopped eating and drinking.  She growls every time I try to give her any kind of medication or treatment.  I truly believe that this is her way of telling me she does not want anymore.  Allie has never liked vets, needles, or even oral meds, so I know that taking daily antibotics and frequent injections and sq fluids has probably been very rough on her.  I also feel that at this point she is suffering and I do not want that for her.  I think she's trying to tell me it's her time- she's tired and she just can't fight anymore. 
 Unfortunately I think we found the FELV and FIV relatively end stage and with both viruses, her body is just very run down.  Right now she has no spunk- just lies around in one spot all day hiding - barely even has the energy to purr.  That is not my Allie cat!  It is killing me to see her suffer and I am now content that I understand what she is trying to tell me.  So, unfortunately, I have to make the hardest decision that any pet mommy and cat lover has to make.  I am going to spend tonight with my baby girl and if God does not take her on His own, I am going to help her cross the bridge tomorrow.  I have never had to make such a difficult decision in my life and I bless you and feel the pain of each and every one of you that have had to make this same decision before.  However, I know it is the right thing to do.  I have told her that it's OK to go, I just want her to be happy and not suffer anymore, and ever since I
 told her that she has been purring more and not hiding as much- it's as if she's at peace now.  That's helping me know that I am making the right decision.  Please remember my little one tonight and tomorrow afternoon at 4pm when I say good-bye.  She has lived a long (10 yrs) good and happy life.  She deserves only to be happy.  Thank you for everything.  I don't know what I would have done without all of you.     Jen and Allie
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Re: Bella's Visit with a New Vet

[Jennifer Ross]

Interesting that Mississippi requires rabies annually-- PA and CT (the 2 states where I have had cats) only requires every 3 years for rabies.  My vets have always stuck to that, but recommended annual distemper (?sp) and leukemia (a  lot of good that annual leukemia shot did Allie!)Ashleigh Smith <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:You know, it really makes me downright angry to think of how much the traditional vets are doing a disservice to their patients by hawking Hill's products.  I cannot recall the source at all, but I remember reading something about them getting some sort of benefit from the company for selling their food.  (Hmmm, sounds a bit like people docs promoting the drugs of whichever rep. just sent them on a fishing trip, doesn't it?)  For years, I fed Fred (my cat who dies of vaccine-associated
 fibrosarcoma) Hill's Science Diet.  My vet recommended it as the best, and I happily spent the bucks on my kitty.  I truly believe that people are actually being swindled when an animal "expert" recommends an expensive, unhealthy cat food.  (Can you tell I feel strongly about this?)  It was only because of information given to me by Bella's breeder that I started to really look at cat food ingredients.  Thank goodness she was more enlightened than the local vets.       Also, I do not think traditional vets are all bad.  They generally do a good job, IMO, except for the food thing.  Alos, I think they're too vaccine-happy.  The holistic vet I saw today said vaccinating every three years (rather than annually) is fine.  He then asked about Mississippi's law on frequency of rabies vaccinations.  I told him they're required annually, but I also told him that the cops could come arrest me in my
 home if they needed to.  I doubt, with all the FEMA trailer park crimes and meth labs exploding in this area, that they're too concerned about me and my indoor kitty.  He laughed and agreed with me :-)     ~AshleighLance <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:  Thanks for keeping us informed, Ashleigh. The holistic vet that you're seeing sounds like a good one. Because my allopathic vet voted down the Mega C, I'm going to start taking Ember to a holistic vet, in addition to the allopathic vet, who I do like very much. Interesting that the holistic vet voted down interferon. I had a consult call with the holistic vet here, and she wasn't big on interferon either. However, when we were talking about reversing positives, she said that she had done that once... with interferon. My
 allopathic guy had at least one reversal on interferon also. Hard to say if the interferon did it, however.Your comment about allopathic vets displaying corn-based crap in their offices is so on the money. I don't understand how or why it happens, and it makes me wonder just how highly the average allopathic vet regards nutrition and how much they understand about it. Unlike you, I'd had Ember on pretty bad (but supposedly good) food (Hill's Prescription Diet t/d) for most of her life, and it was recommended by our allopathic vet in Madison. When she tested positive and I started researching, I was shocked to find out just how bad that stuff is. It seems like, with the premium they charge, Hill's could manage better ingredients. They won't be getting any more of my money, if I can help it.Glad to hear that Bella's doing well. Please continue to keep us posted.Lance  New Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. Call regular phones from your PC and save big.
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Re: A new story of Gurfunkle

[Jennifer Ross]

That is a truly powerful and amazing story.  You should be proud that you played such a special role in Garfunkle's life!  He was blessed to have you love him so deeply.Hideyo Yamamoto <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:Some of you might remember about my beloved Garfunkle who crossed the bridge in November which seems so hard to believe.. it seems like just yesterday…. I still miss and love him so very much.     My sister who lives in Japan is a sort of psychic (I hate the term, but it speaks to the point – she sees and feels things that no one might be able to…)  - since she is my sister, I know that it’s true.. she has done and said some amazing things that she wouldn’t have known otherwise in the past..     Anyway, she is planning to go to one of the most spiritual shrine in Japan this weekend for spiritual purifications
 and empowerment, and she had asked me to send her pictures of all of my animals (the ones still live and ones crossed) so that their soul/life can be further purified.     Anyway she got the pictures in the mail…when she looked at all the pictures, she told me that she saw something very powerful on the Garfukle’s picture… he said that he was human in his previous life and something bad happened, and he could no longer trust human in his previous life and passed away, that’s why he was sent back as a cat so that he would meet someone whom he will be able to trust again.. that was his life that we had together… we bonded so strong and I love him so much and he loves me so much.. he no longer did not have a doubt in
 trusting human again (according to my sister) when he accomplished his mission, he was supposed to cross the bridge rather with a short life so that now he can have another journey - now he will be able to trust human again in his next life.. and my sister told me that that’s why he left this so soon as he had a very specific assignment given to him for this life (I and Garfunkle spent only three years together) and he is one of the friendliest feral kitties that I have met from the very beginning I met him.. he was and is and will be so special to me... and miss him so terribly still…     She told me that a soul even after crossing the bridge can travel so far and so quickly and she told me that he is always right there
 with me.. so not to be feeling too lonely..  I just wanted to share my Garfunkle story with everyone…. And am crying again missing my special boy…
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Re: Prayers for Allie

[Jennifer Ross]

What is the difference between ImmunoRegulin and Interferon- I'm assuming they are not the same?  I am awaiting a consultation with a vet who does Interferon (I've learned a lot about Interferon from all of you- thanks!), but ImmunoRegulin is new to me...wendy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:  Jen,Equistim is the same thing as ImmunoRegulin; Equistimis the generic. If your vet can't get it, you canorder it online and have it shipped fast for about $50including shipping (it might be less; I can'tremember). I ordered Cricket's through Revival AnimalHealth. :)Wendy--- cindy reasoner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote:> Please don't give up hope on Allie. Smokey's fevers> got as high as 107. Ask your vet about the> equistim. > So far it really has helped Smokey to not
 get> anymore> fevers. I was having to take him to the vet every 2> to 3 days for a fever. Now I just give him the> equistim injections at home.> > > Cindy> > --- Jennifer Ross <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote:> > > Allie was back at the vet today with 105 fever-> came> > down to 102.5 with Metacam (kitty NSAID) and sq> > fluids. I did get the vet to show me how to give> > the sq fluids, so I can administer them now if she> > stops eating and drinking and looks dehydrated, or> > if her temp goes up (I've been monitoring her temp> > daily). They were also thinking of giving me some> > Metacam to administer at home, but decided to hold> > off on that. This is her 3rd temp spike in 2> weeks.> > The vet was prepping me for the fact that at some> > point Allie's body is not going to be able
 to> > tolerate these temps anymore and is not going to> > fight them off even with treatments because the> > fevers are causing such a stress on her system. > Of> > course we don't know if that will be a week or a> > month, but it looks like it may be sooner than I> > thought. It's so hard because 2 days ago she was> > totally back to herself- eating great, playing,> and> > she even sleep with us! I guess the calm before> the> > storm... Keep her in your> > thoughts. I don't want her to suffer, but I'm> not> > ready to say good-bye yet either! I'm still> hoping> > she can beat these fevers, but that's not looking> > realistic anymore and I don't want to torture> her...> > > > -> > Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone>
 Calls> > to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less.> > > __> Do You Yahoo!?> Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam> protection around > http://mail.yahoo.com > > __Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com 
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Prayers for Allie

[Jennifer Ross]

Allie was back at the vet today with 105 fever- came down to 102.5 with Metacam (kitty NSAID) and sq fluids.  I did get the vet to show me how to give the sq fluids, so I can administer them now if she stops eating and drinking and looks dehydrated, or if her temp goes up (I've been monitoring her temp daily).  They were also thinking of giving me some Metacam to administer at home, but decided to hold off on that.  This is her 3rd temp spike in 2 weeks.  The vet was prepping me for the fact that at some point Allie's body is not going to be able to tolerate these temps anymore and is not going to fight them off even with treatments because the fevers are causing such a stress on her system.  Of course we don't know if that will be a week or a month, but it looks like it may be sooner than I thought.  It's so hard because 2 days ago she was totally back to herself- eating great, playing, and she even sleep with us!  I guess the calm
 before the storm...  Keep her in your thoughts.  I don't want her to suffer, but I'm not ready to say good-bye yet either!  I'm still hoping she can beat these fevers, but that's not looking realistic anymore and I don't want to torture her...
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Re: OT: sedative before flying (ACE)

[Jennifer Ross]

I have never heard of ACE, but did have a friend who used Benadryl to transport a cat in the cabin of an airplane.  She had to give it pretty early before the flight, but the cat was apparently OK during the whole flight (2-3 hours).  Don't know the dose though, so I would check with your vet...[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:  Hey folks,I'm flying to Minneapolis on Saturday, a 2.5 hour flight from LIttle Rock, and taking a sweet, energetic young Siamese kitty to his owner. Kitty will ride in the cabin with me. I've never taken a kitty on board with me before, so a new experience.The vet gave me a sedative, ACE., and am pondering whether to use the sedative or not. Someone said that another option would be Benadryl, along with Rescue Remedy.Any experiences with taking kitties on flights? With ACE? Think
 the dosage was 1/2 tablet followed by 1/4 if needed.Thanks much!Gloria
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Re: Please add Papoose to CLS

[Jennifer Ross]

So sorry to hear about your little one.  I'm glad he didn't suffer, though I know it was a difficult decision to make.  Take comfort in knowing he is now in a place with no more suffering and he is now always with you, watching over you.  JENI RECA <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:  I put Papoose feluk + to sleep today after he was running a 106.4 temp for the past 4 days and it wasnt going down he also was anemic and had a heart mummer and wasnt getting better.  He lived a wonderful life of 8 months in our house with our dogs and our other feluk + cat.  I miss him dearly and am happy he did not suffer. He was found on the streets of queens as a tiny little 5 week old kitten and brought to the shelter I work at.  He came up postive on both test and I decided to adopt him instead of them putting him
 down.  I am just sad that we did not have more time with him.  Thank you.  From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>Reply-To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.orgTo: Subject: Re: Can we please add this poor baby to the CLS?Date: Tue, 9 May 2006 22:46:25 -0400I'm not sure if he/she got rescued or killed. I'm not sure even if the shelter he is at is a humane euth shelter, MANY of them still use gas chambers, you know. I hope he was humanely euthed by now... or rescued and given medical care, one of the two (though I think euth would be kinder).      I was hoping to get him/her
 on the CLS in the part where we pray for healing and comfort to those that are still with us.     I did get several people saying they emailed about him, but did not get a reply yet. I sent a note to the purrever ranch, they are the ones who first posted the message, maybe they have more contact info than was in the post.  Phaewryn (was Jenn, changed name)http://ucat.us http://ucat.us/domesticcatlinks.html Adopt a cat from Little Cheetah (UCAT) Cat Rescue:http://ucat.us/adopt.html PLEASE DONATE TO THE TANGLE FUND:Tangle is a cat in Greece that was severely injured when someone wrapped wire around his neck to strangle him,Little Cheetah Cat Rescue is raising funds to bring Tangle to Vermont to find him a good home!http://ucat.us/tangle-fund.htmlDONATE: We could really use a power saw (for construction), a digital camera (for pictures), and more towels!   No virus found in this outgoing message.Checked by AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.1.392 / Virus Database: 268.5.5/334 - Release Date: 5/8/2006  
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Re: VERY Important if you give L-lysine to your kitties

[Jennifer Ross]

Is L-lysine recommended for FELV cats?  What does it do to help them?  This is a new one for me...  wendy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:  Hi guys,I just read in two different places so far that if youare giving cats L-lysine that is originally intendedfor humans, make sure it does not contain propyleneglycol. Propylene glycol can cause reactions in theblood. Here's one link:http://www.vetdepot.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=261.:)Wendy__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com 
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Re: is vitamin C out?

[Jennifer Ross]

In humans regular vitamin C can help to boost the immune system (this is why it is often taken at the first sign of a cold, etc. because the virus often lasts a shorter time and is less severe).  Again, not sure how well this transfers to cats, but as long as it is not harmful to the cat, I would say why not try it- it may help!  Dosage would certainly be a concern as I'm certain it is different among cats and humans.  Vitamin C can cause GI distress at high doses, so this is another reason I would make sure the dose is correct. [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:I think there has always been a debate about this. Cats apparently, unlike humans, make vitamin c themselves, so many vets say it is totally unnecessary to
 supplement and just asking for GI problems. Others say it helps. I have no idea, myself.  I have given it when it has been included in other formulas, but don't right now because of Lucy's IBD and Patches recently had a bout with soft stool as well (not from vitamin c, but don't want to bring it on either).  Michelle     In a message dated 5/8/2006 10:58:27 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:I don't thing megaC 'cures' or reverses felv.  Just my opinion.     My homeopathic vet put my positive on a 'regular' dose of vitamin c along with lots of other vitamins and things and my regular vet said 'it couldn't hurt' so I used it.     That was years ago though.  I believe vitamin c
 is in most 'cat vitamins' so it must have some value for them as for humans.. I don't think it's any kind of cure though.     t 
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Re: Bailey has gone home

[Jennifer Ross]

In humans at least, fatty foods exacerabate pancreatitis but to my knowledge do not cause it.  Pancreatitis can be caused by steroids (so the Prednisone may have contributed to the development and decreasing the dose was probably helpful).  Pancreatitis may also be associated with biliary tract disease which could have gone undiagnosed. Elevated serum amylase and lipase on blood work are indicative of pancreatitis.  All this is based on my knowledge of humans, but I'm guessing most of it is transferable- maybe someone else with more knowledge of feline disease would know...[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:Belinda, I think that fatty foods cause pancreatitis (when it is caused by foods at all, which is not
 always the case), not raw foods.  Raw meat diets tend to be rather low in fat, actually, depending on what you are feeding. I do not think that is what did it if it was pancreatitis.   Michelle     In a message dated 5/8/2006 8:45:31 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:  really wonder now if raw caused this pancreas problem to come on.  He was eating raw for about 6 months before all this came about, though he loved it and gained weight and looked very healthy while eating raw, it may well have started all these problems, my other cats did not eat it as well as he did, they all stuck with the dry food I had to leave out for my 2 stubborn guys.   
  
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Re: new diagnosis (sub-q links)

[Jennifer Ross]

Thanks for the helpful websites.  I am actually a nurse, so could probably get the supplies needed from work and this makes me more comfortable even considering doing the procedure, but our four-legged friends are very different than humans!  So I appreciate seeing how easy (if Allie would stay still!) it is do for a cat.  I will have to talk to my vet about doing it at home if Allie needs fluids again (the vet seems very willing to work with me an let me do things which is a big help- Allie hates going to the vet and being admitted to the hospital!)[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:  Sub-Q fluids. That's the user friendly terminology for subcutaneousfluids. They use a big needle attached to an IV type bag, they just give the fluidunder the skin rather than in
 a vein. You can use either lactated ringers solution,or saline solution, personally, I would go with saline, as it's got less in it, andis less apt to cause any reactions.http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/clientED/cat_fluids.asp (here's a webpage that shows theprocedure, the third method is the one I have always seen used, and the most commonin the USA)http://www.felinecrf.com/managh.htm (here's a DYI instructions from the chronic renalfailure website, for learning how to do it yourself at home)http://www.felinecrf.org/giving_sub-qs_giving_set.htm (more home sub-q fliudtechniques with pictures)  Phaewryn (was Jenn, changed name)http://ucat.us http://ucat.us/domesticcatlinks.html Adopt a cat from Little Cheetah (UCAT) Cat Rescue:http://ucat.us/adopt.html PLEASE DONATE TO THE TANGLE FUND:Tangle is a cat in Greece that was severely injured when someone wrapped wire around his neck to strangle him,Little Cheetah Cat Rescue is raising funds to bring Tangle to Vermont to find him a good home!http://ucat.us/tangle-fund.htmlDONATE: We could really use a power saw (for construction), a digital camera (for pictures), and more towels! No virus found in this outgoing message.Checked by AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.1.392 / Virus Database: 268.5.5/333 - Release Date: 5/5/2006
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Re: Long Introduction

[Jennifer Ross]

Ashleigh,     So sorry to hear about your little one.  It is always difficult to our 4-legged friends, especially if it is unexpected.  Take comfort in knowing that Pepper is in a better place with no more suffering and now is always with you.     I, like you, am new to this group and to FELV.  My outdoor cat, who was vaccinated annually against FELV, was just diagnosed a little over a week ago with FELV and FIV.  I, like you, thought the vaccines would protect her and was shocked when I learned through my research and the helpful people here that the vaccine is actually only 70-80% effective.  It would seem to me that a vet should have recommended that Allie be tested periodically since she was so high risk living outside and being exposed to other cats, but I guess that is water under the bridge now.  From what I understand, FELV and FIV are highly contagious among cats through
 bite wounds (saliva to blood contact), although many people on this site have had FELV + cats cohabiting with FELV - cats.  Several people have told me that interferon is a realistic treatment which can be helpful in boosting the immune system, but I don't know what the recommendations are for asymptomatic cats.  (My Allie just started becoming symptomatic with high fevers which she is having trouble fighting on her own which is how we ended up find out the diagnosis).  There is apparently a difference between human interferon and feline interferon (feline interferon is difficult to get in the US).  Also, there is low-dose and high-dose human interferon.  With the low-dose option the cat doesn't have as much of a chance of developing resistance for future treatments.  I am going to contact a vet who does interferon injections to discuss the options.  If I learn anything in my consultations I will pass it along to you. 
    I will also forward you a manuel that one of the members forwarded me.  It has a wealth of information on FELV.     Jen  Ashleigh Smith <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:My name is Ashleigh.  I lost my cat of 7 years last night.  Pepper was FeLV+.     The long story starts several years ago.  In 1991, I adopted a cat, Fred, from a no-kill shelter.  He was 3 at the time and very healthy.  I faithfully got his annual vaccinations for everything, including FeLV.  In 1998, Fred got a lump on his neck.  It was vaccine-associated sarcoma.  Even though we knew it was a long shot, we elected to have the mass removed and hoped that he'd be in the minuscule percentage of cats for whom VAS doesn't return.  He
 wasn't.  The lump came back, and we eventually had him put to sleep when he could no longer eat or drink well on his own and had a poor quality of life.  It just about killed me.  To think that I bascially killed him by being what I thought was a good cat mom by never missing his annual shots tore me up.     A few months after Fred died, in 1999, I got Pepper from a co-worker whose cat had had kittens.  That solid black furball was so sweet.  When he was a tiny kitten, he used to sleep on my chest, right below my neck at night.  Unfortunately, about that time, I started getting sick a lot.  Since my workplace had roof leaks when it rained, I suspected a mold allergy, and went to get allergy tested.  I was horrified when tests showed that I was VERY allergic to cats.  (The doctor said some cats are worse than others for allergies--just a crap shoot. He said it wasn't starnge that I could've been around
 Fred without getting sick a lot but not Pepper.)  I tried everything to keep Pepper inside--wekkly baths, MSM supplements for me, allergy shots for me.  Nothing worked.  Therefore, Pepper went from being an indoor-outdoor cat to being an outdoor cat.  He liked being outside, and I'd still go pet him outside--I'd just have to wash up when I got inside.     Now, when Pepper was a kitten, I'd gotten him his vaccinations.  However, given Fred's horrible death from over-vaccinating, I did my research before blingly following veterinary advice with Pepper.  Just about everything I read said that vaccines every 3 years were sufficient, so that's what I did.  I also had the vet use adjuvant-free vaccines and never give them in his neck.  He did get the FeLV vaccine as a kitten, as a young adult, and just last year.  I assumed he'd be safe from kitty diseases.     Last February, I got
 another cat.  She is a special breed that is supposed to be much less allergenic that others, and she was.  She was able to live in my house without making me sick.  When we got her, we had all of her vaccinations done EXCEPT FeLV.  We didn't think it was necessary since she is a 100% indoor cat, and since Pepper had been vaccinated for FeLV for those rare times when he comes inside.  Remember, I was very leery of vaccines, especially since Fred had died of VAS, and didn't want to vaccinate more than was absolutely necessary.     Well, since Hurricane Katrina, Pepper just hadn't been himself.  (We live on he Missisippi Gulf Coast and had 4' of water

Re: Bailey has gone home

[Jennifer Ross]

Belinda,  I am so sorry to hear about Bailey.  But it sounds like he was ready and it was his time.  I sounds like you are already finding comfort in knowing he is in a better place now where there is no more suffering.  We are all thinking of you!  JenBelinda <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:  Bailey left us at 6:20 this evening. He took a bad turn for the worse late last night and when I took him in this morning for his surgery it was evident he wasn't in good enough shape. We gave him fluids for a couple hours because he was dehydrated, his blood pressure was 60 and his temperature went from 103 yesterday to 98 today, his blood work was normal except his platelet count was low so he wasn't clotting and suregery was out of the question unless we could get his platelet count
 up. After two hours of fluids and a blood transfusion his platelets came up but his temperature was now 94, 96 puts kitties at risk for heart failure and she couldn't even get a blood pressure.My vet said we have 3 options, we could continue the fluids and support and see if things changed and if they did he could have the surgery tomorrow.Go ahead with the surgery and get in and out as quickly as possible or she could euthanise him.I asked her what she honestly thought of his condition, she said she though he was leaving on his own, I agreed. We talked, I asked her what to expect if he was going to die and she told me what the likely scenarios would be, she gave me a syringe of pain meds incase it got really bad for him, it would basically knock him out so he wouldn't suffer and pass on his own, she had a dinner engagement but told me to call if she was needed. I had told Bailey it was his decision to stay
 or go, and told him to do what was best for him. I brought him home on the fluids to keep supporting him and if he did turn for the better we would consider the surgery later. His breathing got worse just taking him to the car so I knew in my heart we didn't have long.We had about an hour, he was home with us and we were with him when he left. He is whole now and FeLV free for the first time. We were so lucky to have him for 11 years, his birthday was Monday. I will miss his bouncy, happy personality. He was so special and I learned so much thanks to him. He was our only positive and the one that was responsible for my learning everything I have about FeLV+, he has helped me save many positives and for that I thank him. I miss my little Baidely boys so much already ... take care all. Give your special guys and extra special hug for Bailey.-- Belindahappiness is being owned by cats
 ...Be-Mi-Kittieshttp://bemikitties.comPost Adoptable FeLV/FIV/FIP Cats/Kittenshttp://adopt.bemikitties.comFeLV Candlelight Servicehttp://bemikitties.com/clsHostDesign4U.com [affordable hosting & web design]http://HostDesign4U.comBMK Designs [non-profit animals websites]http://bmk.bemikitties.com
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Re: Henry and Omar

[Jennifer Ross]

Sherry,   So sorry to hear of the loss of you 2 little ones.  I am thinking of you.  JenSherry DeHaan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:This volunteering is getting so hard to do,We lost our sweet wonderful Henry and our beautiful blue eyed siamese manx to felv yesterday.Omar had the most beautiful aqua blue eyes that I have ever seen and the sweetest personality ,he love the temptations treats that I always give to all the fur kids.  Sweet Henry was so loving ,he always jumped up on you without warning to give you hugs and head butts,I will miss them so.  Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. PC-to-Phone calls for ridiculously low
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Re:Was appropriate calorie in take for a kitty - Now Bailey's Diagnosis

[Jennifer Ross]

I hope everything goes well for Bailey!  I am an RN, so I am familiar with all these diagnoses for humans, but not as they pertain to our 4-legged friends.  Treasure tonight with him and keep telling him how much you love him!Susan Loesch <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:  That is such a scary diagnosis.  Good luck on surgery tomorrow; I'll be thinking about you both.Belinda <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:   Hi All,Just got back from the vets. Xrays show something going on with the intestines, they do not look right and are bunched up with the actual loops really not disernable, also there is an enlarged lymph node around his lung that wasn't there on the last xray. My vet suspects that he
 now possibly has lymphoma.He is having surgery tomorrow morning to open his tummy and see if there is a tumor or diffused cancer and take biopsies of his intestines and since she will have him open she will check the rest of his organs, kidney's, bladder, spleen, liver which all look OK on xray. Obviously with him being in the shape he has been in for the last 4 or so months, there is a very real possibility he will not survive the surgery, please pray that whatever happens he doesn't have any unnecessary pain and that he doesn't suffer. I am going to spend the day with him and let him know whatever choice he makes is fine with me and I will be OK ... I hope he chooses to stick around for a while longer.His tube looks OK, no white matter around it to show that there is any leakage or that anything has been aspirated and his breathing is normal again, so his intestines being bunched up would explain the food
 not going through and him starting to throw it back up. It would also explain why he is so uncomfortable when it is time to feed him, I imagine the food just sitting in his tummy and be forced out by his next meal can't feel very good. He does have a fever again and she gave me some clinic care to see if that will go through and give him some nutrients, his weight is good at 9lbs. 8oz. Well I'm going to go feed him. Take care all.-- Belindahappiness is being owned by cats ...Be-Mi-Kittieshttp://bemikitties.comPost Adoptable FeLV/FIV/FIP Cats/Kittenshttp://adopt.bemikitties.comFeLV Candlelight Servicehttp://bemikitties.com/clsHostDesign4U.com [affordable hosting & web design]http://HostDesign4U.comBMK Designs [non-profit animals websites]http://bmk.bemikitties.com
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Re: new diagnosis

[Jennifer Ross]

Thanks for your advice and support.  It's so nice not to be going through this alone!  And all of you who have experienced this are the best sources of knowledge available.  Hearing how many kitties are still thriving is reassuring, though my heart goes out to those that are suffering or have left us.  Message: 8Date: Thu, 4 May 2006 16:21:22 EDTFrom: [EMAIL PROTECTED]Subject: Re: new diagnosisTo: felvtalk@felineleukemia.orgMessage-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Jen,   A few members on this list have  experienced the same  thing.  What seems to work best to get them over this round of fevers is  Immuno-Regulan, also known as Equistim.  There are articles about it on  this group's web page (_www.felineluekemia.org_ (http://www.felineluekemia.org) ) and you can do  a search of the archived messages for information on how Smokey was treated for  it when he had unremitting fevers.  Bandy also had this issue and was  treated with steroids
 (dexamethasone) and some other things. He took longer to  respond, I think, but eventually did, although he is having some eye problems  now.   I will forward some old emails from the archive about Smokey to  you-- I saved them on my computer. Michelle In a message dated 5/4/2006 3:29:25 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:My 10 year old domestic short hair just got diagnosed with FIV and FELV  last week.  She was lethargic, not eating and drinking, etc which is why  I brought her in and how we found out the diagnosis.  She ended up with a  105.9 fever and was hospitalized for several days with IV fluids and 
 antibiotics.  The fever broke and she came home on Friday night.   She has been an outdoor cat all her life (I adopted her 4 1/2 years ago) and  she is now an indoor cat due to the diagnoses.  We were just back at the  vet today because she is limping and I didn't know what was wrong with her  leg.  Turns out the leg is fine, but her temp is 106.9!!!  They gave  her some subcutaneous fluid and an injection to bring down the fever and let  me take her home as long as I monitor her temp hourly.  The vet said it  is all from the FELV virus, but I'm wondering if this is how the whole rest of  her life is going to be- constant trips to the vet for high fevers,  dehydration, fluids and medication.  I want my cat to be happy and  comfortable.  Allie is truly like my child and I am completely 
 devistated.  I find myself watching her like a hawk now, and spending  every waking moment with her not knowing if I have one more day, one more week  or one more year.  I have done a lot of research, but because I don't  know how long she has had the disease it's hard to know what's going to  happen-- I thought she had kicked this infection and it turns out she  hadn't...  Anyone else experienced these unremitting fevers and  infections?  Does this mean it is close to the end?  I obviously  want to have Allie with me as long as I can, but I am not willing to torture  her becuase I would not want to be tortured if it were me.  I am just so  overwhelmed and so devistated right now, I can't even think straight!   One vet had mentioned interferon injections to boost her immune system.   I am
 considering looking into those, but I don't know if it would be more  tortuous to put my kitty through injections or have her get sick all the  time...  Does anyone have any experience with interferon?  Thanks  for listening!Jen -- next part --An HTML attachment was scrubbed...URL: /pipermail/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org/attachments/20060504/6fc8cfeb/attachment.htm--Message: 9Date: Thu, 4 May 2006 16:26:36 EDTFrom: [EMAIL PROTECTED]Subject: Re: new diagnosisTo: felvtalk@felineleukemia.orgMessage-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Jen,  Here are some old emails from this list: 1.  I started Smokey on immuno-regulan last Wednesday.   Herecieved shots for 4 days and then 2 shots per week. His problem was a  recurring fever.  So far he is feverfree.  He has been eating good  and playing.  He isalso taking Baytril and Clavamox but I think  theimmuno-regulan has
 helped him with his fevers.  I amkeeping my  fingers crossed.  This has been the 1stweek in over a month that we  haven't had to make atrip to the vet or go in as an  emergency.Cindy 2.  Hi all,Hope you are all doing well these days...I have been sort of out of touch  the last month.Just wanted to give you all an update on my Bandy..His last vet visit was a few weeks ago and his PCV was holding at  27.  He has gained another 4oz. so he is up to 7# 2oz. which is almost his  top weight...He is looking good and eating well.We are on interferon alpha daily and 1/2cc baytril still...I don't know how  long he will have to be on that as he has been on it for months now..I am alternating supplements too..I just want to make sure he keeps eating  good so I just rotate things around for now...I give him Co Q 10, bone meal 

Re: appropriate calorie intake for a kitty

[Jennifer Ross]

I don't know the whole background of your cat, but my vet just recommended baby food to me.  Apparently cats love it (go figure!) and it has a lot of nutrition and also has some moisture in it.  We just bought chicken and turkey flavor dinners and Allie loves them!  My Allie hasn't really been eating since she came home from the hospital last week and has lost one pound in one month so the vet suggested trying the baby food to see if she would eat that.  I can get about 2 tablespoons into her daily (without assistance) which I think is a decent supplement to the hard food she is taking in.  You can also assist feed with it with a small spoon or something (I had a friend who feed her cat baby food every 2 hours) and since it's something they like, the cat may be more likely to take more in without forcing making it a more pleasant experience for both of you!  Good luck!  Date: Thu, 4 May 2006 12:24:43
 -0600From: "Hideyo Yamamoto" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>Subject: RE: appropriate calorie in take for a kittyTo: Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>Content-Type:
 text/plain; charset="us-ascii"Hi, Belinda, thank you so much for your encouragement- before I startedassist feeding, I did consider feedinb tube - my vet thoughts that shecould put one through his nose without anthesia (I was really concernedabout him going through the anethesia) Is feeding tube veryuncomfortable? I don't know what it looks like or feels like... 100cc offood -wow, that's a lot..I have been using 6cc syringe with Hannibal -which means that I have to give him almost 20 of them.. He DOES eat onhis own, as a matter of fact, he has been feeling good for the pastcouple of days as he went to outside enclosure to get some cool airwhich he hadn't done for a couple of weeks -How bad is Bailey's kidney, Belinda?My Hanniba's kidney values weren't bad at all until a couple of monthsago.. As a matter of fact, with fluid therapy at him, it was almost backto normal.. Until I made him go through
 anethesia for a dental.. He hada problem eating because of a bad teeth.. Then his kidney went downhill.. I so regret this for the rest of my life.. I wish I figured out away that his tooth could have been taken out without general anethesia..
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new diagnosis

[Jennifer Ross]

My 10 year old domestic short hair just got diagnosed with FIV and FELV last week.  She was lethargic, not eating and drinking, etc which is why I brought her in and how we found out the diagnosis.  She ended up with a 105.9 fever and was hospitalized for several days with IV fluids and antibiotics.  The fever broke and she came home on Friday night.  She has been an outdoor cat all her life (I adopted her 4 1/2 years ago) and she is now an indoor cat due to the diagnoses.  We were just back at the vet today because she is limping and I didn't know what was wrong with her leg.  Turns out the leg is fine, but her temp is 106.9!!!  They gave her some subcutaneous fluid and an injection to bring down the fever and let me take her home as long as I monitor her temp hourly.  The vet said it is all from the FELV virus, but I'm wondering if this is how the whole rest of her life is going to be- constant trips to the vet for high fevers,
 dehydration, fluids and medication.  I want my cat to be happy and comfortable.  Allie is truly like my child and I am completely devistated.  I find myself watching her like a hawk now, and spending every waking moment with her not knowing if I have one more day, one more week or one more year.  I have done a lot of research, but because I don't know how long she has had the disease it's hard to know what's going to happen-- I thought she had kicked this infection and it turns out she hadn't...  Anyone else experienced these unremitting fevers and infections?  Does this mean it is close to the end?  I obviously want to have Allie with me as long as I can, but I am not willing to torture her becuase I would not want to be tortured if it were me.  I am just so overwhelmed and so devistated right now, I can't even think straight!  One vet had mentioned interferon injections to boost her immune system.  I am considering
 looking into those, but I don't know if it would be more tortuous to put my kitty through injections or have her get sick all the time...  Does anyone have any experience with interferon?  Thanks for listening!  Jen
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