from:"Julie Johnson"

Re: parachuting complete

2005-08-16 Thread Julie Johnson

Michelle, that's fantastic! You should be so proud of yourself; I could NEVER have done that! I get dizzy on the second rung of a ladder!

Julie[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

What else can I say other thangghh - very frightening but good.

The training was the easy part - it was 6 hours ground training on Saturday and arecap before take off on Sunday. When they dispatch youout of the plane the commands are 'feet out' (you put your feet out and sit with half your backside hanging out of the plane with one hand at the back of you on the side of the plane and one down in front of you on edge of plane floor), 'head up' (ready to arch as you exit - but this really helps not looking down so is the best command), 'andgo' (push out of the plane in a backward arch position doing a check parachute drill - reality was OH S**T - push out of the plane forgot about shouting out the drill andchecked canopy prayingthat theparachute was ok). We had an instructor on ground prompting too after leaving plane which helped.
We were scared before we got in the plane but when the plane dipped sideways whilst climbing we could see the groundfrom the dispatchdoorway and our faces must have just turned white - The instructor had to help me get into position near the door in preparation for dispatch - even beforethe feet outcommand - Iwas scared of falling out of the open doorway. The sensation of leaving the plane wasunbelievably strange - I didn't even feel like I was moving. The parachute is on a static line so opens as you exit at 3500 feet- it moves forward at 20mph ground speedpluswind speed and you can't feelmovement unless you turn fast or until you see ground approaching rapidly at about 300ft. I decided toavoid making any fast turns- thought I'd leave those foranother time - I think I was too frozen in shock or fear to think about much other than landing where I was supposed to land - I was just relieved to see the
parachute open and see my landing area. My first sight was a mass of quick sand and sea and I had visions of landing there as I couldn't see my dedicated landing area - thankfully Idid seemy correct landing area soon after when I decided to look below my feet instead of looking around me. The landing was fun - I didn't expect to touch ground so hard and the impact is quite strong so as I landed on my feetmy legs give and I just fell over ha ha - didn't really hurt though - was just an unexpected shock (to be honest I think I took the brakes off too soon but not 100% sure). Very very strange experience but - me being me - I'll be returning to do it again just for fun - maybe I'll be brave and try more turns next time.

There is no way of describing the sensation - it is wierd feeling - being weightless is just bizarre - just feels like dangling on a static line but with no pressure - like a feather floating maybe. But at least it raised about £1000 for the donkey sanctuary.

Michelle, Bramble, Minstrel Buddy"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

Re: No Exploratory (Yet) for Tater Tot

2005-08-16 Thread Julie Johnson

Thanks, Tonya. Poor little guy; it's tearing me apart.catatonya [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Julie,

I'm so sorry about Tator Tot and I hope it's not fip. :(

I always loved his name.

tJulie Johnson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Dear Friends,

Tater Tot came home on Saturday. The fluid was drained and was more thick and yellow than earlier in the week. One more brick in the wall for an FIP diagnosis. I talked at length with Wendy when I picked him up on Saturday and while she was willing to do the exploratory, she wasn't awfully positive about what we'd find and felt he was rather high-risk. I did talk to her about a CAT scan and she agreed it could be useful to rule out other diseases and wouldn't carry the risks of exploratory surgery. She's contacting an internist today to try and set up a referral.

He's eating and seems interested in everything around him, but his belly is already starting to fill again. I've been reading everything possible about FIP and just joined the Yahoo group.

Please keep him in your thoughts.

Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page "I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

Re: OT - Sparrow help

2005-08-16 Thread Julie Johnson

Dear Paolo,

Thank you for helping this poor little soul! Most of the things I've heard and read say only to keep the bird warm and in a dark place until you can get it to a wildlife specialist; well, that's going to be tough if they are all on Holiday!

Here's a website I found which includes a link to a posting area; maybe a bird expert there can help you!

http://www.wildbirds.com/Babybird_injured.htm


Love, JuliePaolo [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Hi all,I know this could sound quite bizarre but... well, two days ago I founda little sparrow in the garden, he stayed perfectly immobile and whentried to fly, could fly only for a very few meters. I took him to myhouse (I save you the details about how to "segregate" my cat from thelittle sparrow...) He's not that small, just a bit smaller than an adultsparrow, with the light down [underfur feathers] typical of the babybirds half gone already.The problem is that he doesn't eat nothing solid, no bread, no rice,and no meat of course (ham, finely minced meat). He only wanted water+sugar I understand it gives carbohydrate and avoid dehydration,but it's definitely not good on the long term because sparrows arecarnivores, they eat insects... he's totally lacking any protein input.It sounds odd, but all the offices of the
 italian bird protectionassociation are closed for holiday!!!I need advice about how to give proteins to him, and I need iturgently!!!Thank you to everybodyPaolo"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.
		 Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page

Re: Add Sunshine to the CLS

2005-08-15 Thread Julie Johnson

Dear Gloria,

I'm so sorry to hear about Sunshine. Poor little soul. How fortunate she was to be surrounded by love in the final days of her too short life. 

Take care, Juliecatatonya [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Gloria,

I'm so sorry about your little Sunshine. I'm glad she had you there with her.

tonya[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Please add Sunshine to the CLS (she's FIV, not FELV). The golden kitty Sunshine showed up in a friend's back yard, unable to walk, and I had her for about a week. She did eat a little, and we gave her fluids and soft foods and meds. But there was something about her brain and nervous system, and she did test positive for FIV. When I got her, she couldn't walk, she was conscious and ate a little, but she deteriorated. At some point she started having seizures and we gave her a little sedative, and she never woke up. She was a sweet, young, yellow FIV kitty who probably just didn't appropriate care in her short lifetime.Sleep soft sweet Sunshine.Gloria"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of
 a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

Re: Bramble can't eat - ideas please

2005-08-15 Thread Julie Johnson

Thanks for that info, Jo. I wasa big fan of Rebound (a liquid meal replacement for sick cats; had some electroloyetes in it, too) until they changed the formula! Since I discovered it, I always had sick kitties lap it; NOW, the new improved formula is a) lower in calories (?huh? why would you decrease calories to an animal who's not eating?) and b) far less palatable if my tribe is any indication.

Michelle, how about the oil or water from a can of tuna or mackeral?

Sending best wishes and hoping Bramble will eat soon.

Julie

[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

I haven't seen this mentioned, but its worth a shot... Have you tried CliniCare? Its like Ensure for kitties... in fact they are made by the same company. Its complete nutrition and its even used for kitties fed via a tube. Here's a link so you know what to look for.

http://www.abbottanimalhealth.com/nut_clinicare_caninefeline.html

I'm on 9 different groups and its used across the boards. Since its liquid, it can be force fed via a syringe.

Hope this helps,
Jo
__
In a message dated 8/2/2005 4:47:33 AM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Any ideas pleaseBramble has Calici again after catching it from Buddy as I mentioned last week - his nose is ulcerated and I'm sure his throat is too as he is really hungry and wants his food but can't seem to eat much of it. I've tried mashing it for him but I think his throat is too sore. This has been for 2 days now. His vet had said wait for 5 days on antibiotics last week but the day after I got him on Interferon Omega when he sneezed blood. He has just finished his first 5 injections. He has been more affect the last 2 days so I'm pleased I got him on Interferon again fast. Any ideas for feeding (I've left him some baby food out this morning without much success and tried fish for the smell)I really think it is his throat that is sore - he goes back to the vet tonight.Michelle, Bramble, Buddy Minstrel
"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

No Exploratory (Yet) for Tater Tot

2005-08-15 Thread Julie Johnson

Dear Friends,

Tater Tot came home on Saturday. The fluid was drained and was more thick and yellow than earlier in the week. One more brick in the wall for an FIP diagnosis. I talked at length with Wendy when I picked him up on Saturday and while she was willing to do the exploratory, she wasn't awfully positive about what we'd find and felt he was rather high-risk. I did talk to her about a CAT scan and she agreed it could be useful to rule out other diseases and wouldn't carry the risks of exploratory surgery. She's contacting an internist today to try and set up a referral.

He's eating and seems interested in everything around him, but his belly is already starting to fill again. I've been reading everything possible about FIP and just joined the Yahoo group. 

Please keep him in your thoughts.

Love, Julie"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.
		 Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page

Re: No Exploratory (Yet) for Tater Tot

2005-08-15 Thread Julie Johnson

Thanks so much, Joan; we need them!Joan Doljan [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Lots of positive vibes from all of us to you and Tator Tot. Julie Johnson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Dear Friends,

He's eating and seems interested in everything around him, but his belly is already starting to fill again. I've been reading everything possible about FIP and just joined the Yahoo group.

Please keep him in your thoughts.

Re: No Exploratory (Yet) for Tater Tot

2005-08-15 Thread Julie Johnson

Thank you, Barb. He loves hugs; he's a little sweetie.Barb Moermond [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Sending GLOW to you and your little man - HUGS SCRITCHESJulie Johnson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Dear Friends,

He's eating and seems interested in everything around him, but his belly is already starting to fill again. I've been reading everything possible about FIP and just joined the Yahoo group.

Please keep him in your thoughts.

Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page Barb+Smoky the House Puma+El Bandito Malito"My cat the clown: paying no mind to whom he should impress. Merely living his life, doing what pleases him, and making me smile." - Anonymous

Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page "I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.
Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page

Re: No Exploratory (Yet) for Tater Tot

2005-08-15 Thread Julie Johnson

Hey Terrie,

His cousin Spudz (they are both grey and looked a lot alike as kittens) was named that because he layed there like a big potato! Nursing and getting big, while in the other litter, Tater was his opposite; didn't nurse well and was tiny. What else could he be compared to Spudz but a "Tater Tot"?

We appreciate your good thoughts and prayers; I'm vacillating between despair and flat-out anger!

Love, Julie[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

You guys are in my thoughts and prayers!
I just love the name "Tater Tot"

 Terrie MohrTAZZY'S ANIMAL TRANSPORTSSIAMESE  COLLIE RESCUEOwner/DriverCheck sites for available Siameses for adoption!http://www.tazzys-siameses-collies.petfinder.org/Click Here to Join WASHINGTON SIAMESE RESCUE Yahoo Group!http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wasiameserescueClick Here to Join K9 and Puddy Xpress Yahoo http://groups.yahoo.com/group/K9andPuddyXpress/joinhttp://hometown.aol.com/tatorbunz/index.htmlhttp://hometown.aol.com/tatorbunz/myhomepage/petmemorial.htmlPetfinder.comAdopt a Homeless Pet!http://www.petfinder.com/http://www.felineleukemia.org/http://www.petloss.com/TAZZY'S ANIMAL TRANSPORTShttps://www.paypal.com/"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing
 your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

Re: No Exploratory (Yet) for Tater Tot

2005-08-15 Thread Julie Johnson

Thank you, Jenn, we need it![EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:





I'm wishing Tater lot's of luck, and sending positive energy!
Jennhttp://ucat.ushttp://ucat.us/domesticcatlinks.html Adopt a FIV+ cat: http://jenn.rescuegroup.org/FELV/FIV/Adopt a FELV+ cat:http://ucat.us/FELVadopt.html~~~I collect KMR kitten formula labels for Bazil, a 3 yr old special needs cat who must live on a liquid diet for the rest of his life.Bazil's caretaker collects labels and sends them to KMR, where they add up until she earns a free can of formula!PLEASE save your KMR kitten formula labels for Bazil!

If you use KMR, even just one can, please ask me for the mailing address you can send them to, to help feed Bazil!No virus found in this outgoing message.Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.Version: 7.0.338 / Virus Database: 267.10.8/71 - Release Date: 8/12/2005"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

Re: No Exploratory (Yet) for Tater Tot

2005-08-15 Thread Julie Johnson

Thank you, Teeri; we need 'em!Terri Brown [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:





Healing thoughts coming your way!

=^..^= Terri, Salome', Siggie the Tomato Vampire, Guinevere, Sammi, and 5 furangels: RuthieGirl, Samantha, Arielle, Gareth and Alec =^..^=

Furkid Photos! http://mysite.verizon.net/vze7sgqa/My FeLV Site: http://pages.ivillage.com/ruthiegirl1/MyFeLVinformationSite/My Personal Page: http://www.geocities.com/ruthiegirl1/terrispage.html?1083970447350

- Original Message - 
From: Julie Johnson 
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org 
Sent: Monday, August 15, 2005 10:09 AM
Subject: No Exploratory (Yet) for Tater Tot

Dear Friends,

Tater Tot came home on Saturday. The fluid was drained and was more thick and yellow than earlier in the week. One more brick in the wall for an FIP diagnosis. I talked at length with Wendy when I picked him up on Saturday and while she was willing to do the exploratory, she wasn't awfully positive about what we'd find and felt he was rather high-risk. I did talk to her about a CAT scan and she agreed it could be useful to rule out other diseases and wouldn't carry the risks of exploratory surgery. She's contacting an internist today to try and set up a referral.

He's eating and seems interested in everything around him, but his belly is already starting to fill again. I've been reading everything possible about FIP and just joined the Yahoo group. 

Please keep him in your thoughts.

Love, Julie"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it isto protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet. 


Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page "I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

Re: Tater Tot Update - Response - LONG!

2005-08-13 Thread Julie Johnson

nage her care rather than put her through a surgery that might not even diagnose what was causing the IBD.. I kept up with the pred the rest of her life using the lowest dose possible, along
with an allergy diet from Dr. Pitcairn using lamb and rice with Booda Mix (similar to metamucil, but for cats) and she lived over 6-1/2 more years until I had to help her go on to the Bridge when she was 18 years and 7 months. I'm sorry this is so long, but I thought Ticker's story was appropo with what is going on with Tater Tot. Has TT ever had any intermitent stool problems, vomiting occasionally, etc.? Also, it just shows also that even a vet specialist doesn't have all the answers. If you have never checked out my cheqnet site below, you can see a picture of my beautiful, wonderful Ticky there.--

Brenda.

http://www.whiskersandwicks.com
http://www.cheqnet.net/~bksmith

"The only risk you ever run in befriending a cat is enriching yourself." - Colette

Don't Take Your Organs To Heaven. Heaven Knows We Need Them Here.

Julie Johnson wrote:
Hi Michelle,

It's interesting that you bring that up; I'm about 1.5 hours away from a large specialty hospital in Rhode Island. I took Brownie there to see the veterinary opthamologist and I was quite impressed. The do have internists there and I believe they also have a CAT scan and I wonder if that would give us more information without the dangers of an exploratory. I've been thinking about it for the last couple of hours and I'm going to bring it up when I pick up Tater in the morning. You're right; it's very confusing and I'm trying to do everything I responsibly can without endangering Tater Tot. Thanks so much for your input.

Julie

No virus found in this outgoing message.Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 267.10.5 - Release Date: 8/9/2005"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

Re: Tater Tot Update

2005-08-13 Thread Julie Johnson

Hi Jenn,

I've got to get information on the CAT scan today; when I had cancer the tumor was found during another procedure and did NOT show on on any of the ultrasounds, nor did any (and I had a lot!) physical pelvic exam give any hint. After it was found, the oncologist ordered a CAT scan to use as a reference during surgery, so I have to know if a CAT scan would tell us something in Tater's case.

The problem with the exploratory is that two vets are working on his case; my older vet is sure that an exploratory is the way to go (and he actually did save Roylene's life by doing one many years ago) but the younger one thinks all the evidence for FIP is mounting and that an exploratory won't tell us anything.

I feel in my heart that Tater does not have FIP; there is just something too weird about those tiny little stools and I have felt that way since the beginning.

Thanks so much for your thoughts and for caring.

Julie
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:




I would not have ANY exploratory surgery done to my cat by a vet that was NOT feeling positive that it would be helpful. The last thing Tater needs right now is ANYONE with negative energy around him, especially cutting him open!I second the opinion stated that you need a second opinion, preferably one more qualified in this field. I'd definitely take the Tater to the specialist! Use you gut instinct, it's there for a reason!
Jennhttp://ucat.ushttp://ucat.us/domesticcatlinks.html Adopt a FIV+ cat: http://jenn.rescuegroup.org/FELV/FIV/Adopt a FELV+ cat:http://ucat.us/FELVadopt.html~~~I collect KMR kitten formula labels for Bazil, a 3 yr old special needs cat who must live on a liquid diet for the rest of his life.Bazil's caretaker collects labels and sends them to KMR, where they add up until she earns a free can of formula!PLEASE save your KMR kitten formula labels for Bazil!

If you use KMR, even just one can, please ask me for the mailing address you can send them to, to help feed Bazil!No virus found in this outgoing message.Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.Version: 7.0.338 / Virus Database: 267.10.7/70 - Release Date: 8/11/2005"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.
		 Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page

Re: Bandy's temp

2005-08-13 Thread Julie Johnson

Hi Kerry,

I'm sorry to hear that Bandy's temp went back up; I hope he'll get thru the weekend on that injection. It's great that he's eating and drinking and all is output is normal. Keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers and hoping we find some answers for him and for Tater Tot soon!!!
Julie
Kerry Roach [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Hi, Bandy didn't seem to feel too good today...His temp was up to 104.2 and he did go almost 5 days without it going up to that...He did receive another dex inj. but it is cut down to 1/4cc now..hopefully to get him thru the
weekend...he is eating and drinking alot...Bowels and kidneys are working fine...He doesn't have any eye or nose discharge..He never has..
I think we are going to get an appt. next week to an internal med specialist that I have used in the past...It is about 120 miles away and he won't like the ride, but he needs some answers because this temp thing could go on and on...
Thank you Julie and Michelle for your replies...
I did ask about the metacam and immuno-regulin...I have read about the metacam and it seems to be more for dogs and not so good for cats...Have you used it in your kitties before without any side effects? Also, the immuno-regulin, my vet has but she said she had never had very good result with it...I think it might be a good thing though..except for the temporary rise in the temp...I do hope we can get into the spec. next week..or asap...
I will check more on the lysine though, too...I think I am going to add some Vit. C tonight and maybe some CO Q10
Anyway, any other suggestions would be appreciated...A good thing is that he has gained 1 lb 71/2 oz. since this all started in middle of June...I think that is a good jump for a small kitty. I hope I can get another 1 lb on him...
I do hope your Tator Tot and Bramble are doing better today...
We will be thinking about you.
Kerry and Bandy

Re: Hi everyone - long

2005-08-12 Thread Julie Johnson

Hi Bonnie,

Prayers are on the way for your kitties and for you! I'm so sorry to hear that all this is happening; it's so hard when it seems that everything is happening at once.

Giving sub-q fluids at home is not at all difficult to learn; it can be a bit of trouble if the animal really dislikes it, because you need 8 hands to give the fluids and restrain them at the same time. I have a couple of kitties, though, who don't care at all; I literally "plug them in" and they just sit there while I do other things!

Sending you all best wishes, JulieBonnie Nelson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
I have to admit, I have been only a lurker here for the last year or so. My teaching schedule and problems in personal life with family type stuff have kept me pretty busy. I have been reading every email but many times pretty late and felt awkward responding to some of the sad occurrences over a month late, hence I haven't been responding or posting at all. I sent James an email a few weeks ago changing my email address because our college has just moved to university status and our addresses changed. I did not want to lose contact, so I just put through the email change and have still gotten them but looked back and noted the last one I have read was the end of June - still quite behind in reading. I want to say I have cried many tears reading about the new furangels and celebrated when new kitties were given homes. I am just so sorry that I never posted anything. Especially
since right now when I really need to ask for your support. James the week after I told you my cats were doing okay - just getting old, I had 2 cats slow down on their eating. Collette - my asthmatic, IBD and positive FELV test once has slowed down but still eats some. The vet feels like she is moving into pulmonary fibrosus because of the asthma and may be coming to the end because of that problem. The real shocker was when my Antoinette pretty much stopped eating around the same time. I took all three of my cats to the vet - because Cossette needed new blood work before having her teeth cleaned - got all ready for it last November and then never got around to doing it. Any way the vet cleared her for teeth cleaning - all blood work was fine. Collette's blood work was fine but the vet noted her chest enlargement and the progression of her asthma - kind of like people getting chronic obstructive lung disease, but the real shocker was that Antoinette ( Annie) had lost 2 pounds in
the 6 month period she had last been there - I told the vet, I really think it occurred in the last 2 - 3 weeks when she slowed down on her eating. She gave me some different suggestions and I tried them all.I am glad that I have still been reading because I have also tried the turkey, chicken and beef lunch meats. Remebered that she liked cream cheese, plain donuts and an occassional potato chip. We have gone through absolutely every kind of cat food and even tried KMR since I remembered when I rescued her that she took that through a bottle for 3 weeks till she was big enough to eat regular kitten food. I took Cossette in for her teeth cleaning and arranged a follow-up for Annie. She had gone from 11 lbs down to 8.9 lbs in about 4 weeks. The vet asked what I wanted her to do and of course I said find something we can fix. I know Annie is 15 years old but she still cuddles and massages my neck, so I didn't think she was ready to go yet. Unfortunately, the chest x-ray showed
a lung tumor. Her belly looked fine but her blood work showed that she was heading toward hepatic lipidosis. I asked about an oncologist and the vet told me the closest one was in Southfield, Michigan and I live in Toledo, Ohio. Because of a bad back and legs I don't know how many trips up there I could make but I'm not giving up. The vet gave me some A/D food and feeding syringes but so far Annie has been eating that on her own - about 2 tsp. twice last night and 2 tsp twice this morning. Then I had to come to work. I will be leaving shortly and will let her eat or force feed her every couple of hours tonight. I am taking Collette in for a new chest x-ray to check on her asthma and blood worrk because she still in not eating much either. Collette and Cossette were both from the same liter and are each 16 years old. I know my cats are getting old and the vet understands that I am not giving up on them. When I look in their eyes they are still there. Cossette's teeth cleaning
went well yesterday and I even had them do chest an abdominal xrays on her and she looks fine. That was about the only good news this week. So, I guess I need to ask if Belinda can add to the candlelight service - Collette - FELV + once, then negative 6 months later by IFA - thank goodness I joined this group and knew what to ask for. And please add Antoinette (Annie) to the list for her lung cancer and that she either start eating so we can see the oncologist or have a peaceful end. She cuddled in my arm the entire night last

Re: Bandy's temp

2005-08-12 Thread Julie Johnson

Hi Kerry,

I usually give 500mg of Lysine once a day; if the kitty is really having effusive sneezing or eye discharge, etc., then I use 500mg twice a day. It's 1,000 mg per day is the dose that a veterinary opthamologist gave me for Paulie when he had a corneal ulcer due to herpes.

Thanks so much for the good wishes for Tater Tot!

JulieKerry Roach [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Hi,
Thanks for the info...Bandy has gotten dex no more often than evry 3 or 4 days...and even gone as long a week a couple of times...I think in the last 6 wks. he has had maybe 7 or 8 injections.. I don't like it either but I thought since it was short acting and no more often than that, it might not be so harmful...since he does keep eating and drinking on his own and there are no lapses in that as long as the temp goes down...
I will check it out with his vet about the hot virus..and we are looking to go to a specialist, too.
He isn't on lysine...How much do you give?
I will keep you postedJulie, I do hope your Tator Tot is feeling better real soon...
Kerry and Bandy
__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com "I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

Re: All 4 positive again

2005-08-12 Thread Julie Johnson

Hi Terri,

I'm sorry to hear that they tested positive again; are you testing each cat or doing batch testing? How long has it been since their previous test?

I do know how overwhelmed you must feel; some days are just so hard. Sending you a big hug and lots of good wishes.

JulieTerri Durham-Stone [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Hi AllWell they tested pos again- . My Vet decided to do the snap testagain and possibly send one or two out but since they all tested pos,she told me to save my money... Money is getting tight right now.I also am afraid but another one (the brother) is starting to get aswollen belly  I will need to find placement for them as soon as Ican, just overwhelmed and I can't go on this road much longer - motoris starting to sputter :)Any one know of a good home or sanctuary ?Terri93 kittens and cats,, just can't do much more--Terri Durham-StoneSafe a Life "Spay and Neuter"Live well, Love much, Laugh Often"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress
 can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

Re: CLS: Winky is gone

2005-08-12 Thread Julie Johnson

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that. Poor little fellow; anemia makes the heart work harder and perhaps that coupled with the existing murmur sent him into some kind of arhythmia.I hope everyone involved will take comfort from the fact that he passed on knowing he was safe and loved.

Julie[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Can you please add Winky to the CLS for this week? Winky was one of the FELV+ cats rescued from Angel Wings and placed with Tad and Marie in Vermont. Marie found him dead under her bed tonight. He had anemia and a heart murmur. He went very peacefully under their bed, he had been seen 3 hours before, and appeared fine, and not in any distress. Please keep Tad and Marie in your thoughts, they have been very kind to Winky these past few weeks, and showed him much love and comfort during his short time in their home. Thanks Tad and Marie, for giving Winky a safe home to make his journey from.

This is what Marie said of his passing:

"It is with great sadness that we let you all know that Winky has left us for the rainbow bridge tonight, very unexpectedly. We are devastated over this since he seemed to be coming along so well. I guess I don't know what else to say right now...it was rather a very unexpected shock to find him. Please wish him a speedy trip with your blessings." Thank you Marie and TadHere is a picture of Winky:http://jenn.rescuegroup.org/FELV/FELVmaleGW5-158.jpg
(I'm sure Tad has a better one on his yahoogroup, in the photos section)
Sweet thoughts of comfort to you Winky, as you move on to the next cycle of your destiny!
Jennhttp://ucat.ushttp://ucat.us/domesticcatlinks.html Adopt a FIV+ cat: http://jenn.rescuegroup.org/FELV/FIV/Adopt a FELV+ cat:http://ucat.us/FELVadopt.html~~~I collect KMR kitten formula labels for Bazil, a 3 yr old special needs cat who must live on a liquid diet for the rest of his life.Bazil's caretaker collects labels and sends them to KMR, where they add up until she earns a free can of formula!PLEASE save your KMR kitten formula labels for Bazil!

If you use KMR, even just one can, please ask me for the mailing address you can send them to, to help feed Bazil!No virus found in this outgoing message.Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.Version: 7.0.338 / Virus Database: 267.10.5/68 - Release Date: 8/10/2005"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.
Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page

Still waiting, and, an FIV+ kitty gets a home

2005-08-12 Thread Julie Johnson

Hi Everyone,

Still waiting for Tater Tot's cytology to come back. I spoke with one of his Dr.'s last night (my original vet; the owner of the practice). He's been in practice 30+ years, so he's seen a lot. He feels Tater does not have FIP; he thinks he may have an abdominal tumor even though nothing has showed on the ultrasound and nothing was felt on examination (when he simply had a cold a couple of weeks ago; before the fluid accumulation). Obviously, we all want to see that ** report, but he's thinking that exploratory surgery may be what needs to be done. I have to agree since I had a tumor that no test showed; it was hidden behind my ovaries andI wonder if he has something hidden behind an organ. There was a TV commercial being shot (Tater may be in it!) so when I went to visit, he got unhooked from his IV and we got a whole consult room to ourselves. He was very interested in all the sounds, ate some baby food like a little hog and
generally seemed like a cat without a care in the world (except he looks like the Goodyear blimp).

On another note, I received an email from a woman in my office building (I'm the resident "cat lady"!) who has several kitties of her own and took in a stray who tested FIV+. The vet told her that her options were to find him a home with other FIV+ cats or euthanize him. She got so panicked, she simply couldn't make any decision and just took him back home. She wrote to me asking if I had any suggestions or advice and I was able to share my experience mixing negatives and positives, some of the other folks on the lists' experiences, and send her lots of resources. She told me today that she IS keeping the kitty herself, she has chosen not to vaccinate the others w/the FIV vaccine and she feels confident and happy with her decision; she is building her arsenal of information and planning a homemade diet! I was just overjoyed for her and for this sweet cat!

That's my news for now; sitting on pins and needles.

Julie"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.
Yahoo! Mail
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Re: Busy here!

2005-08-12 Thread Julie Johnson

Hi Terrie,

What a nightmare! Aside from being unaltered, how are the kitties doing healthwise? They are so lucky to have you involved! I can imagine you must be physically and emotionally exhausted. Sending you good thoughts and the hope that you find time for a nap!!

Take care, Julie[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Hello everyone,
I wanted to say I have been reading all the emails. I'm so sorry for the losses and the ones that are ill. They are all in my thoughts and prayers.

I've been involved with a Breeder/Hoarder situation with 200 Ragamuffins that range from babies up to adults. The person abandoned the kitties and split to CA. to keep from going to jail.
Anyway, I was called one week ago to help. My God...I have never seen so many beautiful kitties in one location but get this there are 3-4 more locations of kitties.
None of these kitties had been altered. So about 70 of them have been altered so far. I end up taking about 25 into my rescue and of course aren't altered/vaccinated. They are in isolation in my home. Will start altering on Mondayoh how fun!
These kitties I have are 7-8 months old of all colors.
I'm glad to say I have placed 12 of them with proof of altering from the Vets to private people.
This was yesterday...as usual I get called at the last minute asking for help.
These are temporary fosters the breeder dumped on back in May of this year.
So if you know anyone in WA, OR, or ID looking for a Purebred Ragamuffin there are many to choose from me here in WA. CALL ME or EMAIL ME!!! (425) 344-6933 or [EMAIL PROTECTED]
My requirement is paid proof of when the animal will be altered and Vet/reference/home check.
Thanks!
Terrie MohrTAZZY'S ANIMAL TRANSPORTSSIAMESE COLLIE RESCUEOwner/DriverCheck sites for available Siameses for adoption!http://www.tazzys-siameses-collies.petfinder.org/Click Here to Join WASHINGTON SIAMESE RESCUE Yahoo Group!http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wasiameserescueClick Here to Join K9 and Puddy Xpress Yahoo http://groups.yahoo.com/group/K9andPuddyXpress/joinhttp://hometown.aol.com/tatorbunz/index.htmlhttp://hometown.aol.com/tatorbunz/myhomepage/petmemorial.htmlPetfinder.comAdopt a Homeless Pet!http://www.petfinder.com/http://www.orecatay.com/http://www.awca.net/index.htmhttp://www.felineleukemia.org/http://www.petloss.com/http://www.meezer.com/http://thesiamesestore.com/http://tx.siameserescue.org/adopt.htmlSouthern CA. Siamese Rescuehttp://cs.siameserescue.org/Northern CA. Siamese Rescuehttp://cn.siameserescue.org/http://co.siameserescue.org/http://va.siameserescue.org/https://www.paypal.com/"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.
Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page

Tater Tot Update

2005-08-12 Thread Julie Johnson

Hi Everyone,

Most of the cytology is back and there's nothing really definitive; it's "suggestive" of FIP when coupled with other factors (Corona titre, fluid in abdomen, etc.) but the values are borderline low-end "normal" when being used to attempt to confirm FIP.

I may be totally off here, but I feel exploratory surgery needs to be done. The primary vet who's been treating him (my original vet's partner) is supportive but not particularly positive. I'm having the fluid drained from his abdomen tonight and bringing him home in the morning (my birthday). He will stay home with us over the weekend where we can love him and then we're planningan exploratory for Monday. 

Good thoughts for my little man would be most appreciated. I feel like this is the only reasonable plan for him at this point. Never thought I'd wish they'd find a tumor; at least we'd know what we were fighting.

Thanks everyone, for being here.

Love, Julie"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

Re: Tater Tot Update

2005-08-12 Thread Julie Johnson

Hi Michelle,

It's interesting that you bring that up; I'm about 1.5 hours away from a large specialty hospital in Rhode Island. I took Brownie there to see the veterinary opthamologist and I was quite impressed. The do have internists there and I believe they also have a CAT scan and I wonder if that would give us more information without the dangers of an exploratory. I've been thinking about it for the last couple of hours and I'm going to bring it up when I pick up Tater in the morning. You're right; it's very confusing and I'm trying to do everything I responsibly can without endangering Tater Tot. Thanks so much for your input.

Julie[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:


Julie,
 I support whatever you think needs to be done at this point. It is very confusing. I know you like your vet, but is the vet an internist? They sometimes have more knowledge of what to make of confusing situations like this. They are usually at big hospitals and at veterinary referral centers.
Michelle"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.
		 Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page

Re: Bramble update

2005-08-12 Thread Julie Johnson

Wow, Michelle! What wonderful news about Bramble! I have my fingers crossed! Best of luck tomorrow; I think what you're doing is fantastic and you have WAY more gumption than I do!
I don't even like being up in the air when I stay inside the plane! 

Julie

[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:


Today Bramble would only tolerate 25ml of syringe feeding but he ate a full tin of Purina Gourmet complemetary food along with a few complete food biscuits a little complete food kitekat meat - all on his own. Fingers crossed he carries on this way. My mum is on cat care duties for most of tomorrow as I'm out parachuting to raise money for a donkey sanctuary - getting jittery - first time parachuting - 3500 feet. Beenscheduled a long time.

Michelle, Bramble, Minstrel  Buddy"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

Re: Bandy's temp

2005-08-11 Thread Julie Johnson

Hi Kerry,

I'm happy to hear that Bandy has gained a bit of weight but is having problems with fever. A really high fever like that can often be symptomatic of something a friend's vet calls a "hot virus". The come kind of out of nowhere, bring a high fever, and tend to resolve on their own. How long has Bandy been dealing with the fever? Is he taking L-Lysine?

Give him a hug from me!

JulieKerry Roach [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Bandy has still been having some temp. problems...It was 105.8 on Monday..and once again we gave him 1/2cc dex to bring it down...He responds very rapidly to it, and seems to feel so much better...His PCV was at 30, and he now going to get animal epogen injections twice weekly for maybe just 1 or 2 more weeks...He was getting human epogen, but they have received some of the other...I am going to start him on Transfer factor stress formula..
He had also gained 3oz...and is up to 6lbs. 12.5 oz. from 51/2lbs...
I don't know what to do about the temp going up and down...We don't want to continue to use the dex as I know it isn't good for him..
We are looking into something else if the temp goes back up...
I just don't understand alot of this..
He seems to be feeling very good the last couple of days so it remains a mystery to me..
Any info you could give us would be greatly appreciated...
I hope everyone's kitties are feeling good today and on the mend...
I am so glad the little kitty Georgie was found...I know the feeling there, too...
My best to all of you and your kitties,
Kerry R. and Bandy

Re: Pos kittens - swollen belly

2005-08-11 Thread Julie Johnson

Terri,

I'm so very sorry; thankfully he spent his too-short life with someone who loved him unconditionally. He'll be watching over you now.

JulieCherie A Gabbert [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

I am sorry Terri, but you did the right thing for your kitty. Huggs to you
CherieTerri Durham-Stone [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
HiI took him in and yes I know it was FIP (if you would of seen his stomach -like someone had blown a huge balloon up inside it and it was just an overnight swelling up) and then the vet confirmed it (she pulled fluid outof tummy) ,,, we have had a lot of FIP kittens seems it is pretty bad inthis area,,, probably due to the over population and inner -breeding So my little Angel "Albany" was put to rest today, I will not let anyanimal suffer - I had another kitten just go through it and I waited to longand it was so sad to see him in pain, I swore never again never to let onego that far.Terri (very heavy hearted in Oakdale)ps no one but me in the bathroom... since they are positive they arecomplety isolated from all the others who are all negative.Nina wrote: Oh Terri, how awful! I know from your
previous post how terribly overwhelmed you are with rescue and to have something like this happen on top of it all! I'm so sorry. I do TNR too, and rescue so many that come to me and I'm ALWAYS nervous when the go to get neutered. Does the vet have any idea why the little boy died? It's so sad. And then to find your little angel, (I'm the proud mom of a felv litter too), develop such a scary symptom! How can you be so certain it's FIP? It could be something else. Did you try to save her/him? What did the vet say? One of our list members had success with FIP using Transfer Factor. I'm praying that it's something else so the other kitties aren't in so much danger. Has anyone else come in contact with the kittens in the bathroom? My thoughts, prayers and sympathies are with you. I wish I could be there with you to help you battle this, but all I can do is try and send you strength
through the computer. Bless you for taking this on, Nina Terri Durham-Stone wrote: Had a Rotten day today One of our Male kittens ( 3.5 months old) died after his neuter, although everyone else seems fine, worried and keep checking them but they are all up and moving around and almost back to the norm. Then regarding my 5 out of 6 kittens that tested Felv Positive, (they get re-tested on Thursday) - Well tonight I went in the hall bath to feed and one of them has a belly like someone blew up a balloon in him - this happened over night, cause last night he was fine. I am sure it is FIP and I have dealt with this in the past and no nothing we can do ,,, just hurts - these babies were born here, I even filmed their birth What a rotten day today ... so sad :(
Terri -- Terri Durham-Stone Safe a Life "Spay and Neuter" Live well, Love much, Laugh Often --Terri Durham-StoneSafe a Life "Spay and Neuter"Live well, Love much, Laugh Often
Have a purrfect day
Cherie
"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

Tater Tot's Situtation

2005-08-11 Thread Julie Johnson

Hi Everyone,

I'm really worried about my little man. When I went to visit him last night, his belly was even more full of fluid. He's on an IV (he's quite dehydrated) and getting antibiotics for the high WBC. He was quite happy to see me and acting like he felt well. He greedily ate baby food from my finger; about 1/4 of a jar.

The cytology on the fluid is not back and now the lab is saying they may not have completed it until tomorrow. Neither vet thinks it looks like FIP fluid; it's clear and reasonably thin. Tater's bloodwork is all normal (except for the 40,000 WBC). Nothing looks out of place on an ultrasound. His heart sounds perfect; liver and kidney function are normal. He doeshas a positive Corona virus titre, but probably all my cats do.

He was retested for FeVL/FIV and still negative (although they are drawing out a vial of belly fluid and are going to test with that, too).

Everyone is puzzled and waiting to see what the cytology report shows. The two main contenders I've been given are FIP orlymphoma.

We're considering draining the belly and doing exploratory surgery.

Oh, he is also not pooping.

Has anyone ever heard of or been through anything like this? I'm trying not to panic, but it's getting harder by the day.

Michelle or Nina, you both imported feline interferon, correct? How long did it take (the vet has tomake the application to the FDA (or is it USDA?), right?). I have to check some more; I think I read of experimental treatment for FIP with feline interferon.

I just can't think what can possibly be going on and why he can be filling up like this and still seem so well; I mean, if he wasn't a balloon, one really wouldn't think anything was wrong with him. When Little Evie had wet FIP, she was in absolute agony when her belly was touched.

Re: Tater Tot's Situtation

2005-08-11 Thread Julie Johnson

Thanks for the good wishes, Joan. I'm completely baffled.Joan Doljan [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

I hope all turns out well. I have never heard of anything like this.

JoanJulie Johnson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Hi Everyone,

He was retested for FeVL/FIV and still negative (although they are drawing out a vial of belly fluid and are going to test with that, too).

Everyone is puzzled and waiting to see what the cytology report shows. The two main contenders I've been given are FIP orlymphoma.

We're considering draining the belly and doing exploratory surgery.

Oh, he is also not pooping.

Has anyone ever heard of or been through anything like this? I'm trying not to panic, but it's getting harder by the day.

Love, Julie"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it isto protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.
__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com "I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

RE: Tater Tot's Situtation

2005-08-11 Thread Julie Johnson

Dear Kerry,

You're absolutely correct; I'm so frustrated! I am taking comfort from the fact that he seems quite content (he even played his game of "tapping" my hand when I stopped petting him last night). He's bright and alert. It's so strange; thank you so much for the good vibes and the hugs! We surely need them!

Love, Julie"MacKenzie, Kerry N." [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Dear Julie
I feel for you and Tater Tot so much---you must be desperate to get that report, it's so frustrating when it drags on. At least he seems happy and is eating while you wait for that darn report--that must be somewhat of a relief. I'll be prayingthat the report comes by tomorrow, that it shows what the problem is, and that it's relatively comforting news. Please keep us posted when you get time. And know that we're all sending positive, healing vibes and big hugs for Tater Tot.
love and hugs, Kerry

-Original Message-From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Julie JohnsonSent: Thursday, August 11, 2005 9:45 AMTo: felvtalk@felineleukemia.orgSubject: Tater Tot's Situtation
Hi Everyone,

He was retested for FeVL/FIV and still negative (although they are drawing out a vial of belly fluid and are going to test with that, too).

Everyone is puzzled and waiting to see what the cytology report shows. The two main contenders I've been given are FIP orlymphoma.

We're considering draining the belly and doing exploratory surgery.

Oh, he is also not pooping.

Has anyone ever heard of or been through anything like this? I'm trying not to panic, but it's getting harder by the day.

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Re: Tater Tot's Situtation (treatments for FIP)

2005-08-11 Thread Julie Johnson

Thanks SO much for all those links, Jenn. We're still waiting for the cytology on the fluid to get the protein content. I never thought I'd be literally praying for some kind of bacterial peritonitis, but I am!

Julie

p.s. Congratulations on yesterday!!! Best of luck with your allergic fellow; I'd take him in a heartbeat if only I could get that damned money tree blooming!

[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

I don't know Julie, sounds like FIP, but no pain abd clear fluid... that's unusual, does the fluid have a high protein content?
"The total protein concentration in the effusion of a cat with FIP is usually greater than 35 g/l and this usually consists of more globulin than albumin, pushing down the A:G ratio. An A:G of 0.4 indicates FIP is quite likely; an A:G of 0.8 rules out FIP; A:G of between 0.4-0.8 - consider other parameters. The A:G of an effusion is one of the most useful tests to perform in practice for a quick indicator of whether or not a cat may have FIP and can be performed on a VetTest machine (divide the albumin by the globulin values)."

Here is some info that your vet may not know about, that might help with the diagnosis. It is NOT possible to positively tell FIP from fluid withdrawn from the abdomen, so carefully weigh the results from that, knowing that they are inconclusive: "Presently the only accepted definitive diagnosis of FIP requires biopsy of affected tissues obtained at necropsy or from a surgical biopsy." http://www.vet.uga.edu/vpp/clerk/baranik/

I hope the results come back soon! Good luck to you and the little man! So long as he is not showing any signs of pain, I see no reason not to continue to dig for answers. Of course, the exploratory surgery (and biopsy)is really the only way to know for sure, and that may cause him pain, so weigh that decision carefully.

Here is the webpage with the Interferon treament plan, along with a few others (definately some things worth trying on him):
http://www.dr-addie.com/treatment.htm

RE: Tater Tot's Situtation

2005-08-11 Thread Julie Johnson

Hi Hideyo,

Yes, I do know about it; I've almost been afraid to to look for updates on her site (it would be like tempting fate or something). I know it's great information and I need to be armed with all of it. Thank you so much for your good wishes and thoughts!

Julie











Dear Julie 
You probably know about Dr. Addies website regarding FIP as I saw someone extracted some of the content of the website  she has been dedicating her life for the past 20 years for diagnosis/treatment of FIP  you could also send Tator Tots blood work to her lab (Glagslow)  she says that 75% of samples come to her lab ends up not being FIP  she does combinations of different testing to understand the whole profile  if you want me to send a link, I can, 

I will be praying for that he does not have FIP  again, stay positive, Tator Tots needs you to be.. 

Hugs to you and Tator Tot,

Hideyo





From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Julie JohnsonSent: Thursday, August 11, 2005 9:14 AMTo: felvtalk@felineleukemia.orgSubject: RE: Tater Tot's Situtation


Dear Kerry,



You're absolutely correct; I'm so frustrated! I am taking comfort from the fact that he seems quite content (he even played his game of "tapping" my hand when I stopped petting him last night). He's bright and alert. It's so strange; thank you so much for the good vibes and the hugs! We surely need them! 



Love, Julie"MacKenzie, Kerry N." [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:


Dear Julie

I feel for you and Tater Tot so much---you must be desperate to get that report, it's so frustrating when it drags on. At least he seems happy and is eating while you wait for that darn report--that must be somewhat of a relief. I'll be prayingthat the report comes by tomorrow, that it shows what the problem is, and that it's relatively comforting news. Please keep us posted when you get time. And know that we're all sending positive, healing vibes and big hugs for Tater Tot.

love and hugs, Kerry

-Original Message-From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Julie JohnsonSent: Thursday, August 11, 2005 9:45 AMTo: felvtalk@felineleukemia.orgSubject: Tater Tot's Situtation

Hi Everyone,



I'm really worried about my little man. When I went to visit him last night, his belly was even more full of fluid. He's on an IV (he's quite dehydrated) and getting antibiotics for the high WBC. He was quite happy to see me and acting like he felt well. He greedily ate baby food from my finger; about 1/4 of a jar.



The cytology on the fluid is not back and now the lab is saying they may not have completed it until tomorrow. Neither vet thinks it looks like FIP fluid; it's clear and reasonably thin. Tater's bloodwork is all normal (except for the 40,000 WBC). Nothing looks out of place on an ultrasound. His heart sounds perfect; liver and kidney function are normal. He doeshas a positive Corona virus titre, but probably all my cats do.



He was retested for FeVL/FIV and still negative (although they are drawing out a vial of belly fluid and are going to test with that, too).



Everyone is puzzled and waiting to see what the cytology report shows. The two main contenders I've been given are FIP orlymphoma.



We're considering draining the belly and doing exploratory surgery.



Oh, he is also not pooping.



Has anyone ever heard of or been through anything like this? I'm trying not to panic, but it's getting harder by the day. 



Michelle or Nina, you both imported feline interferon, correct? How long did it take (the vet has tomake the application to the FDA (or is it USDA?), right?). I have to check some more; I think I read of experimental treatment for FIP with feline interferon.



I just can't think what can possibly be going on and why he can be filling up like this and still seem so well; I mean, if he wasn't a balloon, one really wouldn't think anything was wrong with him. When Little Evie had wet FIP, she was in absolute agony when her belly was touched.





Love, Julie
"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it isto protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet. 
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Re: FDA dispensation help - Julie

2005-08-11 Thread Julie Johnson

Thank you so much, Nina! I'm so worried about him and the longer we go without answers, the more my mind runs away with itself!

You know I hope not to need this information, but, as I said to Hideyo, I have to be armed! I've done a reasonably good job of suppressing all the superstitions I was raised with over the years, but pile on the stress, and out they come!

Love, JulieNina [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Julie,I'm so sorry to hear little Tator is showing such alarming symptoms. It's always difficult to deal with our sick babies, but when even the specialists don't know what to do, it leaves you feeling esp helpless.Below is the info for help from my vet's office on ordering the VO. It usually takes at least a couple of months from the time you start the process to getting it in your hand. I'll write to you off-list with some other ideas. I'm praying for your Tator, he has the best chance possible in your loving hands.NinaFor anyone interested in starting the process of obtaining FelineInterferon, (Virbagen Omega)...My vet's liaison, Michelle Rose, at Veterinary Medical and SurgicalGroup in Ventura CA (805-339-2290)has made an "FDA packet" that she willfax out to anyone's vet who is interested in starting the
specialdispensation process. She says everything they need to know will be inthere, and of course they can call her if there are further questions.Since only vets can apply, only they, or their offices should call. Ifshe's not available, have your vet leave their voice and fax numbers onher voice mail. If you have any trouble, email me directly and I'll callher.Let us know what happens,Nina"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has
the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

Re: Georgie IS FOUND!!!

2005-08-10 Thread Julie Johnson

Kerry,

What wonderful news for your friends!

Julie "MacKenzie, Kerry N." [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Dear all
I just wanted to thank you all for all your prayers and support for Georgie--it worked!!!
I got this email from Nancy today! (Of course, I asked for the "story" and that's in the 2nd email.)
So good to hear this news--and I know you'd all want to hear it too.
Kerry

After nearly a week of you-know-what for Steve and I Georgie was found safe and sound late Saturday nightI'm sparing the details but if anyone wants the story, let me know. He is recouping from his adventure. He's thinner (and smaller than I remembered) but overall looks good and appears healthy. We are watching him closely and loving him tons. He appears to have a better appreciation for his family. We are getting lots of kisses and he is more vocal now. I took yesterday off just to love him!!
Thanks everyone for your thoughts, prayers and support during this difficult time.

Here's the story...
To make a long story short, we got a call on Saturday that led us near St. George's church (can you believe?). It wasn't him but my husband had a feeling. Late that night (around 9:30) after passing out flyers and looking for him we went home. My husband went to water our garden and I decided to go back and sit on the patio. I had been putting food out and the food in the front and back were nearly empty. We decided to move the food so we could see out our bedroom window to see who was eating it. As soon as I did, we heard a meow coming from the dark sidewalk. I wasn't sure if it was Georgie or not but I got down on my knees and called him. He came close and I tried to grab him but he ran off. He didn't go very far and howled/meowed. I called him again and jingled his food. He came close. I picked him up. I handed him off to my husband (who stated he wasn't go to let him go for his life) and ran to the front to get
his carrier. We shoved him in it and then took him to the front to see if it was him. After confirming certain details, we realized it was indeed our Georgie and we jumped up/down and hugged each other and realized what a blessing we received.
We went to St. George's church Sunday morning. My husband didn't have a dry eye the entire mass.=00

This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the individual named. If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. "I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.
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Re: Hi Everyone

2005-08-10 Thread Julie Johnson

Dear Anne,

Thanks so much for your kind words and thoughts. I'm so delighted for Sophie! She's an amazing little girl. Poor Jimi; stomatitis is just miserable. Give them all a big smooch from me!

Love, Julie[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Julie, So good to hear from you! I can't even imagine how scary it was when your husband told you he was blind. I'm so glad it turned out all right and that Brownie is doing much better now, without his eyes.  I will keep Tater Tot in my thoughts and prayers for a smooth ride for a long, long while and that all is OK with him.  Sophie is doing great. She needs enemas less and less and acts just like a regular kitty now, enjoying life and free to roam. Simms is doing just fine, too. Jimi Too Cool is doing pretty well except for his stomatitis. Hugs for you and yours,Anne and Jimi Too Cool, Simms and Sophie in MI "I hold that, the more helpless
 a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

Re: Hi Everyone

2005-08-10 Thread Julie Johnson

Thanks, Terri! I've been speechless (hard to believe, I know!) more than once myself over the last few months!

JulieTerri Brown [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:





Wow,

What can I say -- but it's so good to see you back on the list.

Terri

- Original Message - 
From: Julie Johnson 
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org 
Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2005 10:40 AM
Subject: Hi Everyone

Dear Friends,

I tried to get thru my overflowing (months!) of email and it just wasn't going to happen. I can see that we have suffered some terrible losses and my heart goes out to everyone who has lost a beloved companion; I hope your memories will comfort you. It also seems that we have new members; the reason for finding this group is always sad, but you will never find a group of more loving, caring friends.

Some of you might remember that last winter my husband was diagnosed with multiple aneurysms; the most serious was in his abdomen and after weeks of tests and referrals, he was scheduled for surgery because the abdominal aneurysm was felt to be in danger of rupture. He had that surgery and came through it well. He was home for about a week and one morning we were up having coffee and he suddenly got this really strange look on his face; I asked if he needed pain medication and he said, "no; I'm blind". OK; bit of a heart-stopper there. He was rushed to the ER and it was finally determined that his left carotid artery was completely blocked and he'd actually had blood flow stop temporarily. He was transferred by ambulance back to the hospital in Hartford where he had his prior surgery (we live about 30 miles east) and had emergency surgery to clean out the artery. I repeatedly asked how this could have been missed after all the screening that was done
 pre-surgery since he is a high-risk patient (diabetic and known cardiac blockage). I really got no answers and I am angry to this day thathe could easily have died or been left permanently impaired. His sight did return and we feel fortunate, but once again, I feel my trust in the medical community erode a bit further. We absolutely did not intend to sue anyone; we simply wanted to be sure that absolutely everything that he SHOULD be screened for (how can you ask for it if you don't know about it?) he was screened for. He's left with some numbness on one side of his face that primarily bothers him when he trims his beard (says it feels weird), and a big scar from behind his ear to his collar bone; big deal, right? I told him it just makes him look tough! I was out of work for a bit caring for him (he's now back to work, too) and came back to a nightmare of project deadlines, office moves, a new boss, and a generally toxic workplace!

On the kitty front, Brownie (FIV+) had both his eyes removed and he is like a different cat! He rubs his head all over now; it obviously hurt too much to do it before. I will never use the vet who initially screened him again. 

Tater Tot is in the hospital on an IV and being evaluated. He had a mild cold about 2 weeks ago and I took him in and we decided to give sub-q fluids and Lysinesince he does have herpes and it just seemed to be a particularly bad flare-up (I was given a sample of a new veterinary lysine gel to try and evaluate; thumbs down! It was way too think and 500mg worth was a really big blob that he was having no part of; so stick to the capsules until they reformulate, is my advice!). Since then, I've observed him straining to poop and passing tiny little stools and by this weekend it was obvious that fluid was collecting in his belly. The aspirate didn't look like typical FIP fluid, but it's being sent out and bloodwork and many other tests are being done. My heart is just breaking for him; he's only six years old and been sick so much of his life. They've already warned me that whatever is going on is not good but I just pray that it's
 treatable. Please think good thoughts for him.

It's been a hot, muggy and miserable summer here in the Northeast and I am having a terrible flea outbreak; I swear that I have some mutant strain of super-fleas that nothing will kill! I've used Borax successfully for years, and at one point (in a room I have sealed off)they were jumping out of it! I'd left an absurd amount on the floor (like half an inch; thinking, "I WILL kill you") and I went in to check and vacuum it up after a few DAYS and they were leaping out of it biting me! I swear they were bigger and stronger than before I put the Borax down! I've had to use Frontline on everyone (Program for the ferals because I can slip it into their food) which I hate to do because I think it's so dangerous (it takes fingernail polish off!!!) but I have 3 cats who get terrible dermatitis from flea bites and I couldn't let them be miserable, but I really, really don't like using it.

So, that's what I've been up to! 2005 officially sucks!

A big, group hug to everyone and headbutts to all the kitties!

Love, Julie"I hol

Re: Hi Everyone/Fleas

2005-08-10 Thread Julie Johnson

Thanks so much for that suggestion; I've seen it in some of my catalogs but never knew anyone who actually used it; good to have experienced feedback! TenHouseCats [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
most of the vets around here DON'T carry capstar, but a major breedrescue recommends it for any cat first coming into rescue withfleas--gets rids of them right away, so they don't bring any into theenvironmentOn 8/10/05, Kat <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote: Hi Julie, It's good to hear from you again - in spite of all the $hi+ you've gone through this year. I can sympathize about the fleas!! I have one cat (semi feral - long hair) "Meowmee" who must have a flea allergy. She has scratched her neck area RAW. The others are just beginning to scratch more than normal. (My vet says this is a very bad flea summer by the way.) Anyway, I can't put any frontline on Meowmee (yet) because of all the broken skin around her neck - so my vet gave me some Capstar tablets to give her
(1 every 2 days) until her skin heals enough for the frontline. Capstar works within 30 minutes to kill any fleas on the cat but only lasts for up to 48 hours in the system. I don't have my bill with me, so I can't tell you prices, but it's not cheap enough to keep them on it long-term. However, it CAN be used in conjunction with the frontline to really blitz the toughest of flea infestations. Here's hoping that your luck and life is on the upswing now! Kat (Mew Jersey) -- MaryChristineAIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCatsMSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED]ICQ: 289856892"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi
(1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.
Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page

Re: Hi Everyone

2005-08-10 Thread Julie Johnson

Hi Nina,

Thanks so much; it's great to be back among my friends. He definately had lots of good kitty vibes going on; in fact, he said one of the things that made it hard to sleep in the hospital was the absence of cats on the bed!

I may have written about Tater Tot; he's from the litter of the sickest kittens ever born. He had all his teeth pulled at 1 year of age because he had such sever and aggressive stomatitis. He's only 6 and he's such a little clown; I miss his antics.

Tommy is my IBD kitty and he has good days and bad. Earlier this summer we tried him on a course of Flagyl and prednisone and there really was no change. We also tried him on a course of antibiotics (he had a slightly elevated WBC count and Wendy thought there was a possibility he had some minor infection along the tract somewhere) which really had no affect. I've been giving him raw hamburger lately and he loves it and I think he may have marginally better digestion when he eats it.

Brownie is such a wonder! He's such a happy fellow despite everything he has endured.

Julie

Nina [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Oh my Julie, you and hubby certainly have been through it! I'm so pleased to hear he's back at work and doing so much better. So very, very scary. The scene you painted of him in bed surrounded by furry loved ones reminded me of when my husband was bed-bound recovering from an auto accident. Aren't our kids wonderful? Rehabilitative love works both ways! I remember Brownie and what a trooper he is and has been. I'm pleased to hear he's not in any pain and enjoying his life more. Poor little Tator Tot. Try not to dwell on what the vet says about "it not looking good". "Looks" can be deceiving! I'm pulling for him. Have you spoken about him before? I'm sorry I can't remember. I know you have an IBD kitty too. How is he doing? Welcome back Julie!NinaJulie Johnson wrote: Dear Friends, I tried to get thru
my overflowing (months!) of email and it just wasn't going to happen. I can see that we have suffered some terrible losses and my heart goes out to everyone who has lost a beloved companion; I hope your memories will comfort you. It also seems that we have new members; the reason for finding this group is always sad, but you will never find a group of more loving, caring friends. Some of you might remember that last winter my husband was diagnosed with multiple aneurysms; the most serious was in his abdomen and after weeks of tests and referrals, he was scheduled for surgery because the abdominal aneurysm was felt to be in danger of rupture. He had that surgery and came through it well. He was home for about a week and one morning we were up having coffee and he suddenly got this really strange look on his face; I asked if he needed pain medication and he
said, "no; I'm blind". OK; bit of a heart-stopper there. He was rushed to the ER and it was finally determined that his left carotid artery was completely blocked and he'd actually had blood flow stop temporarily. He was transferred by ambulance back to the hospital in Hartford where he had his prior surgery (we live about 30 miles east) and had emergency surgery to clean out the artery. I repeatedly asked how this could have been missed after all the screening that was done pre-surgery since he is a high-risk patient (diabetic and known cardiac blockage). I really got no answers and I am angry to this day that he could easily have died or been left permanently impaired. His sight did return and we feel fortunate, but once again, I feel my trust in the medical community erode a bit further. We absolutely did not intend to sue anyone; we simply wanted to be sure that absolutely
everything that he SHOULD be screened for (how can you ask for it if you don't know about it?) he was screened for. He's left with some numbness on one side of his face that primarily bothers him when he trims his beard (says it feels weird), and a big scar from behind his ear to his collar bone; big deal, right? I told him it just makes him look tough! I was out of work for a bit caring for him (he's now back to work, too) and came back to a nightmare of project deadlines, office moves, a new boss, and a generally toxic workplace! On the kitty front, Brownie (FIV+) had both his eyes removed and he is like a different cat! He rubs his head all over now; it obviously hurt too much to do it before. I will never use the vet who initially screened him again. Tater Tot is in the hospital on an IV and being evaluated. He had a mild cold about 2
weeks ago and I took him in and we decided to give sub-q fluids and Lysine since he does have herpes and it just seemed to be a particularly bad flare-up (I was given a sample of a new veterinary lysine gel to try and evaluate; thumbs down! It was way too think and 500mg worth was a really big blob that he was having no part of; so stick to the capsules until they reformulate, is my advice!). Since then, I've observed

Re: Hi Everyone

2005-08-10 Thread Julie Johnson

Thank you very much for that link, Jenn.[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:




Julie, here is the link to that support group with members that have blind cats. They are very nice people on there, and some of them have cats exactly like yours, with eyes that have been completely removed. The cat that used to be on their home page was like that, but they recently changed the picture to Sugar instead.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HANDICATS2/
Jennhttp://ucat.ushttp://ucat.us/domesticcatlinks.html Adopt a FIV+ cat: http://jenn.rescuegroup.org/FELV/FIV/~~~I collect KMR kitten formula labels for Bazil, a 3 yr old special needs cat who must live on a liquid diet for the rest of his life.Bazil's caretaker collects labels and sends them to KMR, where they add up until she earns a free can of formula!PLEASE save your KMR kitten formula labels for Bazil!

If you use KMR, even just one can, please ask me for the mailing address you can send them to, to help feed Bazil!No virus found in this outgoing message.Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.Version: 7.0.338 / Virus Database: 267.10.4/66 - Release Date: 8/9/2005"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

Re: Pos kittens - swollen belly

2005-08-10 Thread Julie Johnson

Hi Terri,

How terrible! Poor little fellow. Did they have any idea why he died? A reaction to the anesthesia or an underlying heart problem? I'm so sorry. And then to go in and find the big belly; again, I'm so sorry. One of my cats is currently in the hospital with fluid in the abdomen, too. It could be FIP or a number of other things. I'll keep your little guy in my thoughts and hope that they both have something treatable.

Julie Terri Durham-Stone [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Had a Rotten day todayOne of our Male kittens ( 3.5 months old) died after his neuter,although everyone else seems fine, worried and keep checking them butthey are all up and moving around and almost back to the norm.Then regarding my 5 out of 6 kittens that tested Felv Positive, (theyget re-tested on Thursday) - Well tonight I went in the hall bath tofeed and one of them has a belly like someone blew up a balloon in him -this happened over night, cause last night he was fine. I am sureit is FIP and I have dealt with this in the past and no nothing we cando ,,, just hurts - these babies were born here, I even filmed theirbirthWhat a rotten day today ... so sad :(Terri--Terri Durham-StoneSafe a Life "Spay and Neuter"Live well, Love much, Laugh Often"I hold
that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

Re: Hi Everyone/Fleas

2005-08-10 Thread Julie Johnson

Thanks so much, Kat; it's great to be back among friends!

Thanks for the info on Capstar, too; that's the second time it's been recommended to me. I'm going to have to get some. Mew Jersey has roughly the same weather pattern at Kat-necticut, and I think it must be the humidity that is contributing to such a bad flea problem this year. The last time I can remember it being this bad was about 12 years ago when we had a very tropical summer (I had only 3 kitties then!) and we ended up having to have the house fumigated. That's not much of an option now because I have too many kitties to pack up (not to mention the ones I can't touch!), so I'm going along, combing, washing, Boraxing.I did get one of those little traps that have a small light and a glue pad. I set it up last night and we'll see if it can contribute to the effort! I was considering the old natural method of a lamp on the floor with a shallow dish of soapy water under the light, but I'm reasonably sure that somebody (that would be a
4-legged somebody) wouldtip the lamp into the water and set the house on fire!

JulieKat [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Hi Julie,It's good to hear from you again - in spite of all the $hi+ you've gonethrough this year. I can sympathize about the fleas!! I have one cat(semi feral - long hair) "Meowmee" who must have a flea allergy. She hasscratched her neck area RAW. The others are just beginning to scratchmore than normal. (My vet says this is a very bad flea summer by the way.)Anyway, I can't put any frontline on Meowmee (yet) because of all thebroken skin around her neck - so my vet gave me some Capstar tablets togive her (1 every 2 days) until her skin heals enough for the frontline.Capstar works within 30 minutes to kill any fleas on the cat but onlylasts for up to 48 hours in the system. I don't have my bill with me, soI can't tell you prices, but it's not cheap enough to keep them on itlong-term. However, it CAN be used in conjunction with
the frontline toreally blitz the toughest of flea infestations.Here's hoping that your luck and life is on the upswing now!Kat (Mew Jersey)"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.
Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page

Interesting Brownie Info

2005-08-10 Thread Julie Johnson

Dear Friends,

I mentioned yesterday that Brownie had his surgery and had both his eyes removed. According to the opthamologist, the eye with severe glaucoma likely caused him constant pain, not unlike migraine pain in humans because the structure of a cat's eye allows pressure from glaucoma to build to much higher levels than in human glaucoma patients.

When I brought him home from the hospital, I took him out of the carrier and laid him in his little bed. He got out and laid on the floor in front of it and would not get in that bed. I simply couldn't figure out why (this was long before the flea invasion). I thought the air conditoner might be bothering him, so I draped a blanket to insure he wouldn't get a draft. He still would not lie in his bed. I couldn't stand to see him laying on the floor, so I bought him a new bed; rougly the same as his previous bed. I put him in it and he hasn't moved since!

The absolute only thing I can think of is that he associated that old bed with being in pain. I couldn't notice any smell or lumpy stuffing or anything. I washed it and dried it and other cats are using it, but Brownie would have no part of it. If only he could talk!

Julie"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

Hi Everyone

2005-08-09 Thread Julie Johnson

Dear Friends,

I tried to get thru my overflowing (months!) of email and it just wasn't going to happen. I can see that we have suffered some terrible losses and my heart goes out to everyone who has lost a beloved companion; I hope your memories will comfort you. It also seems that we have new members; the reason for finding this group is always sad, but you will never find a group of more loving, caring friends.

Some of you might remember that last winter my husband was diagnosed with multiple aneurysms; the most serious was in his abdomen and after weeks of tests and referrals, he was scheduled for surgery because the abdominal aneurysm was felt to be in danger of rupture. He had that surgery and came through it well. He was home for about a week and one morning we were up having coffee and he suddenly got this really strange look on his face; I asked if he needed pain medication and he said, "no; I'm blind". OK; bit of a heart-stopper there. He was rushed to the ER and it was finally determined that his left carotid artery was completely blocked and he'd actually had blood flow stop temporarily. He was transferred by ambulance back to the hospital in Hartford where he had his prior surgery (we live about 30 miles east) and had emergency surgery to clean out the artery. I repeatedly asked how this could have been missed after all the screening that was done
pre-surgery since he is a high-risk patient (diabetic and known cardiac blockage). I really got no answers and I am angry to this day thathe could easily have died or been left permanently impaired. His sight did return and we feel fortunate, but once again, I feel my trust in the medical community erode a bit further. We absolutely did not intend to sue anyone; we simply wanted to be sure that absolutely everything that he SHOULD be screened for (how can you ask for it if you don't know about it?) he was screened for. He's left with some numbness on one side of his face that primarily bothers him when he trims his beard (says it feels weird), and a big scar from behind his ear to his collar bone; big deal, right? I told him it just makes him look tough! I was out of work for a bit caring for him (he's now back to work, too) and came back to a nightmare of project deadlines, office moves, a new boss, and a generally toxic workplace!

On the kitty front, Brownie (FIV+) had both his eyes removed and he is like a different cat! He rubs his head all over now; it obviously hurt too much to do it before. I will never use the vet who initially screened him again.

Tater Tot is in the hospital on an IV and being evaluated. He had a mild cold about 2 weeks ago and I took him in and we decided to give sub-q fluids and Lysinesince he does have herpes and it just seemed to be a particularly bad flare-up (I was given a sample of a new veterinary lysine gel to try and evaluate; thumbs down! It was way too think and 500mg worth was a really big blob that he was having no part of; so stick to the capsules until they reformulate, is my advice!). Since then, I've observed him straining to poop and passing tiny little stools and by this weekend it was obvious that fluid was collecting in his belly. The aspirate didn't look like typical FIP fluid, but it's being sent out and bloodwork and many other tests are being done. My heart is just breaking for him; he's only six years old and been sick so much of his life. They've already warned me that whatever is going on is not good but I just pray that it's
treatable. Please think good thoughts for him.

It's been a hot, muggy and miserable summer here in the Northeast and I am having a terrible flea outbreak; I swear that I have some mutant strain of super-fleas that nothing will kill! I've used Borax successfully for years, and at one point (in a room I have sealed off)they were jumping out of it! I'd left an absurd amount on the floor (like half an inch; thinking, "I WILL kill you") and I went in to check and vacuum it up after a few DAYS and they were leaping out of it biting me! I swear they were bigger and stronger than before I put the Borax down! I've had to use Frontline on everyone (Program for the ferals because I can slip it into their food) which I hate to do because I think it's so dangerous (it takes fingernail polish off!!!) but I have 3 cats who get terrible dermatitis from flea bites and I couldn't let them be miserable, but I really, really don't like using it.

So, that's what I've been up to! 2005 officially sucks!

A big, group hug to everyone and headbutts to all the kitties!

Re: Hi Everyone

2005-08-09 Thread Julie Johnson

Thank you so much, Del. I missed you all! I am really hoping for some smooth sailing for a while

JulieDel Daniels [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:




Julie  You have been in my thoughts and not hearing from you in a long time, I worried the worst ... sounds like you are hovering about there (worst) ... hopefully that worst is over and you, hubby, and kitties are on the upswing. You have certainly had an overflowing plate.

Prayers and healthy thoughts continue for you.
Big hugs,
Del

- Original Message - 
From: Julie Johnson 
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org 
Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2005 9:40 AM
Subject: Hi Everyone

Dear Friends,

I tried to get thru my overflowing (months!) of email and it just wasn't going to happen. I can see that we have suffered some terrible losses and my heart goes out to everyone who has lost a beloved companion; I hope your memories will comfort you. It also seems that we have new members; the reason for finding this group is always sad, but you will never find a group of more loving, caring friends.

Some of you might remember that last winter my husband was diagnosed with multiple aneurysms; the most serious was in his abdomen and after weeks of tests and referrals, he was scheduled for surgery because the abdominal aneurysm was felt to be in danger of rupture. He had that surgery and came through it well. He was home for about a week and one morning we were up having coffee and he suddenly got this really strange look on his face; I asked if he needed pain medication and he said, "no; I'm blind". OK; bit of a heart-stopper there. He was rushed to the ER and it was finally determined that his left carotid artery was completely blocked and he'd actually had blood flow stop temporarily. He was transferred by ambulance back to the hospital in Hartford where he had his prior surgery (we live about 30 miles east) and had emergency surgery to clean out the artery. I repeatedly asked how this could have been missed after all the screening that was done
 pre-surgery since he is a high-risk patient (diabetic and known cardiac blockage). I really got no answers and I am angry to this day thathe could easily have died or been left permanently impaired. His sight did return and we feel fortunate, but once again, I feel my trust in the medical community erode a bit further. We absolutely did not intend to sue anyone; we simply wanted to be sure that absolutely everything that he SHOULD be screened for (how can you ask for it if you don't know about it?) he was screened for. He's left with some numbness on one side of his face that primarily bothers him when he trims his beard (says it feels weird), and a big scar from behind his ear to his collar bone; big deal, right? I told him it just makes him look tough! I was out of work for a bit caring for him (he's now back to work, too) and came back to a nightmare of project deadlines, office moves, a new boss, and a generally toxic workplace!

On the kitty front, Brownie (FIV+) had both his eyes removed and he is like a different cat! He rubs his head all over now; it obviously hurt too much to do it before. I will never use the vet who initially screened him again. 

Tater Tot is in the hospital on an IV and being evaluated. He had a mild cold about 2 weeks ago and I took him in and we decided to give sub-q fluids and Lysinesince he does have herpes and it just seemed to be a particularly bad flare-up (I was given a sample of a new veterinary lysine gel to try and evaluate; thumbs down! It was way too think and 500mg worth was a really big blob that he was having no part of; so stick to the capsules until they reformulate, is my advice!). Since then, I've observed him straining to poop and passing tiny little stools and by this weekend it was obvious that fluid was collecting in his belly. The aspirate didn't look like typical FIP fluid, but it's being sent out and bloodwork and many other tests are being done. My heart is just breaking for him; he's only six years old and been sick so much of his life. They've already warned me that whatever is going on is not good but I just pray that it's
 treatable. Please think good thoughts for him.

It's been a hot, muggy and miserable summer here in the Northeast and I am having a terrible flea outbreak; I swear that I have some mutant strain of super-fleas that nothing will kill! I've used Borax successfully for years, and at one point (in a room I have sealed off)they were jumping out of it! I'd left an absurd amount on the floor (like half an inch; thinking, "I WILL kill you") and I went in to check and vacuum it up after a few DAYS and they were leaping out of it biting me! I swear they were bigger and stronger than before I put the Borax down! I've had to use Frontline on everyone (Program for the ferals because I can slip it into their food) which I hate to do because I think it's so dangerous (it takes fingernail polish off!!!) but I have 3 cats who get terrible

Re: Hi Everyone

2005-08-09 Thread Julie Johnson

Hi Jenn,

So nice to "meet" you! Thanks so much for all the kinds words! I'm in northeastern Connecticut; not too terribly far from you.

Thanks so much for the support group suggestion; Brownie was blind before his eyes were removed and he has his area of the FIV+ room marked off with a baby gate so he can't wander when I'm not there. Frankly, I don't think he wants to! He has a fluffy little bed which he adores and he cuddles up there and never makes a move to go past his foodbowl! He's an older fellow and had a pretty rough life, so I think he's content to eat and relax (which sounds really good to me, too!).

Julie

[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Eww, what shitty luck you've had Julie! What can I say to all of that but gees, that really sucks! Where in the NE are you? I'm in Vermont myself. My mate also has Diabetes, but so far has not had any serious complications. I am not looking forward to any of that! I'll keep your kitties in my thoughts. I'm sure your blind guy is much happier now that he is not in pain! I know of an EXCELLENT support group with lots of members who have blind cats, if you are interested.
Jennhttp://ucat.ushttp://ucat.us/domesticcatlinks.html Adopt a FIV+ cat: http://jenn.rescuegroup.org/FELV/FIV/~~~I collect KMR kitten formula labels for Bazil, a 3 yr old special needs cat who must live on a liquid diet for the rest of his life.Bazil's caretaker collects labels and sends them to KMR, where they add up until she earns a free can of formula!PLEASE save your KMR kitten formula labels for Bazil!

If you use KMR, even just one can, please ask me for the mailing address you can send them to, to help feed Bazil!No virus found in this outgoing message.Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.Version: 7.0.338 / Virus Database: 267.10.4/66 - Release Date: 8/9/2005"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

Re: Hi Everyone

2005-08-09 Thread Julie Johnson

Dear Joan,

Thanks so much; I've so missed everyone!

Love, JulieJoan Doljan [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

I am so glad you have resurfaced. I have been concerned about you, your husband and chargesas well.

JoanJulie Johnson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Dear Friends,

So, that's what I've been up to! 2005 officially sucks!

A big, group hug to everyone and headbutts to all the kitties!

Love, Julie"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it isto protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can

Re: Hi Everyone

2005-08-09 Thread Julie Johnson

Dear Terrie,

Thank you for all your kinds words. I've beenbeen miserable not being a part of the group!We're hanging in there and trying to stay upbeat. We feel very fortunate that things worked out, but a little "down time" would be great!

Julie

[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Oh My God, Julie!
My heart goes out to you! I hope everything starts getting better for you and your husband. I'm so sorry to hear about the kitties they are in my thoughts.
Your family and furkids will be thought of from WA. state. Thanks for updating us was wondering about you since we hadn't heard from you lately.
Glad to hear your doing okay!

Terrie MohrTAZZY'S ANIMAL TRANSPORTSSIAMESE COLLIE RESCUEOwner/DriverCheck sites for available Siameses for adoption!http://www.tazzys-siameses-collies.petfinder.org/Click Here to Join WASHINGTON SIAMESE RESCUE Yahoo Group!http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wasiameserescueClick Here to Join K9 and Puddy Xpress Yahoo http://groups.yahoo.com/group/K9andPuddyXpress/joinhttp://hometown.aol.com/tatorbunz/index.htmlhttp://hometown.aol.com/tatorbunz/myhomepage/petmemorial.htmlPetfinder.comAdopt a Homeless Pet!http://www.petfinder.com/http://www.orecatay.com/http://www.awca.net/index.htmhttp://www.felineleukemia.org/http://www.petloss.com/http://www.meezer.com/http://thesiamesestore.com/http://tx.siameserescue.org/adopt.htmlSouthern CA. Siamese Rescuehttp://cs.siameserescue.org/Northern CA. Siamese Rescuehttp://cn.siameserescue.org/http://co.siameserescue.org/http://va.siameserescue.org/https://www.paypal.com/"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

Re: Julie's 2005

2005-08-09 Thread Julie Johnson

Thank you so much, Michelle. It's lovely to meet you and I appreciateyour kind and supportive words.

Julie

[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:


What an ordeal you have all had. I am glad it has all ended well for the humans and the felines in your family and hope it continues to get better. Despite things having been overlooked in your husbands casewhichhappens fairly often -you are both fortunate to have come out of it - thankgoodness they found out in time to save his life.

Michelle, Bramble, Minstrel  Buddy"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

Re: Hi Everyone

2005-08-09 Thread Julie Johnson

Hi Cherie,

Thanks so much for your kind words and good vibes for Tater Tot; I'm so worried about him.

You're absolutely right; the kitties were a wonderful comfort. When Steve was taking pain medication, he'd nap several times a day and he had LOTS of company. In fact, they all wanted to know why we didn't do this all the time; they thought it was great!

JulieCherie A Gabbert [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Julie,
I am sorry to hear about you husband's problems, but I am happy that you both are getting back to normal (whatever that means). You have had one Hell of a year so far, I just hope with all my being that the remainder goes better for you and yours.
I am happy to hear about Brownie, and his head butting, but saddened for Tater Tot, I am sure they were great comfort to both you and your husband through his ordeals. I will send Tater Tot all the positve vibes I have left in me, and great big hugs to you and yours.

Stay upbeat and positive, you sound like your families driving force ;-))
Cherie

Julie Johnson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Dear Friends,

RE: Hi Everyone

2005-08-09 Thread Julie Johnson

That would be wonderful, Joan! Happy to year your Tator Tot is doing fine!"Doljan, Joan" [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

I just adopted out a Tator Tot,a wobbly, (CH) and she is doing fine. Hopefully the same name will bring the same luck.

Joan

-Original Message-From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Julie JohnsonSent: Tuesday, August 09, 2005 12:05 PMTo: felvtalk@felineleukemia.orgSubject: Re: Hi Everyone
Hi Cherie,

Thanks so much for your kind words and good vibes for Tater Tot; I'm so worried about him.

JulieCherie A Gabbert [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Stay upbeat and positive, you sound like your families driving force ;-))
Cherie

Julie Johnson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Dear Friends,

Re: Hi Everyone

2005-08-09 Thread Julie Johnson

Thank you so much, Sheila. You're right; one has to be hyper-vigilant all the time. It can be exhausting. I could really go for some dullness!

Take care, Julie
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Julie, I'm so happy that your husband is doing better. You are very lucky. Complication from diabetes can quickly take your loved ones from you. You have to be on top of diabetes all the time, we can't always trust the medical profession to be. I'm sure Brownie and Tator Tot are on there way back to good health too. You've been through so much, you'll be in my prayers.  Sheila "I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH
 Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.
		 Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page 

jpg4mFBSmjmGG.jpg
Description: JPEG image

Re: Hi Everyone

2005-08-09 Thread Julie Johnson

You're so sweet, Barb! I'm so happy to be back and am loving the hug!

Julie

Barb Moermond [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Julie,
It is so good to hear from you; your presence here has been greatly missed. I'm so sorry that health issues have abounded, but I'm praying for a long quiet spell for you and your family.

Good to have you back

HUGSJulie Johnson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Dear Friends,

So, that's what I've been up to! 2005 officially sucks!

A big, group hug to everyone and headbutts to all the kitties!

Love, Julie"I hold that, the more helpless a

What is the experience/status of Feline Interferon?

2005-08-09 Thread Julie Johnson

Hi Everyone,

I've been trying to work backwards through the archives to see what's been happening on this front, but I'm afraid I'll miss something depending on how i word my search argument, so I thought I'd just ask. I know some folks were getting permission to have it imported; how do you feel it worked? Is VO now available in Canada or does it still need to be imported from Europe? Anyone currentlyusing it?

Take care all, Julie "I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

Brownie's visit

2005-03-31 Thread Julie Johnson

Hi Everyone,

Brownie's visit with the opthamologist went very well; I learned some new things and now have to make some decisions.

In addition to glaucoma in his enlarged eye, he has a luxated lens, cataracts and corneal ulceration. He has cataracts in his 'good' eye, as well as the prolapsed lens. The opthamologist (she was great!) recommends removing his right eye and monitoring the left eye (he has some drops for it) for 2-3 months. The left eye does have the potential to rupture as his right eye has. He's not a youngster and he's FIV+, so I am debating whether to have both eyes removed in one surgery instead of doing one and then finding out in a year that the other one needs to come out.

The practice I went to is all specialists (dermatolgists, cardiologists, etc.) and I was really impressed with everyone there.

My husband is having surgery next week to repair an abdominal aneurysm (wow, the fun never stops around here!) soI was thinking about seeing if Brownie could have surgery while Steve's in the hospital and then I'd either get them both home about the same time or check myself into the insane asylum!!!

Thanks to all of you for your good thoughts for Brownie; he was such a trooper on the long ride!

Hugs and headbutts!

Re: Another Pepcid AC question

2005-03-31 Thread Julie Johnson

Hi Del,

I've never used the gelcaps; I only ever used the tablets. I'd guess that the other ingredients are probably just some kind of binders or fillers, but like you, I be reluctant to use it without knowing for sure that it was OK.

In terms of the dosage, my understanding for medications like Pepcid is that the interval that's important is giving it before meals, not how far apart the meals are. I'm not saying this very well (having a severely "blonde" day), but unlike antibiotics which would be given at timed intervals, the tummy medicines are given prior to eating, whatever time that might be.

Julie
Del Daniels [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

I bought the Gelcaps Pepcid AC and the ingredients do not compare with the regular Pepcid AC square tablets ... the gelcaps are solid and can be quarteredbutlist several other ingredients and I am reluctant to use them unless some of you already have used them without any problems with the kitty. Of course, the sales receipt is already in the trash :( but I prefer to throw them out then have a bad reaction for kitty.

Also ... in the morning Noah has 1/4 Pepcid about 7am,15 minutes before his breakfast ... should he have the next one 15 minutes before his supper which would be about 5pm or is that too close together to give the meds? Or should I wait until later in the evening even though he has already eaten? I feel quite stupid about the best way to give them tohis best advantage. I'd really appreciate the input,his mouth is a mess of sores and he has spewed some projectile vomiting ... clear bright yellow liquid. The vet saw him last week, there were eosinophils along with mucho bacteria. He had a Depo injection and on Clavamox, with very slow improvement. Our vet is on vacation this weekand while I could call him I prefer not to unless it is a direemergency.

Del^.^Spay/Neuter Your Pet PLEASEAdopt a Shelter PetPAWS of Union County, ILRescue Angels On WheelsA Hamburger Stops a Beating Heart"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new resources site!

Re: Brownie's visit

2005-03-31 Thread Julie Johnson

Thanks, Carla! I'm tryin'..!![EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
JulieGood luck, sending good vibes and thought your way in CT!Try to stay out of the insane asylum!CarlaDate sent: Thu, 31 Mar 2005 10:58:25 -0800 (PST)From: Julie Johnson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.orgCopies to: Subject: Brownie's visitSend reply to: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Hi Everyone, Brownie's visit with the opthamologist went very well; I learned some new things and now have to make some decisions. In addition to glaucoma in his enlarged eye, he has a luxated lens, cataracts and corneal ulceration. He has cataracts in his 'good' eye, as well as the prolapsed lens. The opthamologist (she was great!) recommends removing his right eye and monitoring the left eye (he has some drops for it) for 2-3 months. The left eye does
have the potential to rupture as his right eye has. He's not a youngster and he's FIV+, so I am debating whether to have both eyes removed in one surgery instead of doing one and then finding out in a year that the other one needs to come out. The practice I went to is all specialists (dermatolgists, cardiologists, etc.) and I was really impressed with everyone there. My husband is having surgery next week to repair an abdominal aneurysm (wow, the fun never stops around here!) so I was thinking about seeing if Brownie could have surgery while Steve's in the hospital and then I'd either get them both home about the same time or check myself into the insane asylum!!! Thanks to all of you for your good thoughts for Brownie; he was such a trooper on the long ride! Hugs and headbutts! Love, Julie
"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948) Paws Come WITH Claws!!! If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet. - Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new resources site! "I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing
your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new resources site!

RE: Brownie's visit

2005-03-31 Thread Julie Johnson

Thank you so much, Kerry! We need all the good vibes we can get!!"MacKenzie, Kerry N." [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Well, Julie, I'd say Brownie's learned to be a trooper from his "mom"!
Thanks for the update, and I'm so glad to hearBrownie's visit to the ophthalmologist went well. It's great to get good news!
Good luck to you, Steve and Brownie (if you decide to schedule Brownie then) next week. Boy, these guysare lucky to be in such good hands---hope some time is being scheduled for RR for Julie.
I'll be thinking of you all, and sending zillions of positive and healing vibes.
much love, Kerry

-Original Message-From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Julie JohnsonSent: Thursday, March 31, 2005 12:58 PMTo: felvtalk@felineleukemia.orgSubject: Brownie's visit
Hi Everyone,

Brownie's visit with the opthamologist went very well; I learned some new things and now have to make some decisions.

The practice I went to is all specialists (dermatolgists, cardiologists, etc.) and I was really impressed with everyone there.

Thanks to all of you for your good thoughts for Brownie; he was such a trooper on the long ride!

Hugs and headbutts!

Re: Brownie's visit

2005-03-31 Thread Julie Johnson

Hi Nina,

Brownie is such a wonder! He ADORES his fluffy little bed and his FOOD bowl! He senses the vibration when I walk into the room and within the last month or so he's decided he wants to be petted before he eats! He's the happiest cat you can imagine; just purrs and purrs when he's petted or when he eats!

Thanks so much for the good vibes; we surely need them, and I will absolutely inquire about group rates at the asylum!!

Love, JulieNina [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Julie,Your Brownie is one amazing cat! It's inspriational to hear about someone with so many disabilities to overcome, enjoying life the way he does. I'm glad you found a specialist you feel good about. As far as trying to save his left eye, if he can't see out of it anyway, I would probably be thinking the same thing about avoiding two surgeries. Many good vibes to you, Brownie and Steve. When you look into the asylum, inquire about group rates!NinaJulie Johnson wrote: Hi Everyone, Brownie's visit with the opthamologist went very well; I learned some new things and now have to make some decisions. In addition to glaucoma in his enlarged eye, he has a luxated lens, cataracts and corneal ulceration. He has cataracts in his 'good' eye, as well as the prolapsed lens. The
opthamologist (she was great!) recommends removing his right eye and monitoring the left eye (he has some drops for it) for 2-3 months. The left eye does have the potential to rupture as his right eye has. He's not a youngster and he's FIV+, so I am debating whether to have both eyes removed in one surgery instead of doing one and then finding out in a year that the other one needs to come out. The practice I went to is all specialists (dermatolgists, cardiologists, etc.) and I was really impressed with everyone there. My husband is having surgery next week to repair an abdominal aneurysm (wow, the fun never stops around here!) so I was thinking about seeing if Brownie could have surgery while Steve's in the hospital and then I'd either get them both home about the same time or check myself into the insane asylum!!! Thanks to all of
you for your good thoughts for Brownie; he was such a trooper on the long ride! Hugs and headbutts! Love, Julie "I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948) Paws Come WITH Claws!!! If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet. Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new resources site! "I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more
entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.
Do you Yahoo!?
Better first dates. More second dates. Yahoo! Personals

RE: Brownie's visit

2005-03-31 Thread Julie Johnson

Thanks, Cherie, I don't know what I'd do without all of you! Cherie A Gabbert [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Julie,
What can I say but wow, and hang in there better days are coming, this will be tough, but I am sure you will make the best decision for Brownie's sake. Positve vibes and all the strength I can muster are coming at ya ;-))
CherieJulie Johnson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Thank you so much, Kerry! We need all the good vibes we can get!!"MacKenzie, Kerry N." [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Brownie's visit with the opthamologist went very well; I learned some new things and now have to make some decisions.

The practice I went to is all specialists (dermatolgists, cardiologists, etc.) and I was really impressed with everyone there.

Thanks to all of you for your good thoughts for Brownie; he was such a trooper on the long ride!

Hugs and headbutts!

Do you Yahoo!?Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new resources site! This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the individual named. If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. "I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it isto protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to
acquire a pet.
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NutriGest Info

2005-03-25 Thread Julie Johnson

Hi Everyone,

NutriGest is a product that Nina's Gypsy had prescribed for IBD and I thought it might be just the thing for my Coco (IBD). I don't have any holistic vets nearby so I went searching on the 'net. It's actually kind of hard to find; it looks like the company will only sell to vets. Here's the link to the vet hospital where I was able to purchase it:

http://mantenoanimalhospital.com/pet_products.htm

I can't tell you much about their service since I haven't received it yet.

Hope this helps; can't wait to get it since Coco is doing better, but even with pred and flagyl, he's still having diarrhea.

Take care everyone, Julie"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.
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Re: Antibiotics and esophageal ulcers and IBD

2005-03-22 Thread Julie Johnson

Hi Nina,

Fortunately, Coco is totally cooperative about the pilling and we've only had one incident (my fault; I didn't drop the flagyl far enough back in his mouth) where we've had "yikes! that tastes bad!!" for a reaction. I've been doing a fair bit of research on IBD, too, because at one time we suspected that was a problem Tommy was having. Many holistic vets recommend adding L-Glutamine to the diet because it helps strengthen the bowel. I'm also looking at a raw diet for Coco, but like you, didn't want to invest in all the hardware because while his appetite is usually good, he is distinctly not interested in some well-known kitty favorites, like baby food!

Big smooch for Grace and Gypsy; hope to hear of improvement for both of them and I am going to check out the IBD group. Thanks for all the suggestions!

Hugs, Julie

Nina [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Hi Julie,I'm calling my vet today to see if we can have the Dox compounded into a flavored liquid. Grace has been using it on and off for a long time now. Michelle Rose, the liaison at my vet's office, told me she has a human friend that swallowed Dox dry (must be a rocket scientist), and burned a hole in his esophagus! I'm also going to ask them if there is another antibiotic that's comparable to Dox, that's not so darn toxic, I'll let you know what they say.My house-call vet found me some liquid Flagil for Gypsy's IBD that didn't taste bad at all, she happily ate it 2x daily for 15 days straight mixed in with some chicken liver, (then she stopped eating all together). He said he gets it in Mexico, if you'd like, I'll pump him for more info about it. Gypsy's condition continues to be just retched, but she's showing improvement now that I have
her on a raw-diet. It's the only thing I've found that has shown any benefit, and I've tried alot of different things. I didn't want to run out and purchase a meat grinder etc. because I could just picture jumping through all these hoops to prepare her raw diet, placing the bowl in front of her and having her turn her skinny little nose up at it. I took the easy way and I've been ordering "Instincts TC" from Feline Future Cat Food, http://www.felinefuture.com/products/order.phpand mixing it with muscle meats, liver and hearts. For the first time in a very long time Gypsy's stool has consistency! I've also started giving her "Gentle Naturals, Tummy Soother". It's for human babies with tummy upset. It contains Chamomile, Ginger and Fennel. I just started her on it yesterday, but she seems to be feeling better. Chamomile was one of the things suggested to me for
nausea, and ginger is good for diarrhea. If you haven't joined the IBD group, you really should. I'm on digest mode with it, and haven't posted to it yet, but their suggestions have really helped me. Keep me updated on Coco's progress.NinaJulie Johnson wrote:

Hi Everyone,

I was just talking with my vet Friday night about this very thing. Coco has been quite ill and they have diagnosed IBD. One of the medications he's on right now is Flagyl which tastes wretched. Wendy mentioned not to put that one in food because kitty will take a bite, see how yucky it is and then not eat. I mentioned that I only put meds in food for the ferals and everyone else gets a syringe of water after a pill so hopefully it wouldn't leave too much of a taste in his mouth. I read the start of a study on this topic by the Winn Feline Foundation a few years ago; could never find the end of the study, but it made sense to me. How very uncomfortable it must feel, too!

As we were talking about it, she mentioned that doxycycline is infamous for it's potential to cause damage. I'm not using it, but she did say that my method of syringing in about 3cc's of water would really minimize problems with that drug. Even if it's being given in a liquid form, I think 'flushing' with a water chaser would be a good idea.

Hope this helps!!

Julie"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it isto protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.

Do you Yahoo!?Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new resources site! "I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.
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Antibiotics and esophageal ulcers

2005-03-21 Thread Julie Johnson

Hi Everyone,

Hope this helps!!

Julie"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.
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RE: New addition

2005-03-16 Thread Julie Johnson

Dear Terrie,

What a lucky kitty! How wonderful that she'll spend the rest of her life with you and your hubby; spoiled rotten, I know!

Love, Julie

p.s. We have a king-sized bed, too, and they usually give me a little strip to sleep on; as long as I don't take up too much room. And forget pillows! "Doljan, Joan" [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Terrie,

Congratulations! I have some older ones as well and I give them Pet Tinic.

Take care,

Joan

-Original Message-From: MacKenzie, Kerry N. [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2005 5:35 PMTo: felvtalk@felineleukemia.orgSubject: RE: New addition
I've got tears in my eyes. That's fabulous, Terrie. I wish you, your husbandand Kitty (have you named her yet) many happy years together.
Kerry

-Original Message-From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED]Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2005 4:21 PMTo: Felvtalk@felineleukemia.orgSubject: OT: New addition
Hi all,
Last week this time I picked up a kitty that was willed to my rescue that another Humane Society had delivered to me. They drove over 3 hours to get her to me.
Never had one this old willed to me before. The person was put into a nursing home and passed on. This kitty I swear maybe had a few days of life in her...now she is progressing well...Amazing!
Anyway, the kitty is negativeon theFelv/Fiv test
(they tested her).
She is a 15 yr old Spayed female Siamese purebred. She was extremely underweight she is alarge bonedkitty and has big feet. She could very easily weigh when healthy 14-15 pounds but she is lucky if she weighs 5-6 pounds at the time of arrival. Very nice personality gets along with my others.
I have been feeding her alot of different dryfoods because I free feed my kitties. Been giving her extra wetfood as well. She has gain almost a pound since being here. Fur is getting soft. She had diarrhea the first 2 days, now that is gone stools are solid and normal...YAY!
Is there something else that I can give her to help boost her system? Like supplements or something?
She will be pampered by my husband and I for the rest of her life. Last night she purred for the first time since being here. She is such a sweetie too...By the way she does sleep with us and the other kitties on our bed.
THANK GOD it's a King Size bed!
I'm open for any suggestions...thanks!

Terrie MohrCheck site for available Siameses for adoption!http://www.iGive.com/TAZZYShttps://www.paypal.com/TAZZY'S ANIMAL TRANSPORTShttp://www.tazzys-siameses-collies.petfinder.org/http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wasiameserescuehttp://hometown.aol.com/tatorbunz/index.htmlhttp://hometown.aol.com/tatorbunz/myhomepage/petmemorial.htmlTAZZY'S ANIMAL TRANSPORTSSIAMESE COLLIE RESCUEOwner/DriverPetfinder.comAdopt a Homeless Pet!http://www.petfinder.com/http://www.orecatay.com/http://www.awca.net/index.htmhttp://www.felineleukemia.org/http://www.petloss.com/http://www.meezer.com/http://thesiamesestore.com/http://tx.siameserescue.org/adopt.htmlhttp://ca.siameserescue.org/http://co.siameserescue.org/http://va.siameserescue.org/This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they
are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the individual named. If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. "I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.
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Re: Tiger - CLS

2005-03-11 Thread Julie Johnson

Dear Sheila,

My heart breaks for you and your family during these terrible losses. How wonderful that you had 14 years with Tiger; still, never enough.I hope your memories of these sweet babies will comfort you and that you can picturee them together and healthy.

Take care of yourselves; big, big hugs sent your way.

Love, Julie[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Please add my baby Tiger to the list. He past this morning 3 am. He was 14 years old felv+. He was a healthy orange tabby up until two weeks ago. Around the same time I lost Tipper he started showing signs of kidney failure. My husband and I are numb with grief. Two babies in one month is to much to bare. Please pray for us and our other babies. Sheila"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you
 need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.
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Re: New To This

2005-03-07 Thread Julie Johnson

Hi Kristina,

You've certainly come to the right place; you'll never find a more supportive, knowledgable group, as others have said, I'm sorry you had to find us.

Do you know what tests were done on your two positives? Did they do the test in the office (typically an ELISA) or did they send it out to a lab (the more sensitive IFA)?

Many, many people (including rescue volunteers and vets) are really ignorant about FeLV. It's a complex disease and not as easily tested for as once thought. I lost an adult cat who had tested negative throughout her life to FeLV. She was diagnosed at about age 4.5 and the only explanation was that she had the virus sequestered in her bone marrow and something triggered it to become active. My vet currently recommends retesting for FeLV anytime a cat comes in ill.

I can't give you any advice about mixing; I have always chosen to separate, however, Encore was with all my other cats and all consistently come up negative (knocking wood and NOT tempting fate!!!).

Check out our archives about feline interferon (use VO as a search argument); it's shown wonderful results but is not approved for use in this country yet so your vet must apply to the FDA to import it.

I wish you all the best and hope the kitties (and you!) are soon feeling better.

Julie"Mrs. Kulak" [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

I have just found out that my two kittens are positive for feline leukemia. I adopted a kitten from an animal shelter in Wisconsin that originally tested negative. But since then he has become positive and has infected one of my older cats, who in the meantime has become quite sick. It is devastating to me. BUT, I am trying to remain optimistic. Therefore, I am trying to find out all I can.

First of all, I have three other cats, all of which tested negative. I have to keep them separated now from my two "sick" ones. Even though the little kitten I adopted in November has the virus, he acts totally normal. The older kitten which is actually a year old now, is sick. I've been giving the older one 3cc of Retrovir in the morning and in the evening. I don't know what the side effects are to cats. I only received the side effects for humans when I picked up the medicine at the pharmacy. Is there any place you can recommend to me to find out more about the side effects to cats? The side effects to humans don't look so good, so I'm a bit worried about this medicine.

Second, as I have stated, I have to keep my cats all separated. This is EXTREMELY hard. We were one big happy family. All of my cats got along, cuddled, took care of the little ones, played together, cleaned each other, and now I've had to tear up the family. The older ones in the basement are wondering what's going on. I go down there to sit with them and they just stare at me. It's kind of creepy. But they do thrive on the attention oncewe get past the awkward moment. The kittens I keep upstairs so that I can monitor them. The littlest one is constantly crying at the door that separates them all. I've even caught the older one clawing at the door today. It's really hard. Therefore, I was wondering, if after the incubation period is over and the other older cats get retested and if they still prove to be negative, then get their shots, could I put the family back together again? Or is it better for me to find a new home for the ill cats?
I will die if I have to lose them. They are my babies. This will be the third and fourth kittens I have lost in three years. But I need to do what's best. I'd rather take care of the ill kittens myself than have the cost burden and the stress go to someone else. I know I have a home for the three older cats providing they stay negative. I just really want to try to keep the family together. So, how effective are the shots?

Third and final, the animal shelter that I received the kitten from is trying to deny that it was their kitten. In a sense, they told me that my vet tested incorrectly. Now I know that the shelter is trying to do a good thing, but I feel they have a responsibility to tell the other people who have adopted kittens or cats from the same group and time period. They aren't listening to me. I've researched about the incubation period and that maybe they should have held onto all the cats and kittens for a few more weeks because it could sit dormant. They kept insisting that the kitten tested negative; and I told them I know that, but..." We got no where. Now what do I do? All my other cats have been tested twice a year for everything. (I take them to the vet for even the slightest sniffle - I'm a little protective). I need to know what do I do to get them to contact the other people. I'm concerned that there are more Feline Leukemia cats out there,
more than that, I am sure of it and I think those people have a right to know. So, what do I do? I was thinking about taking out a full page ad in the Milwaukee Journal or contacting the Better Business Bureau. I need to do something.

Re: Lucy doesn't need surgery (probably)!

2005-03-07 Thread Julie Johnson

Dear Michelle,

I'm happy to hear some good news about Lucy and hope she continues to improve. I'm sorry to hear Pepsi is not doing better. I know how you feel; one gets so numbed that it's hard for the good news to penetrate the seeming walls of bad news. Hang in there and give Lucy a smooch from me and my Lucy.

Love, Julie [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Lucy had her 30 day x-ray today, a little early, and her bladder stone is much, much smaller! So the plan is to keep her on the food (S/D) and the meds (Clavamox, pred, and some Chinese herbs) and re-xray her in another 30 days. She is urinating less frequently and with less blood, so I think she is more comfortable (though she never really acted uncomfortable), but I was not allowing myself to hope! The vet said "well, you deserve some good news every once in a while." My horse Pepsi is doing worse, and I am still so grieved about Simon, so I am not feeling as elated as I should, but I am feeling somewhat elated and very grateful about Lucy. I was so scared that getting surgery would trigger her virus. There is still a small chance that the stone will not continue to dissolve all the way, because sometimes the outside is one kind of stone
and the inside is another, but it dissolved so much that the vet thinks this is not the case with her. He thinks she had an infection and the stone built around it, which happens sometimes, and which would make sense in her case because she is positive and thus prone to infections and had never had crystals before.Michelle"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.
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Re: Effie has her angel's wings

2005-03-04 Thread Julie Johnson

Dear Del,

How sorry I am to hear that Effie has left you. We all know how hard it is; the hardest thing in life, it seems. She's free of pain and happy now, surely with your friend Liz. I'm sorry for your loss of Liz, as well, but I hope you can find comfort in knowing they are together and in the special memories you have of each of them.

Sending a big, big hug your way. Take care of yourself.

Love, Julie Del Daniels [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Effie left us this morning and my friend,Liz, who passed away last week,is taking care of her in heaven. The pain from the growing mass against her spine took away her quality of life. It was awfully hard. It IS hard. You understand, we continue to look at their favorite places and those places are empty ... and I cry for her. My heart is broken.

Thank you everyone for support and feedback. Without these groups, she would never have lived this long or this well.

Del^.^Spay/Neuter Your Pet PLEASEAdopt a Shelter PetPAWS of Union County, ILRescue Angels On WheelsA Hamburger Stops a Beating Heart"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.
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RE: OT: please pray for Oreo

2005-03-04 Thread Julie Johnson

Dear Hideyo,

Prayers and all good wishes on the way for Oreo! I know he'll have the best care and the most love at home with you. I hope his recovery is speedy!

Love, JulieHideyo Yamamoto [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Our little Shitsu dog is coming home today from the disc surgery - theywanted to keep him at the hospital over the weekend because he does nothave the bladder control right now. But I begged them to release himtoday as originally scheduled, as he was so depressed and scared thereand he wouldn't eat there (he did eat steak when we visited him therelast night). We will just have to be able to express his bladder on ourown, which we had to do with the other dog, JoJo when he was paralyzed.The surgeon did tell me that it's common to lose the bladder control for5 to 14 days from the trauma from the surgery. But he did have thecontrol prior to the surgery, and I am really hoping that this is just atemporary thing - please pray for Oreo that he can walk again, and hisbladder control will come back very soon!!Thank
 you!!Hideyo"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.
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For Del (and everyone); hope you get a laugh.....

2005-03-04 Thread Julie Johnson

Dear Del,

I was just reading your wonderful tribute to Effie. I had to smile when you described the great 'confetti' that can be made from unwatched paper towels and toilet paper.

My tribe once did avariation on this theme (I guess they were really bored that day). I had given Luna an enema one night; in the bathroom so she was easily put in the tub for a quick butt-bath. She has her own shallow litter box for these events and I use a small amount of clay litter because she digs and digs and the lightweight Cedarific ends up all over the floor and not in the box. Well, it was a weeknight and I was busy, so when we were done I cleaned up, but forgot the bag of litter in the bathroom. I didn't notice because I only use it when Luna is having an enema. We got through the night just fine and I came home from work to a house that was just too quiet (know what I mean???) and not enough furry bodies greeted me at the door. I started looking around the house, getting more and more suspicious. Finally I made my way upstairs and, gee, the bathroom door was almost all the way closed and there were noises coming from
inside. I pushed the door open to a floor completely covered in cat litter! Several little faces stopped (they were having a high old time playing in the litter) and I swear they looked guilty! And, yes, over in one corner, one of the little darlings had left a 'deposit' (hey, it's litter, right?).

Little stinkers!!

Julie

"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.
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Re: OT - need help for North Carolina cats

2005-03-04 Thread Julie Johnson

Dear Gloria,

Happy to help; I only wish I could afford more! Best of luck with this; I know how difficult fundraising is and grant proposals take time to write and time to process and there is no guarantee; meanwhile, kittens are being born.

You might want to check out the 'humane fundraising' group on Yahoo. The mail volume is enormous, but the archives are filled with lots ofdifferent ideas for fundraising.

Take care; keeping my paws crossed

Julie"Gloria B. Lane" [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
I work with Feline Rescue and Rehome(FuRR) here in Arkansas, and we're helping to raise money to spay and neuter a colony of feral/stray cats in North Carolina. If you can donate to help with this, go to www.teamfurr.org to contribute thru Paypal, and indicate that its for the NC cats.If you have spay/neuter contacts in NC, let us know that too!Rita, a rescue worker here in Arkansas, went home to Magnolia, Duplin County, North Carolina at Christmas. Magnolia's about 2 hours west of Raleigh. She discovered that her sister was feeding some 20 cats daily on her property. Most were ready to give birth in early January. Naturally, Rita freaked out.Rita contacted some North Carolina rescue groups there but had little luck finding help. She did find one volunteer who's helping but works for animal
control in Wilmington. She sent out letters to nearby NC vets, and found a couple of NC vets who will help with this project.Keep in mind we're about 1000 miles away from NC. And, the rescues tend to work with the larger cities, so the county where the cats are has no assistance or information about ferals and strays.Feline Rescue and Rehome (FuRR) appreciates any help you can give. It will probably cost $1,500 to $2,000 to spay and neuter all these cats in North Carolina. Should we by any chance collect more than needed, the remainder will go to FuRR, who runs a monthly spay-neuter clinic in Little Rock, Arkansas. FuRR is a 501-c3 organization, so tax deductible.Again, go to www.teamfurr.org for a Paypal link and our mailing address. Please indicate that it's for the NC cats!Thanks so much!Gloria"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the
more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

Re: OT:Fwd: Veterinary Secrets, Issue #007 -- Treat Your Pet At Home!

2005-03-01 Thread Julie Johnson

Thanks for that, Cherie. Have you purchased this e-book? I have to admit, I'm always intrigued to learn more about alternative kinds of treatment, but the website is kind of a 'heavy' sell.

I'd love hear reviews/feedback.

Thanks, Julie
Cherie A Gabbert [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Thought you guys might find this interesting
CherieNote: forwarded message attached. ATTACHMENT part 2 message/rfc822 Date: Tue, 1 Mar 2005 12:01:19 UTFrom: Andrew Jones <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]Subject: Veterinary Secrets, Issue #007 -- Treat Your Pet At Home!

March 1, 2005..Issue#007

Andrew Jones,DVM

NATURALLY HELPING YOUR PETS IMMUNE SYSTEM
Greetings from Nelson BC!!
Welcome new subscribers to the 7th issue of Veterinary Secrets!

The most effective way to help your pet heal is to stimulate your pet's immune system to heal itself. We have seen a vast increase in the number of chronic pet health diseases, such as allergies, arthritis, and cancer- these diseases don't respond well to conventional medicine. By treating the root of the problem instead of its symptoms, holistic medicine enables our pets to regain and maintain their own health.
A holistic veterinarian summed this up with this statement:"Over the past 40 years and 17 generations of dogs and, cats we are seeing tremendous increases in chronic ill health in our pets that was rare back in the early 1960's. Most of these illnesses revolve around breakdown in our pets' immune systems, and include chronic skin/ear allergies, digestive upset, thyroid/adrenal/pancreatic disorders, seizures, gum/ teeth problems, degenerative arthritis, kidney/liver failure, and cancer across all ages and breeds. We are also seeing a record number of behavioral and emotional disorders including alarming and unexplained fears/aggression., as well as difficulty focusing/training and paying attention. The analogy of these compared with escalating immune/behavioral diseases in children is quite disturbing. The two biggest factors in our pets' population health decline over these generations has been the severe overuse of multiple vaccines and nutrient poor and toxin filled
commerc ial pet foods. We have also failed to address the underlying cause of disease by only suppressing symptoms with antibiotics, cortisone and related drugs, so the disease progresses and goes deeper." Michael Dym D.V.M.
It is our ability to create a really healthy immune system that I think represents the greatest potential gains in health in the world.
It is the immune system, after all, which provides humans and animals with the ability to recognize and remember potentially harmful foreign substances such as bacteria and viruses. The immune system allows us to then respond to these threatening invaders in our systems.
The body has two principal immune defense systems: humoral and cellular. B-lymphocytes in the liver, spleen, lymph nodes and bone marrow produce plasma cells that in turn produce antibodies in the gamma globulin fraction. These immunoglobulins can potentially recognize huge numbers of antigens. This is the basis of humoral immunity.
Humoral immunoglobulins are primarily designed to fight bacterial infections. Lymphocytes that populate the thymus become responsible for cellular immunity. These cells produce structures called lymphokines that mediate delayed hypersensitivity or allergic reactions. They are responsible for rejection of transferred foreign tissue and for the recognition and rejection of tumor cells.
The cellular immunity system is responsible for defense against infections due to viruses, fungi and some types of bacteria and cancers.
There are many examples of chronic pet health problems related to an overacting or underacting immune system.
ALLERGIES Every allergy is a result of the immune system over-reacting to some antigen- ie food protein or house dust mite.
CHRONIC VOMITING/DIARRHEA These gastrointestinal conditions can be the result of chronic infection or an over-reacting immune system.
URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS For pets that are prone to recurrent bladder infections, there is often a deficient immune function allowing this to happen.
CANCER The big C is now very prevalent in the pet health population. It is being seen in younger pets and is now the second most common cause of death of pets. Cancer has numerous suspected causes, but it is the effectiveness of your pets immune system to keep the abnormal cell growth in check that prevents it.

SOLUTIONS
ANTIOXIDIZE. Antioxidants have been shown to slow the growth and spread of some types of cancer. Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Selenium are the most effective. Vitamin C dose: dogs 100mg per 10 lbs of body weight twice daily; cats, 250mg twice daily. Vitamin E dose: dogs and cats 100IU per 10lbs body weight twice daily. Selenium dose: dogs and cats, 25ug per 10lbs twice daily.
FLAVONOIDS. These are compounds in a class of their own. They compose the thousands of structures

Re: OT: Lovey and Merry Home! :) - VERY LONG!

2005-02-25 Thread Julie Johnson

YIKES!!!

What a story! I'm glad it all worked out and certainly hope that you are healing well, Brenda!

Take care and give those kitties a big smooch!

Love, Julie

"Brenda K. Smith" [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Hi Again. Peggy, will you call Tinley and pass my previous email info to her and also this email info? I get her email bounced back every time I sent one to her work. OK, changed my mind. I think Lovey is a Ragdoll. He has the same type of fur that my Baby Kitty has and she is a Tortie Point Birman. She is a mix and rather than the white mittens that Birmans have her paws are tortie point. But, she has the Birman fur that never mats. I did some research of my pedigree books and Lovey looks almost exactly like a Ragdoll. Some Ragdolls have the white mitten paws, but some have the chocolate paws like Lovey. Two or three times now I have picked him up under the armpits with both hands and hold him and he justs hangs down and loves it. It doesn't really matter what he is, but I
like to match them as close as possible when I can. He continues to be adorable. He lays next to me on the couch and then up on my daughter's lap and lays there. He wants to be fair you know. lol Right now precious Merry is laying on my bed. Whenever I go in there she starts to purr. I stop and pet her, give her kisses and she rolls over on her side. :) She came up from the basement earlier tonight and wanted to eat. She had 1/2 can and nibbled on some dry. She is starting a mat by her neck and her ears are quite dirty. I'm just not doing too much to her except get her Interferon down until she feels more comfortable here, but she is definitely responding. We were to pick them up Monday night around 9:30 PM in Portage, WI. Thanks to the selfless wonderful Gail, Valerie, Mitch and Tom (along with all the great people who were helping) we were going to accomplish this
goal. Gail kept the cats two nights and started after a long day at work Monday evening getting them to Valerie and Mitch. Valerie and Mitch started after work when Gail passed the cats to them. Then Valerie Mitch passed the cats onto Tom in Beloit, WI. Tom was to drive to Portage, WI and meet us at 9:15 to 9:30 PM. Everthing started out fine for us. We were getting ready and planned to leave at 2:00 PM central time in order to be able to stop for dinner and get to Portage in plenty of time. I was getting ready and around 1:15 PM my husband told me he accidentally spilled his coffee on the carpeted stairs when coming into the house through the back door which also leds down to the basement. He said he tried to wipe it up. I asked him to spray it with Nature's Miracle, scrub it, wipe it up and then spray a coating to let it dry. It's an enzyme eater and works wonderfully. I thought it
was just a small area on the step. It turned out to be the entire first step, second step and onto the landing rug and they were soaked and slippery. A few minutes later after my husband had worked on the spot, my daughter went downstairs to get something for the trip. I heard her go and went into the kitchen to go down the two steps to yell at her to get something else so she didn't have to make two trips. I was barefoot. I am always barefoot in the house summer and winter. Must be my early beginnings. I was born in Paducah, KY. :) Anyway, all of my floors are oak with no carpets. The two stairs to go down to the landing to go to the basement or out the back door are carpeted with a tweed carpet. As soon as my right front foot hit the first step (it felt like an ice skating rink ice) it slid right off the step passed the second step to the landing, my left foot and leg were still on the oak floor so my left leg and foot ended up
backward under me and my right foot kept going while my right arm was trying to save myself from hurling on down to the basement. At all of our doorways because of boarding dogs in our home we have the older wooden accordian type gates. The one at the doorway in the kitchen which leads to the basement and outside has been busted through and eaten through at times. Those types of gates are hard to find. Anyway, my husband has tried to keep repairing them. He had screwed the slats together the last time with screws and nuts. My left front thigh was in intense pain, the complete top of my left foot and four toes were immediately purple, stiff and swollen. At the time my left leg turned under me my right thigh must have hit the edge of the oak floor just before the stairs and the rest of my right leg hit the stairs hard. My daughter was running up the stairs to me as soon as she heard me fall. I was unable to speak or move the pain
was so intense. She kept screaming for her dad, but he couldn't hear her at first. As the pain receptors in my body started dulling the pain I looked down and saw blood on my tan slacks. I lifted my right arm and my daughter said, "Oh my God". I looked then and I had a very deep gash about 1-1/2" going horizonally across under

RE: off-topic/should I worry about kitty making a noise when shebreathes?

2005-02-25 Thread Julie Johnson

Hi Again Kerry,

Are you noticing any dryness of your own nasal passages? It could be that the long winter of dry, heated indoor air is getting to her. You could put a big pot of water on the stove and do a quick humidification and see if that makes a difference.

I definately need to do that this weekend; my nose feels like sandpaper!

Julie"MacKenzie, Kerry N." [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Thanks for your input, Barb, Cherie, Sally and Karolynmuch appreciated. Trixie snoring when she's asleep has always amused me. I guess what worries me now is a) that her breathing is often accompanied by the "snoring" sound while she is awake (and not just when she's asleep) and b) this is a new development.
I was concerned it may be a symptom of a potentially serious breathing/chest/lung problem. What I will say is that the noise is not always there; and when it is there, I've noticed that when I reach to pet her, her purring takes over and I don't hear the noise any more.
thanks again Kerry
-Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Karolyn Lount Sent: Friday, February 25, 2005 3:23 AM To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Subject: Re: off-topic/should I worry about kitty making a noise when shebreathes?
Yes..Cats do snoreI have had some nights when I felt I was trying to sleep in a very large dorm. I have one cat that makes strange sounds while breathing. I have had her for 5yrs. and she is as healthy as a horse(as the saying goes) I whould still have your Vet check out your kitty for the sound she is making This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the individual named. If you are not the named addressee you should not
disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. "I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

Humidity, was RE: off-topic/should I worry ....

2005-02-25 Thread Julie Johnson

Hey Cherie,

Glad it hit a note with you! Just be super-careful to watch the water level! You can put in a few drops of cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, etc. and it will smell like you're baking! (But take a nap and go buy a pie, instead!)

JulieCherie A Gabbert [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Julie,
That is a great suggesstion, that often happens around here, I usually put water in the bathtub and let it sit overnight.
CherieJulie Johnson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Hi Again Kerry,

I definately need to do that this weekend; my nose feels like sandpaper!

Julie"MacKenzie, Kerry N." [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Thanks for your input, Barb, Cherie, Sally and Karolynmuch appreciated. Trixie snoring when she's asleep has always amused me. I guess what worries me now is a) that her breathing is often accompanied by the "snoring" sound while she is awake (and not just when she's asleep) and b) this is a new development.
I was concerned it may be a symptom of a potentially serious breathing/chest/lung problem. What I will say is that the noise is not always there; and when it is there, I've noticed that when I reach to pet her, her purring takes over and I don't hear the noise any more.
thanks again Kerry
-Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Karolyn Lount Sent: Friday, February 25, 2005 3:23 AM To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Subject: Re: off-topic/should I worry about kitty making a noise when shebreathes?
Yes..Cats do snoreI have had some nights when I felt I was trying to sleep in a very large dorm. I have one cat that makes strange sounds while breathing. I have had her for 5yrs. and she is as healthy as a horse(as the saying goes) I whould still have your Vet check out your kitty for the sound she is making This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the individual named. If you are not the named addressee you should not
disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. "I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it isto protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.
__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com "I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.
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Re: OT: I'M BACK!

2005-02-18 Thread Julie Johnson

GREAT NEWS!!! Get some rest; there's just no place like your own bed, is there?

Love, Julie"Brenda K. Smith" [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Hi All. Got back tonight very tired and sore. Neither my daughter nor myself sleep well in hotels so we were tired. Good news! The doctor who was doing my angiogram (who has done it many times through the years) was saying wow - beautiful, just what I want to see - perfect, etc. while doing the procedure. :) He said that the results were about the same as two years ago or maybe even better. Then he said, "It's been 13-1/2 years right?" I said yes. He put two thumbs up and said, "You've got it made!" Just what I want to hear. :) For those of you who have some medical background, there is a slight thickening of the left side of my left ventricle, but it is no worse than two years ago. It's not an unusual occurence for a heart transplant, but it's
nice to know it's about the same as two years ago. Thank you all for your best wishes that everything would go well and it did! This is a powerful group of people. :) Now, I have to rest so that I can pick up my new babies from Barb on Sunday. :) I'll email some more tomorrow. Thank you again!--

Brenda.

http://www.whiskersandwicks.com
http://www.cheqnet.net/~bksmith

"The only risk you ever run in befriending a cat is enriching yourself." - Colette

Don't Take Your Organs To Heaven. Heaven Knows We Need Them Here."I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.
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Re: OT: Charlie (FIV+ in MA) needs help and a home

2005-02-18 Thread Julie Johnson

Hi Michelle,

Charlie sounds like a great guy and with you in his corner, I'm sure things will work out very well for him!

Since he is in close proximity to a sheep and a horse, is it possibly that they have some kind of a parasite that he's picked up? I'm thinking especially of lice, although you don't usually see that kind of hair loss. Have they ruled out ringworm? Chappy (FeLV+) had such severe ringworm that his hair was falling out in huge patches overnight; it was not the typical kind of ringworm-y lesions, either. It was like he simply went bald in spots overnight. Possibly he had a more severe reaction because he, too, was immuno-compromised. I guess my point is, they had to actually do a skin scraping and culture it because even the Wood's lamp test didn't fluoresce the way it normally does, so maybe it shouldn't be ruledout if this additional testing hasn't been done.

Hope this helps; wishing the best for Charlie. I've already committed to picking up a new FIV+ kitty (tonight, actually), so the timing is really rotten.
I'll keep him in my thoughts and let you know ASAP if I hear of anything in CT.

Love, Julie

I am writing to see if anyone has any ideas. I go to the local shelter, where my positives came from, twice a day to take care of Lamby, a disabled sheep who lives in the feral cat yard (she is very popular among the cats and has convinced a number of them to trust us too!). At this shelter, the ferals are put into a large yard, with access to the hay loft of a barn. The shelter also puts non-feral cats out there who can not be adopted, sometimes because they are FIV+ (I do not agree with mixing in this way, but at least they do not kill any of them). A cat who was brought there about 6 months ago, Charlie, was diabetic. Since I am in the yard twice a day anyway, I agreed to give him his shots. Luckily, his diabetes went away, at least for now, and he no longer needs insulin. HOWEVER...

Charlie is a huge, long-haired black cat, extremely beautiful and cuddly and mellow and sort of looks like a bear, normally. A few weeks ago I noticed a bunch of his hair was coming out, and upon inspection found he had a number of bald spots with bite and scratch marks, clearly self-induced. I brought him to the vet and the vet said he had terrible ear mites, for which they treated him, and probably also contact dermatitis of unknown origin. The vet gave him a shot of Vetalog, a steroid often used for skin problems that has less side effects than Depomedrol. We were afraid to give Depomedrol because it can sometimes cause diabetes and he has had diabetes in the past (it can come and go with cats). The shot lasts 3 days. Charlie felt better for a week and then started scratching again. The vet said to put him on a low dose of pred for 3 days and then taper him off. I did that, and after not seeing him for 2 days after the tapering was done, he appeared and had
lost probably 1/3 of his hair and was covered in scabs and had URI. My partner brought him back to the vet and he got another Vetalog shot and was put on Cephalexyn (and antibiotic) twice a day and tomorrow is supposed to start on a high dose of pred for 10 days and then taper if he is ok. They have no idea what is causing this. I put Revolution on him to help with the ear mites and also because it treats mange if he has that. I am going away for the weekend, to my parents', and the women who run the shelter asked me to put him in a cage for the 2 days so it is easier for them to find and pill him. I decided to put him on chicken and rice food for that time too, since he will have his own food, in case this is a food allergy. I am also considering bringing him to an allergist, as this looks very severe and he obviously can not stay on steroids forever.

Does anyone have any ideas for treatment or diagnosis?

Also, does anyone know anyone who might adopt Charlie? He is one of the best cats I ever met. When he has his fur, he is gorgeous, and is very affectionate, extremely mellow and easy to work with (goes right in a carrier, etc.), gets along well with cats and I would guess with dogs and kids too because he is such a mellow teddy bear-like cat. The problem is that he is FIV+, could become diabetic again in the future, has a heart murmur, and obviously has some kind of allergy. But the allergy started recently and I think that if he could get out of that yard and have his own food it might stop. I would take him home myself, but I already have FeLV+ cats and a negative, who I keep separate, as well as a dog with cancer. Besides having to redivide the house for Charlie, my partner, Gray, has begged me not to take in any more animals, especially sick animals, for a while because I am so at my wit's end and depressed since Simon's bout with lymphoma and losing
our dog Nubi (Simon was diagnosed 2 weeks after she died of cancer). That said, Charlie looks so bad right now that Gray said he almost brought him home himself.

I know you all have

Re: OT: Charlie (FIV+ in MA) needs help and a home

2005-02-18 Thread Julie Johnson

Michelle, I hereby ORDER you to have a great time this weekend; hope you go someplace wonderful, rest and relax, and find a chocolate mine! [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Thanks, Julie. There was a ringworm epidemic at the shelter many months before Charlie got there, so maybe it is that. Though it does not look like ringworm, but from your post I guess sometimes maybe it doesn't look stereotypical. They did a skin scraping to check for mange, but I do not think they checked for ringworm. I am going away for the weekend but will talk to the shelter about it when I get back.Thanks again,MichelleIn a message dated 2/18/05 11:22:30 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Hi Michelle,Charlie sounds like a great guy and with you in his corner, I'm sure things will work out very well for him!Since he is in close proximity to a sheep and a horse, is it possibly that they have some kind of a parasite that he's picked up? I'm thinking especially of lice, although you don't usually
see that kind of hair loss. Have they ruled out ringworm? Chappy (FeLV+) had such severe ringworm that his hair was falling out in huge patches overnight; it was not the typical kind of ringworm-y lesions, either. It was like he simply went bald in spots overnight. Possibly he had a more severe reaction because he, too, was immuno-compromised. I guess my point is, they had to actually do a skin scraping and culture it because even the Wood's lamp test didn't fluoresce the way it normally does, so maybe it shouldn't be ruled out if this additional testing hasn't been done. Hope this helps; wishing the best for Charlie. I've already committed to picking up a new FIV+ kitty (tonight, actually), so the timing is really rotten. I'll keep him in my thoughts and let you know ASAP if I hear of anything in CT.Love, Julie "I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it
is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.
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Re: Gary's anemia treatment-- Hideyo

2005-02-17 Thread Julie Johnson

Dear Hideyo,

Michelle is so right; there is no way you could have known this would happen. Any surgery carries a risk to a susceptible animal; the trouble is, you can't always identify a susceptible animal.

I had a (seemingly) healthy adult female spayed and she had to be recussitated; her pre-surgery bloodwork was fine and there was simply no indication that this would be anything other than a run-of-the-mill spay. I know that if they hadn't been able to save her, I would feel exactly as you do about Suzi. The heart overrides the mind in these situations.

I am so sorry for you and Suzi.

Love, Julie

[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Hideyo,I am so sorry that happened. All of us have gotten all our cats spayed and neutered.I don't think any of us would have thought, or have ever thought, that a spay could kill a cat except that if they are FeLV+ it could trigger the virus-- but I think we even all spay our positives anyway because the stress of not being spayed can trigger it also. I would feel exactly the way that you do if it had happened to me, but it could have been any of us because it is such a freak thing that happened that no one could possibly have thought it would happen. It sounds like they still do not know what happened. I wonder if she had some sort of heart problem? My dog Chip died suddenly on a walk at 9 years old and had seemed completely healthy-- had even run 4 miles with me two days earlier-- and all the vets could figure was that she had had a
hidden heart problem.anyway, I am very sorry about Suzi. I hope that you realize, at least intellectually, that there is no way you could have known that would happen.MichelleIn a message dated 2/17/05 12:36:08 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Michelle, I know exactly how you feel - every time I lose someone, I sowish I would have done/wouldn't have done - I torture myself forthinking all the time. When I lost Suzi a several month ago, I regretted so much for what Idid, and I still cry missing her every single night. Suzi was a healthysweet baby, and took her to spaying one day (on July 17th), and I neversaw her alive after that. She woke up from the anthesia, but somethinghappened and she stopped breathing - I was SO not ready not to see heragain. I never had a chance to say good bye to her as I was onlyplanning to see her in an hour - I wish I never brought her for surgerythat
day, as I was not scheduled to do originally until the vet calledfor an opening due to cancellation. That morning, when I tried to takeher, she one time escaped from the carrier, and I chased her and forcedher to go into the carrier - that was a sign - I wish I never broughther - I just miss her too much and it hurts - if I never rescued her,she would be still alive and I ended her life - she did not want to goto the vet that day - I pray every day that her soul will come back in another life again soonso that I will have a 2nd chance to take care of her - and you, too,Michelle, you will meet Simon again. "I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH
Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.
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RE: Ginger's appointment

2005-02-16 Thread Julie Johnson

Dear Hideyo,

I agree with Barb; I think your precautions are fine and they are certainly more than I do when I handle an FeLV+ cat. I simply wash my hands with soap and water.

Think about it; does the vet go through anything more rigorous after examining an FeLV+ cat? I do not currently have any FeLV+ cats, but I stopped vaccinating against FeLV as soon as it was implicated in VAS. I do not mix my FeLV+ cats, they always have a separate room. My Encore, who tested postive after having been negative, shared a room with 4 other cats who were too shy to be in the general population. She had prolonged contact and shared litter, food and water. The cats she was in the room with have continued to test negative. (KNOCK WOOD!)

I thought about the insulin syringes being much thinner than other kinds of syringes, too; I wonder if it could make a difference? Like you, I have to do some research and track down that whole study.

Julie

Barb Moermond [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

With those precautions, I think you're completely safe. The concensus is that it takes prolonged intimate contact to transfer the virus and that the virus is extremely fragile and short-lived outside the host. There are many people on this list who mix their positives and negatives knowingly for various reasons and, list members please correct me if I'm wrong, there is not one instance in a knowing mix- with the negatives vaccinated, that the virus was transferred. There are others who keep their positives separated but don't take your bleaching and clothes changing precautions and I think that there also, no transmission of virus has occurred. There are the sad cases where a FeLV+ was brought in and the status was NOT known and the virus was transmitted to other negative, non-vaccinated kitties.Hideyo Yamamoto [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

I am not sure which doctor studied it, but I will do some research and try to find out.

Do you think there is a great risk of my other cats to get FeLV? I do worry I wash my hands with bleach (1-bleach 8 water) all the time, before and after visiting Ginger, and change my clothes and socks every time, and before and after do you think there is still a risk?

I read that FeLV virus does not live outside of the body more than a few seconds (and some other literature says a few hours and I am not sure what is more realistic information do you know? I am curious)

I would appreciate any of your input on this because I have 20 plus cats in my house though they dont have a direct contact at all with Ginger, I do not want to assume that it is ok - and vice versa, most of my other cats are exposed to corona virus positive.

Thank you!

Hideyo

-Original Message-From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of NinaSent: Tuesday, February 15, 2005 2:13 PMTo: felvtalk@felineleukemia.orgSubject: Re: Ginger's appointment

Hideyo, and what they found out is that cancers/tumors are not caused by vaccine itself, but rather by injections they did testing with a control group with saline solutions and they still found cancers/tumors from the group I hadn't heard this before, and it is of great concern to me too. Do you know the name of the doctor who quoted the study? Would you please call him and ask which study he's talking about? I'd very much like to read it for myself. I have been shooting three of my babies so full of holes, (Penicillin, VO, B12), that I expect them to start leaking when they drink! We had a discussion about vaccines not too long ago. I didn't read the links because I've
already decided not to subject my animals to any more vaccines unless they are absolutely necessary. They have all been inoculated in the past and I suspect that the "boosters" pose more risk than they're worth. Someone on the list talked about blood testing to determine whether an animal's titers indicated if they needed them. If you read the archives, you'll see that I have a semi-feral, Gypsy, with IBD that I suspect was caused by over vaccination. I am concerned, however, about your not vaccinating your cats for FeLV with a positive in the house. Even with Ginger in another room, you are exposing them to a great risk.As far as taking Ginger to the vet... What did you expect the vet to do for her? If she seems to be getting better, I would be reluctant to take her in as well. NinaHideyo Yamamoto wrote:
After going back and forth, I decided not to take Ginger to her appointment yesterday after all. She has been doing well, and I wanted to minimize any chances of stressing her if I could avoid it. She is a feral cat, and she is extremely skittish and I guess, since she has been doing so well, I did not want anything to change that

Thats said, do you guys think that I should still get her checked up by my vet? Her tongue (Dr. Basko tells me that the color of the tongue can be a better indication of anemia than gums sometimes especially, ginger has a darker pigment) and gum looks good

RE: OT Humor: We're Having A Puppy!

2005-02-16 Thread Julie Johnson

Me, too! It's so funny because it's exactly what people say!!!"MacKenzie, Kerry N." [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Love it! Certainly makes the point! Kerry-Original Message-From: [EMAIL PROTECTED][mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Brenda K.SmithSent: Tuesday, February 15, 2005 8:59 PMTo: felvtalk@felineleukemia.orgSubject: OT Humor: We're Having A Puppy!Hi All.A rescuer sent me this. Thought all you rescuers would get it. :)Anyone involved in rescue should be able to see the humor inthisRESCUE HELP NEEDED ASAP:Please help After two long years of being on a waiting list for an agility dog, we have been notified by the breeder that, at long last, our number has come up and ...WE ARE HAVING A PUPPY!!!We must IMMEDIATELY get rid of our children now, because we just KNOW how time consuming our new little
puppy is going to be! Since our little puppy will be arriving on Monday we MUST place the children in new homes this weekend!They are described as:One male - His name is Ryan, Caucasian (English/Irish mix), light blonde hair, blue eyes. Four years old. Excellent disposition. He doesn't bite. Temperament tested. Does have problems with peeing directly in the toilet. Has had chicken Pox and is current on all shots. Tonsils have already been removed. Ryan eats everything, is very clean, house trained gets along well with others. Does not run with scissors and with a little training he should be able to read soon.One female - Her name is Lexie, Caucasian (English/Irish mix), strawberry blonde hair, green eyes quite freckled. Two years old. Can be surly at times. Non-biter, thumb sucker. Has been temperament tested but needs a little
attitude adjusting occasionally. She is current on all shots, tonsils out, and is very healthy happy (mostly). Gets along well with other little girls little boys but does not like to share her toys and therefore would do best in a one child household. She is a very quick learner and is currently working on her house training-shouldn't take long at all.We really do LOVE our children so much and want to do what's right for them; that is why we contacted a rescue group. But we simply can no longer keep them. Also, we are afraid that they may hurt our new puppy. I hope you understand that ours is a UNIQUE situation and we have a real emergency here!!! They MUST be placed into your rescue by Sunday night at the latest or we will be forced to drop them offat the orphanage or along some dark, country road. Our priority now has to be our new
puppy. -- Brenda.http://www.whiskersandwicks.comhttp://www.cheqnet.net/~bksmith "The only risk you ever run in befriending a cat is enriching yourself."- ColetteDon't Take Your Organs To Heaven. Heaven Knows We Need Them Here.This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the individual named. If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail."I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals
are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.
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RE: any thoughts?

2005-02-15 Thread Julie Johnson

Hi and welcome. I'm so very sorry to hear about Scully; my heart goes out to you.

Had Scully been tested before and been negative? I had a cat, Encore, who had repeatedly tested negative, became rather suddenly ill (thin and anemic), and tested positive for FeLV at about 4 years of age. The only viable explanation was that she had latent virus sequestered in her bone marrow and something triggered the virus to become active.

Because this sort of thing does happen, my vet is now recommending (albeit with the encouragement of the test manufacturer) that any time a cat presents with a serious health problem that they also be re-tested for FeLV.

I hope your other kitty continues to do well; he must be missing his friend terribly as you are.

Take care, Julie

Cherie A Gabbert [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

First of all I am very sorry to hear of your loss. I amsure Scully had a very full life with you.
I would also like to say Hi and Welcome, We have had tons of list problems recently, but we are getting through them, I had to pull your email off of archives because it did not post on my system.
This group is wonderful and full of information, we can help and listen and just be here to support if needed. I signed on in January right after I lost my kitty suddenly to FeLV and since then I have had another kitty come up positive.
I talked to my vet and was informed that if you get the FeLV shot and test after, the cat most likely will come up negative, because if the cat is positive and then gets the immunization shot which is also positive, then two positives will make the test come up negative. So I ask you was Rookie, previous vaccinated against FeLV and if he was then he could very well be positive, now. The same would go for Scully, Scully might had had the virus and been vaccinated before testing for the virus therefore would come up negative, until you saw symptoms.
Again sorry for you loss.
Cherie

S DTue, 15 Feb 2005 03:06:24 -0800

Hi,
I am new to this list and had some trouble signing up last week. However, I will post the update first and then the original email I had tried to send. On Sat. Feb 12, I put my little friend Scully to rest. She was really beginning to suffer the effects of FelV and I couldn't bear to watch her anymore. Walking became difficult and she absolutley refused to eat or drink. She looked at me as if to say "it's okay mom, I need to go and you'll be fine." My husband and myself and Rookie (her best feline friend of 9 years) all went with her to the vet and were with her when she was gone. We all cried (even the vet) - however, once it was over there was such a sense of peace and relief for her. Now the hard part is getting on without her. Rookie was tested that day as well -came up negative (which I don't understand). I have too many questions to type here today. This was like a bomb dropped on us all. This is my first experience with this disease and now I need to learn more about it.
Thanks just for listening!

Original message.
Hello,
I'm having trouble subscribing to the list so I will just try to post this. I just found out that my 10 year old cat, Scully, has FelV. Since Christmas she has been battling runny eyes and sneezing. Starting quite minor to now more severe. However,she has not been responsive to any treatments and finally this week they tested her and she is positive. Now she is at the point where she will not eat or drink on her own (1 week and a half) and is tired. She seems like she is confused and is unsteady on her feet. Her blood work shows that everything is fine (white cells, red cells, etc). So I don't understand why this is happening to her. She has been a healthy, talkative and very lively cat her entire life. It just seems like one day something changed and she went down hill from there. My vet has put her on different meds and I am feeding her with a syringe. If there is no improvement by this week-end I am told it is best to put her down because she will not
make it through this. I guess I am in shock because I never expected this happy little (indoor) girl to just suddenly become so ill. I imagined her dying of old age. She has been a loyal friend who has been through a great deal with me - so obviously this is hard to accept. I hate to give up hope but she means too much to me to see her suffer. As I am just learning about this infection for the first time I wonder if there is anyone out there with a simliar experience. The vet says that her presentation of the disease is not typical. But what is typical? I realize that there is nothing more that I can do for her, but any advice, info, etc. at this point would help me. I know that her 9 years have been great -she has been spoiled and loved. She was also rescued as a kitten from an awful house where she was starving and infected from ear mites where she would have died before she reached one. Also, I have another cat who is her best friend that also needs to be tested now. The vet

Re: My Lucky is gone

2005-02-14 Thread Julie Johnson

Thank you, Michelle. Lucky was not positive. I know just how you are feeling about Simon; I feel like an automaton. I will catch a glimpse of DeDe or Nikki's calico butt go around a corner and think, "I need to see how Lucky is doing today.".

Take care; a friend told me this weekend that it wouldn't hurt so much if I didn't care so much, but that's cold comfort right now.

Love, Julie[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Julie, I can hardly say how sorry I am. I still am not really functioning since Simon's death, so I know how hard it is. Was Lucky a positive? If so, the length of time she lived is remarkable. I am glad that one of your last memories of her is of her purring on your pillow.Michelle"I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet.
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