Re: Charlie Brown and little Sister Oscar to CLS
I'm so sorry that you lost two babies, especially so close together. That must have been so hard. Cassandra - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2007 11:31 PM Subject: Charlie Brown and little Sister Oscar to CLS Please add Charlie to CLS list he passed Sunday night and today we had to pts his little sister Oscar (she chose that name). She has been small and delicate all her life. She stopped eating Sunday and was in a lot of pain from kidney failure. I think she really wanted to go with Charlie. They were both felv+. Charlie was 15 and Oscar was 12 years old. My heart is breaking, I miss them so much. It seems that in my house they leave in two's. I know they are together and know longer sick so I will try to remember only the good days. Give your babies extra love tonight. Sheila -- See what's free at AOL.com. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.7.1/807 - Release Date: 5/16/2007 6:05 PM
Re: OT -- just for laughs :0)
That is cute. I have one kitty, Kisa, who isn't scared of anything at all, including the vacuum. She doesn't even flinch when I try using the vacuum on her. It is because of her fearlessness, that I would never let her go outside. I don't think she would move out of the way of a car. Cassandra - Original Message - From: elizabeth trent To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2007 9:16 PM Subject: OT -- just for laughs :0) http://www.glumbert.com/media/catvacuum elizabeth -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.7.1/805 - Release Date: 5/15/2007 10:47 AM
Re: Please add Albert to the CLS
I'm so sorry for your loss of Albert. At least he lived a long happy life and wasn't sick until the end. That is always the best way to go. Cassandra - Original Message - From: Kerry Roach To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2007 8:47 PM Subject: Please add Albert to the CLS Hi all, I know I haven't been here in awhile, but I always come back as you guys are the most understanding and compassionate people that I have ever met.. I lost Albert today, May 15 a few minutes before 4pm. He went into sudden cardiac failure. He hadn't been sick until yesterday as he started showing some signs of maybe a urinary tract infection which turned out to be his heart..probably due to some long standing hyper-t. He was felv-. We added his sister, Alberta to CLS back in Jan. I just wanted him there with her. I also lost Striper (hit by a car) on April 16. So it hasn't been a good year so far. To those of you that remember Inky, he is now 20yrs and 9 months. Fingers crossed he keeps doing well. Albert had just turned 16 on April 12. Thank you all as always for listening and caring.. You and your kitties are always in our prayers, Kerry, Inky, and Angel's Bandy, Buster, Lil Rascal, Snoopy, Alberta, Striper, and Albert 2 feral angel's Tom Cat and Fuzzy Boy -- Never miss an email again! Yahoo! Toolbar alerts you the instant new Mail arrives. Check it out. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.7.0/804 - Release Date: 5/14/2007 4:46 PM
Re: To Cassandra; Re: Update on Tomi, and my older kitty, Koda
Thank you. Tomi is still doing ok *fingers crossed*. In fact i've even gotten him to eat a raw poultry diet now, instead of only dry food. I'm following the recipe on this site http://www.catnutrition.org/recipes.html. Hopefully he's thinking that i've finally figured out the proper food to give him instead of all that canned junk. Cassandra - Original Message - From: wendy [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Saturday, May 19, 2007 1:45 PM Subject: To Cassandra; Re: Update on Tomi, and my older kitty, Koda Cassandra, I'm so happy to hear about Tomi's recovery! How wonderful! I'm equally saddened to hear about your Koda. I hope she's able to pull through this like Tomi did. Prayers for peace going out for you and your family. :) Wendy --- C J [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Well, Tomi seems to be doing much better after his crash 2 weeks ago. He is acting alot more like his normal self, though I think he still is a little anemic. I don't understand how his PCV can go so low, then go back up on its own. I am hoping all the prayers helped him and he will continue to improve. I'm weaning him off the Prednisone, and though I can't get him to eat anything other than chicken liver and dry food, at least he is eating again. I've tried about 12 different brands of quality canned foods, plus homemade, and he will only take a few licks before he runs off licking and scratching himself. We seem to be destined for only a small break in fortune though, as our oldest cat, Koda, is now dying. We found Koda about 12 years ago. She was emaciated, and her ears, nose, and feet were frostbitten. We're not sure how old she was, but we guess she was at least 2-3 years at the time. Last summer she was diagnosed with diabetes, which we've controlled mainly with diet. Recently, we noticed she was quite constipated, and took her to the vet for an enema. She seemed fine up to that point, even though she was constipated. When we brought her home though, she wouldn't eat (very odd for her), and was lethargic. We took her back to the vet, and she ended up spending 2 days and 2 nights there. They said her kidneys and liver were failing. We brought her home today, since they couldn't do much more for her. At least she will be more comfortable at home. I don't think she will last the weekend though. She's too weak to move, and feels cold. She is also crying some, and I hope she is not in pain :(. I guess i'm hoping she will somehow pull through this like Tomi did. I just wish that my family could get out of crisis for awhile and return to normal. Cassandra Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world - indeed it is the only thing that ever has! ~~~ Margaret Meade ~~~ You snooze, you lose. Get messages ASAP with AutoCheck in the all-new Yahoo! Mail Beta. http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/mailbeta/newmail_html.html -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.7.4/811 - Release Date: 5/18/2007 3:50 PM
Re: Prednisone and doing great......
I'm just curious. What condition was your vet treating with Prednisone? Was it just due to being FeLV+, or were there symptoms the vet was treating? I've been giving prednisone for anemia, but I am trying to wean my kitty off of it. I've been suppressing his immune system for 2 months now, and I don't think that is the best thing for him. Cassandra - Original Message - From: Elizabeth Paz [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Monday, May 14, 2007 6:41 PM Subject: Prednisone and doing great.. Hi Teresa, My cat was diagnosed with felv when he was 2 yrs old, he is now 7 1/2. It was such a shock at the time as I have had so many cats and this was the first time I had ever heard of felv. He was put on 5 mg of Prednisone a day and is still going strong and I do mean strong. The vet began lowering the dose after the first year and slowly continued. We now give him 2.5 every other day and have been doing so for about 2 yrs now. We did try to take him off of it completely, but after about 3 months we noticed he was a bit hangy so we started it back up again and if you could see him he is a chunk and so healthy. It's so hard to know we share this world with people that dump or throw little beating hearts away like garbage. God Bless people like you Teresa. From: Teresa [EMAIL PROTECTED] Reply-To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Subject: Prednisone? Date: Sat, 12 May 2007 10:35:48 -0500 I recently have acquired several felv+ cats, the one who is sick at the moment is a pathetic case who was dropped off on the highway near a farm, a very popular dumping spot I've been monitoring for the past few years. Many or most of them end up at home with me if they seem not to be faring well at the farm. Anyway, turns out this poor thing is totally blind as well as felv+. I mean he sees NOTHING. I've had many cats who were legally blind but this one doesn't even react to bright light. He was dumped, in winter no less, along a highway roaring with 18 wheelers night and day. How this critter ever lived this long, he's probably 4-5 years old, is totally beyond me. Well I did not mean to get harping that, I'll never get off it. It just makes me sick to my stomach. Timmy is the most loving, slobbering, kissable, hugable, sweet thing to come along for a long time. But I have to guide him to his food dish and this is inside his cage. I mean, how has he LIVED? I suspect whoever dropped him didn't realize he was blind. Cats can sure fool you. But then again, seems it would be hard for him to fool anyone when he has to be shown his food dish. My understanding is that this farm only feeds cats that are dumped off dog food and cow milk, so the daughter told me a couple years ago. And the night I picked him up, Timmy's stomach was making very loud growling noises for several hours, and seemed distended. That all went away in a day or so and I attributed it to drinking milk Ok, what I was checking the list for was, some time ago I thought I saw some info on prednisone use in felv+ cats but I don't find it now. (Also several of the links from the felv site do not work at the moment, including the Cornell info one.) I haven't been giving Timmy pred, or anything solely for his felv, but he's gotten this upper respiratory that is going through my flock and got real sick with it and is now improving with baytril spiked with some dexamethasone just to allow him to breathe better etc. But I understood that pred can be beneficial in felv. Actually I think I snatched him from the jaws of death this time, my fingers are still crossed. Another felv+, Inky, that I picked up at the same time, just died last night from this virus, in spite of the most intensive treatments we could give him. I do have a wonderful vet. But of course I still like to double check up to put into context, what he might be saying about this subject or others. But he has won my confidence over the past 5 years but again, YOU GUYS are the real experts. So can anyone tell me where the pred info is or any thoughts on building Timmy up for future battles? I've been sort of subconsciously switching him over to people food, first as a means of enticing him to eat but the more I've been thinking about this pet food adulteration situation, the more it seems to answer my questions for such a long time now, about why kidney failure seems to be such a big issue with cats these days. What have we been feeding our cats lately? I guess we have no way of really knowing. At least people food is usually more recognizable, you can SEE a piece of meat or a carrot. With cat food, who knows? And now they say even fish meal is contaminated, and that seems to be used in almost all cat foods. He loved chicken noodle soup (low salt kind) and went nuts for some chicken ala king awhile ago, also a little tuna. Oh yes, he is very very hard to pill! He
Re: Update on Tomi, and my older kitty, Koda
Thank you all. Well, Koda didn't make it through the night. We had a heating pad for her wrapped in flannel sheets. I went to bed at midnight last night, and my husband sat up with her for awhile. She passed away at 1am this morning. He said it was really hard to watch her go, but at least he was there for her in her last moments. We buried her in front of a huge rock that is on our lawn across the yard from our picture window. Her favorite place to sit was on the loveseat in front of that window, staring outside, so now she can still see her favorite spot. Afterwards, we went out collecting rocks from the ditches around our area. I want to make a big rock garden over and around her grave, and plant flowers in amongst the rocks...maybe some daisies. I just need to figure out a way to write her name on the rock. She was such a gentle soul. At least she had 12 good years she wouldn't have otherwise lived if we hadn't found her. Cassandra - Original Message - From: C J To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Friday, May 11, 2007 10:44 PM Subject: Update on Tomi, and my older kitty, Koda Well, Tomi seems to be doing much better after his crash 2 weeks ago. He is acting alot more like his normal self, though I think he still is a little anemic. I don't understand how his PCV can go so low, then go back up on its own. I am hoping all the prayers helped him and he will continue to improve. I'm weaning him off the Prednisone, and though I can't get him to eat anything other than chicken liver and dry food, at least he is eating again. I've tried about 12 different brands of quality canned foods, plus homemade, and he will only take a few licks before he runs off licking and scratching himself. We seem to be destined for only a small break in fortune though, as our oldest cat, Koda, is now dying. We found Koda about 12 years ago. She was emaciated, and her ears, nose, and feet were frostbitten. We're not sure how old she was, but we guess she was at least 2-3 years at the time. Last summer she was diagnosed with diabetes, which we've controlled mainly with diet. Recently, we noticed she was quite constipated, and took her to the vet for an enema. She seemed fine up to that point, even though she was constipated. When we brought her home though, she wouldn't eat (very odd for her), and was lethargic. We took her back to the vet, and she ended up spending 2 days and 2 nights there. They said her kidneys and liver were failing. We brought her home today, since they couldn't do much more for her. At least she will be more comfortable at home. I don't think she will last the weekend though. She's too weak to move, and feels cold. She is also crying some, and I hope she is not in pain :(. I guess i'm hoping she will somehow pull through this like Tomi did. I just wish that my family could get out of crisis for awhile and return to normal. Cassandra -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.6.8/797 - Release Date: 5/10/2007 5:10 PM
Update on Tomi, and my older kitty, Koda
Well, Tomi seems to be doing much better after his crash 2 weeks ago. He is acting alot more like his normal self, though I think he still is a little anemic. I don't understand how his PCV can go so low, then go back up on its own. I am hoping all the prayers helped him and he will continue to improve. I'm weaning him off the Prednisone, and though I can't get him to eat anything other than chicken liver and dry food, at least he is eating again. I've tried about 12 different brands of quality canned foods, plus homemade, and he will only take a few licks before he runs off licking and scratching himself. We seem to be destined for only a small break in fortune though, as our oldest cat, Koda, is now dying. We found Koda about 12 years ago. She was emaciated, and her ears, nose, and feet were frostbitten. We're not sure how old she was, but we guess she was at least 2-3 years at the time. Last summer she was diagnosed with diabetes, which we've controlled mainly with diet. Recently, we noticed she was quite constipated, and took her to the vet for an enema. She seemed fine up to that point, even though she was constipated. When we brought her home though, she wouldn't eat (very odd for her), and was lethargic. We took her back to the vet, and she ended up spending 2 days and 2 nights there. They said her kidneys and liver were failing. We brought her home today, since they couldn't do much more for her. At least she will be more comfortable at home. I don't think she will last the weekend though. She's too weak to move, and feels cold. She is also crying some, and I hope she is not in pain :(. I guess i'm hoping she will somehow pull through this like Tomi did. I just wish that my family could get out of crisis for awhile and return to normal. Cassandra
Re: Vet of the Year (uplifting story)
Those walking jackets look really neat, I may order one of those. The savannah cats on that site sure are beautiful also. Cassandra - Original Message - From: MaryChristine To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Wednesday, May 09, 2007 8:35 PM Subject: Re: Vet of the Year (uplifting story) other options are walking jackets--phaewyrn, you'll LOVE this one not as substantial as the ones i was thinking about but meowzers' isn't on-line now so i can't get the link. she's got one for her HUGE maine coon, and it had a handle on the back so there's this GREAT photo of her hubby carrying ash around like a suitcase he's just looking around as if it's just his due to be carted everywhere. http://www.joykatz.net/walkingjackets.htm On 5/9/07, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Reader's digest would love that story, I bet, especially after you get your kitty back and there's a happy ending! For future reference, and to everyone else on the list, please don't use cat figure 8 style harnesses. They have a DESIGN FLAW and cannot possibly be trusted to ever hold a squirming panicked cat! The way they function means that there is no way to make them secure. I better option is a good sturdy nylon PUPPY collar, preferably 5/8 inch wide, and out it on so it is TIGHT, so you can barely get your finger under the collar. For cats that can't stand just a collar, and that need to disperse some of the weight to the abdomen, a H style harness is a MUCH better option than a figure 8 style. An H style has a solid neck strap collar and a solid chest/belly band, attached by a connector strap that connects the two over the top of the cat's back with a d ring on top to attach the leash. The neck strap part should be adjusted like a collar, TIGHT but not choking the cat, so it cannot go over the cats head if they pull back against it. The chest strap can be looser as it's just there to distribute some of the pulling force off the neck. This is the SAFE type of cat harness: http://www.willasark.com/lupineharness.cfm Everytime I see a store with a figure 8 cat harness, I cringe at the thought of how insecure they are! I hope you find your baby! Phaewryn http://ucat.us/domesticcatlinks.html Special Needs Cat Resources http://www.iGive.com/html/refer.cfm?causeid=21303 Sign up for iGive and a percentage of your purchases helps save animals! -- Spay Neuter Your Neighbors! Maybe That'll Make The Difference MaryChristine AIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCats MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ICQ: 289856892 -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.6.6/794 - Release Date: 5/8/2007 2:23 PM
Re: Vet of the Year (uplifting story)
Wow, I wish I could find a vet like that. It sounds like she really cares about animals. I hope you find your Georgia soon. Keep us updated. Cassandra - Original Message - From: Marissa Johnson To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Wednesday, May 09, 2007 4:37 PM Subject: Vet of the Year (uplifting story) Hi all! I just thought you might like to hear an uplifting story about a PHENOMINAL vet (seems we get to hear a lot about not-so-good vets...thought I'd share a good story). It's kinda long, but trust me...it's worth the read! You all may remember that I found a new vet after Slinky had his transfusion and the vet who did it wouldn't try anything else. I had mentioned then that Dr. Garrison read all the research I sent her on IR and did her own research, etc. When I brought Mouse in a couple weeks ago, I noticed that she talks to him before doing anything, she knew all about CH and herpes (he has herpes) and was supportive of Lysine therapy for the herpes. I left the appointment wishing I could go see her every day! lol She even supported my feeding raw (if it's done right)...and she's an ALLOPATHIC vet!!! So I was already thinking she was amazing!! As you read this, keep in mind that I've seen Dr. G THREE TIMES - twice with Slinky (including pts) and once with Mouse. It's not like I've been her customer for years or something. Here's the sad part of the story: I think many if not all of you heard that on Monday night my new baby Georgia got out of her harness in a park near my house and took off. She's been hiding out in a dense forest in the park and, while I've spotted her a couple times, I have not been able to get her back yet. It has been heartbreaking and making me CRAZY (esp. after losing my baby Slinky so recently). Here's the good part: When Georgia took off, one of the first things I did was call Dr. Garrison to see if she had any suggestions or resources or anything. She took a description, said they'd keep an eye out, and gave me some good ideas. Yesterday afternoon SHE CALLED ME to ask if I had seen her yet!!! I thought that in and of itself was pretty awesome. Then she OFFERED TO COME OUT AND HELP ME LOOK FOR HER AFTER SHE GOT OFF WORK AT 7! I could NOT believe it She said to call her if she hadn't turned up by shortly before 7. When I called her she asked if I needed any supplies and I suggested she bring some a/d since it's smelly and Georgia has eaten it for me. She had already mapquested the park, knew how to get there, etc. (she didn't know where it was the first night I called her). She came out and met me at the park with 2 cans of A/D...and wouldn't let me pay her for them! I had said that it would be helpful just to have someone there to help me strategize about where to put things, etc. Not only did she do that, but she spent the next hour or more tromping through the DENSE forest full of thorny vines and brambles trying to flush Georgia out and scare her toward me. She kept tromping through and looking while I went to meet a rescuer who was bringing me a trap at the entrance to the park. She watched while the rescuer showed me how to set it - with absolutely no pretense of I'm a vet and I know everything or anything like that. In fact, she ended up being like the good friend you take to an important doctor's appointment...she asked really great questions that, in sleep-deprived and stressed out state, I wasn't thinking of! At this point it was dusk and she was going to head out, but I planned to sit out there for a while and see if I could spot Georgia. Dr. G asked if I'd had dinner...and then went to McDonalds and brought dinner back to me She even walked the long way around the park so she could check out the nearby houses and see if she could see Georgia When she came back with my food, she said she was going to the natural pet food store (where the owner is my friend and had recommended Dr. G to me) today and she could drop off flyers there AND since the humane society was just down the street, she'd go there and see if they had Georgia and leave flyers there as well! While I was typing this just now, she called again for an update! She said she left flyers at the food store and went by the shelter but that, oddly, they're closed on Wednesdays! So she said she'd GO BACK TOMORROW on her lunch break just on the off chance that she's there! She'll leave flyers with them as well. Her help and support has done SO MUCH to lift my spirits in this horrible time! I was already wanting to nominate her for vet of the year BEFORE all this And now I'm just totally stunned!! I've never heard of a vet going this far above and beyond the call of duty! When I told her she's the best vet in the universe, she said, well I don't know about that but I have lost enough animals to know how
Re: Homemdae Recipes from Books I got
I've been trying to make the raw food recipes from Dr. Pitcairn's book, but am not sure I like the grain component. My cats aren't sure yet what they think of it either. Has anyone tried the recipe here http://www.catnutrition.org/recipes.html ? This recipe is pretty much all meat/organs/bone with some supplements. I think I would like to try it, but i'm not sure about grinding up bones...i'm thinking my cats wouldn't go for chunks of bone. I would also have to buy a grinder. Cassandra - Original Message - From: Belinda To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2007 3:04 PM Subject: Homemdae Recipes from Books I got Hi All, I found a board that has already typed out some of the recipes that are in one of the books I ordered. It is from Dr Strombecks book. There are two recipes for renal cats and two for normal cats with no health problems. I use dark chicken meat and not the breast because my guys like it better and there is more fat in it. I also add taurine because I think most of it gets cooked out of the meat. I also add my usual supplements, nutrived, salmon oil, probotics, and other things Fred my CRF guy needs. I found out today Foster Farms chicken has NOT been fed the contaminated food which is the only chicken I buy, I was freaking out when I heard they were finding the chicken feed now contaminated but saying it wasn't in high enough doses to affect humans so they weren't doing anything about it. My God, what about those of us who are for obvious reasons now cooking for our cats? OK here is the link to the page with the recipes until I can get around to posting a few more, this should get you started: http://thepetfoodlist.com/forums/index.php?topic=152.0 -- Belinda happiness is being owned by cats ... Be-Mi-Kitties http://bemikitties.com Post Adoptable FeLV/FIV/FIP Cats/Kittens http://adopt.bemikitties.com FeLV Candlelight Service http://bemikitties.com/cls HostDesign4U.com [affordable hosting web design] http://HostDesign4U.com BMK Designs [non-profit animals websites] http://bmk.bemikitties.com -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.6.2/785 - Release Date: 5/2/2007 2:16 PM
Re: Herbie is gone......
I am so very sorry for your loss. It sounds like Herbie was a sweet little guy. Watching our little babies get sicker and sicker is among the hardest things we ever have to do. Thank you for loving and caring for him. Cassandra - Original Message - From: Tracy Weese [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2007 11:06 PM Subject: Herbie is gone.. Herbie was in a lot of distress at home and so I took him to the emergency vet (also the place that just saw him on Friday), even after being stabilized in oxygen, he continue to go down hill. His heart was enlarged and we were very limited in what diagnostics could be done in light of the stress on the heart (couldn't give him fluids) and then his inability to drawn air in..The new X-rays shows spots on the lungs and poss. fluid, the lymph nodes were still very large. So, with a poor prognosis, and the fact that he would not be able to survive surgery or sedation, I decided to let him go. When I went back to see him, I knew immediately it was the right thing to do--he looked awful, even with the oxygen, he was really struggling to breatheHe went as soon as the sedation was given, he was gone before the lethal fluid was even given. I will miss Herbie--he was such a love bug--hence, his name. He liked to lie next to other cats and put his arms around them. Tracy -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.6.2/780 - Release Date: 4/29/2007 6:30 AM
Re: Tomi
Just a small update on Tomi. I didn't take time off work today, because strangely enough, Tomi is alot better today. He's using the litter box again, and getting around much better. He has quite a large appetite today after eating very little the last week or so. Tomi even looks much more alert and responsive, watching me with big eyes. The last few days, he was just staring into empty space with half-lidded eyes. Considering I was positive i'd be burying my little boy this weekend, this is quite a welcome change. I'm really scared to get my hopes up, that this could just be the calm before the storm, but its so hard not to hope. Cassandra - Original Message - From: C J [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2007 8:38 PM Subject: Re: Tomi Thank you. I think this weekend has been the hardest of my life. Oddly enough, Tomi was a little better today. I didn't expect him to make it through the night last night, but today, he actually walked out of the bedroom on his own. I don't believe he's actually better, though. He still isn't able to go to the bathroom on his own, and is so weak. He is drinking alot of water too. I don't really know if that is good or bad. I guess I will see what tomorrow brings. Sadly I have to go to work, but i'll likely take the afternoon off, or call in sick, depending how he is in the morning. Cassandra - Original Message - From: wendy [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2007 1:04 PM Subject: Tomi Hi Cassandra, I am so sorry that Tomi is so ill. It does sound like his quality of life is declining quickly. It's a heartbreaking and confusing roller coaster to see our beloved furbabies enjoying life one day and the next, obviously in pain or stressed. If Tomi is going to pass, I hope that he does it quickly and peacefully. Bless you for taking such wonderful care of him. Take care, :) Wendy --- C J [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Thank you all for your kind thoughts and suggestions for Tomi. He had a pretty good day yesterday, he was watching the birds outside the window for awhile and purring as I petted him. He was even interested in eating some food. Today was not such a good day. He seemed ok first thing this morning, but when I gave him a bit of food, he promptly vomited up. He was then a little out of breath from vomiting, and cried a bit because I believe he was scared as he was trying to catch his breath. He also peed himself for the first time ever :( After that, he had no energy to move all day. He basically stayed in my bedroom the whole day, lying under the sink. I gave him some towels to lie on, and he peed again tonight on those, too weak to get up. My vet clinic doesn't do house calls, so if I need to euthanize him, i'll have to call around and see if anyone will do a house call. I don't think he can handle a car ride at all now. Even the thought of putting him to sleep has me in tears every time, but I think he's at the point now that he is getting no pleasure out of life. I think he is waiting to die :( Cassandra - Original Message - From: C J To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2007 4:18 PM Subject: I believe I am going to lose Tomi soon I've been hoping and praying that Tomi would somehow pull through this, and last week he did seem to be doing better on the 2 prednisone per day. But now, the last few days, he's been going downhill fast. Today, he is out of breath just walking a few feet, and breathing fast. I'm still able to coax him to eat a bit of baby food, but he just threw up the last bit of food I gave him. He never throws up normally. I guess I have to finally accept the fact that he's not going to get better. I've been thinking about the whole euthanizing thing, but I honestly don't know how I could do that to him. To spend the last hours of his life doing to him what he hates the most (car ride and vet visit), seems too hard for me to handle. I don't think i'm strong enough to make that decision. To me it feels like I would be personally ending his life. I don't want him to suffer either, and i'm not sure at all how much longer he will last when he is having difficulty getting enough oxygen circulated due to anemia. I still can't believe all this has happened. Two months ago I was positive he would one day become a chunky, lazy old tom cat, lounging in the sun. I would never have dreamed I would lose him after only 2 and a half years. Over the last 7 weeks, i've become even closer to him than ever as I've been trying to nurse him back to health.He's always been so loving and tolerant of my hugs and kisses. Life is going to feel so empty when he is gone. Cassandra -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free
Re: Tomi
Thank you. I think this weekend has been the hardest of my life. Oddly enough, Tomi was a little better today. I didn't expect him to make it through the night last night, but today, he actually walked out of the bedroom on his own. I don't believe he's actually better, though. He still isn't able to go to the bathroom on his own, and is so weak. He is drinking alot of water too. I don't really know if that is good or bad. I guess I will see what tomorrow brings. Sadly I have to go to work, but i'll likely take the afternoon off, or call in sick, depending how he is in the morning. Cassandra - Original Message - From: wendy [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2007 1:04 PM Subject: Tomi Hi Cassandra, I am so sorry that Tomi is so ill. It does sound like his quality of life is declining quickly. It's a heartbreaking and confusing roller coaster to see our beloved furbabies enjoying life one day and the next, obviously in pain or stressed. If Tomi is going to pass, I hope that he does it quickly and peacefully. Bless you for taking such wonderful care of him. Take care, :) Wendy --- C J [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Thank you all for your kind thoughts and suggestions for Tomi. He had a pretty good day yesterday, he was watching the birds outside the window for awhile and purring as I petted him. He was even interested in eating some food. Today was not such a good day. He seemed ok first thing this morning, but when I gave him a bit of food, he promptly vomited up. He was then a little out of breath from vomiting, and cried a bit because I believe he was scared as he was trying to catch his breath. He also peed himself for the first time ever :( After that, he had no energy to move all day. He basically stayed in my bedroom the whole day, lying under the sink. I gave him some towels to lie on, and he peed again tonight on those, too weak to get up. My vet clinic doesn't do house calls, so if I need to euthanize him, i'll have to call around and see if anyone will do a house call. I don't think he can handle a car ride at all now. Even the thought of putting him to sleep has me in tears every time, but I think he's at the point now that he is getting no pleasure out of life. I think he is waiting to die :( Cassandra - Original Message - From: C J To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2007 4:18 PM Subject: I believe I am going to lose Tomi soon I've been hoping and praying that Tomi would somehow pull through this, and last week he did seem to be doing better on the 2 prednisone per day. But now, the last few days, he's been going downhill fast. Today, he is out of breath just walking a few feet, and breathing fast. I'm still able to coax him to eat a bit of baby food, but he just threw up the last bit of food I gave him. He never throws up normally. I guess I have to finally accept the fact that he's not going to get better. I've been thinking about the whole euthanizing thing, but I honestly don't know how I could do that to him. To spend the last hours of his life doing to him what he hates the most (car ride and vet visit), seems too hard for me to handle. I don't think i'm strong enough to make that decision. To me it feels like I would be personally ending his life. I don't want him to suffer either, and i'm not sure at all how much longer he will last when he is having difficulty getting enough oxygen circulated due to anemia. I still can't believe all this has happened. Two months ago I was positive he would one day become a chunky, lazy old tom cat, lounging in the sun. I would never have dreamed I would lose him after only 2 and a half years. Over the last 7 weeks, i've become even closer to him than ever as I've been trying to nurse him back to health.He's always been so loving and tolerant of my hugs and kisses. Life is going to feel so empty when he is gone. Cassandra -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.463 / Virus Database: 269.6.0/775 - Release Date: 4/24/2007 5:43 PM Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world - indeed it is the only thing that ever has! ~~~ Margaret Meade ~~~ __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.6.2/780 - Release Date: 4/29/2007 6:30 AM
A little thing I made for Tomi
I am not terribly artistic, but I finding spending some doing something like this a bit therapeutic. Tomi and Kisa (his best friend and fellow FeLV+). http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/Fyrwulf/FirstSpacetrip5.jpg I might get a print made eventually, to remind me of him. Cassandra
Re: I believe I am going to lose Tomi soon
Thank you all for your kind thoughts and suggestions for Tomi. He had a pretty good day yesterday, he was watching the birds outside the window for awhile and purring as I petted him. He was even interested in eating some food. Today was not such a good day. He seemed ok first thing this morning, but when I gave him a bit of food, he promptly vomited up. He was then a little out of breath from vomiting, and cried a bit because I believe he was scared as he was trying to catch his breath. He also peed himself for the first time ever :( After that, he had no energy to move all day. He basically stayed in my bedroom the whole day, lying under the sink. I gave him some towels to lie on, and he peed again tonight on those, too weak to get up. My vet clinic doesn't do house calls, so if I need to euthanize him, i'll have to call around and see if anyone will do a house call. I don't think he can handle a car ride at all now. Even the thought of putting him to sleep has me in tears every time, but I think he's at the point now that he is getting no pleasure out of life. I think he is waiting to die :( Cassandra - Original Message - From: C J To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2007 4:18 PM Subject: I believe I am going to lose Tomi soon I've been hoping and praying that Tomi would somehow pull through this, and last week he did seem to be doing better on the 2 prednisone per day. But now, the last few days, he's been going downhill fast. Today, he is out of breath just walking a few feet, and breathing fast. I'm still able to coax him to eat a bit of baby food, but he just threw up the last bit of food I gave him. He never throws up normally. I guess I have to finally accept the fact that he's not going to get better. I've been thinking about the whole euthanizing thing, but I honestly don't know how I could do that to him. To spend the last hours of his life doing to him what he hates the most (car ride and vet visit), seems too hard for me to handle. I don't think i'm strong enough to make that decision. To me it feels like I would be personally ending his life. I don't want him to suffer either, and i'm not sure at all how much longer he will last when he is having difficulty getting enough oxygen circulated due to anemia. I still can't believe all this has happened. Two months ago I was positive he would one day become a chunky, lazy old tom cat, lounging in the sun. I would never have dreamed I would lose him after only 2 and a half years. Over the last 7 weeks, i've become even closer to him than ever as I've been trying to nurse him back to health.He's always been so loving and tolerant of my hugs and kisses. Life is going to feel so empty when he is gone. Cassandra -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.463 / Virus Database: 269.6.0/775 - Release Date: 4/24/2007 5:43 PM
Re: Rainbow bridge for Joey
I am so very sorry that Joey did not make it. It sounded like he was doing so well a few days ago :(. Cassandra - Original Message - From: Kelley Saveika [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Friday, April 27, 2007 11:55 PM Subject: Rainbow bridge for Joey He's gone. I took him to the ER and he went into cardiac arrest. We tried CPR for a short time but the vet did not think he would live long even if we could get him back, so I decided to stop flogging him. I have some leukeran and some prednilosone left, if anyone nees. i will be happy to mail it to you. -- Rescuties - Saving the world, one cat at a time. http://www.rescuties.org Vist the Rescuties store and save a kitty life! http://astore.amazon.com/rescuties-20 Please help Joey! http://www.firstgiving.com/Joey1 -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.463 / Virus Database: 269.6.1/778 - Release Date: 4/27/2007 1:39 PM
I believe I am going to lose Tomi soon
I've been hoping and praying that Tomi would somehow pull through this, and last week he did seem to be doing better on the 2 prednisone per day. But now, the last few days, he's been going downhill fast. Today, he is out of breath just walking a few feet, and breathing fast. I'm still able to coax him to eat a bit of baby food, but he just threw up the last bit of food I gave him. He never throws up normally. I guess I have to finally accept the fact that he's not going to get better. I've been thinking about the whole euthanizing thing, but I honestly don't know how I could do that to him. To spend the last hours of his life doing to him what he hates the most (car ride and vet visit), seems too hard for me to handle. I don't think i'm strong enough to make that decision. To me it feels like I would be personally ending his life. I don't want him to suffer either, and i'm not sure at all how much longer he will last when he is having difficulty getting enough oxygen circulated due to anemia. I still can't believe all this has happened. Two months ago I was positive he would one day become a chunky, lazy old tom cat, lounging in the sun. I would never have dreamed I would lose him after only 2 and a half years. Over the last 7 weeks, i've become even closer to him than ever as I've been trying to nurse him back to health.He's always been so loving and tolerant of my hugs and kisses. Life is going to feel so empty when he is gone. Cassandra
Re: Please add Simms to the Candlelighting Ceremony on Monday
Simms looks so much like my Tomi. I am so sorry for your loss. At least he went peacefully in a warm and safe place where he knew he was loved. Cassandra - Original Message - From: Annieb [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Saturday, April 21, 2007 11:36 PM Subject: Please add Simms to the Candlelighting Ceremony on Monday Simms was 4 years old and feline leukemia positive. I had hopes that he was just a carrier as he did so well for the first three years I had him with me but he became very ill a couple of months ago, with sneezing and lots of congestion. He was very special. Such a big sweet guy. He had this tender, kind of puzzled but curious, look about him and he never fought with anyone. He was very friendly with the other cats, such a sweetheart. This list's dear Tamara found him at a beautiful waterfront park there in Maryland, along with his brother, Tambours. She posted on this very list about his needing a home and that he was feline leukemia positive. I was lucky enough to be chosen by Tamara. As I told her today on the phone, I thanked her for giving him to me because he gave me just pure joy and sunshine every single day. Tamara loved him so much that she drove 18 hours (wasn't it, T?), straight, to deliver him to me in Michigan from Maryland. (She also brought me Sophie that day, to those of you who are familiar with Sophie). He was a pretty peachy shade of color with that lovely target-shaped swirl on his sides and big creamy white feet and some white on his chest and face, too. He had big, tall elegant ears that I loved to stroke when he let me, finally. He was pretty big but when he meowed, it was so soft and high pitched, it was adorable. He didn't meow often as he was very uncomplaining. When Tamara left him with me, she told me I would find that he was a very special cat and she was right, indeed. :-) He must have died overnight, although he still felt a bit warm when I lifted him. I woke up and thought he was not breathing so I let the dogs out and had a better look and yes, my sweet darling boy is gone. His eyes were half open but he did not look scared or in pain. He was stretched out like he was having a good nap and his whiskers were pointing forward. I'm not sure what that meant but I am consoling myself by thinking he did go peacefully and unafraid. I got a package from Tamara yesterday. She had sent two kitty pop-up tents for Simms and the other cats, to cheer Simms up. They are so cool! He was not interested in the tent but he did want to sleep on the crinkly soft pad. I am kind of in shock and grief-torn because I thought he was doing a bit better after seeming like he would die earlier this week. He was diagnosed with either pneumonia or cancer last month and had been on two antibiotics at a time for a while and single antibiotics constantly, along with pain meds towards the end. He wouldn't eat during his last week or so but he would let me force-feed him A/D and chicken baby food along with squirts of water all day long. He was a bit interested in the window and the birdies outside yesterday and he let me stroke his soft head over and over which he never trusted me to do much, previously, so I had thought maybe he was a bit better and would continue to heal. I buried him earlier today with his Christmas stocking and his little mouse and this cute stuffed animal that Tamara sent with him, a purple beanbag bear. It was a beautiful day and that just made it even harder. He was such a dear polite gentle sweet funny gentleman of a cat, a very special, loving boy and I loved him mightily. Here is a link to a few of my favorite photos of him that I uploaded online in case someone would like to see what he looked like: http://tinyurl.com/38skop Well, sorry for this being so long but I know you guys, if anyone, would understand. Anne and angels Simms, Jimi Too Cool and Bugsy along with Sophie and my other living cats and dogs in Michigan -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.5.7/771 - Release Date: 4/21/2007 11:56 AM
Re: Camilla Please add to the CLS :(
I'm so sorry about Camilla. I understand exactly how it feels, and it is so hard. Cassandra - Original Message - From: Sherry DeHaan To: Felvtalk Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2007 9:15 PM Subject: Camilla Please add to the CLS :( Through tears once again I write to you.Camilla was a sweet tortie with an awesome personality.She will be missed by many.The lady I volunteer with on Thursdays totally loved her,every time when we were ready to leave for the night she would tell CamillaNow you be here next week ok I hurt for her loss and mine,not to mention Dr. Jens. THank you all for being here for me.Nobody understands more than ALL of you.This has been a horrible month with losing babies. Sherry -- Ahhh...imagining that irresistible new car smell? Check out new cars at Yahoo! Autos. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.5.1/764 - Release Date: 4/17/2007 4:43 AM
Re: Stamp went to the bridge
I am so sorry for your loss. I am sure Stamp is very grateful for all the love he has received. Cassandra - Original Message - From: Gussies mom To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2007 8:11 AM Subject: Stamp went to the bridge I had Stamp PTS this morning. He was getting very uncomfortable from the FIP, was jaundiced, losing weight, and anemic. Beth -- Ahhh...imagining that irresistible new car smell? Check out new cars at Yahoo! Autos. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.5.1/764 - Release Date: 4/17/2007 4:43 AM
Re: Can fleas cause anemia in adult cats?
Well I bought a flea comb and went through Tomi's fur fairly meticulously (he got a little annoyed at me after awhile). I really can't see any evidence of fleas. I got no flea droppings on the comb, a small bit of white dandruff and some fine hair from his undercoat, that's all. Oh, and I combed out a small scab on his neck, probably from him scratching. I took a really close look at the dark dots on his tail, and it looks to me like they are mainly on his skin, maybe even under it. Could it just be dark hair follicles in that area, or possibly even blackheads? I need a microscope for this sort of work. I was kind of hoping he did have fleas, as that would be something fairly easy to treat, but i'm sure not finding much in the way of evidence for them. I'm still not understanding why he scratches and licks suddenly as if he's been bitten. Maybe some sort of allergy to something i'm giving him. Cassandra - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Saturday, April 14, 2007 10:44 PM Subject: Re: Can fleas cause anemia in adult cats? Go buy a flea comb they are very cheap at any store. Of course there some that look like a very fine comb with handles. It depends on what you want to purchase. Run the comb through the kitty's fur. You will see more black stuff (Flea Dirt) hopefully catch the critter or two. When you get one on the flea comb rinse it off in water or use a set of tweezers and squash it. You gotta kill it if anything squeeze it with your fingernails. It only takes a flea or two to start the anemia especially with a weak immune system. In a message dated 4/14/2007 8:28:28 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: How many fleas does there need to be to cause anemia? I don't think Tomi could have very many fleas, since I can't find alot of flea droppings (and I haven't found any actual fleas yet). I'm just wondering how I could treat the fleas while he's in such a weakened state. Wouldn't flea collars, chemicals etc be too hard on him right now? I couldn't even imagine giving him a flea bath...that would be about as much stress as I could possibly put him through. Cassandra Terrie Mohr-Forker TAZZY'S ANIMAL TRANSPORTS SIAMESE COLLIE RESCUE Donations accepted at: https://www.paypal.com/ http://www.tazzys-siameses-collies.petfinder.org/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wasiameserescue http://hometown.aol.com/tatorbunz/myhomepage/petmemorial.html http://www.felineleukemia.org/ http://www.hometown.aol.com/tatorbunz/index.html http://www.petloss.com/ -- See what's free at AOL.com. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.4.0/760 - Release Date: 4/13/2007 8:04 PM
A couple of pictures I took of Tomi today
I took these pictures today of my little Tomi boy: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/Fyrwulf/DSCF0053.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/Fyrwulf/DSCF0037.jpg And here is an older pic of Tomi and Kisa (my other Felv baby) together: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/Fyrwulf/TomiKisa.jpg Cassandra
Re: A couple of pictures I took of Tomi today
I'm using steroids right now, 2 tablets of prednisone per day. This is back to the dosage he was at for a week after his transfusion. This is basically the last thing the vet said we could try, she didn't say anything about cyclosporins. I think he needs the immune suppression as well, though I don't know if his bone marrow isn't producing enough red cells, or the virus is killing the new cells. It just seems odd that his red count was going up for a couple of weeks after the transfusion, and now its going down. I'm wondering if maybe the virus took over his bone marrow while his immune system was suppressed from the prednisone, but I guess its pretty hard to know what is going on. Thank you all for the kind thoughts. Cassandra - Original Message - From: Kelly L To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, April 14, 2007 1:43 PM Subject: Re: A couple of pictures I took of Tomi today At 09:25 AM 4/14/2007, you wrote: He is so beautiful...Oh it is so very very hard, It hurts so damn much..I know this is stupid but have they tried the high dose steroids or cyclosporins,,I have used the Immuno regulin, but in this situation I think immune suppression is needed, not immune stimulation, We are all just there with you...holding our breaths and sending as much good healing energy as possible Kelly I took these pictures today of my little Tomi boy: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/Fyrwulf/DSCF0053.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/Fyrwulf/DSCF0037.jpg And here is an older pic of Tomi and Kisa (my other Felv baby) together: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/Fyrwulf/TomiKisa.jpg Cassandra No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.4.0/760 - Release Date: 4/13/2007 8:04 PM -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.4.0/760 - Release Date: 4/13/2007 8:04 PM
Re: Cassandra and Brunello Please add to the ClS :(
I'm really sorry about Cassandra and Brunello, were they FeLV kitties? You are very brave to volunteer to help these kitties that need a little love after a rough life. I don't know if I could be brave enough to do the same thing. It must be so heartbreaking at times. Cassandra - Original Message - From: Sherry DeHaan To: Felvtalk Sent: Saturday, April 14, 2007 2:15 PM Subject: Cassandra and Brunello Please add to the ClS :( Ok now that I have stopped crying for the moment,let me ask that these sweet angels be added to the list. Cassandra beautiful sleek black girl left us yesterday,she is now with her beautiful sister Carissa. Brunello had a very rough life before Jen took this wonderful rough looking but very handsome boy with the loudest motor into Sids.I fell in love with him the second that I saw him.This was a shocker,I was just there Thursday and he was fine.Yesterday morning when one of the volunteers came in,she found him gasping for breath.It was found that he had a large mass on his trachea. This volunteering is the hardest yet most rewarding thing that I have done in my life.I am soo glad that I have all of you to talk to. Sherry -- Ahhh...imagining that irresistible new car smell? Check out new cars at Yahoo! Autos. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.4.0/760 - Release Date: 4/13/2007 8:04 PM
Re: Well, it looks like i'm going to lose Tomi :(
Those links are an interesting read, but from what I understood, Feline Babesiosis and Cytauxzoonosis are extremely rare in North America. It looks like those mainly occur in South America. For the Ehrlichia, it looks like it also uses Doxycycline as a treatment, so even if Tomi had it, he should be treated for it. It looks like bone marrow suppression is the main cause of anemia in FeLV cases, but they don't seem to offer any suggestion on dealing with that :(. There is one thing I am wondering about with Tomi, and I can't figure out the cause. For the last week or so, something seems to be irritating him. He will sometimes suddenly run a few steps and lick himself vigorously in several different spots. He also seems to be scratching his head/neck more often than normal. I was wondering if he might have fleas, but I can't see anything in his fur. I see no flea droppings etc. About all i've found is a couple of very small scabs, that could easily have been cause by his scratching. I doubt he has ear mites either, since his ears are very clean looking. Its not likely this has anything to do with his anemia, but its just something I find a bit odd. Cassandra - Original Message - From: Belinda To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, April 14, 2007 5:52 PM Subject: Re: Well, it looks like i'm going to lose Tomi :( I have known of cat with hemo that had to be on the doxy for longer than 6 weeks, only my opinion but I would put him back on it. Has he been checked for Ehrlichia? Please make sure you vet is aware of these possibilities, talked about below. Here are some links to some of the causes of feline anemia: http://www.dvmnewsmagazine.com/dvm/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=408425 http://www.vin.com/proceedings/Proceedings.plx?CID=WSAVA2002PID=2590 Some other causes: Feline Haemobartonellosis is the most frequent cause of anemia in cats either as a primary or secondary opportunistic disease. (A cat with another disease such as feline leukemia will be more susceptible.) The prevalence of the disease is higher in male and outdoor roaming cats. It can be transmitted by ticks and also can be transmitted from an infected queen to her kittens. Symptoms can include sluggishness, depression and a lack of appetite that can become severe. Feline Babesiosis is a disease caused by a strain of a Babesia protozoan microorganism. The tick Rhipicephalus sanguineos is the culprit for this one. Signs to look for include fever, anemia and jaundice. Feline Cytauxzoonosis is a disease in domestic cats that causes severe anemia and can be fatal. It is transmitted by ticks and mainly by the Dermacentor variabilis. Cats with access to the outdoors are at a higher risk of this disease and, if infected, can exhibit fever, loss of appetite and depression. If caught quickly, these diseases can all be treated, so keep a keen eye on your pet and talk to your vet about any sudden behavioral changes. -- Belinda happiness is being owned by cats ... Be-Mi-Kitties http://bemikitties.com Post Adoptable FeLV/FIV/FIP Cats/Kittens http://adopt.bemikitties.com FeLV Candlelight Service http://bemikitties.com/cls HostDesign4U.com [affordable hosting web design] http://HostDesign4U.com BMK Designs [non-profit animals websites] http://bmk.bemikitties.com -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.4.0/760 - Release Date: 4/13/2007 8:04 PM
Can fleas cause anemia in adult cats?
I've been wondering why Tomi seems to be scratching more than normal, and licking himself vigorously once in awhile this last week. I wasn't that concerned about it since he doesn't scratch constantly, just more often than normal. I checked through his fur a few times, and didn't see much of anything. I've never noticed fleas on any of my other pets either. Tonight I noticed a some black dots on his lip and a little on his chin, so I checked his fur thoroughly with a flashlight. I found some more of the black dots on his tail. The rest of his fur looks clear, though it is difficult to see all of his skin through the thick fur. I imagine this could mean he has a few fleas, but would it be enough to actually cause his anemia? From what I read, fleas usually only cause anemia in young kittens and elderly cats. Likely i'm just overreacting, because I don't see how a few fleas would cause his PCV to be so low. As well, I would be scared to treat him with anything to kill them at the moment, while he's going through such a tough time. Cassandra
Re: Can fleas cause anemia in adult cats?
How many fleas does there need to be to cause anemia? I don't think Tomi could have very many fleas, since I can't find alot of flea droppings (and I haven't found any actual fleas yet). I'm just wondering how I could treat the fleas while he's in such a weakened state. Wouldn't flea collars, chemicals etc be too hard on him right now? I couldn't even imagine giving him a flea bath...that would be about as much stress as I could possibly put him through. Cassandra - Original Message - From: TenHouseCats To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, April 14, 2007 9:24 PM Subject: Re: Can fleas cause anemia in adult cats? ABSOLUTELY. that's how i discovered flea-induced anemia years ago, and how i learned that persians are abnormally sensitive to pesticides lost a beautiful blue-cream darling during a really bad flea season because no vet--then or since--had ever told me the latter (this was back in '90?), and i did not, then, recognize the symptoms of anemia. when i talk about hard lessons learned, that's probably the hardest any of my beloveds have taught me. MC On 4/14/07, Marylyn [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Yes they can--especially a cat that is in a weakened condition anyway. If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow man. St. Francis - Original Message - From: C J To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, April 14, 2007 8:38 PM Subject: Can fleas cause anemia in adult cats? I've been wondering why Tomi seems to be scratching more than normal, and licking himself vigorously once in awhile this last week. I wasn't that concerned about it since he doesn't scratch constantly, just more often than normal. I checked through his fur a few times, and didn't see much of anything. I've never noticed fleas on any of my other pets either. Tonight I noticed a some black dots on his lip and a little on his chin, so I checked his fur thoroughly with a flashlight. I found some more of the black dots on his tail. The rest of his fur looks clear, though it is difficult to see all of his skin through the thick fur. I imagine this could mean he has a few fleas, but would it be enough to actually cause his anemia? From what I read, fleas usually only cause anemia in young kittens and elderly cats. Likely i'm just overreacting, because I don't see how a few fleas would cause his PCV to be so low. As well, I would be scared to treat him with anything to kill them at the moment, while he's going through such a tough time. Cassandra -- Spay Neuter Your Neighbors! Maybe That'll Make The Difference MaryChristine AIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCats MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ICQ: 289856892 -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.4.0/760 - Release Date: 4/13/2007 8:04 PM
Well, it looks like i'm going to lose Tomi :(
I took Tomi to the vet today to have his PCV rechecked. He's been lethargic again lately. The PCV has gone down to 11 from 17 in the last week and a half. I just don't understand it. After his transfusion, his blood count went up on its own from 13, to 17, then 19. Now in the last few weeks, its gone down to 17, and now 11. I've been giving him prednisone again for the last week and a half, and now all the vet could suggest was to up his prednisone from 1 to 2 tablets a day. I guess his hemobartonella wasn't the only problem with his blood. The vet says that its likely his bone marrow is shutting down, and she didn't think another transfusion would be worth it. I don't know what the heck else to do. Maybe I should stop his interferon while giving him the prednisone. This is so hard, just when I had a glimmer of hope that he might actually pull through this, now my hope is pretty much gone :( It's such a feeling of desperation to see him slowly getting worse, and not being able to do anything about it. Cassandra
Re: Well, it looks like i'm going to lose Tomi :(
He's been on the interferon for about 2.5 weeks at 1cc per day. It doesn't look like its ever helped him though, since his PCV was at 19 before I started using it, and has been going down ever since. Cassandra - Original Message - From: Hideyo Yamamoto To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, April 13, 2007 6:11 PM Subject: RE: Well, it looks like i'm going to lose Tomi :( How long are you giving him interferon? If it's been for a few weeks, is it possible that it is losing effect from antibody? -- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of C J Sent: Friday, April 13, 2007 5:08 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Well, it looks like i'm going to lose Tomi :( I took Tomi to the vet today to have his PCV rechecked. He's been lethargic again lately. The PCV has gone down to 11 from 17 in the last week and a half. I just don't understand it. After his transfusion, his blood count went up on its own from 13, to 17, then 19. Now in the last few weeks, its gone down to 17, and now 11. I've been giving him prednisone again for the last week and a half, and now all the vet could suggest was to up his prednisone from 1 to 2 tablets a day. I guess his hemobartonella wasn't the only problem with his blood. The vet says that its likely his bone marrow is shutting down, and she didn't think another transfusion would be worth it. I don't know what the heck else to do. Maybe I should stop his interferon while giving him the prednisone. This is so hard, just when I had a glimmer of hope that he might actually pull through this, now my hope is pretty much gone :( It's such a feeling of desperation to see him slowly getting worse, and not being able to do anything about it. Cassandra -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.4.0/759 - Release Date: 4/12/2007 7:58 PM
Re: Well, it looks like i'm going to lose Tomi :(
I got an extra week of the doxy, so basically I just quit giving it to him a couple of days ago. He was on it for nearly 5 weeks, which should be good enough (I believe the vet said the hemobart was gone as well, though I wasn't really listening to that part after she told me the PCV was 11). Thank you for the kind thoughts everyone, they are really helpful to me right now. I've just never experienced anything quite so agonizing as having a loved one slowly slipping away from me day by day. Cassandra - Original Message - From: wendy [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, April 13, 2007 11:37 PM Subject: Re: Well, it looks like i'm going to lose Tomi :( Truthfully, I was wondering the same thing that Belinda is saying...when you took Tomi off the doxy, is that when his PCV fell again? :) Wendy --- Belinda [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Put him back on the doxy you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. -- Belinda happiness is being owned by cats ... Be-Mi-Kitties http://bemikitties.com Post Adoptable FeLV/FIV/FIP Cats/Kittens http://adopt.bemikitties.com FeLV Candlelight Service http://bemikitties.com/cls HostDesign4U.com [affordable hosting web design] http://HostDesign4U.com BMK Designs [non-profit animals websites] http://bmk.bemikitties.com Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world: Indeed it is the only thing that ever has! ~~~ Margaret Meade ~~~ __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.4.0/759 - Release Date: 4/12/2007 7:58 PM
Re: Ages please
Tomi and Kisa are both about 2.5 years old. I found them when they were approximately 2-3 months old. They were both diagnosed with FeLV five weeks ago. My guess is that one of them had the virus before we took them in, and gave it to the other one since they spend so much time together. Tomi is anemic and had a transfusion 5 weeks ago, so he is symptomatic. So far, he's not really getting better. I have a vet appointment tomorrow to see where his red blood count is at, but i'm not expecting good news. He seems very lethargic lately, and needs some encouragement to eat. Kisa is healthy, active, and into trouble every time I turn around. So i'm crossing my fingers that she remains that way. Cassandra - Original Message - From: Kelly L [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2007 6:26 PM Subject: Ages please Would anyone mind sharing me the ages of your FELV cats and age of diagnosis. Thanks so much Kelly -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.2.0/757 - Release Date: 4/11/2007 5:14 PM
Re: Diesel Please add to the CLS :(
I am so very sorry about Diesel. This virus claims far too many innocent and loving babies. Cassandra - Original Message - From: Sherry DeHaan To: Felvtalk Sent: Friday, April 06, 2007 9:09 PM Subject: Diesel Please add to the CLS :( I am SO sorry to say that sweet little Diesel has joined the many fur angels that have been lost to this HORRIBLE disease.His throat was swollen so bad that it was impeding his windpipe and making it hard to swallow.It was a mistake that I even noticed it last night.But it may have saved him some suffering if it had gone unnoticed too long.This just breaks my heart once again to lose such a sweet innocent creature. Sherry -- Looking for earth-friendly autos? Browse Top Cars by Green Rating at Yahoo! Autos' Green Center. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.26/748 - Release Date: 4/5/2007 3:33 PM
Re: Mega C Plus?
I am using Mega C Plus. I need to give my Tomi vitamin C anyway, and at least this stuff doesn't taste horrible like the terribly acidic stuff the vet gave me. Also the Mega C plus has iron, and lots of other vitamins/minerals in it, so I don't need to give Tomi an extra vitamin supplement as well. Plus its reasonably priced. As to whether its helping him or not, that's difficult to say, as i'm giving him a number of different things right now. The mega C plus is supposed to take a long period of time to boost the immune system as well, its not an immediate effect. Cassandra - Original Message - From: Gina WN To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Saturday, April 07, 2007 12:03 AM Subject: Mega C Plus? Has anyone heard of, or given, Mega C Plus to their cats? I clicked on a link in the article and it lead me to the product. Gina wendy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Oops...I was referring to the link that MC had posted: http://howl911.com/#headlines Sorry about that. :) Wendy --- wendy wrote: Have you guys read what the FDA is now investigating? That the melamine was added for profit to possibly speed up the gelling of wheat gluten, meaning less wheat gluten was needed, thus making it cheaper for manufacturers. This makes me sick. I am not one that supports our 'global economy' anyway. I am tired of calling 1-800 numbers for help with products I've bought, only to speak with someone in India that I cannot communicate with... wendy --- TenHouseCats wrote: dog biscuits, production runs back to november for some menu foods brands. http://howl911.com/#headlines -- Spay Neuter Your Neighbors! Maybe That'll Make The Difference MaryChristine AIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCats MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ICQ: 289856892 Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world: Indeed it is the only thing that ever has! ~~~ Margaret Meade ~~~ We won't tell. Get more on shows you hate to love (and love to hate): Yahoo! TV's Guilty Pleasures list. http://tv.yahoo.com/collections/265 Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world: Indeed it is the only thing that ever has! ~~~ Margaret Meade ~~~ Don't get soaked. Take a quick peek at the forecast with the Yahoo! Search weather shortcut. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/shortcuts/#loc_weather Visit my Tigger Tales site! -- Don't pick lemons. See all the new 2007 cars at Yahoo! Autos. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.26/748 - Release Date: 4/5/2007 3:33 PM
Re: Diesel
Thoughts and prayers for Diesel to regain his health. Cassandra - Original Message - From: Sherry DeHaan To: Felvtalk Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2007 9:03 PM Subject: Diesel I hate to say this but could you all add Diesel to your prayers.He is a seet little orange guy who purrs like a diesel.I felt his neck tonight and it was VERY swollen.So I called Dr. Jen and she sent her hubby over to get him so she can keep an eye on him tonight and start him on meds.Sorry for all the begging for prayers but these sweet creatures need all they can get.Hugs to you all Sherry -- Now that's room service! Choose from over 150,000 hotels in 45,000 destinations on Yahoo! Travel to find your fit. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.26/746 - Release Date: 4/4/2007 1:09 PM
Re: To Cassandra: Re: Tomi's red blood cell count going down, any suggestions?
Thank you for the kind thoughts. Tomi has been on the Doxy for 3.5 weeks, since March 9. I can see if the vet would give me some more, though she said I don't need to give it any longer. I believe she's off work until Monday though, so I would have to speak with another vet. I'm trying to give him the supplements every day, but now he's turning up his nose at eating the baby food with the powder in it (he doesn't like wet food very much, only dry). I might have to use the syringe to get all those supplements into him, and I know he's not going to like that. I've got lots of pictures of him, but its hard to live each day, not knowing how long he is going to be with us. Cassandra - Original Message - From: wendy [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Wednesday, April 04, 2007 10:26 AM Subject: To Cassandra: Re: Tomi's red blood cell count going down,any suggestions? Hey Cassandra, Since the doxy is so important in treating the hemobart, how long was Tomi on it? It doesn't seem like he's had enought time on the doxy, especially if he did test positive for hemobart. Here is a good article on treating hemobartonella, but it says three weeks for the doxy. I concur with Phaewryn that the doxy might need to be given longer to work with the surpressed immune system, but I can't verify this over the Internet from the limited pages I have seen. All pages say three weeks. Keep doing all your supplements though, especially the lysine. Make sure your lysine has no additives, especially propylene glycol, which causes blood issues in cats. I don't have any advice on trying the Epogen (can't remember the name you wrote; it was something similar). You might talk to an internal veterinarian about this. I know it's hard Cassandra to deal with this on a day to day basis. Just try to make every day you do have the best so that you don't regret anything if Tomi does leave you. And take pictures. They are invaluable. It sounds like you are doing everything you can for Tomi. I will pray for his regained health, and for peace for you. :) Wendy Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world: Indeed it is the only thing that ever has! ~~~ Margaret Meade ~~~ Don't get soaked. Take a quick peek at the forecast with the Yahoo! Search weather shortcut. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/shortcuts/#loc_weather -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.25/745 - Release Date: 4/3/2007 12:48 PM
Re: To Cassandra: Re: Tomi's red blood cell count going down, any suggestions?
Thank you. Yes I am giving Interferon Alpha, but haven't looked at Immuno regulin or Dexamethasone. I'm not sure if I should be giving him even more than he is already on right now. I'll have to check into those though, if the Prednisone doesn't help. Tomi has been acting a little bit odd yesterday and today. He seems a bit restless, looking around like he is searching for something. It could be he's just looking for some more dirt to eat, since I got rid of all the clay cat litter. Cassandra - Original Message - From: Marissa Johnson To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Wednesday, April 04, 2007 11:00 AM Subject: Re: To Cassandra: Re: Tomi's red blood cell count going down,any suggestions? Hey Cassandra. What Tomi's going through sounds very similar to what Slinky went through (though his numbers were MUCH lower and his transfusion really didn't help him any). I would probably keep him on the doxy...I don't think that would hurt. Re: Epogen (Erythropoetin)...I don't know how much you know, but I'll share my limited knowledge and experience. Epogen is the hormone the kidneys produce that stimulates the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. It's typically given for kidney failure...which makes sense since it's there to replace the hormone the kidneys aren't producing. Some people on this list said they have seen it work for cats with felv who are anemic. It didn't really help Slinky at all. The vet was willing to try it but didn't think it would do much since she said (like yours) that his kidneys were probably producing it like crazy but his bone marrow couldn't respond. You can give Epogen at home yourself if you can get a scrip for it (it's given sub-q). One thing to note, since it's a human drug, they can develop antibodies to it. The numbers I've seen are that about 30-40% of cats will develop antibodies. Most of what you'll see online will say that it's given about 3 times a week (sometimes more for severe anemia). However, my vet (who I love and trust completely) did her own research and said that most people only give it once a week for felv cats. The reasoning is that a) cats with felv tend to develop the antibodies more quickly (so if it was going to work, it won't once the antibodies are developed) and b) because the kidneys are probably producing the hormone, by giving an additional dose 3 times a week you can actually overload the bone marrow and make matters worse rather than better. Just some things to keep in mind. Have you looked into anything like Interferon (alpha is the human drug, omega is for cats but is expensive and has to be ordered from another country) or Immuno Regulin? I tried IR with Slinky, but it didn't help. But it may have been that we started it too late. I don't know. There's some good info in the archives about both IR and Interferon. Someone also mentioned Dexamethasone to me for Slinky. It's a stronger steroid that may help stop the body from destroying the RBC's...and could even help him develop more. But since it's stronger, it can also further suppress the immmune system. I dont know much about dex though, so you'd have to look into it first. That's all I know. I hope you can sort everything out and find an effective way to treat Tomi. I'll be praying for you both that he will get better!! Hang in there. *hugs* MJ and Angel Slinky wendy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hey Cassandra, Since the doxy is so important in treating the hemobart, how long was Tomi on it? It doesn't seem like he's had enought time on the doxy, especially if he did test positive for hemobart. Here is a good article on treating hemobartonella, but it says three weeks for the doxy. I concur with Phaewryn that the doxy might need to be given longer to work with the surpressed immune system, but I can't verify this over the Internet from the limited pages I have seen. All pages say three weeks. Keep doing all your supplements though, especially the lysine. Make sure your lysine has no additives, especially propylene glycol, which causes blood issues in cats. I don't have any advice on trying the Epogen (can't remember the name you wrote; it was something similar). You might talk to an internal veterinarian about this. I know it's hard Cassandra to deal with this on a day to day basis. Just try to make every day you do have the best so that you don't regret anything if Tomi does leave you. And take pictures. They are invaluable. It sounds like you are doing everything you can for Tomi. I will pray for his regained health, and for peace for you. :) Wendy Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world: Indeed it is the only thing that ever has! ~~~ Margaret Meade ~~~
Re: Lucinda Please add her to the CLS
I'm so sorry about Lucinda. It is so hard to lose our precious babies. - Original Message - From: Sherry DeHaan To: Felvtalk Sent: Wednesday, April 04, 2007 11:13 AM Subject: Lucinda Please add her to the CLS I am typing this through tears,I just recieved an e-mail from Dr. Jen that she had to let our sweet beautiful Lucinda go last night.She is now with her 2 babies Mini and Max who we lost last year. Sherry -- The fish are biting. Get more visitors on your site using Yahoo! Search Marketing. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.25/745 - Release Date: 4/3/2007 12:48 PM
Re: Tomi's red blood cell count going down, any suggestions?
Tomi has been on the Doxy for about 3 and a half weeks, so the vet said that is enough time and didn't give me any more Doxy pills. I hope that is enough timeI was thinking 4 weeks also, but she said it wasn't necessary. If Hemobartonella comes back, will it take awhile to return, or can it return quickly? I would at least like to get him through this present anemic crisis before I have to deal with Hemobart if it came back again. - Original Message - From: Belinda [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2007 2:00 AM Subject: Re: Tomi's red blood cell count going down, any suggestions? I t can take up to 6 weeks to rid the body of the Hemobartonella he should be on the doxy for a minimum of 4 weeks and longer if the HCT isn't normal after that. -- Belinda happiness is being owned by cats ... Be-Mi-Kitties http://bemikitties.com Post Adoptable FeLV/FIV/FIP Cats/Kittens http://adopt.bemikitties.com FeLV Candlelight Service http://bemikitties.com/cls HostDesign4U.com [affordable hosting web design] http://HostDesign4U.com BMK Designs [non-profit animals websites] http://bmk.bemikitties.com -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.25/744 - Release Date: 4/3/2007 5:32 AM
Re: Please add Hillman Waller to cls
I'm sorry about Hillman Waller passing. It is so hard to lose them when they are so young. - Original Message - From: JENI RECA [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2007 5:38 AM Subject: Please add Hillman Waller to cls Hi, We had to put Hillman Waller to sleep last night, it was a hard decision but best for him. He was a 1.5 years and was the sweetest cat ever! Positive as a kitten and also developed lymphosarcoma, but even with the surgery that took out most of it near his throat, we think it came back. He went into respiratory failure last night. But I take comfort in knowing not only is he with all the wonderful feluk kitties that have passed on, he is also with Papoose, that we lost last may. Jeni _ Exercise your brain! Try Flexicon. http://games.msn.com/en/flexicon/default.htm?icid=flexicon_hmemailtaglineapril07 -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.25/744 - Release Date: 4/3/2007 5:32 AM
Re: Tomi's red blood cell count going down, any suggestions?
Hmm I think we must be talking about different blood values. The chart on that site says normal RBC is about 5-10, so that is maybe where Joey is measuring a 2.59. Tomi is measuring 17, where the normal range is 24-34, so that must be the PCV. I am not really sure what the difference is though, as they both measure red blood cells from what I gather. How is Joey doing, is he active at all, eating well? Tomi isn't as active as normal, but he is eating, though sometimes he needs some encouragement. Cassandra - Original Message - From: Kelley Saveika [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2007 9:23 AM Subject: Re: Tomi's red blood cell count going down, any suggestions? That is an awesome site. Thank you! Joey's RBC is 2.59. So if 15-17 is considered severely anemic...what is 2.59 considered? On 4/3/07, Gussies mom [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: 15-17 is considered severly anemic. That's about where my foster Stamp is right now. This is a great web page for cat Hemotology at different stages of life: http://www.cathelp-online.com/health/glossary2.php Beth Kelley Saveika [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I wish I could be of more help. Joey is on the same regimen and his rbc was below 3 last he went to the doctor. It makes me think 17 is really good:(. On 4/2/07, C J wrote: Just by way of background info: March 9, I took Tomi to the vet and found out he had Hemobartonella, Feline Leukemia, and a red blood count of 9. The did a transfusion, bringing his count up to 13. He started taking Doxycycline, and Prednisone, 2 pills per day. One week later, his red blood cells were up to 17, and his Prednisone was dropped to 1 pill per day. In another week, his red blood cells were 19, and the vet stopped giving him the Prednisone. I've noticed since he stopped the Prednisone that he became a little less active, and when he went to the vet today, his red blood cells had dropped to 17. The vet gave me another bottle of Prednisone, and I am supposed to continue giving him 1 per day. Giving him this drug scares me, because I am afraid it will weaken his immune system too much. I am also giving him Interferon (1cc per day), 1/4 tsp Mega C Plus, 1 Transfer Factor capsule, and about 1/2 capsule of L-lysine. I've been giving these for 1-2 weeks in baby food. I asked the vet about Erythopotein, and she didn't think it would be of much help since she didn't think Tomi's bone marrow was healthy enough to respond to it. I could probably insist that we try it though if it might help. The vet thinks that the FeLV is responsible for destroying the blood cells in Tomi's bone marrow. I was really hoping that once we got rid of the Hemobartonella, that Tomi's red blood count would get back to normal, but it looks like that may not be the case. This is so hard to deal with on a daily basis, never knowing if he's going to get better, or if these are the last days I will get to spend with him. Each kitty on this list that passes away brings tears to my eyes, and I can't help but wonder if my little boy might be next. If anyone has a suggestion of what else I might be able to do to help him, I would be greaty appreciative. Cassandra -- Rescuties - Saving the world, one cat at a time. http://www.rescuties.org Vist the Rescuties store and save a kitty life! http://astore.amazon.com/rescuties-20 Please help Joey! http://rescuties.chipin.com/joey-autoimmune-hemolytic-anemia Need Mail bonding? Go to the Yahoo! Mail QA for great tips from Yahoo! Answers users. -- Rescuties - Saving the world, one cat at a time. http://www.rescuties.org Vist the Rescuties store and save a kitty life! http://astore.amazon.com/rescuties-20 Please help Joey! http://rescuties.chipin.com/joey-autoimmune-hemolytic-anemia -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.25/744 - Release Date: 4/3/2007 5:32 AM
Re: Late FeLV diagnosis
I'm sorry that Mao is ill. At least if he is still showing his happy personality, you know that he's not giving up on himself yet. Praying for Mao that he pulls through this and stays with you for quite awhile longer. Cassandra - Original Message - From: Nathan Kennedy [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2007 10:59 AM Subject: Late FeLV diagnosis Yesterday I got the bad news that my boy Mao was FeLV+. This was the worst-case scenario and one that I had dismissed because he tested negative when I rescued him from the street as a baby in October, as had the only other cat he had contact with. He saw the vet on his first visit, the next day for vaccinations and a checkup, a few weeks later for boosters, again for a nasty fever in December that cleared up shortly afterwards, and in January for neutering. Other than the fever, the only problems he had were recurring diarrhea that I tried to manage by modifying his diet and an occasional fit of whooping that the vet had dismissed as hairballs. Those worried me a bit, but the vet's clean bill of health, his big appetite, energy, and growth all reassured me. Until recently. Mao seemed to dull a bit, and started snoring during his naps. Over the past week, Mao developed a nasty case of earmites and increased trouble breathing, progressing into fits of gasping for air. Since he had no runny nose and his temperature was normal, I thought it might be asthma. I took him to the vet on Saturday, and he took a blood sample and X-rayed him, finding a constriction in his trachea. He prescribed prednisone to try to make it easier for him to breathe as well as treatment for the mites. Then Sunday night, Mao almost instantly developed a horrible eye infection. The third eyelid of his right eye closed over and swelled up, blinding him in that eye and making it impossible for him to close it--meanwhile, his breathing deteriorated. He went back to another vet in the morning, and got eyedrops and ointment as well as antibiotics. It wasn't until later in the afternoon I got the call that he had tested FeLV+. Mao's breathing is not improving. The slightest exertion is enough to send him into a loud fit of labored gasping, and when he is not napping every breath is strained--he can't climb his scratching post anymore, which used to be his favorite perch. Despite all that, he still wakes me up in the morning purring and rubbing my face. He still likes to eat and pauses between bites of his favorite food to give me his happy look through his squinting, red eyes. He has always been such a happy cat, and it still shows through all his suffering. But if his condition doesn't get any better I don't think he can last much longer. It's hard to see this happen to Mao at such a young age (not even 8 months yet). The vet who diagnosed him told me that he could have gotten FeLV shortly before I found him and tested negative. I didn't think I would lose him so soon. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.25/744 - Release Date: 4/3/2007 5:32 AM
Re: Feline blood for transfusion available
I'm so sorry about Felix passing, that anemia is such a terrible thing. I'm dealing with anemia with my Tomi as well. - Original Message - From: Hideyo Yamamoto To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org ; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, April 02, 2007 3:07 AM Subject: Feline blood for transfusion available Hi, my Felix passes away -due to severe anemia, he had 4 transfusion during the past couple of weeks - I hae 2 more units of blood that I purchased form blood bank for my baby Felix available since Felix has gone to heaven - please let me know if anyone needs transfusion for your kitty - it's for feline A type.. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.24/742 - Release Date: 4/1/2007 8:49 PM
Tomi's red blood cell count going down, any suggestions?
Just by way of background info: March 9, I took Tomi to the vet and found out he had Hemobartonella, Feline Leukemia, and a red blood count of 9. The did a transfusion, bringing his count up to 13. He started taking Doxycycline, and Prednisone, 2 pills per day. One week later, his red blood cells were up to 17, and his Prednisone was dropped to 1 pill per day. In another week, his red blood cells were 19, and the vet stopped giving him the Prednisone. I've noticed since he stopped the Prednisone that he became a little less active, and when he went to the vet today, his red blood cells had dropped to 17. The vet gave me another bottle of Prednisone, and I am supposed to continue giving him 1 per day. Giving him this drug scares me, because I am afraid it will weaken his immune system too much. I am also giving him Interferon (1cc per day), 1/4 tsp Mega C Plus, 1 Transfer Factor capsule, and about 1/2 capsule of L-lysine. I've been giving these for 1-2 weeks in baby food. I asked the vet about Erythopotein, and she didn't think it would be of much help since she didn't think Tomi's bone marrow was healthy enough to respond to it. I could probably insist that we try it though if it might help. The vet thinks that the FeLV is responsible for destroying the blood cells in Tomi's bone marrow. I was really hoping that once we got rid of the Hemobartonella, that Tomi's red blood count would get back to normal, but it looks like that may not be the case. This is so hard to deal with on a daily basis, never knowing if he's going to get better, or if these are the last days I will get to spend with him. Each kitty on this list that passes away brings tears to my eyes, and I can't help but wonder if my little boy might be next. If anyone has a suggestion of what else I might be able to do to help him, I would be greaty appreciative. Cassandra
Re: Too much bad news
I'm so sorry that Midnight passed away. At least he passed where he was warm and safe with you. - Original Message - From: Jennifer Madon [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Monday, April 02, 2007 9:29 AM Subject: Too much bad news I hate to add to the bad news but I just want everyone to know that I lost Midnight over the weekend. He had started throwing up a lot on Thursday. He seemed a little slower than normal but he had no other symptoms. I woke up Sunday morning about 4 am to find him curled up beside me but he was gone. Thank you to everyone on this list. You have all been so great and helpful. Jennifer Madon -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.24/742 - Release Date: 4/1/2007 8:49 PM
Re: CLS Please add Thurston and Carmellia
I am so sorry for your loss. It hurts so much when our babies pass, but we can take comfort in the fact that we provided them with love and friendship in the short time they are with us. - Original Message - From: catatonya To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Sunday, April 01, 2007 10:16 AM Subject: Re: CLS Please add Thurston and Carmellia Tad and Marie, I'm so sorry for your losses. Thurston and Carmellia couldn't have had better care, or a better place to live their short, but precious lives. tonya Tad Burnett [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Two more of our FeLV+ kitties have gone on to the Rainbow Bridge Carmellia March 13,2007 Thurston March 30,2007 I am having a hard time to write this... Little Thurston was only 3 months old when he came to live with me and he only stayed for about 6 months but during that time he had become my very special little buddy... He was always with me to help with what ever I was doing... He came here with his little sister who also passed on a few weeks earlier... They were very close and I am sure that they now have found each other at the Rainbow Bridge... I just can't believe he is gone and I keep feeling he will come pouncing up to see what I am typing... I had so hoped that he would be one of those very few + babies that stay here for a few years but that just wasn't meant to be Carmellia was a middle aged kitty who had been isolated from other kitties and she was a bit over whelmed with all my other kitties... She stayed in the isolation cage most of the 6 months time that she was here... Her own choice... the door was open... She was friendly though and loved attention in her cage... Just the last month she was starting to sneak out and come to me if the others were sleeping... I can't help but wonder if it was the stress of coming into my home that brought on her passing but she did let me know that she knew she was loved before she left... We will miss Thurston and Carmellia as we do all the other that have been with us for their too short life times... Tad and Marie -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.24/741 - Release Date: 3/31/2007 8:54 PM
Re: thank you
Thank you for sharing the beauty of Mama Kitty's grave with us, I also hope that you will show us pictures one day. Cassandra - Original Message - From: elizabeth trent To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Sunday, April 01, 2007 11:16 AM Subject: thank you Thank you. I am such an independent cuss -- never thought I would need support from anyone but you all have done so much to help me through Mama Kitty's illness and her death. This group has been a valuable source of information and comfort. I've come to think of you as family and I just can't see unsubscribing at this point. I hope it is ok to stay. I do have one FeVL+ interest. One of my ferals that I've been feeding for a couple of years -- I named him Zulu -- was captured and neutered by my neighbor (who is involved with cat rescue) last year. He tested positive for FeVL and they would not allow him to be PTS (I am grateful to them for that). He is so very feral that there was no hope of ever being able to adopt him. We all wrestled with the decision but we decided to return him to the wild. We are well outside of the city limits and reasoned that since he is neutered he would be far less likely to bite anyone. They clipped his ear to indicate that he was neutered and vaccinated. The decision to set him free was a controversial one -- but I've seen too many cats here have to live their lives in cages and I pleaded with the cat rescue to set him free and they agreed. We have one neighbor here who has outside kitties - and we contacted him first and sent him a lot of information on FeVL+ (although he was already very well educated) and he agreed that for our Zulu in this situation - this was by far the best decision. Since they released Zulu, I've constantly kept good food in the bistro here at Liz's Kitty Boutique and Day Spa (and sometimes infirmary). He has a healthy appetite and eats very well. Zulu will now let me stand within one foot of the door (inside) while he eats (outside)..but he is constantly on guard to see if he needs to flee for his life. I give him as much peace as possible since meals should be eaten in peace. If we were ever to test him again, we would have to trap him - and he is now very wise to that. I figure the best I can do is keep giving him quality food and clean water and sneak in supplements when I can. As I grieve it is good to know that there are so many of you who do understand. There is nothing more heart wrenching than literally burying someone you love. I can't remember if I told you but one neighbor gave me a beautiful granite stone that he found in Colorado the week before - it is about a foot wide and made of granite. This stone marks Mama's grave...along with a beautiful gift from another neighbor: she brought Mama a beautiful copper shepherd's hook...from this hangs a stone bird bath from a black chain that hangs low beside Mama Kitty's grave. Mama did so love to watch the birdies. Mama's grave is surrounded by roses -- not just the wonderful perfectly formed Hybrid Tea roses for cutting (only fragrant ones planted here) -- but also several OGRs (Old Garden Roses) that are so wonderfully fragrant - like Bayse's purple (a rugosa) and some beautiful pink and fragrant pink bourbon roses..two Loetta Liggett's...can't name them all. Clematis' wind up the old roses that bloom once so that there are blooms on them throughout the season There are also daffodils, irises and beautiful pink and white impatiens. I planted a mini rose beside her grave this weekend - a prolific bloomer..fragrant and a soft peach color..delicate and beautiful like she was. I've been thinking of getting some guardian figures to protect her grave -- like Bastet or some lions...but I mostly want for it to be beautiful and peaceful and a place that calms the spirit of all who visit. The place where she is buried will be the most beautiful part of this yard. It meant so much to me that my parents asked if they could come over to see where she is buried. They cried with me. I am so very fortunate to be surrounded by love. I cannot tell you how many times this weekend I have seen Mama Kitty with me as I was sitting on her porch. I see her everywhere. I know she is with me. Thanks for listening to me ramble...and most of all, thank you to all of you. i love you all so much. elizabeth -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.24/741 - Release Date: 3/31/2007 8:54 PM
Re: Just found out :(
I know how you feel, I received the same terrible news 3 weeks ago that my two kitties have the virus. If your kitty is healthy right now, she may be lucky and never show the symptoms of the disease. She may just be a carrier and never get sick. Make sure you feed her a healthy diet and keep a close eye on her, because if she ever does show signs of getting sick, it would be a good idea to get her treated by a vet quickly. - Original Message - From: Kimber Gieseke To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2007 8:44 PM Subject: Just found out :( I just found out my 3 year old indoor only cat Hannah has the leukemia virus! The vet thinks she's had it since birth because I've kept her indoors all of her life and she's the only cat I've ever had. It was a fluke that I even found out, somehow she got worms so I took her to the vet yesterday and they did blood work and told me this disturbing news. She's been healthy and happy all of ther life, never been sick once until the worms. I've been frantically researching the disease on the internet scared to death that she's going to get sick! I read somewhere that the average life expectancy after infection is 4 years. If she's had it since birth that would only be one more year! I love her so much and I can't imagine my life without her. All of the web pages I've looked at are so confusing and contradicting. Please give me any advice you can offer! I would really appreciate it! Kimber -- Get your own web address. Have a HUGE year through Yahoo! Small Business. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.20/737 - Release Date: 3/28/2007 4:23 PM
Re: Good Bye Mama Kitty
I am so sorry to hear about Mama Kitty. She is a beautiful girl, and I know how much she will be missed. It is a special thing that Mama Kitty left you her baby, Tori, to look after for her. Cassandra - Original Message - From: elizabeth trent To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 9:27 AM Subject: Good Bye Mama Kitty Mama Kitty, You will forever rest in this yard that you loved so much. You are surrounded by roses. I covered your grave with tulips and apple blossoms. It hurts so much to say goodbye. You will forever be alive in my heart. I love you. elizabeth -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.20/737 - Release Date: 3/28/2007 4:23 PM
Question on Transfer Factor capsules
I'm not sure what size of a pill a cat should swallow, and am wondering if the Transfer Factor capsules are too big for cats. I tried giving Tomi the powder from the capsule in baby food, but he's decided he doesn't like that. He will eat Mega C Plus in baby food though. The only other option would be syringing it, but i'm already giving him some Pet Tinic and Interferon in syringes. It would be great if he could swallow the pill, but i'm scared to try in case it's too big. Just as an update on Tomi, it has been over two weeks since his transfusion, and his red blood count is going up, but very slowly. It was 13 after the transfusion, 17 a week later, and 19 a week after that. The vet was hoping for bigger gains, but at least its going up, not down. He is acting more like his normal self, which is good, and i've got him on Mega C Plus, Transfer Factor, Pet Tinic, Doxycycline and Interferon now. We just stopped giving him Prednisone yesterday. Cassandra
Re: New food recall info
This site http://petsitusa.com/blog/?p=210 , Innova is under Natura pet products. It makes you wonder how different all these canned foods really are when they are made by the same company. - Original Message - From: Lance [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Monday, March 26, 2007 12:51 PM Subject: Re: New food recall info Out of curiosity, where did you see that Innova EVO is manufactured by Menu Foods? Thanks, Lance On Mon, 26 Mar 2007 12:38:20 -0600, C J [EMAIL PROTECTED] said: The just stated on my local radio station that all wet pet food manufactured at Menu foods is to be recalled, not just the ones on the official recall list. I haven't been able to find much info on this, however, and have no idea what is safe anymore. I feed my cats canned Innova EVO, and Performatrin, both manufactured at Menu, but don't use wheat and not on the list. I feed my dog Pedigree canned, and I can't find any info as to where they manufacture it. Now, I have no idea what to feed my pets. Most brands are saying they are not on the recall list, but don't say where their canned food is manufactured. I was thinking of trying Friskies canned for my cats, but not sure where it is made?? Maybe I will have to stick with just dry food for awhile, except for my one diabetic cat that is only supposed to eat canned. Sigh -- Lance Linimon [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.18/733 - Release Date: 3/25/2007 11:07 AM
Re: Dilemma - Mixing (was consistent...)
I have 5 cats, 3 that are older, and 2 that I picked up as kittens two and a half years ago. Just found out both the 2.5 year olds are FeLV+, so I am thinking one of them had it and passed it on to the other one while they were kittens. My 3 older kitties all tested negative on the first test, so its likely they have been exposed for 2.5 years to the virus and managed to throw it off. I'm just trying to decide now if I should vaccinate my older ones. I would think they would have picked it up by now if they were going to get it at all. - Original Message - From: Gloria Lane [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Monday, March 19, 2007 11:10 PM Subject: Re: Dilemma - Mixing (was consistent...) Just wondering who out there has mixed and had negatives turned positive? Thanks... Gloria On Mar 19, 2007, at 9:34 PM, wendy wrote: This is assuming that the unvaccinated cats were not already born with it or carrying it; we seem to never be able to say for sure that that wasn't the case. This virus is SO frustrating sometimes!!! :) Wendy --- Beth Noren [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi, Just a quick point, it is probably safe to mix VACCINATED negatives with your positive. There is at least one list member who had 3 unvaccinated cats turn positive after unknowingly mixing with an felv+... Regards, Beth On 3/19/07, wendy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Donna, A lot of us here mix our positives and negatives, mainly because we did not know we had a positive initially. But once most of us found out, we felt separating the kitties would be more stressful than risking a positive contracting the virus. I don't think many here, if any, have had that happen. I've been a member here for a year and a half. Thus, the general consensus here is that as adult cats, it is difficult to contract the virus. Kittens are much more susceptible, and bite wounds an easier way of contracting. I am not sure what to make of the conflicting test results. We do know that there are a lot of false positives and false negatives, which doesn't help your situation. I've never heard of the PCR Assay test. How many others do you have in your home and how old are they? Do you think they would get along with Elise? :) Wendy --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I am looking to the group for experiences on dealing with a cat whose scenario is as written below. I would very much like to hear from anyone who may have experienced, or be currently experiencing, this same thing. Advice and guidance is sought. Here is the dilemma: I have a kitty I rescued at about 12 weeks old around 3 yrs ago. She had a bad uri at the time of rescue but snap combo tested fiv/felv negative. The vet vaccinated her while she will sick with this uri (I wasn't too happy about that myself). I always retest kittens and upon her retest about a month later she came up slight felv+. I had an elisa done which was positive. I had more snap tests done - all of them all came up slight positive. I eventually had an IFA done and a PCR Assay done. The PCR Assay for felv (done with blood, not bone marrow, of course) was negative. All of these tests were done over the course of 2 years (I've had her for 3 yrs now). The last snap combo test I had done - just out of curiosity - was March of last year and that came up slight positive again. Unfortunately, Elise (or Lisee Angel as I call her because she has a big white 'angel' on her back :), has been relegated to the only place I could keep her all this time, which is a relatively small spare bedroom. I had always hoped I'd be able to at least let her integrate at some point with the rest of the house, but her consistent slight felv+ snap combo test worries me too much. Even though the PCR Assay was negative, she keeps testing slight positive on the snap combo test. I am so confused about the more extensive test being negative, but all the lower level tests being positive. I feel so awful that she is stuck in that spare room, and I cannot imagine her having to live her entire life in that one room. I just don't know what else I can do. The dilemma is not really knowing if she is, or is not, felv positive and should she, or should she not, be allowed to integrate with non-positives? Thanks to all, Donna __ __ AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com. __ __ Food fight? Enjoy some healthy debate in the Yahoo! Answers Food Drink QA. http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/?link=listsid=396545367 __ __ Finding fabulous fares is fun. Let Yahoo! FareChase search your favorite travel sites to find flight and hotel bargains.
Re: Mama Kitty Update
Sounds like you caught this in time, so hopefully Mama Kitty will pull through this rough spot. It's too bad our kitties don't show signs of being sick until they are really sick. It sounds like Mama Kitty is in good hands, i'm sending prayers your way. Cassandra - Original Message - From: elizabeth trent To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Tuesday, March 20, 2007 6:39 PM Subject: Mama Kitty Update We are back from the vet's office. I am very glad we went. Last year, when I first took Mama Kitty in and found out that she was FeVL+, she weighed about 7lbs. She was so anemic that they didn't want to take her blood. She had no fever and so they thought this was a very grave situation because her body wasn't even fighting and they recommended that we say goodbye. After steroids, antibiotics, vitamin B12 and Acemannan, she was like a new kitty...even playing with her toys and chasing the laser. Mama Kitty has had a bit of a crash today, however. She didn't even protest when I put her in the pet taxi - so I know she did not feel well. She had a temperature of 104. Weighed 9lbs. She was dehydrated. They did a full blood panel on her - she is very anemic. When they picked her up to weigh her, she 'leaked' some very concentrated urine and so they aspirated her bladder and did a urinalysis too. Her liver enzymes are slighly elevated but they didn't seem to think that was serious. They gave her fluids, a Vitamin B12, a Benz-Dex shot, and an antibiotic shot (all in one so she only got stuck once) and then they called the compounding pharmacy and got them to make a transdermal gel of doxycycline and prednison. They ordered the Acemannan while I was there and it should be here in a couple of days. I have some conflicting stats here -- the vet told me that her hematacrit(sp) was about 17 and a half - but this printout I have says HTC is 10.6%. I sure hope this print-out is wrong. I know they ran the test more than once. They also tested again for FeVL+ has she has a faint positive. Her RBC is 2.35LR1 (normal is 5-11)...Hb is 4.6L (normal is 8-15). Her white blood cell counts are moderately low. It isn't what you want to hear but I do think we are far better off than we were when I took her in last summer. The fluids made her feel a little better and she ate a few bites of chicken hearts and liver. The vet recommended that I try to encourage her to eat. He wanted to give her Pet Tinnic but there is just no way that Mama Kitty will tolerate that. I am very glad that my vet is willing to help in any way he can. He's come a long way from recommending that Mama be PTS last summer. She's had a wonderful quality of life since the Acemannan and I am hoping we can help her through this rough spot. She's resting comfortably now and is perkier than when I took her in this afternoon. She's getting love of love. Thank you for your kind thoughts and prayers. elizabeth and Mama Kitty -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.15/728 - Release Date: 3/20/2007 8:07 AM
Best way to give Vitamin C?
The vet gave me some liquid Vitamin C to give Tomi, but it's horrible tasting stuff (I tried it). Very acidic/sour and chemical tasting. He absolutely hates it, and even gags afterwards, though he hasn't actually vomited anything up yet. I tried buying Vitamin C powder to see if he would eat it in baby food, but he knows its there and won't touch the food (he will eat the food with Lysine in it). Is there anything I could mix the powder with to reduce the acidic/sour taste that I could still administer with a syringe? Thanks, Cassandra
Re: Questions on Interferon
I got a big 500ML bottle that should last for months, and it just says on it to keep refrigerated. After reading here that it should be frozen, I think i'll take the suggestion of buying a bunch of syringes, filling them up and freezing them, though this will end up being about 50 syringes. That big bottle should last for many months, but that will do me no good if the Interferon goes bad from just sitting in the fridge. - Original Message - From: Gloria Lane To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Saturday, March 17, 2007 9:18 PM Subject: Re: Questions on Interferon After my interferon is mixed, I put it in small containers and freeze it. I've read that you can freeze it once. Once unfrozen, I think it lasts 30 days, but I could be off on that - maybe it's 60 days, I'm sure somebody knows. There are many different PRICES for interferon alpha - ranging from very high to low, depending on the vet. I now get it for $15 for a large bottle (about 30 ml, I think?) It serves as an immune system modulator, and works very well for me, in some circumstances. I do daily low dose oral interferon with some FELV cats. I don't do the on =off that some people do. Best of luck, Gloria On Mar 16, 2007, at 9:10 PM, C J wrote: The Vet had another look at Tomi today, a week after his transfusion, and gave me a 500ML bottle of Interferon Alfa-2B 30ui/ml, that they had just received. His blood count was 17, up from 16 on Monday, which isn't as much as the vet was hoping for, so Tomi's supposed to stay on Prednisone for another week at one pill a day (he's been getting 2 a day so far). Now I shouldn't be giving him the Interferon until he is done taking Prednisone right? The vet said I should probably wait, but wasn't positive as I don't think she's very familiar with Interferon treatment. Another thing, I read something about freezing Interferon. My bottle just says on it to keep refrigerated. Will the Interferon last for months just being refrigerated? Thanks for all the info being shared here, i've learned a lot in the past week. The tip on baby food was a lifesaver, as he's being a very picky eater this last week, turning his nose up even at tuna. The baby food he seems to like though. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.12/724 - Release Date: 3/16/2007 12:12 PM
Re: Questions on Interferon
Hmm I was planning on buying lots of syringes to freeze, but now i'm not sure what to do. I'll maybe have to call my vet about it, but I don't think she's very familiar with Interferon, so i'm not sure she would know. If it isn't supposed to be frozen, and lasts 90 days, i'll have to get smaller quantities than 500ML, which would take me a year to use. - Original Message - From: gary [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Sunday, March 18, 2007 12:38 PM Subject: Re: Questions on Interferon I believe Island Pharmacy (where many people get their Interferon) says the final dilution - 30units per dose - shouldn't be frozen and should last 90 days in the fridge. Some people say it lasts longer, I personally don't know. Gary - Original Message - From: C J To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Sunday, March 18, 2007 9:22 AM Subject: Re: Questions on Interferon I got a big 500ML bottle that should last for months, and it just says on it to keep refrigerated. After reading here that it should be frozen, I think i'll take the suggestion of buying a bunch of syringes, filling them up and freezing them, though this will end up being about 50 syringes. That big bottle should last for many months, but that will do me no good if the Interferon goes bad from just sitting in the fridge. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.13/725 - Release Date: 3/17/2007 12:33 PM
Re: Whitey is close to the BRIDGE
I am sorry to hear that. I know how you feel. Try to stay strong during these hard times. - Original Message - From: Kelly L [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, March 17, 2007 5:15 AM Subject: Whitey is close to the BRIDGE To my Friends, My sweet Little White Deaf kitty is at the emergency vets under Oxygen tonight. It is a long story but probably underlying heart disease..and he is not responding. The ventilator is an option, but the prognosis of ever getting him off it is is so slim and with so many underlying problems I would be doing it for me and not him, He has been though so very much this year,...Please wish me the strength to go down there and hold him in my arms and a gently passage,,,Then to the other vet asFRESNO my rescued dog's would has opened up and the pin should be pulled, I hate these times. Kelly -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.12/724 - Release Date: 3/16/2007 12:12 PM
Re: Transfusion?
I just got a transfusion for my Tomi a week ago, he was very anaemic with his blood count being only 9 (anything below 12 is critical they said). It looks like they did it through his front leg, as he had a bandage on it after, but I don't know if they had to sedate him for that or not. They did it Friday afternoon, and I brought him home Saturday at noon (he ate his food so they said he could go). Probably the most traumatic thing for him, is they had him next to a noisy dog, and he is really scared of strange places/people/dogs. It cost me $200, plus the overnight stay, and it definately made him feel better. His blood count is only up to 17 now though, a week later, so he's not out of the woods yet. It was 13 after the transfusion, so at least its going up slowly. To me, it was worth it, as I don't think he would have lived without it. Whether i've bought him a only little more time, or a lot more time, I don't know yet. Did they test Slinky's blood to see what the actual count is? If its not critically low, you could try the wait and see approach. Tomi's gums were pretty much white when his blood count was at 9, they're noticably pinker now. Good luck with your kitty Cassandra - Original Message - From: Marissa Johnson To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Friday, March 16, 2007 6:30 PM Subject: Transfusion? Hi. Does anyone have any experience with blood transfusions for sick kitties? Two vets now have basically told me that's about the only recourse I have left for trying to turn Slinky around. He seems to be doing a BIT better right now...I took him in and got some Sub-Q fluids (though I haven't started them yet), but I think being outside probably got his fever down a bit. I also gave him some vitamin C, L-Lysine, Hi-Vite, and his 2 abx. He sees a bit more energetic and actually left my bedroom for the first time in days! But the vet says his gums look like he basically has no blood (low red cell count). I have no idea if I can even afford it, but I'm going to do some research into costs and payment plan options tomorrow. He's still eating, grooming, etc. so I think he wants to fight...and I told him I'd keep fighting 'till he tells me to stop. Anyway, was just wondering if anyone had any experience with transfusions. Do you think it's worthwhile? Is it horribly invasive or traumatic? Is it something that has to be repeated periodically or...? Any info or advice would be most appreciated. Thanks! Love and hugs to everyone's fur kids! MJ -- TV dinner still cooling? Check out Tonight's Picks on Yahoo! TV. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.11/722 - Release Date: 3/14/2007 3:38 PM
Questions on Interferon
The Vet had another look at Tomi today, a week after his transfusion, and gave me a 500ML bottle of Interferon Alfa-2B 30ui/ml, that they had just received. His blood count was 17, up from 16 on Monday, which isn't as much as the vet was hoping for, so Tomi's supposed to stay on Prednisone for another week at one pill a day (he's been getting 2 a day so far). Now I shouldn't be giving him the Interferon until he is done taking Prednisone right? The vet said I should probably wait, but wasn't positive as I don't think she's very familiar with Interferon treatment. Another thing, I read something about freezing Interferon. My bottle just says on it to keep refrigerated. Will the Interferon last for months just being refrigerated? Thanks for all the info being shared here, i've learned a lot in the past week. The tip on baby food was a lifesaver, as he's being a very picky eater this last week, turning his nose up even at tuna. The baby food he seems to like though.
Re: Hello, I am new to this form of discussion
I was looking for various alternatives to clay litter in the pet store and what they had seemed to be rather expensive. I noticed one kind though, called Elegant Cat which is a flushable green cat litter that seemed reasonably priced. Have you heard of this type of litter? I haven't been able to determine what it is made of, it just says it is biodegradable, with chlorophyll for odor control. I did buy some pine shavings to see how they would react, as they didn't seem to care for the paper pellets all that much. - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2007 2:46 PM Subject: Re: Hello, I am new to this form of discussion My cats all hated the pelleted paper litter. They prefer wood shavings. Non-clumping wood shavings. Cedarific is a good brand of cat litter that is nice small sized and scoopable wood shavings (small enough they sift through a typical litterbox scoop), but I actually save a TON of money by buying horse stall pine wood shavings (though scooping is more of a hunt and pick thing than and scoop and sift thing). They come in a huge 50 pound bale and it only costs $3.25. If you must use a clumping litter, don't use a clay-based one, they are toxic and dangerous for ALL cats, not just FELV+ cats. Try the brands World's Best, or Swheat Scoop. Those are both corn or wheat based, and can be digested if ingested. Feline Fresh is a wood-based clumping litter and is much safer than clay, but obviously not as digestible as the wheat or corn would be. http://www.adirondackcraft.com/XPH/nep/ManufacturerProducts.htm (non-clumping wood - and the story behind the product - one of the reasons why I think it's such a good product is the ecological mind-set of the manufacturer) http://www.petfooddirect.com/store/dept.asp?dept_id=22brand_id=60 (smaller bags sold here) Safer clumping alternatives: http://www.worldsbestcatlitter.com/products/world_best_cat_litter.php?PHPSESSID=250f17d9422e6520ec49404a19ffbd81 http://www.swheatscoop.com/ http://www.felinefresh.com/felineSc.htm Horse stall shavings: http://www.championshavings.com/samples.html (this is just one company I found online, go to your local livestock supply or horse supply store to buy locally for less $) http://www.championshavings.com/pic_pages/pg04.htm (picture of actual shavings) Phaewryn http://ucat.us/domesticcatlinks.html Special Needs Cat Resources -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.10/720 - Release Date: 3/12/2007 7:19 PM
Re: Hello, I am new to this form of discussion
Where do you buy salmon oil, is it a health food store type of thing, or something you can buy at the grocery store? Tomi is eating some food, but his appetite isn't as good as it should be. He comes looking for food when we feed all the cats, but sometimes only sniffs it and doesn't eat. The salmon oil might make it more appetizing to him. I can see already how much of a rollercoaster this is. I dread feeding time because i'm either excited when he eats or scared when he turns his nose up at it. It's too bad they can't talk to us and tell us how they're feeling, so we don't have to guess every day. - Original Message - From: Nina [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2007 11:48 AM Subject: Re: Hello, I am new to this form of discussion Ewww, I wouldn't want to squirt Pet-tinic in anyone's mouth! I taste most everything I give my kids and I never had the nerve to taste Pet-tinic. The smell alone tells me it has a very strong flavor. I mix it in with wet food when I give it. If Tomi isn't big on canned food, you might be able to sneak small amounts of whatever into small portions of tuna or baby food. I'm glad he's eating his dry food. You might be able to mix TF into some of his dry. Does Tomi like fish flavors? If he does, you might try squeezing a few drops of salmon oil on some dry food to see if he'll eat it. If he does, you could then mix in a tiny bit of TF, (it will stick to the oil coated dry). Try feeding him one kibble at a time treated in this way. Both salmon oil and TF are usually pleasant tasting to kitties, you might be able to supplement him this way. Do you know how large the capsules of TF are? They may be too big to pill Tomi with and then you'll be spending the extra money for capsules when you could just as easily get the powder. I would call them up and ask them about it. They may put flavoring in the TF powder made for animals that they don't add to the caps as well. Check it out before you decide which product to try. As Lance said, colostrum and TF are not the same things, they are not interchangeable. I'm so pleased to hear that Tomi is feeling a bit better. I hope it's not the case, but you might want to fasten your seat belt. Dealing with felv can be a very scary roller coaster ride. Try not to think about the possibility of Kisa getting sick. I know it's easier to say than do, but it won't help and the stress of worrying might even hurt. Love them, give them the best care you can and watch them closely for any changes in mood or behavior. Make your decisions one at a time to the best of your ability. That's all any of us can do. Nina
Re: Hello, I am new to this form of discussion
Yes Tomi is on doxocycline for the parasite hemobartonella. They gave me a small container of pills to give 2, once a day, but there's not enough there for 4-6 weeks. As well, he's on prednosone for the week to keep him from destroying his new blood cells. His red blood count is at 16 right now. The vet also gave me a tube of paste, called Nutri-Cal that is high in vitamin B12, iron, etc. Its supposed to be palatable, but Tomi doesn't like it, so I have to stick it to the roof of his mouth to get him to eat it. I went out and bought the Innovo Evo food, as well as some litter made out of recycled paper, so that hopefully he won't try to eat it. I tried giving him some Noni juice, but I started thinking that maybe he shouldn't be taking a supplement that boosts the immune system while he's on the prednosone to suppress the immune system. Also maybe the Transfer factor plus advanced would be better than the Noni since it comes in pill form. My cats seem to actually gag a bit on the Noni since it tastes so bad. It might take awhile to ship the Transfer factor to Canada though. This whole process is a little overwhelming and expensive, but worth it if I can give my little guy (and girl if she starts getting sick) a chance. - Original Message - From: Belinda [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Monday, March 12, 2007 10:07 AM Subject: Re: Hello, I am new to this form of discussion Hi, Sorry you have had to find us but Tomi is in good hands. Is he on doxocycline and is the parasite hemobartonella? If the anemia is due to that the doxy should get his blood count back up once the hemobartonella is under control, he should be on the doxy for a minimum of 4 to 6 weeks. You can give him Nutrived in the mean time to help him build red cells, it has vitamin B, folic acid and iron ALL are needed to build blood. I buy it here: http://www.calvetsupply.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPRODProdID=33 -- Belinda happiness is being owned by cats ... Be-Mi-Kitties http://bemikitties.com Post Adoptable FeLV/FIV/FIP Cats/Kittens http://adopt.bemikitties.com FeLV Candlelight Service http://bemikitties.com/cls HostDesign4U.com [affordable hosting web design] http://HostDesign4U.com BMK Designs [non-profit animals websites] http://bmk.bemikitties.com -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.9/719 - Release Date: 3/12/2007 8:41 AM
Re: Tomi
Has anyone ever heard of or tried Noni juice for their sick kitty? My mother had an extremely sick little dog who was full of ulcers and on death's doorstep. The vet said she wouldn't last the weekend, and she was acting like she was nearly dead already. My mom said to give her the Noni as a last resort. That little dog perked right up within a day, full of life again. After a week, my mom stopped giving it to the dog, and the dog slid downhill quickly until she received the Noni again. Three weeks later, my mom stopped giving it to her, and the dog was just fine. This Noni juice is supposed to help things like cancer, and boost the immune system. I'm thinking of picking some up, though my little Tomi won't be impressed with yet another substance shoved down his throat, and I hear it tastes terrible. I'm a little worried about him today, 2 days after his transfusion. He ate some food this morning, but he doesn't seem terribly active, but he's never been that active of a kitty to begin with (this is why it is hard sometimes to tell when he isn't feeling well). Also, he seems to be interested in eating litter again, so i'm thinking his red blood cells might be low again :(( He has an appointment to go back to the vet tomorrow to see how he's doing. They'll likely test his blood again to see where the red count is. If his red cell count is low again, I don't know what to do. Another transfusion would likely be another $200... Thank you for the encouragement all, I haven't had to deal with a crisis like this in my family before. Anytime i've had a pet die in the past, it was sudden, not having to worry day to day how my kitties are holding up.
Hello, I am new to this form of discussion
I never would have thought two days ago that I would be discussing FeLV. I didn't even know what it was. Yesterday, I was devastated when I brought my favorite cat, Tomi, to the vet since he wasn't eating and was lethargic. I found out he was severely anemic because of a parasite in the blood and he tested positive for FeLV. The Vet was hinting that it didn't look good for Tomi, but I insisted they go ahead with a blood transfusion and antibiotics to treat the parasite. They said it was likely he got the parasite because of a weakened immune system. I have four other cats besides Tomi, and I brought them all in, kicking and screaming to be tested today. We found out that the kitten we took in the same time as Tomi (and his best friend) Kisa, also is positive, though she isn't showing any signs of it yet. They are both 2.5 years old. This has been an extremely hard couple of days for me, to have my happy family suddenly thrown into turmoil, so i've been searching the internet for any sign of hope. I found out about Interferon, and the vet is willing to give that a try, though he has to acquire it from somewhere first. I also found a site that claims Mega C Plus can really help a FeLV positive cat, and I ordered some, just to try, though it will probably take a couple of weeks to arrive. I brought Tomi home today, and need to give him antibiotic, steroids, and a vitamin supplement paste with B12 in it. I sure am not looking forward to shoving all these pills and the paste down his throat (the paste is supposed to taste good, but he doesn't like it). Now i'm basically waiting to see if Tomi can produce red blood cells on his own, and if he can't, then the transfusion will only be a temporary solution. I just can't bear to lose him, and possibly Kisa if she starts showing symptoms. This terrible disease sure makes you miss the happiness you had in your life before you are introduced to FeLV.
