Re: Good Report
So glad to hear Mama Kitty's good news! Hope things continue to go well![EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Last week on Tuesday, MK (mama kitty)was diagnosed with FeVL+. She was very anemic and had lost 14% of her body weight (1 and 1/4th lbs). Her 3rd eyelids spanned about 1/2 of her eyes.That Friday, we began treatment with Acemannan and also a course of Ammoxi drops and Pet Tinic. (MK thinks that Pet Tinic is evil but that is another story). The first thing I noticed the day of her first shot was that her appetite increased.Today we got a good report from the vet. She's gained 1/4th lbs in one week - up to 8lbs and her 3rd eyelid is just barely showing sometimes in one eye.I don't know if these positive indicators are due to the Acemannan, the antibiotic, the iron...or simply the unpredictable nature of the disease - but we'll take any and all improvement we can manage.MK is too traumatized by Pet Tinic (she takes liquid antibiotics beautifully though)...so we've stopped that and now every Friday when we go for a shot of Acemannan, we get a vitamin B12 shot as well. We've stopped the antibiotics for now(she took them a week and a half) to see how she does..and if she shows any lethargy or signs that she doesn't feel well, we'll start back.She's perkier - more energetic...tail straight up in the air ready to butt her head under your hand or claim you as her property.One day at a time. I'm grateful this is a good day. Love cheap thrills? Enjoy PC-to-Phone calls to 30+ countries for just 2¢/min with Yahoo! Messenger with Voice.
Re: The Photo Of Bailey I Was Talking About (my sign)
What an amazing and inspirational picture! How wonderful to have had an opportunity to share that with Bailey (and to have a copy to cherish!) My husband saw it on the computer when I was looking at it and not knowing the story thought that it was beautiful. Of course, knowing the story makes it even more beautiful and powerful!Nina [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: OMG! Isn't that amazing?! How wonderful that you were able to get the photo. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. It does look like the dog is looking up at Bailey. That's what I meant by wondering how many other lives Bailey touched with his "visit". So cool. Ya gotta love that Bailey Boy!NinaBelinda wrote: Sent this to the list but it had to be approved because of the size so I just went ahead and put it online. Here is the link, I still get chills looking at it: http://bemikitties.com/BeachPhotoBailey.jpg Not sure if this will come through if not I'll post it on the internet, it is the photo I saw on TV that was my sign from Bailey. I inserted the photo of him that it looks like for comparison. If you look just at his face, you'll see what I mean, the two eyes, the white spot on the right side of his face, under his eye ... PS. I wrote and thanked the person who took it for sending it to me. Love cheap thrills? Enjoy PC-to-Phone calls to 30+ countries for just 2¢/min with Yahoo! Messenger with Voice.
my first sign from Allie
Well, Allie has already shown me her presence and that she is watching over me. When doing laundry today I was emptying out my husband's pants pockets as always and found a tiny scrap of paper. I sent it aside to throw away along with everything else. When I looked at it again a few hours later I noticed it was shaped like a cat's head and was orange!!! I asked my husband about it- where he got it, why it was in his pocket, etc., and he had no memory of it. I couldn't help but think Allie sent me that tiny scrap of paper to let me know she's OK and that's she with me. Blab-away for as little as 1¢/min. Make PC-to-Phone Calls using Yahoo! Messenger with Voice.
Re: Demetri
I will be thinking of all your sweet babies, especially Demetri. I know just how you feel since I just lost Allie to the fight with FELV and FIV. The combo of these diseases is so stressful to our little ones and it is so heartbreaking to see them every time they get sick. I am hoping Demetri is soon feeling better.Sherry DeHaan [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:Yes it's me again,needing prayers for my sweet Demetri AGAIN! I don't know how bad he is but he is at the clinic again.I believe he has the bad snoogies again,which hits him hard.He has felv and fiv.I will worry about him all weekend .I am going out of town till Monday camping and stopped in to see my babies and he was not there.I was about in tears,cause evertime he gets sick I am so worried.I give him all the love I can cause I know these diseases will take him way before his time. It is going to tear me to pieces when he loses his battle.So I am just asking for some of your wonderful prayers for him.Please forgive me for all the asking for prayers so much,but I believe they help.THank you so much Sherry Be a chatter box. Enjoy free PC-to-PC calls with Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. Sneak preview the all-new Yahoo.com. It's not radically different. Just radically better.
Allie has said good-bye
First of all, thank you all for all your prayers and good wishes. You are an amazing group of people and Allie and I are blessed to have had you in our lives. As you know from my last post, we made the decision to help Allie cross the bridge on Monday because she had declined so much over the weekend. And I really think she was trying to tell me no more (she hates vets, needles, pills, etc- always has). It was probably also hard for her to be indoors as she was always an outdoor cat and loved everything about being outside. (She was quite the hunter as well!)So, I cherished Monday night and stayed up half the night with her (for as long as she would sit and cuddle with me). We sat in the big chair in the den together and watched Milo and Otis (a movie about an orange cat and a dog- Allie was an orange cat with white belly and paws). When Allie decided she had had enough she jumped off my lap and almost fell over! One of her back legs was hardly working- it broke my heart! It almost looked neuro- and I definitely knew I was making the right decision at that point. Allie was a very active cat- loved to run around outside and hunt- she was never meant to be incapacitated. (The vet told me later that the leg could have been any number of things- a blood clot, menningitis, etc.- with having both FELV and FIV you just never know)I carried Allie upstairs and placed her on the bed where she slept the rest of the night with me. Yesterday (Tuesday), her back leg still wasn't working right and she was still sluggish. She didn't want to cuddle and hid behind the couch most of the day. We spent her last hour outside together walking around the yard and going to all her favorite spots. She sat on her favorite outdoor chair for a while feeling the sunshine and breeze (and even a few raindrops!) I'm so glad she was able to spend that time outside. I told her over and over again Monday and Tuesday how much I love her and what a good kitty she is. I told her I want her to be happy and not suffer anymore. My husband and I brought Allie to the vet together for our final good-bye. The vet was wonderful and explained everything (since this is the first time we have had to do this it made a big difference to know what was going to happen ahead of time). I asked the vet to give Allie a sedative first since she doesn't respond well to IV's, so she got a sedative and went to sleep. Then at 4:30pm on Tuesday 5/16/06 Allie went to sleep forever with me and my husband by her side. We stayed with her for a while and I took a lock of her fur. She looked so peaceful and I know she is in a better place now. I know this was the right thing to do- she was really suffering over the past few days, but it is still so hard. I miss her so much! I have not been able to bring myself to put away all the cat stuff yet. Last night my husband and I went through old pictures of Allie and relived our favorite Allie moments- there were so many! So now it's one day at a time and one foot in front of the other. I know I will continue to cry a lot and continue to miss her terribly. But I know my baby girl is somewhere now where there is no more suffering and she can run around and chase mice, squirrels, birds, and rabbits all day long. Thanks for listening! New Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. Call regular phones from your PC and save big.
RE: 5 day old kitten -- please pray for her
Poor baby! Bless you for taking in this little one and caring for her! I will be thinking of both of you!Hideyo Yamamoto [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:Hi, my neighbor found a two day old kitten a couple of days ago and I have been trying to hand raise this baby bottle feeding her every three to four hours she nurses, but not enough, I think.. and I worry about her well being she acts okay.. she crawls a lot.. but cant eat a lot at a time.. please pray that she will grow with no problem Hideyo Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. PC-to-Phone calls for ridiculously low rates.
Update on Allie
I honestly never understood what you all meant by you will know when it is time, but it's true, our cats do have a way of telling us (this is the first sick cat I have ever cared for, so this is a totally new experience for me all around...). Allie has rapidly been declining over the past few days despite treatments. Her temp just keeps climbing (it's now up to 107.1 this am) and she has completely stopped eating and drinking. She growls every time I try to give her any kind of medication or treatment. I truly believe that this is her way of telling me she does not want anymore. Allie has never liked vets, needles, or even oral meds, so I know that taking daily antibotics and frequent injections and sq fluids has probably been very rough on her. I also feel that at this point she is suffering and I do not want that for her. I think she's trying to tell me it's her time- she's tired and she just can't fight anymore. Unfortunately I think we found the FELV and FIV relatively end stage and with both viruses, her body is just very run down. Right now she has no spunk- just lies around in onespot all day hiding- barely even has the energy to purr. That is not my Allie cat! It is killing me to see her suffer and I am now content that I understand what she is trying to tell me. So, unfortunately, I have to make the hardest decision that any pet mommy and cat lover has to make. I am going to spend tonight with my baby girl and if God does not take her on His own, I am going to help her cross the bridge tomorrow. I have never had to make such a difficult decision in my life and I bless you and feel the pain of each and every one of you that have had to make this same decision before. However, I know it is the right thing to do. I have told her that it's OK to go, I just want her to be happy and not suffer anymore, and ever since I told her that she has been purring more and not hiding as much- it's as if she's at peace now. That's helping me know that I am making the right decision. Please remember my little one tonight and tomorrow afternoon at 4pm when I say good-bye. She has lived a long (10 yrs) good and happy life. She deserves only to be happy. Thank you for everything. I don't know what I would have done without all of you.Jen and Allie New Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. Call regular phones from your PC and save big.
Re: Prayers for Allie
What is the difference between ImmunoRegulin and Interferon- I'm assuming they are not the same? I am awaiting a consultation with a vet who does Interferon (I've learned a lot about Interferon from all of you- thanks!), but ImmunoRegulin is new to me...wendy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Jen,Equistim is the same thing as ImmunoRegulin; Equistimis the generic. If your vet can't get it, you canorder it online and have it shipped fast for about $50including shipping (it might be less; I can'tremember). I ordered Cricket's through Revival AnimalHealth. :)Wendy--- cindy reasoner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote: Please don't give up hope on Allie. Smokey's fevers got as high as 107. Ask your vet about the equistim. So far it really has helped Smokey to not get anymore fevers. I was having to take him to the vet every 2 to 3 days for a fever. Now I just give him the equistim injections at home. Cindy --- Jennifer Ross <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote: Allie was back at the vet today with 105 fever- came down to 102.5 with Metacam (kitty NSAID) and sq fluids. I did get the vet to show me how to give the sq fluids, so I can administer them now if she stops eating and drinking and looks dehydrated, or if her temp goes up (I've been monitoring her temp daily). They were also thinking of giving me some Metacam to administer at home, but decided to hold off on that. This is her 3rd temp spike in 2 weeks. The vet was prepping me for the fact that at some point Allie's body is not going to be able to tolerate these temps anymore and is not going to fight them off even with treatments because the fevers are causing such a stress on her system. Of course we don't know if that will be a week or a month, but it looks like it may be sooner than I thought. It's so hard because 2 days ago she was totally back to herself- eating great, playing, and she even sleep with us! I guess the calm before the storm... Keep her in your thoughts. I don't want her to suffer, but I'm not ready to say good-bye yet either! I'm still hoping she can beat these fevers, but that's not looking realistic anymore and I don't want to torture her...- Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less. __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com __Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messengers low PC-to-Phone call rates.
Re: A new story of Gurfunkle
That is a truly powerful and amazing story. You should be proud that you played such a special role in Garfunkle's life! He was blessed to have you love him so deeply.Hideyo Yamamoto [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:Some of you might remember about my beloved Garfunkle who crossed the bridge in November which seems so hard to believe.. it seems like just yesterday . I still miss and love him so very much.My sister who lives in Japan is a sort of psychic (I hate the term, but it speaks to the point she sees and feels things that no one might be able to ) - since she is my sister, I know that its true.. she has done and said some amazing things that she wouldnt have known otherwise in the past..Anyway, she is planning to go to one of the most spiritual shrine in Japan this weekend for spiritual purifications and empowerment, and she had asked me to send her pictures of all of my animals (the ones still live and ones crossed) so that their soul/life can be further purified.Anyway she got the pictures in the mail when she looked at all the pictures, she told me that she saw something very powerful on the Garfukles picture he said that he was human in his previous life and something bad happened, and he could no longer trust human in his previous life and passed away, thats why he was sent back as a cat so that he would meet someone whom he will be able to trust again.. that was his life that we had together we bonded so strong and I love him so much and he loves me so much.. he no longer did not have a doubt in trusting human again (according to my sister) when he accomplished his mission, he was supposed to cross the bridge rather with a short life so that now he can have another journey - now he will be able to trust human again in his next life.. and my sister told me that thats why he left this so soon as he had a very specific assignment given to him for this life (I and Garfunkle spent only three years together) and he is one of the friendliest feral kitties that I have met from the very beginning I met him.. he was and is and will be so special to me... and miss him so terribly still She told me that a soul even after crossing the bridge can travel so far and so quickly and she told me that he is always right there with me.. so not to be feeling too lonely.. I just wanted to share my Garfunkle story with everyone . And am crying again missing my special boy Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. PC-to-Phone calls for ridiculously low rates.
Re: OT: sedative before flying (ACE)
I have never heard of ACE, but did have a friend who used Benadryl to transport a cat in the cabin of an airplane. She had to give it pretty early before the flight, but the cat was apparently OK during the whole flight (2-3 hours). Don't know the dose though, so I would check with your vet...[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hey folks,I'm flying to Minneapolis on Saturday, a 2.5 hour flight from LIttle Rock, and taking a sweet, energetic young Siamese kitty to his owner. Kitty will ride in the cabin with me. I've never taken a kitty on board with me before, so a new experience.The vet gave me a sedative, ACE., and am pondering whether to use the sedative or not. Someone said that another option would be Benadryl, along with Rescue Remedy.Any experiences with taking kitties on flights? With ACE? Think the dosage was 1/2 tablet followed by 1/4 if needed.Thanks much!Gloria Get amazing travel prices for air and hotel in one click on Yahoo! FareChase
Re: VERY Important if you give L-lysine to your kitties
Is L-lysine recommended for FELV cats? What does it do to help them? This is a new one for me... wendy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi guys,I just read in two different places so far that if youare giving cats L-lysine that is originally intendedfor humans, make sure it does not contain propyleneglycol. Propylene glycol can cause reactions in theblood. Here's one link:http://www.vetdepot.com/index.asp?PageAction=CustomID=261.:)Wendy__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. PC-to-Phone calls for ridiculously low rates.
Re: Please add Papoose to CLS
So sorry to hear about your little one. I'm glad he didn't suffer, though I know it was a difficult decision to make. Take comfort in knowing he is now in a place with no more suffering and he is now always with you, watching over you. JENI RECA [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I put Papoose feluk +to sleep today after he was running a 106.4 temp for the past 4 days and it wasnt going down he also was anemic and had a heart mummer and wasnt getting better. He lived a wonderful life of 8 months in our house with our dogs and our other feluk + cat. I miss him dearly and am happy he did not suffer. He was found on the streets of queens as a tiny little 5 week old kitten and brought to the shelter I work at. He came up postive on both test and I decided to adopt him instead of them putting him down. I amjust sad that we did not have more time with him. Thank you. From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]Reply-To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.orgTo: felvtalk@felineleukemia.orgSubject: Re: Can we please add this poor baby to the CLS?Date: Tue, 9 May 2006 22:46:25 -0400I'm not sure if he/she got rescued or killed. I'm not sure even if the shelter he is at is a humane euth shelter, MANY of them still use gas chambers, you know. I hope he was humanely euthed by now... or rescued and given medical care, one of the two (though I think euth would be kinder). I was hoping to get him/her on the CLS in the part where we pray for healing and comfort to those that are still with us.I did get several people saying they emailed about him, but did not get a reply yet. I sent a note to the purrever ranch, they are the ones who first posted the message, maybe they have more contact info than was in the post. Phaewryn (was Jenn, changed name)http://ucat.us http://ucat.us/domesticcatlinks.html Adopt a cat from Little Cheetah (UCAT) Cat Rescue:http://ucat.us/adopt.html PLEASE DONATE TO THE TANGLE FUND:Tangle is a cat in Greece that was severely injured when someone wrapped wire around his neck to strangle him,Little Cheetah Cat Rescue is raising funds to bring Tangle to Vermont to find him a good home!http://ucat.us/tangle-fund.htmlDONATE: We could really use a power saw (for construction), a digital camera (for pictures), and more towels! No virus found in this outgoing message.Checked by AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.1.392 / Virus Database: 268.5.5/334 - Release Date: 5/8/2006 Blab-away for as little as 1¢/min. Make PC-to-Phone Calls using Yahoo! Messenger with Voice.
Re: new diagnosis (sub-q links)
Thanks for the helpful websites. I am actually a nurse, so could probably get the supplies needed from work and this makes me more comfortable even considering doing the procedure, but our four-legged friends are very different than humans! So I appreciate seeing how easy (if Allie would stay still!) it is do for a cat. I will have to talk to my vet about doing it at home if Allie needs fluids again (the vetseems very willing to work with me an let me do things which is a big help- Allie hates going to the vet and being admitted to the hospital!)[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Sub-Q fluids. That's the user friendly terminology for subcutaneousfluids. They use a big needle attached to an IV type bag, they just give the fluidunder the skin rather than in a vein. You can use either lactated ringers solution,or saline solution, personally, I would go with saline, as it's got less in it, andis less apt to cause any reactions.http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/clientED/cat_fluids.asp (here's a webpage that shows theprocedure, the third method is the one I have always seen used, and the most commonin the USA)http://www.felinecrf.com/managh.htm (here's a DYI instructions from the chronic renalfailure website, for learning how to do it yourself at home)http://www.felinecrf.org/giving_sub-qs_giving_set.htm (more home sub-q fliudtechniques with pictures) Phaewryn (was Jenn, changed name)http://ucat.us http://ucat.us/domesticcatlinks.html Adopt a cat from Little Cheetah (UCAT) Cat Rescue:http://ucat.us/adopt.html PLEASE DONATE TO THE TANGLE FUND:Tangle is a cat in Greece that was severely injured when someone wrapped wire around his neck to strangle him,Little Cheetah Cat Rescue is raising funds to bring Tangle to Vermont to find him a good home!http://ucat.us/tangle-fund.htmlDONATE: We could really use a power saw (for construction), a digital camera (for pictures), and more towels! No virus found in this outgoing message.Checked by AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.1.392 / Virus Database: 268.5.5/333 - Release Date: 5/5/2006 How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messengers low PC-to-Phone call rates.
Re: is vitamin C out?
In humans regular vitamin C can help to boost the immune system (this is why it is often taken at the first sign of a cold, etc. because the virus often lasts a shorter time and is less severe). Again, not sure how well this transfers to cats, but as long as it is not harmful to the cat, I would say why not try it- itmay help! Dosage would certainly be a concern as I'm certain it is different among cats and humans. Vitamin C can cause GI distress at high doses, so this is another reason I would make sure the dose is correct. [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:I think there has always been a debate about this. Cats apparently, unlike humans, make vitamin c themselves, so many vets say it is totally unnecessary to supplement and just asking for GI problems. Others say it helps. I have no idea, myself. I have given it when it has been included in other formulas, but don't right now because of Lucy's IBD and Patches recently had a bout with soft stool as well (not from vitamin c, but don't want to bring it on either). MichelleIn a message dated 5/8/2006 10:58:27 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:I don't thing megaC 'cures' or reverses felv. Just my opinion.My homeopathic vet put my positive on a 'regular' dose of vitamin c along with lots of other vitamins and things and my regular vet said 'it couldn't hurt' so I used it.That was years ago though. I believe vitamin c is in most 'cat vitamins' so it must have some value for them as for humans.. I don't think it's any kind of cure though.t Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1/min.
Re: Henry and Omar
Sherry, So sorry to hear of the loss of you 2 little ones. I am thinking of you. JenSherry DeHaan [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:This volunteering is getting so hard to do,We lost our sweet wonderful Henry and our beautiful blue eyed siamese manx to felv yesterday.Omar had the most beautiful aqua blue eyes that I have ever seen and the sweetest personality ,he love the temptations treats that I always give to all the fur kids. Sweet Henry was so loving ,he always jumped up on you without warning to give you hugs and head butts,I will miss them so. Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. PC-to-Phone calls for ridiculously low rates. Yahoo! Mail goes everywhere you do. Get it on your phone.
Re: Bailey has gone home
Belinda, I am so sorry to hear about Bailey. But it sounds like he was ready and it was his time. I sounds like you are already finding comfort in knowing he is in a better place now where there is no more suffering. We are all thinking of you! JenBelinda [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Bailey left us at 6:20 this evening. He took a bad turn for the worse late last night and when I took him in this morning for his surgery it was evident he wasn't in good enough shape. We gave him fluids for a couple hours because he was dehydrated, his blood pressure was 60 and his temperature went from 103 yesterday to 98 today, his blood work was normal except his platelet count was low so he wasn't clotting and suregery was out of the question unless we could get his platelet count up. After two hours of fluids and a blood transfusion his platelets came up but his temperature was now 94, 96 puts kitties at risk for heart failure and she couldn't even get a blood pressure.My vet said we have 3 options, we could continue the fluids and support and see if things changed and if they did he could have the surgery tomorrow.Go ahead with the surgery and get in and out as quickly as possible or she could euthanise him.I asked her what she honestly thought of his condition, she said she though he was leaving on his own, I agreed. We talked, I asked her what to expect if he was going to die and she told me what the likely scenarios would be, she gave me a syringe of pain meds incase it got really bad for him, it would basically knock him out so he wouldn't suffer and pass on his own, she had a dinner engagement but told me to call if she was needed. I had told Bailey it was his decision to stay or go, and told him to do what was best for him. I brought him home on the fluids to keep supporting him and if he did turn for the better we would consider the surgery later. His breathing got worse just taking him to the car so I knew in my heart we didn't have long.We had about an hour, he was home with us and we were with him when he left. He is whole now and FeLV free for the first time. We were so lucky to have him for 11 years, his birthday was Monday. I will miss his bouncy, happy personality. He was so special and I learned so much thanks to him. He was our only positive and the one that was responsible for my learning everything I have about FeLV+, he has helped me save many positives and for that I thank him. I miss my little Baidely boys so much already ... take care all. Give your special guys and extra special hug for Bailey.-- Belindahappiness is being owned by cats ...Be-Mi-Kittieshttp://bemikitties.comPost Adoptable FeLV/FIV/FIP Cats/Kittenshttp://adopt.bemikitties.comFeLV Candlelight Servicehttp://bemikitties.com/clsHostDesign4U.com [affordable hosting web design]http://HostDesign4U.comBMK Designs [non-profit animals websites]http://bmk.bemikitties.com Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1/min.
Re: Long Introduction
Ashleigh,So sorry to hear about your little one. It is always difficult to our 4-legged friends, especially if it is unexpected. Take comfort in knowing that Pepper is in a better place with no more suffering and now is always with you.I, like you, am new to this group and to FELV. My outdoor cat, who was vaccinated annually against FELV, was just diagnosed a little over a week ago with FELV and FIV. I, like you, thought the vaccines would protect her and was shocked when I learned through my research and the helpful people here that the vaccine is actually only 70-80% effective. It would seem to me that a vet should have recommended that Allie be tested periodically since she was so high risk living outside and being exposed to other cats, but I guess that is water under thebridge now. From what I understand, FELV and FIV are highly contagious among cats through bite wounds (saliva to blood contact), although many people on this site have had FELV + cats cohabiting with FELV - cats. Several people have told me that interferon is a realistic treatment which can be helpful in boosting the immune system, but I don't know what the recommendations are for asymptomatic cats. (My Allie just started becoming symptomatic with high fevers which she is having trouble fighting on her ownwhich is how we ended up find out the diagnosis). There is apparently a difference between human interferon and feline interferon (feline interferon is difficult to get in the US). Also, there is low-dose and high-dose human interferon. With the low-dose option the cat doesn't have as much of a chance of developing resistance for future treatments. I am going to contact a vet who does interferon injections to discuss the options. If I learn anything in my consultations I will pass it along to you. I will also forward you a manuel that one of the members forwarded me. It has a wealth of information on FELV.Jen Ashleigh Smith [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:My name is Ashleigh. I lost my cat of 7 years last night. Pepper was FeLV+.The long story starts several years ago. In 1991, I adopted a cat, Fred, from a no-kill shelter. He was 3 at the time and very healthy. I faithfully got his annual vaccinations for everything, including FeLV. In 1998, Fred got a lump on his neck. It was vaccine-associated sarcoma. Even though we knew it was a long shot, we elected to have the mass removed and hoped that he'd be in the minuscule percentage of cats for whom VAS doesn't return. He wasn't. The lump came back, and we eventually had him put to sleep when he could no longer eat or drink well on his own and had a poor quality of life. It just about killed me. To think that I bascially killed him by being what I thought was a good cat mom by never missing his annual shots tore me up.A few months after Fred died, in 1999, I got Pepper from a co-worker whose cat had had kittens. That solid black furball was so sweet. When he was a tiny kitten, he used to sleep on my chest, right below my neck at night. Unfortunately, about that time, I started getting sick a lot. Since my workplace had roof leaks when it rained, I suspected a mold allergy, and went to get allergy tested. I was horrified when tests showed that I was VERY allergic to cats. (The doctor said some cats are worse than others for allergies--just a crap shoot. He said it wasn't starnge that I could've been around Fred without getting sick a lot but not Pepper.) I tried everything to keep Pepper inside--wekkly baths, MSM supplements for me, allergy shots for me. Nothing worked. Therefore, Pepper went from being an indoor-outdoor cat to being an outdoor cat. He liked being outside, and I'd still go pet him outside--I'd just have to wash up when I got inside.Now, when Pepper was a kitten, I'd gotten him his vaccinations. However, given Fred's horrible death from over-vaccinating, I did my research before blingly following veterinary advice with Pepper. Just about everything I read said that vaccines every 3 years were sufficient, so that's what I did. I also had the vet use adjuvant-free vaccines and never give them in his neck. He did get the FeLV vaccine as a kitten, as a young adult, and just last year. I assumed he'd be safe from kitty diseases.Last February, I got another cat. She is a special breed that is supposed to be much less allergenic that others, and she was. She was able to live in my house without making me sick. When we got her, we had all of her vaccinations done EXCEPT FeLV. We didn't think it was necessary since she is a 100% indoor cat, and since Pepper had been vaccinated for FeLV for those rare times when he comes inside. Remember, I was very leery of vaccines, especially since Fred had died of VAS, and didn't want to vaccinate more than was absolutely necessary.Well, since Hurricane Katrina, Pepper just hadn't been himself. (We live on he Missisippi Gulf Coast and had 4' of water in our house. The cats were okay, and the house has been
Re: new diagnosis
Thanks for your advice and support. It's so nice not to be going through this alone! And all of you who have experienced this are the best sources of knowledge available. Hearing how many kitties are still thriving is reassuring, though my heart goes out to those that are suffering or have left us. Message: 8Date: Thu, 4 May 2006 16:21:22 EDTFrom: [EMAIL PROTECTED]Subject: Re: new diagnosisTo: felvtalk@felineleukemia.orgMessage-ID: [EMAIL PROTECTED]Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Jen, A few members on this list have experienced the same thing. What seems to work best to get them over this round of fevers is Immuno-Regulan, also known as Equistim. There are articles about it on this group's web page (_www.felineluekemia.org_ (http://www.felineluekemia.org) ) and you can do a search of the archived messages for information on how Smokey was treated for it when he had unremitting fevers. Bandy also had this issue and was treated with steroids (dexamethasone) and some other things. He took longer to respond, I think, but eventually did, although he is having some eye problems now. I will forward some old emails from the archive about Smokey to you-- I saved them on my computer. Michelle In a message dated 5/4/2006 3:29:25 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:My 10 year old domestic short hair just got diagnosed with FIV and FELV last week. She was lethargic, not eating and drinking, etc which is why I brought her in and how we found out the diagnosis. She ended up with a 105.9 fever and was hospitalized for several days with IV fluids and antibiotics. The fever broke and she came home on Friday night. She has been an outdoor cat all her life (I adopted her 4 1/2 years ago) and she is now an indoor cat due to the diagnoses. We were just back at the vet today because she is limping and I didn't know what was wrong with her leg. Turns out the leg is fine, but her temp is 106.9!!! They gave her some subcutaneous fluid and an injection to bring down the fever and let me take her home as long as I monitor her temp hourly. The vet said it is all from the FELV virus, but I'm wondering if this is how the whole rest of her life is going to be- constant trips to the vet for high fevers, dehydration, fluids and medication. I want my cat to be happy and comfortable. Allie is truly like my child and I am completely devistated. I find myself watching her like a hawk now, and spending every waking moment with her not knowing if I have one more day, one more week or one more year. I have done a lot of research, but because I don't know how long she has had the disease it's hard to know what's going to happen-- I thought she had kicked this infection and it turns out she hadn't... Anyone else experienced these unremitting fevers and infections? Does this mean it is close to the end? I obviously want to have Allie with me as long as I can, but I am not willing to torture her becuase I would not want to be tortured if it were me. I am just so overwhelmed and so devistated right now, I can't even think straight! One vet had mentioned interferon injections to boost her immune system. I am considering looking into those, but I don't know if it would be more tortuous to put my kitty through injections or have her get sick all the time... Does anyone have any experience with interferon? Thanks for listening!Jen -- next part --An HTML attachment was scrubbed...URL: /pipermail/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org/attachments/20060504/6fc8cfeb/attachment.htm--Message: 9Date: Thu, 4 May 2006 16:26:36 EDTFrom: [EMAIL PROTECTED]Subject: Re: new diagnosisTo: felvtalk@felineleukemia.orgMessage-ID: [EMAIL PROTECTED]Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Jen, Here are some old emails from this list: 1. I started Smokey on immuno-regulan last Wednesday. Herecieved shots for 4 days and then 2 shots per week. His problem was a recurring fever. So far he is feverfree. He has been eating good and playing. He isalso taking Baytril and Clavamox but I think theimmuno-regulan has helped him with his fevers. I amkeeping my fingers crossed. This has been the 1stweek in over a month that we haven't had to make atrip to the vet or go in as an emergency.Cindy 2. Hi all,Hope you are all doing well these days...I have been sort of out of touch the last month.Just wanted to give you all an update on my Bandy..His last vet visit was a few weeks ago and his PCV was holding at 27. He has gained another 4oz. so he is up to 7# 2oz. which is almost his top weight...He is looking good and eating well.We are on interferon alpha daily and 1/2cc baytril still...I don't know how long he will have to be on that as he has been on it for months now..I am alternating supplements too..I just want to make sure he keeps eating good so I just rotate things around for now...I give him Co Q 10, bone meal powder, bovine colostrum, Vit.E 400 weekly, omega fatty acids (missing link version), and
Re:Was appropriate calorie in take for a kitty - Now Bailey's Diagnosis
I hope everything goes well for Bailey! I am an RN, so I am familiar with all these diagnoses for humans, but not as they pertain to our 4-legged friends. Treasure tonight with him and keep telling him how much you love him!Susan Loesch [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: That is such a scary diagnosis. Good luck on surgery tomorrow; I'll be thinking about you both.Belinda [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi All,Just got back from the vets. Xrays show something going on with the intestines, they do not look right and are bunched up with the actual loops really not disernable, also there is an enlarged lymph node around his lung that wasn't there on the last xray. My vet suspects that he now possibly has lymphoma.He is having surgery tomorrow morning to open his tummy and see if there is a tumor or diffused cancer and take biopsies of his intestines and since she will have him open she will check the rest of his organs, kidney's, bladder, spleen, liver which all look OK on xray. Obviously with him being in the shape he has been in for the last 4 or so months, there is a very real possibility he will not survive the surgery, please pray that whatever happens he doesn't have any unnecessary pain and that he doesn't suffer. I am going to spend the day with him and let him know whatever choice he makes is fine with me and I will be OK ... I hope he chooses to stick around for a while longer.His tube looks OK, no white matter around it to show that there is any leakage or that anything has been aspirated and his breathing is normal again, so his intestines being bunched up would explain the food not going through and him starting to throw it back up. It would also explain why he is so uncomfortable when it is time to feed him, I imagine the food just sitting in his tummy and be forced out by his next meal can't feel very good. He does have a fever again and she gave me some clinic care to see if that will go through and give him some nutrients, his weight is good at 9lbs. 8oz. Well I'm going to go feed him. Take care all.-- Belindahappiness is being owned by cats ...Be-Mi-Kittieshttp://bemikitties.comPost Adoptable FeLV/FIV/FIP Cats/Kittenshttp://adopt.bemikitties.comFeLV Candlelight Servicehttp://bemikitties.com/clsHostDesign4U.com [affordable hosting web design]http://HostDesign4U.comBMK Designs [non-profit animals websites]http://bmk.bemikitties.com New Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. Call regular phones from your PC and save big.
new diagnosis
My 10 year old domestic short hair just got diagnosed with FIV and FELV last week. She was lethargic, not eating and drinking, etc which is why I brought her in and how we found out the diagnosis. She ended up with a 105.9 fever and was hospitalized for several days with IV fluids and antibiotics. The fever broke and she came home on Friday night. She has been an outdoor cat all her life (I adopted her 4 1/2 years ago) and she is now an indoor cat due to the diagnoses. We were just back at the vet today because she is limping and I didn't know what was wrong with her leg. Turns out the leg is fine, but her temp is 106.9!!! They gave her some subcutaneous fluid and an injection to bring down the fever and let me take her home as long as I monitor her temp hourly. The vet said it is all from the FELV virus, but I'm wondering if this is how the whole rest of her life is going to be- constant trips to the vet for high fevers, dehydration, fluids and medication. I want my cat to be happy and comfortable. Allie is truly like my child and I am completely devistated. I find myself watching her like a hawk now, and spending every waking moment with her not knowing if I have one more day, one more week or one more year. I have done a lot of research, but because I don't know how long she has had the disease it's hard to know what's going to happen-- I thought she had kicked this infection and it turns out she hadn't...Anyone else experienced these unremitting fevers and infections? Does this mean it is close to the end? I obviously want to have Allie with me as long as I can, but I am not willing to torture her becuase I would not want to be tortured if it were me. I am just so overwhelmed and so devistated right now, I can't even think straight! One vet had mentioned interferon injections to boost her immune system. I am considering looking into those, but I don't know if it would be more tortuous to put my kitty through injections or have her get sick all the time... Does anyone have any experience with interferon? Thanks for listening! Jen Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less.
