from:"Katherine K."

I'm about 5 hours from Charleston. I've been there once. I have an
acquaintance who just moved out of Charleston so I emailed her to ask about
reliable rescue groups in the area.

On Tue, May 3, 2016 at 1:41 PM, Amani Oakley <aoak...@oakleylegal.com>
wrote:

> Katherine
>
>
>
> Are you close enough to Charleston South Carolina to look into used mobile
> homes, or know someone who can? If we have a target number to reach to
> purchase one, that would be easier for me. I think I can hit some people I
> know for some decent-sized donations, so if the purchase price is around
> $20,000, I think that is do-able, though one problem is that our Canadian
> dollar is so horribly devalued now, that anyone up here will have to donate
> 30% more than it will register in the U.S. (I have just had a quick look on
> line and I see a few in that price range. I just don’t know if what I see
> on line is a true reflection of reality on the ground. I have a former,
> very grateful client and her husband who moved down to South Carolina from
> Canada, and I have sent her an email to see if she might help regarding
> logistics as well.)
>
>
>
> Amani
>
>
>
> *From:* Felvtalk [mailto:felvtalk-boun...@felineleukemia.org] *On Behalf
> Of *Katherine K.
> *Sent:* May-03-16 1:18 PM
>
> *To:* felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
> *Subject:* Re: [Felvtalk] FeLV cat in Charleston - owner is homeless
>
>
>
> I hear you. I will private message her. I did find a GoFundMe page she
> started -- without much luck it seems.
>
>
>
> On Tue, May 3, 2016 at 1:13 PM, Amani Oakley <aoak...@oakleylegal.com>
> wrote:
>
> Katherine
>
>
>
> I don’t go on Facebook very often. I will try to get to it but I am not
> very comfortable with it – they keep way too much of your personal
> information and track everything about you. Can you *privately* message
> her and provide her with my email address? I don’t want it posted publicly
> since obviously, every single person in the world with a difficult
> situation will be contacting me and I harbour enough guilt in my soul as it
> is.
>
>
>
> Is there someone else in South Carolina, close to her, with whom I can
> collaborate to perhaps find a used trailer she can live in with the animals
> and her son? I would be willing to spearhead some fundraising.
>
>
>
> Amani
>
>
>
> *From:* Felvtalk [mailto:felvtalk-boun...@felineleukemia.org] *On Behalf
> Of *Katherine K.
> *Sent:* May-03-16 1:07 PM
>
>
> *To:* felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
> *Subject:* Re: [Felvtalk] FeLV cat in Charleston - owner is homeless
>
>
>
> Hi Amani,
>
>
>
> Thanks for your message. I don't have an email or phone number for Sharon
> Follin Jowers, but if you are on Facebook, you can see the full
> conversation by joining the "Owners of FeLV+/FIV+ cats" group. It's a
> private group, so you need to join the group to see it.
>
>
>
> Once you are a member this link will take you to it:
> https://www.facebook.com/groups/26073442228/permalink/10154196067502229/.
>
>
>
> Katherine
>
>
>
> On Tue, May 3, 2016 at 12:58 PM, Amani Oakley <aoak...@oakleylegal.com>
> wrote:
>
> Katherine
>
>
>
> I’m up in Canada so I can’t do much about finding a new home for the
> animals. However, I would like to see if we might be able to do something
> more permanent for a person with a good heart who keeps animals like this.
> Can you put me in touch with her? Can you get more details?
>
>
>
> Amani
>
>
>
> *From:* Felvtalk [mailto:felvtalk-boun...@felineleukemia.org] *On Behalf
> Of *Katherine K.
> *Sent:* May-03-16 7:21 AM
> *To:* felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
> *Subject:* Re: [Felvtalk] FeLV cat in Charleston - owner is homeless
>
>
>
> She lives in a motel room with five cats, a dog and I think her adult son
> too. I think efforts have been made to raise money for a rent deposit in
> the past for her but I am unclear on the history. She just posted a request
> for help with rehoming her animal(s).
>
> The FeLV cat has some blood in his stool but sounds healthy and playful
> otherwise.
>
> Any Charleston resources or rescues that I could pass along?
>
> On May 3, 2016 2:57 AM, "Amani Oakley" <aoak...@oakleylegal.com> wrote:
>
> Katherine
>
>
>
> Is it too late to help the owner keep her house?
>
>
>
> Amani
>
>
>
> *From:* Felvtalk [mailto:felvtalk-boun...@felineleukemia.org] *On Behalf
> Of *Katherine K.
> *Sent:* May-01-16 8:03 PM
>
>
> *To:* felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
> *Subject:* [Felvtalk] FeLV cat in Charleston - owner is homeless
>
>
>
> There is a 9 year

Re: [Felvtalk] FeLV cat in Charleston - owner is homeless

I hear you. I will private message her. I did find a GoFundMe page she
started -- without much luck it seems.

On Tue, May 3, 2016 at 1:13 PM, Amani Oakley <aoak...@oakleylegal.com>
wrote:

> Katherine
>
>
>
> I don’t go on Facebook very often. I will try to get to it but I am not
> very comfortable with it – they keep way too much of your personal
> information and track everything about you. Can you *privately* message
> her and provide her with my email address? I don’t want it posted publicly
> since obviously, every single person in the world with a difficult
> situation will be contacting me and I harbour enough guilt in my soul as it
> is.
>
>
>
> Is there someone else in South Carolina, close to her, with whom I can
> collaborate to perhaps find a used trailer she can live in with the animals
> and her son? I would be willing to spearhead some fundraising.
>
>
>
> Amani
>
>
>
> *From:* Felvtalk [mailto:felvtalk-boun...@felineleukemia.org] *On Behalf
> Of *Katherine K.
> *Sent:* May-03-16 1:07 PM
>
> *To:* felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
> *Subject:* Re: [Felvtalk] FeLV cat in Charleston - owner is homeless
>
>
>
> Hi Amani,
>
>
>
> Thanks for your message. I don't have an email or phone number for Sharon
> Follin Jowers, but if you are on Facebook, you can see the full
> conversation by joining the "Owners of FeLV+/FIV+ cats" group. It's a
> private group, so you need to join the group to see it.
>
>
>
> Once you are a member this link will take you to it:
> https://www.facebook.com/groups/26073442228/permalink/10154196067502229/.
>
>
>
> Katherine
>
>
>
> On Tue, May 3, 2016 at 12:58 PM, Amani Oakley <aoak...@oakleylegal.com>
> wrote:
>
> Katherine
>
>
>
> I’m up in Canada so I can’t do much about finding a new home for the
> animals. However, I would like to see if we might be able to do something
> more permanent for a person with a good heart who keeps animals like this.
> Can you put me in touch with her? Can you get more details?
>
>
>
> Amani
>
>
>
> *From:* Felvtalk [mailto:felvtalk-boun...@felineleukemia.org] *On Behalf
> Of *Katherine K.
> *Sent:* May-03-16 7:21 AM
> *To:* felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
> *Subject:* Re: [Felvtalk] FeLV cat in Charleston - owner is homeless
>
>
>
> She lives in a motel room with five cats, a dog and I think her adult son
> too. I think efforts have been made to raise money for a rent deposit in
> the past for her but I am unclear on the history. She just posted a request
> for help with rehoming her animal(s).
>
> The FeLV cat has some blood in his stool but sounds healthy and playful
> otherwise.
>
> Any Charleston resources or rescues that I could pass along?
>
> On May 3, 2016 2:57 AM, "Amani Oakley" <aoak...@oakleylegal.com> wrote:
>
> Katherine
>
>
>
> Is it too late to help the owner keep her house?
>
>
>
> Amani
>
>
>
> *From:* Felvtalk [mailto:felvtalk-boun...@felineleukemia.org] *On Behalf
> Of *Katherine K.
> *Sent:* May-01-16 8:03 PM
>
>
> *To:* felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
> *Subject:* [Felvtalk] FeLV cat in Charleston - owner is homeless
>
>
>
> There is a 9 year old tuxedo cat in Charleston SC who is FeLV positive and
> has been for several years. His owner is dealing with health issues and she
> has become homeless. Does anyone have room for him or know of a Charleston
> rescue that could help?
>
> He was posted on the Facebook group for Owners of cats with FeLV/FIV.
>
> I am in North Carolina and could help with transport.
>
> Thanks,
> Katherine
>
>
> ___
> Felvtalk mailing list
> Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
> http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
>
>
> ___
> Felvtalk mailing list
> Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
> http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
>
>
>
> ___
> Felvtalk mailing list
> Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
> http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
>
>
___
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Re: [Felvtalk] FeLV cat in Charleston - owner is homeless

Hi Amani,

Thanks for your message. I don't have an email or phone number for Sharon
Follin Jowers, but if you are on Facebook, you can see the full
conversation by joining the "Owners of FeLV+/FIV+ cats" group. It's a
private group, so you need to join the group to see it.

Once you are a member this link will take you to it:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/26073442228/permalink/10154196067502229/.

Katherine

On Tue, May 3, 2016 at 12:58 PM, Amani Oakley <aoak...@oakleylegal.com>
wrote:

> Katherine
>
>
>
> I’m up in Canada so I can’t do much about finding a new home for the
> animals. However, I would like to see if we might be able to do something
> more permanent for a person with a good heart who keeps animals like this.
> Can you put me in touch with her? Can you get more details?
>
>
>
> Amani
>
>
>
> *From:* Felvtalk [mailto:felvtalk-boun...@felineleukemia.org] *On Behalf
> Of *Katherine K.
> *Sent:* May-03-16 7:21 AM
> *To:* felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
> *Subject:* Re: [Felvtalk] FeLV cat in Charleston - owner is homeless
>
>
>
> She lives in a motel room with five cats, a dog and I think her adult son
> too. I think efforts have been made to raise money for a rent deposit in
> the past for her but I am unclear on the history. She just posted a request
> for help with rehoming her animal(s).
>
> The FeLV cat has some blood in his stool but sounds healthy and playful
> otherwise.
>
> Any Charleston resources or rescues that I could pass along?
>
> On May 3, 2016 2:57 AM, "Amani Oakley" <aoak...@oakleylegal.com> wrote:
>
> Katherine
>
>
>
> Is it too late to help the owner keep her house?
>
>
>
> Amani
>
>
>
> *From:* Felvtalk [mailto:felvtalk-boun...@felineleukemia.org] *On Behalf
> Of *Katherine K.
> *Sent:* May-01-16 8:03 PM
>
>
> *To:* felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
> *Subject:* [Felvtalk] FeLV cat in Charleston - owner is homeless
>
>
>
> There is a 9 year old tuxedo cat in Charleston SC who is FeLV positive and
> has been for several years. His owner is dealing with health issues and she
> has become homeless. Does anyone have room for him or know of a Charleston
> rescue that could help?
>
> He was posted on the Facebook group for Owners of cats with FeLV/FIV.
>
> I am in North Carolina and could help with transport.
>
> Thanks,
> Katherine
>
>
> ___
> Felvtalk mailing list
> Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
> http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
>
> ___
> Felvtalk mailing list
> Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
> http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
>
>
___
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Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
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Re: [Felvtalk] FeLV cat in Charleston - owner is homeless

She lives in a motel room with five cats, a dog and I think her adult son
too. I think efforts have been made to raise money for a rent deposit in
the past for her but I am unclear on the history. She just posted a request
for help with rehoming her animal(s).

The FeLV cat has some blood in his stool but sounds healthy and playful
otherwise.

Any Charleston resources or rescues that I could pass along?
On May 3, 2016 2:57 AM, "Amani Oakley" <aoak...@oakleylegal.com> wrote:

Katherine



Is it too late to help the owner keep her house?



Amani



*From:* Felvtalk [mailto:felvtalk-boun...@felineleukemia.org] *On Behalf Of
*Katherine K.
*Sent:* May-01-16 8:03 PM

*To:* felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
*Subject:* [Felvtalk] FeLV cat in Charleston - owner is homeless



There is a 9 year old tuxedo cat in Charleston SC who is FeLV positive and
has been for several years. His owner is dealing with health issues and she
has become homeless. Does anyone have room for him or know of a Charleston
rescue that could help?

He was posted on the Facebook group for Owners of cats with FeLV/FIV.

I am in North Carolina and could help with transport.

Thanks,
Katherine

___
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Re: [Felvtalk] FeLV cat in Charleston - owner is homeless

2016-05-02 Thread Katherine K.

Sounds like it would be an adoption.
On May 2, 2016 6:14 AM, "Margo" <toomanykitti...@earthlink.net> wrote:

>
>
> Would this be temporary foster or adoption?
>
> -Original Message-
> From: "Katherine K."
> Sent: May 1, 2016 8:02 PM
> To: "felvtalk@felineleukemia.org"
> Subject: [Felvtalk] FeLV cat in Charleston - owner is homeless
>
> There is a 9 year old tuxedo cat in Charleston SC who is FeLV positive and
> has been for several years. His owner is dealing with health issues and she
> has become homeless. Does anyone have room for him or know of a Charleston
> rescue that could help?
>
> He was posted on the Facebook group for Owners of cats with FeLV/FIV.
>
> I am in North Carolina and could help with transport.
>
> Thanks,
> Katherine
>
>
> ___
> Felvtalk mailing list
> Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
> http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
>
>
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[Felvtalk] FeLV cat in Charleston - owner is homeless

2016-05-01 Thread Katherine K.

There is a 9 year old tuxedo cat in Charleston SC who is FeLV positive and
has been for several years. His owner is dealing with health issues and she
has become homeless. Does anyone have room for him or know of a Charleston
rescue that could help?

He was posted on the Facebook group for Owners of cats with FeLV/FIV.

I am in North Carolina and could help with transport.

Thanks,
Katherine
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Re: [Felvtalk] The Brock Star has left the building

2016-04-29 Thread Katherine K.

I'm so sorry, Marsha. Thanks for sharing his story. It is so unfair that
they don't have more time in this world but he had a wonderful life thanks
to you.

I lost Jazz a few weeks ago and I've found bittersweet comfort in
remembering his silly, happy personality. I hope Brock visits you soon, but
you should know he's always close by.

Katherine
On Apr 29, 2016 6:39 PM, "Amani Oakley"  wrote:

> Oh Marsha. I am so incredibly saddened by your loss.
>
> They are source of our greatest happiness and our deepest pain and despair.
>
> Amani
>
> -Original Message-
> From: Felvtalk [mailto:felvtalk-boun...@felineleukemia.org] On Behalf Of
> Marsha
> Sent: April-29-16 6:30 PM
> To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
> Subject: [Felvtalk] The Brock Star has left the building
>
> Brock left this earthly plane this afternoon.  This morning he didn't get
> out of the lounge chair to greet me, refused his heart pills again, and his
> third eyelids were showing.  He did eat all the food I brought him though -
> he licked off the spoon as I held it up in front of him on the lounge
> chair.  We did half, then the other half later.  I visited with him a lot.
> He spent most of his time in his lounge chair on his fleece blanket, but
> once he got down and took a short stroll through his domain.  Usually I am
> in the lounge chair, with Brock on my lap.  Such a tired boy; his bone
> marrow was no longer working as it should - low RBC, WBC, and platelets,
> and not making new.  He had Feline Leukemia Virus, survived a year with
> Restrictive Cardiomyopathy & CHF, and just recently developed lymphoma.  So
> not fair to such a sweet and handsome boy.
>
> He received a sedative first and we spent a half hour or 45 minutes
> together.  His paw rested on my hand.  As he relaxed, he ever so lightly
> made biscuits on my hand.  He even did his elevator butt routine, but
> laying down instead of standing up.
>
> He was only with me a year and a half, but he had so much love to give out
> during that time, that there is now another permanent scar on my heart.
> Along with too many others that are still somewhat fresh.
>
> Dearest Brock, visit me soon in my dreams.  I left the patio lights on for
> your spirit to find the way back to Fort Shappell.
>
> Marsha
>
> ___
> Felvtalk mailing list
> Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
> http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
>
> ___
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> Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
> http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
>
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Re: [Felvtalk] MY LITTLE GIRL NOT EATING MUCH

2016-04-29 Thread Katherine K.

My kitty had 6 teeth extracted in February because of gum pain. They have
healed well but the best way for him to eat is pureed wet food. I have a
Cuisinart hand-held immersion blender that makes it easy to blend a can of
food with water making it like a pureed soup. He just laps it right up and
it doesn't hurt his gums.

On Thu, Apr 28, 2016 at 10:25 PM,  wrote:

> OR SHE COULD HAVE STURIVITE CRYSTALS.  HARLEY HAD A CASE AND AVOIDED THE
> BOX.  HE NEEDEDFLUIDS AND MEDS.  I ALSO STARTED USING WATER FOUNTAINS TO
> ENCOURAGE ALL TO DRINK MORE AND ADDED SOME BRAGGS RAW VINEGAR TO THE WATER
> TO HELP DISSILVE THE CRYSTALS.  WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS SINCE THEN.
> ALSO FOUND ADDING A FEW ICE CUBES HELPS.  SIGHT AND SOUND OF THEM BOBBING
> AROUNDIN THE WATER IS INTRIGUING.
>
>
>  gidge...@aol.com wrote:
> > Hi all,  haven't posted here in awhile because all was going well.  Kit
> > decided she did not want to eat today.  So when I get home I intend
> > to try Baby Food (Gerber's Stage 2).  If she does not eat, I will be
> > syringe feeding her and contacting the vet.  I did see that she did
> > not use the litter box a few times, but is now using it again.  Could
> > it be a possible she has a UTI?  Any advice is appreciated.
> >
> >
> > Nancy
>
>
> ___
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>
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[Felvtalk] FeLV Facebook support group

2016-04-28 Thread Katherine K.

I think this has been mentioned before on the list, because I believe that
is how I found out about it, but I'm a member of the "Owners of FeLV/FIV
Cats" Facebook group and it's very active.

You have to have a Facebook account to join, and it's a closed group so you
have to request to join the group. But I like the privacy of a closed
group. My other Facebook friends can't see my cat conversations, and I know
I'm with folks who understand what it's like to live with a FeLV kitty.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/26073442228/

Katherine
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Re: [Felvtalk] Brock update

2016-04-28 Thread Katherine K.

Thinking of you and Brock.

Katherine
On Apr 27, 2016 11:55 PM,  wrote:

> It seems you are on the right track and keeping his feedings small will
> help also.  I know my Harley who is not sick, just gulps down too much at
> one time and then up chucks has to get small amounts to prevent that.  I
> also have a pot of lemon grass for the cats to munch on when their stomachs
> are upset.With all he has going on, he has a lot on his plate to deal
> with and other than the right medications, the greatest gift you can give
> him i love.  mWill keep both of yu in my prayers.
>
>  Rachel Dagner  wrote:
> > My cat Tucker was throwing up his food. We went to the vet and got an
> X-ray which showed a mass in his chest. I brought him home with steroids
> but he still couldn't keep food down probably the mass was restricting the
> food from passing through since he was just regurgitating it right back up.
> Then he totally quit wanting to eat. Went to the vet and got high calorie
> emergency food and a syringe , watched a video on how to do it on YouTube.
> I was syringe feeding him for several days, I was doing some research and
> saw a lot of great reviews on Life Gold I had it sent over night from
> Amazon. I got it yesterday and gave him his two doses. Today he is eating
> on his own and eating quite a bit of the emergency food and even his dry
> food that I crunched up small. No regurgitation after all day of eating. I
> am only giving him a small amount each hour of so as not to upset his
> stomach, or overwhelm him. Maybe you can try syringe feeding and/or the
> liquid gold. I hope it is not lympho
>  ma
> >  , I cried for three days straight after the X-ray. I am getting
> vitality science cat cancer kit, I am not going to put him through chemo. I
> hope to extend his time and his quality of life. He is also more perky and
> acting like himself again after just one day on Life Gold. I pray it
> continues!
> >
> > Sent from my iPhone
> >
> > > On Apr 27, 2016, at 9:45 PM, Marsha  wrote:
> > >
> > > My sweet FeLV+ boy Brock has taken a bad turn.  He has been doing
> really great, and only a week and a half ago celebrated his 1 year
> anniversary of being diagnosed with Restrictive Cardiomyopathy and
> Congestive Heart Failure.  Only 20% of cats with that diagnosis make it to
> the one year mark.  Brock is on 5 heart meds and 2 supplements, and has
> been doing great.  About 2 weeks ago, his appetite seemed to be a little
> off.  Sometimes he would eat all his food, sometimes not.  He occasionally
> catches a mouse that gets into the garage, so I wondered if he was full
> when I brought his dinner. This past Saturday, he was really fussy about
> taking his pills.  He has always been really good about eating his pill
> pockets, no hassle for me, no dropping them into his mouth.  Now he is
> balking at taking them even after I dip them in wet food (and they are
> already in pill pockets).  I coax and coax, and have had to manually pill
> him a few times.  He will eat 4 and leave 1, then I have t
>  o
> >  give that one manually.  Or eat 2, and I have to give him 1.  Now he
> wants baby food, but only eats some of it, then more later.  He gets his
> supplements mixed with his food, 1 of which is potassium, so he needs to
> eat his food to get it.
> > >
> > > He had a blood panel done yesterday and a physical exam.  The vet
> confirmed the enlarged lymph nodes I felt in his neck, and said there were
> enlarged nodes in the back leg area also.  Brock's PCV is only 18%, meaning
> he is anemic.  It is non-regenerative.  A needle aspiration was done on a
> lymph node, and the cytology should be back tomorrow.  My biggest fear is
> lymphoma, and it's going to tear through like a wildfire.
> > >
> > > Marsha
> > >
> > > ___
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> > > Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
> > > http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
> >
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Re: [Felvtalk] Brock the Miracle Kitty

2016-01-20 Thread Katherine K.

What wonderful news for you and Brock! I know that's a happy feeling.
Thanks for letting us know, Marsha!

On Wed, Jan 20, 2016 at 2:52 PM, Marsha  wrote:

> We just came back from FeLV+ Brock's cardiology appointment.  He was
> diagnosed with restrictive cardiomyopathy and CHF 9 months ago, with an
> average survival time being 2-6 months.  I was expecting that fluid would
> be drawn off, because it's been 2.5 months since last time, and 1.5 months
> ago, an X-ray showed fluid was starting to build up.  Not only did Brock
> have NO pleural effusion (what was there 1.5 months ago was GONE), but, the
> dilated ventricle/atrium had returned to a normal size!!  And his blood
> pressure is ideal at 128!  He still has a murmur, and thickened heart
> walls, but close enough for me to call it a miracle!  His Lasix is being
> reduced from 3x a day to 2x a day.  Checkup in 4 months unless he develops
> respiratory issues (increased rate or effort).
>
> Marsha
>
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Re: [Felvtalk] Merlot (was Lymph Nodes)

2015-11-17 Thread Katherine K.

Maya, I'm so sorry to hear about Merlot. Thank you for your dedicated care
for him over the last year and a half, since you first found out about his
illness after the loss of Yang. I know it is difficult to lose them after
you both fight so hard, but I hope you can find comfort in knowing you did
right by him in every way you could, and I am sure he knew that and felt
your love. May the memories you shared together bring you some peace during
this sad time.

On Tue, Nov 17, 2015 at 9:12 AM, Marsha  wrote:

> Maya,  so sorry to hear about Merlot. May his spirit be with you always,
> purring to yours across the divide when you need it most.
>
> Marsha
>
> On 11/17/2015 6:59 AM, Maya D'Alessio wrote:
>
>>
>> Merlot left us yesterday morning. Thank you to everyone for your support
>> over the month, it has been incredible.
>>
>>
>>
>
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Re: [Felvtalk] Bella

2015-10-28 Thread Katherine K.

So sorry to hear about Bella. Thank you for taking good care of her, I am
sure she knew she was loved.

On Wed, Oct 28, 2015 at 5:48 PM, simon95  wrote:

>
> My sweet little girl crossed over yesturday.she was 4 years old. So sad
>
> Sent from Samsung Mobile
>
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Re: [Felvtalk] Merlin has gone to the bridge

2015-09-28 Thread Katherine K.

I'm so sorry Kelley. Thank you for taking such good care of Merlin. I know
he appreciated it. <3 <3 <3

On Mon, Sep 28, 2015 at 7:40 AM, Lorrie  wrote:

> Kelley,
> -
> You did NOT fail him.  Heart disease is not easily detected and cats
> are very good at hiding their pain and illness.  I had a FelV cat who
> just suddenly died at age 6 and she showed no symtoms of illness, she
> simply laid down and died on the kitchen floor. This is the longest
> any of my FelV cats lived. Most of them die at 8 to 10 months of age.
> -
> Lorrie
>
> On 09-27, Kelley S wrote:
> >I failed him.Â  I did not notice his symptoms in time.Â  Now I have
> his
> >"sister" (not blood related" by herself.Â  She is going to be
> >miserable,she does not like to be alone.Â  I had an appointment for 2
> >other cats on Monday.Â  I am switching her out with one of them so
> that
> >I can get her completely checked out.Â  Not that heart failure is
> >contagious, but I need to be more on top of my FELV+ cats, or now,
> >cat.Â  I can't do this anymore, I don't know how yall do it.Â  I don't
> >have "too many" cats overall, but I do think I have "too many" to
> >handle many chronically ill (or potentially chronically ill).Â  I
> guess
> >any cat is "potentially chronically ill." Â By the way, I fell even
> >more in love with this doctor when he told me he had taken home 2
> FELV+
> >kittens from the clinic and they died before 10 months old.Â  I read
> >between the lines that someone wanted their FELV+ kittens euthanized
> or
> >did not want them when they tested pos. Â
>
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Re: [Felvtalk] Testing the list

2015-09-21 Thread Katherine K.

We are hanging in there. My 2.5 year old, Jazz just went for his annual
check up and weighed in at 13.5 lbs! He's quite healthy. My 12-13 yr old
cat Krammer used to weight that much but has lost 2 lbs since May
unfortunately, and is now down to 9.5 lbs. He is on a low dose of
Prednisolone to stimulate appetite. I'm debating whether to buy more LTCI
injections - he's had them monthly for the past 2 years but they're just so
costly and hard to measure if they actually do anything.  Sigh.

On Mon, Sep 21, 2015 at 10:56 AM, Jennifer Lewis  wrote:

> All good here. Brynn seems as healthy as can be...
> Jennifer L
> On Sep 21, 2015, at 7:52 AM, James G Wilson wrote:
>
> > Hey all,
> >
> > Just testing the list. There hasn't been any traffic in
> > awhile. Hope everyone and their little ones are doing well.
> > Best wishes.
> >
> > James G Wilson - phaedru...@comcast.net
> > (217) 816-8680 (cell)
> > http://weather62704.us (Weather for Springfield, IL)
> >
> >
> > ___
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Re: [Felvtalk] 4 month old kitten with Feline Leukemia

2015-06-30 Thread Katherine K.

Kathleen,

I have used LTCI on my 13 year old cat. He was diagnosed with FeLV 2 years
ago and got 3 injections in the first month, and then has gotten an
injection once per month after that. I think it helped him initially come
back from being very ill when first diagnosed (that plus daily syringe
feeding for a month, until he regained his appetite). If you are OK with
spending $50 per shot it might be worth a try. I have not tried it on
younger cats or kittens. Don't know about Canada, but in the US my vet
orders the LTCI in packs of 3 or 10 for me, and I learned to give the
injections to him at home. It needs to stay refrigerated so there's usually
a shipping charge for an ice pack.

If he can fight through the URI, good quality food, TLC and a low stress
environment will be good for your little Oreo. If you have not tried
syringe feeding (aka assist feeding), ask your vet for a handful of 10mL
syringes and look up how-to videos on YouTube for pointers. (I think my vet
once gave my cat a dose of Valium or something similar to help jumpstart
his appetite, but that was years before he was FeLV and just had a regular
URI.) Thank you for taking care of him. Sometimes we do everything we can
but the virus is just too much for the younger ones' developing systems to
handle. In those cases just keeping them comfortable and loved is the best
you can do. Enjoy the happy moments you have with Oreo.

Katherine

On Tue, Jun 30, 2015 at 12:18 AM, Sally Dwyer sallyldw...@yahoo.ca wrote:

 Hi Kathleen,

 I have used LTCI and I live in Hamilton, Ontario.  My cat was IFA positive
 for FeLV (meaning persistently infected as the virus was in bone marrow)
 and he went negative a few months after starting the LTCI, so in my
 opinion, it is definitely worth a shot for your little Oreo.  Your vet can
 call Terry Beardsley at LTCI and he will help explain the paper work.
 Should only take a week for Health Canada to make an exception.  Otherwise
 LTCI can be shipped to a vet in the states virtually overnight.  Hope this
 helps and best of luck with your little guy.  just curious, where in Canada
 are you from?

 Sally



   On Sunday, June 28, 2015 10:13 AM, KATHLEEN BUSO kngb...@shaw.ca
 wrote:


 Hi, I am looking for advice about our little Oreo. We adopted him at 9
 weeks from a rescue group. His mom was a stray who was ill when she had her
 kittens. The kittens were eventually bottle fed and had a rough start in
 life, but then seemed to recover and were adopted out. About two weeks ago,
 our Oreo started to show signs of illness. His inner third eyelid came out,
 and then he started running a fever. I took him to the Rescue's vet, and
 she gave me antibiotics and some metacam to bring down the fever. She said
 the mom had been tested for a bunch of viruses, including feline leukemia
 and came back negative, so there was no reason to test Oreo. A week later,
 he was worse so I took him to another vet and she tested him and told me he
 tested positive for feline leukemia. Up until yesterday, he seemed to still
 have a fairly good appetite but was sleeping a lot and showing symptoms of
 upper respiratory infection. Today he is uninterested in food and seems
 much worse. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions that would help,
 or should I just accept that there's nothing that can be done? We were
 considering trying the LCTI drug but we live in Canada so we would have to
 travel into the States to get it. It would be about a 3.5 hour drive there
 and would be hard on Oreo, as he hates the car. Has anyone used LCTI and
 had any success with it? Is there anything else I can do for Oreo now, to
 help him feel better, like steroids? Any suggestions or advice would be
 very much appreciated.

 Thanks,
 Kathleen

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Re: [Felvtalk] Gloria Lane

2015-06-25 Thread Katherine K.

Thanks for letting us know about Gloria, Lance. She sounds like a
very special person to have known.

On Thu, Jun 25, 2015 at 11:25 AM, Lance lini...@fastmail.fm wrote:

 Hi List,

 Just wanted to let everyone know that Gloria Lane passed away last
 Saturday. You may have seen or corresponded with Gloria here. She was a
 frequent contributor to several FeLV+ support groups.

 Gloria was a dedicated foster, volunteer, and all-around compassionate
 woman who worked with Feline Rescue and Rehome (FuRR) and no doubt other
 groups. MC could tell you more about the specifics. I know that they worked
 together both online and off to help cats in need.

 My personal memories are that Gloria responded with kindness and support
 to some of my early (panicky) posts after Ember tested positive in 2006,
 and she kept responding when I’d post concerns.

 We will miss her.

 Rest in peace, Gloria.

 Lance
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Re: [Felvtalk] cat with leukemia to rehome

2015-05-09 Thread Katherine K.

Hi Maria,
Does he have leukemia, or the feline leukemia virus? They are different
things.
It will help our group to know where you or your sister live.
Katherine
On May 9, 2015 6:32 PM, dlg...@windstream.net wrote:

 I am sure that others on the list will tell you the same as I have.
 Leukemia is not as bad as many vets would have you believe.  Yes, it is
 serious but can be dealt with.  When Annie was diagnosed, my vet told me
 that I had 2 choices;  pout her down or keep her and watch carefully for
 signs of the disease along with vaccinating my other cats for FELV.  Annie
 hs never had any problems.  I had one other that showed up at my house with
 a lot of problems.  She had her tail bitten off by a raccoon, was close to
 starving.  With good food, clean water and a house to live in, she lasted
 over 2 years.  She died from a UTI and stones.  Please explain to possible
 adopters that this is not a death sentence.  With good food, care and love,
 this kitten could last many years.

  Maria Hunter maria.hunte...@cox.net wrote:
 
 
  Hello, I am new to this site so I am not sure if my post made it in your
  list. I am helping my sister rehome her cats and recently when I had one
 of
  the cats neutered I was told he has leukemia. Is anyone looking for a
  companion animal? He is one yrs old and looks like a Russian blue. Any
 other
  suggestions would be great.
 
  Thanks you
 


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Re: [Felvtalk] Please help! Anemic felv kitty, what can be done??

2015-02-27 Thread Katherine K.

Hi N.E.,
I lost an 8 month old FeLV+ kitten to anemia. He was at 13% PCV. It was
non-regenerative. I gave him an iron supplement (Lixotinic) twice daily for
about a month. He still had a good appetite and did Ok for a while, but
declined, and we euthanized him about a 4-6 weeks after he first started
showing symptoms of anemia (listlessness, weight loss, pale gums, scraggly
fur). He was

My adult cat was slightly anemic when he first got sick with FeLV. We gave
him a series of 3-4 injections of LTCI T-cyte plus daily assist-feeding,
and he improved after a couple of months. He now gets LTCI once a month as
an immune booster (it's about $50 per shot). But, he has not had FeLV his
whole life.

I'm so sorry about your baby. I know the feeling of hopelessness, but try
to cherish your time together now. Just being there and caring for him is
already so helpful. You can also try feeding him chicken livers blended w/
a little water, to help boost his iron. Thanks for caring for him.

Katherine

On Fri, Feb 27, 2015 at 3:00 PM, N. E. Juskowich nej...@gmail.com wrote:

 Time is of the essence for us and I need to know if there's something else
 that can be done for my sweet little just-turned-one-year-old boy.  He had
 a PCV of 12% and received a blood transfusion, his PCV went up a little,
 then back down, then up to 17% over the course of 24 hours.  He was put on
 7.5 mg. prednisone, 25 mg. mycophenolate, 18.75 mg. plavix (to prevent
 clots from the pred/mycophenolate combo), 25 mg. doxycycline (in case of
 mycoplasma infection), and 5 mg. famotidine to prevent GI issues from the
 pred.

 His anemia is currently non-regenerative with two most likely potential
 causes: he was agglutination positive, a sign of immune mediated red blood
 cell destruction; he may have leukemia in the marrow.  We did not do a bone
 marrow aspirate because cancer would be too advanced at this stage, the
 severe anemia indicating this to be the case.  The doctor said it could
 take a few days of immunosuppressant therapy for the bone marrow to
 respond.

 Two days after the PCV of 17% we had a recheck and it is now down to 14%.
 He is going to receive another transfusion.

 I need to know as quickly as possible: Is there anything else that can be
 done at this stage?  I was looking into treatment with TCyte (LTCI), but my
 vet said it would be a waste of time and money.  I'd read on a forum that a
 severely anemic felv kitty responded very well to the drug and I would've
 been willing to give it a shot.  My vet is of the opinion that I should not
 have bothered with this second transfusion (he had to go to emergency
 hospital for it) and the TCyte is hogwash.  I'm sitting here feeling
 hopeless and wondering if this really is the end and what do I do now if he
 doesn't respond to the transfusion.

 Any advice would be greatly appreciated.  No sugar coating necessary, but
 please be gentle.  If nothing can be done, what can I do for him to keep
 him happy and comfortable?  Will he need euthanized or will he pass
 peacefully?

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[Felvtalk] Wheezing

Hi everyone,

I wanted to get your thoughts on a video of Krammer wheezing. He is 12, has
had FeLV for the past 1.5 years. The wheezing has been a chronic issue for
the past year or so, and I've posted about it before, it's usually caused
by a case of pneumonia (which my vet tells me is rare in cats, but he gets
it a lot). On bad days he has a noisy, gurgly purr, frequent swallowing,
and wheezing spells once or twice a day that last for about 30-60 seconds.
Eventually the gurgles and swallowing will clear up, and he'll only have an
occasional wheezing spell. He had an ultrasound/echocardiogram about 6
months ago, and an xray last month of his lungs which showed the small spot
of pneumonia, and he took an antibiotic, which helped some.

This weekend his right eye got infected, with green discharge. He's had
uveitis (one pupil smaller than the other) before, but not in awhile. I've
been giving him Neomycin/Polymyxin gel since Sunday. He gets an LTCI
injection (an immune booster) once a month, but I think I'll give him
another one today. Does anyone else use LTCI?

 Going to check with my vet too, but wanted to see what the listserv had to
say. Here's the wheezing video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Od-nCkzyb0

He's been sleeping a lot the past 2 days, but still has an appetite.

Thanks,
Katherine
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Re: [Felvtalk] pregnant FeLV cat

Hi Judy, How is Spice doing?

On Thu, Jan 15, 2015 at 8:48 PM, judith cook jmasse...@yahoo.com wrote:

All
Yes, I AM planning to do a spay, if that's what we think is best. I have
heard about cats in heat - really devious little devils, and pains in the
neck. Really want to get this resolved, and hoping that it works out best
for my kitty. Her name is Spice, and she is (no surprise) a tortoiseshell
with white chest, belly, and paws. She really looks a lot like another
tortie I once had - a little jewel also. Thanks so much for your advice
and interest. Will let you know ASAP.
Judy

On Thursday, January 15, 2015 3:57 AM, Margo
toomanykitti...@earthlink.net wrote:

Hi Kat
You're still timely, there will be a meeting with the Vet
Friday, I believe. I just want to be clear on what I stated, so there is no
misunderstanding :). I think Kitty should be spayed, not aborted. Leaving
her intact would be an invitation to a repeat pregnancy, and the stress of
heat cycles. No matter how careful we are, cats get out, and a cat in heat
is VERY resourceful! At least with a spay, it's all over with.
All the best,
Margo

-Original Message-
From: Kat Parker
Sent: Jan 14, 2015 1:25 PM
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] pregnant FeLV cat

PLEASE have the abort the kittens. We have our vets here for the
FCC terminate cats pregnancies up until the time of birth, sometimes. And
if you have watched many kittens die of FeLV, like I have,you wouldnt wish
that on them. Not Only born to die,but a terrible death that is
unnecessary. I realize I am not replying in a timely manner, and I hope
it is not too late, but please, do the right thing by these kittens.Also,
in terms of Momma's Stress, no doubt about it, kitten birth, nursing, the
stress involved,and watching her own kittens die one by one. Please
terminate this pregnancy.

*Love and Katnip, ~Kat~ =^,,^= **I'm Kat
Parker. I park cats.*
* Spay neuter your neighbors... maybe THAT will fix the problem.*
*Keep your kitties INSIDE, 24/7, 'cause an inside cat is a SAFE HAPPY
cat!*

*http://www.facebook.com/kat.theCRITTERprotector
*

On Wed, Jan 14, 2015 at 10:00 AM,
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than Re: Contents of Felvtalk digest...

Today's Topics:

1. Re: Pregnant FeLV cat (judith cook)

Message: 1
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2015 03:31:36 + (UTC)
From: judith cook
To: Margo ,
felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Pregnant FeLV cat
Message-ID:

560642934.154540.1421206296031.javamail.ya...@jws10613.mail.bf1.yahoo.com

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

I don't know how far along. ?Just got this kitty right after Christmas.
?The vet can feel her kittens, though, so I guess it's not just the
beginning. ?The vet is trying to get some information also - she is
concerned about this cat, even though the cat is healthy right now. ?If
you
can tell me anything, or what most vets do, etc. ?it would be great.
?This
is a darling kitty (aren't they all?)Judy?

On Tuesday, January 13, 2015 4:06 AM, Margo
toomanykitti...@earthlink.net wrote:

How far along ?

-Original Message-
From: Judith Massello
Sent: Jan 12, 2015 10:56 PM
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Subject: [Felvtalk] Pregnant FeLV cat

Does anyone know if it is better (less stressful) for a pregnant FeLV
cat
to carry her kittens to term or is it better to have the kittens aborted
and the mother cat spayed?
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End of Felvtalk Digest, Vol 10, Issue 4

Re: [Felvtalk] Wheezing

He hasn't always had the wheezing. He tested negative for FeLV before I
started fostering kittens several years ago. I fostered one kitten who was
light positive and eventually turned negative. They were separated at
first, and only interacted after the kitten turned negative. When Krammer
tested positive, I had been fostering a litter and their mama. Mama had
tested negative, so everyone was interacting. I got the mama and her litter
when they were 2 weeks old. The kittens were about 3.5 months old when
Krammer became ill. I tested him and he came back positive. The kittens
were all positive too, and have since died. Mama cat got retested (neg),
adopted out and is doing fine.
So either they got it from their dad, and passed it on to Krammer, or he
had a latent infection that just showed up while I had them, and he gave it
to them. It's hard to know. We retested most of the kittens I had fostered
before the positive litter (they had been adopted out, so we contacted the
adopters and offered retesting for free) -- None of them came back
positive.

On Tue, Jan 20, 2015 at 10:31 AM, Marsha mar...@lynxe.com wrote:

  What kind of symptoms did he have before he was diagnosed, and any idea
 how long he might have actually had FeLV?  Just wondering if he might have
 had it all those years, or if it was contracted more recently.

 Marsha

 On 1/20/2015 9:17 AM, Katherine K. wrote:

 Monthly for about 1.5 years, since August 2013, basically since he was
 diagnosed.

 On Tue, Jan 20, 2015 at 10:15 AM, Marsha mar...@lynxe.com wrote:

 How long has Krammer been on LTCI?



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Re: [Felvtalk] Wheezing

Lethargy, not eating, sleeping a lot. I had to assist feed him for a month
or so, combined with several LTCI shots, to get him back to his normal
self.

On Tue, Jan 20, 2015 at 11:23 AM, Marsha mar...@lynxe.com wrote:

 What symptoms did he have that led you to have him tested?

 Marsha

 On 1/20/2015 9:39 AM, Katherine K. wrote:

 He hasn't always had the wheezing. He tested negative for FeLV before I
 started fostering kittens several years ago. I fostered one kitten who was
 light positive and eventually turned negative. They were separated at
 first, and only interacted after the kitten turned negative. When Krammer
 tested positive, I had been fostering a litter and their mama. Mama had
 tested negative, so everyone was interacting. I got the mama and her litter
 when they were 2 weeks old. The kittens were about 3.5 months old when
 Krammer became ill. I tested him and he came back positive. The kittens
 were all positive too, and have since died. Mama cat got retested (neg),
 adopted out and is doing fine.
 So either they got it from their dad, and passed it on to Krammer, or he
 had a latent infection that just showed up while I had them, and he gave it
 to them. It's hard to know. We retested most of the kittens I had fostered
 before the positive litter (they had been adopted out, so we contacted the
 adopters and offered retesting for free) -- None of them came back positive.



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Re: [Felvtalk] Wheezing

Monthly for about 1.5 years, since August 2013, basically since he was
diagnosed.

On Tue, Jan 20, 2015 at 10:15 AM, Marsha mar...@lynxe.com wrote:

 How long has Krammer been on LTCI?

 Marsha


 On 1/20/2015 8:32 AM, Katherine K. wrote:

 Hi everyone,

 I wanted to get your thoughts on a video of Krammer wheezing. He is 12,
 has had FeLV for the past 1.5 years. The wheezing has been a chronic issue
 for the past year or so, and I've posted about it before, it's usually
 caused by a case of pneumonia (which my vet tells me is rare in cats, but
 he gets it a lot). On bad days he has a noisy, gurgly purr, frequent
 swallowing, and wheezing spells once or twice a day that last for about
 30-60 seconds. Eventually the gurgles and swallowing will clear up, and
 he'll only have an occasional wheezing spell. He had an
 ultrasound/echocardiogram about 6 months ago, and an xray last month of his
 lungs which showed the small spot of pneumonia, and he took an antibiotic,
 which helped some.

 This weekend his right eye got infected, with green discharge. He's had
 uveitis (one pupil smaller than the other) before, but not in awhile. I've
 been giving him Neomycin/Polymyxin gel since Sunday. He gets an LTCI
 injection (an immune booster) once a month, but I think I'll give him
 another one today. Does anyone else use LTCI?

  Going to check with my vet too, but wanted to see what the listserv had
 to say. Here's the wheezing video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
 v=0Od-nCkzyb0

 He's been sleeping a lot the past 2 days, but still has an appetite.

 Thanks,
 Katherine



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Re: [Felvtalk] Wheezing

OK, my memory isn't so good, but I did some digging and found a video I
took in January 2012 of him wheezing (about 1 and a half years before he
was diagnosed FeLV). So I guess it's been a longer issue. But has never
really interfered with quality of life.

On Tue, Jan 20, 2015 at 11:33 AM, Katherine K. kaths...@gmail.com wrote:

 Lethargy, not eating, sleeping a lot. I had to assist feed him for a month
 or so, combined with several LTCI shots, to get him back to his normal
 self.

 On Tue, Jan 20, 2015 at 11:23 AM, Marsha mar...@lynxe.com wrote:

 What symptoms did he have that led you to have him tested?

 Marsha

 On 1/20/2015 9:39 AM, Katherine K. wrote:

 He hasn't always had the wheezing. He tested negative for FeLV before I
 started fostering kittens several years ago. I fostered one kitten who was
 light positive and eventually turned negative. They were separated at
 first, and only interacted after the kitten turned negative. When Krammer
 tested positive, I had been fostering a litter and their mama. Mama had
 tested negative, so everyone was interacting. I got the mama and her litter
 when they were 2 weeks old. The kittens were about 3.5 months old when
 Krammer became ill. I tested him and he came back positive. The kittens
 were all positive too, and have since died. Mama cat got retested (neg),
 adopted out and is doing fine.
 So either they got it from their dad, and passed it on to Krammer, or he
 had a latent infection that just showed up while I had them, and he gave it
 to them. It's hard to know. We retested most of the kittens I had fostered
 before the positive litter (they had been adopted out, so we contacted the
 adopters and offered retesting for free) -- None of them came back positive.



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Re: [Felvtalk] pregnant positive cat

2015-01-16 Thread Katherine K.

That's a tough issue and I can see both sides. The kittens would take a lot
of her nutrients during nursing, but I don't know how much that would
compromise her immune system. The idea of eliminating a pregnancy during
spay appeals to no one, but raising a litter of positive kittens has it's
own share of heartbreaks. I'm sure you and your vet will make the right
call for sweet Spice. She's lucky to have you caring for her.

On Fri, Jan 16, 2015 at 12:02 PM, Marsha mar...@lynxe.com wrote:

 I am getting more confused.  A standard spay of a female cat involves
 removal of both ovaries and both uterine horns.  The uterus is not left
 behind, so there would be no D  C as is done with humans after a
 miscarriage.  The ovaries, uterus, AND kittens inside it would come out
 during a spay, thus terminating (or aborting) the pregnancy by default.
 Spaying is not just tying tubes.  If she was confirmed positive by IFA
 test, I personally would schedule this asap, but would ask the vet about
 what happens at whatever stage of pregnancy she's at, and how would they
 ensure the kittens would pass peacefully.  It's awful to think about, but
 bringing a litter (how many? 3, 4, 5 or more?) of FeLV+ kittens into the
 world isn't so great to think about either.  How would you place them,
 would you keep them all? It would be very hard emotionally and financially,
 I think.

 Marsha
 (best wishes, whatever you decide)

 On 1/15/2015 8:26 PM, Korruptakitty wrote:

 Well, yes, of course spayed.  I was just saying terminated because
 after a certain point, sometimes a kitty dnc of sorts, is necessary.  I
 didn't mean to imply I thought she should be left intact, by any means.

 Sealed with a purr..  =^.,^=

 ~Kat~



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Re: [Felvtalk] Stinky Lancelot is gone

2015-01-01 Thread Katherine K.

Kat, I'm so sorry for the loss of your sweet friend Lancelot. I hope you
find comfort in remembering the good times you shared.
On Dec 29, 2014 1:45 AM, Marsha mar...@lynxe.com wrote:

  Kat, my heart goes out to you and your family in your loss of little
 Lancelot.

 Marsha

 On 12/28/2014 4:16 PM, Kat Parker wrote:

  *Once upon a time, almost 4 years ago, I was fostering for a group,
 which incidentally had major problems later, called Guardian Angels.  I was
 also indie fostering myself, for cats from Downey high kill shelter in LA.
 I had recently pulled a mama with 3 babies that had raging URI, newborn
 kittens with pneumonia, and sadly lost two, though through the magic of the
 nebulizer, one kitten, Kiwi, and Mama Goldie were saved.  Mama was
 despondent for her babies gone, and Guardian Angels brought me two babies,
 different litters.  One, Angelina Jolie, was one day old.  The other, who
 we named Mimi, was one week old.  The woman who brought them to me said I
 should put them with Goldie to see if she would accept them  I did.  Now, I
 am a very experienced bottle feeder, and I could have bottle fed them both,
 and I did supplementally bottle feed them, but Goldie was so happy, and
 cared for the babies all so well, and it was quite a sight those three all
 nursing.  I will NEVER AGAIN place untested babies on an unrelated nursing
 mom, again.  Never. As you can guess, one of the babies was FeLV+,
 unbeknownst to us.  About a month later, I took a cat who was about 8 weeks
 old from Downey, who came with the name, Precious (we called her Isis, or
 just the buzzsaw),and that same week, GA brought me the saddest bunch of
 siblings I had ever seem, pulled by our San Diego firefighters out of a
 well, during a rainstorm.  From what I understand, somebody, apparently,
 had been walking in the rain, and heard some little frantic mews from
 somewhere nearby.  Investigating, they found a covered well, with water
 rising to the top,and kittens inside.  The fire dept responded and freed
 the kittens, turning them over to GA, and then to me.  These babies had
 muck everywhere, and fleas on parts of their bodies you couldn't even see,
 just overrun.  I have pictures its amazing.  But, these were some of the
 friendliest  most endearing kittens I've ever had here, and it wasn't long
 before the two black sisters were adopted out, through GA. Then, the little
 Mimi kitten got really sick and tested positive for FeLV, finally
 euthanized at 8 weeks old.  I tested all of the cats, then, and none who
 came into contact with her were positive.  I didn't know much about the
 disease then.  Boy, I do now.  Well the orange boy, Stinky Lancelot, and
 Angelina Jolie as well as Isis were going to Rescue House, a terrific local
 rescue org here, and they have wonderful protocol there, and tested all
 three kittens.  Sadly, this time, two were positive, Isis neg.  Isis was
 kept iso'd at their vet for an entire month to retest and be sure.  Stinky
 and Angelina came home, and didn't get into RH, although they did pay for
 retest in them, at 60 days, just to be sure they didn't turn negative, as
 so many do.  Isis stayed negative, as did Mama Goldie, and Angelina Jolie,
 my little miracle baby, who later got FIP and died in my arms at a vet, at
 8 months old and Stinky Lancelot stayed positive.  Stinky went to live with
 my mom, who had no other animals then, after her 21 yr old rescued Peekaboo
 kitty passed, and was a perfect fit.  What a ham, what a life!  My son also
 lived there during this time, and the two became best friends.  Two weeks
 ago, Stinky went to my vet as he was not feeling well, and had like little
 pools of blood inside the bottom of both his  eyes.  Bloodwork was done,
 and it was found that he had raging leukemia cancer, severe anemia, with
 his white cell count, especially leukocytes, right through the roof.  As
 this progressed, quickly, I wanted to take him in to gently help him pass,
 but my son was having such a hard time letting go, I wasn't able to.
 Finally, about 1 am dec 26th, David was pounding on my front door, ringing
 the bell like crazy, and woke me.  He said, Stinky is doing bad, he's in
 lots of pain and gramma can't find the pain meds, help him!  So I drove
 there and got him through the night, and next morning we got in to see my
 vet early for euthanization.  But when they tried to put a catheter in, dr
 could find no veins at all.  We had waited too long.  Stinky was completely
 blind with thick cataracts, and one eye was totally filled with blood, om
 the inside.  He was in bad shape, and I was glad we finally were going to
 release him from the suffering. But because my Doctor could not find a
 vein,  they could only sedate him while we were there,and had to wait till
 we left in order to finish the euthanization, which I have a strong
 suspicion was by heartstick, as there really was no other way due to him
 being so emaciated and so far gone.  My son wanted to hold him,

Re: [Felvtalk] How long does URI last in FeLV+ cats?

2014-12-23 Thread Katherine K.

Thinking of you and Harley today, Marsha.
On Dec 23, 2014 10:42 AM, Lance lini...@fastmail.fm wrote:

 How is Harley doing today?

  On Dec 20, 2014, at 3:37 PM, Marsha mar...@lynxe.com wrote:
 
  Harley is back in the hospital, where he has been for almost all of this
 week.  Too much nasal discharge to get an NG tube back in at this time.  I
 wish I hadn't taken him home last night.  How do I know when he's getting
 over the hump?  I don't want to keep pushing him and letting him get
 sicker and sicker, but he does still have some fight in him.  Been on this
 roller coaster ride before.  I didn't care for real roller coasters when I
 was a kid, and this is way worse.
 
  Marsha
 
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Re: [Felvtalk] Harley is in the hospital

2014-12-16 Thread Katherine K.

Go Harley!

On Tue, Dec 16, 2014 at 4:22 PM, Marsha mar...@lynxe.com wrote:

 Just came back from visiting with Harley.  Definitely seems to be some
 kind of upper respiratory virus.  The swelling in his larynx seems to be
 better, but now he has some nasal discharge.  I reached for a kleenex, and
 the tech said, never mind, he just ate it.   He is interested in food
 now, but it's hard for him to eat with the e-collar on, and maybe there is
 some sinus pressure too when he leans forward.  His energy level is good,
 as is his interest in getting into anything he can get his paws on (he was
 allowed out of his cage while I was with him in the isolation room).  I had
 to keep a close eye on him so he didn't scatter medical supplies all over
 the room.  He's staying one more night, and I'll take him home tomorrow if
 all looks good.  Next week I bring him back to get another echocardiogram
 to check his heart.  The followup costs less than half what the first one
 costs, thankfully.

 Marsha

 On 12/16/2014 12:54 PM, dlg...@windstream.net wrote:

 ANNIE (8 YRS AND FELV) ALSO SNEEZES SOME WHEN WE HAVE THAT KIND OF
 WEATHER OR WHEN THE FURNACE FIRST COMES ON.  SHE GETS A GOOEY EYE EVER SO
 OFTEN BUT NOT TOO MUCH AND NEVER HAS HAD A NASAL DISCHARGFE.  i THINK HER
 IMMUNE SYSTEM IS JUST WEAK ENOUGH TO LET THINGS GET STARTED BUT THEN SHE
 OVERCOMES THEM.  I JUST KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON HER SO I CAN STOP THINGS BEFORE
 THEY HAVE A CHANCE TO GET HER.



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Re: [Felvtalk] 5 leukemia positive kittens

2014-11-15 Thread Katherine K.

Sorry Amy, I do agree with all of the points you made. I wish things were
easier for you and these little ones. I too have found this list to be very
supportive and helpful many times. I hope you'll keep us updated on their
status.
On Nov 14, 2014 7:10 PM, Amy awilkin...@yahoo.com wrote:

 Hi all,

 I'm sorry that people on this board disagree about the adoption fee and
 I'm disappointed that some people are making judgmental comments.  This
 board has been a great source of support to my family over the years and I
 am not feeling that at all at the moment.  I have adopted 12 positive cats
 of my own and have been on this board since I took my first mom and 3
 kittens over 10 years ago.  I have never owned a non-leuk positive cat
 until this year.  It sounds to me like people think I'm trying to make
 money off these cats or that I'm asking people to do something
 unreasonable.  Do you know what I spent in the past two months trying to
 save one leuk positive?  Over $5000.  That is one of them.  Did I not treat
 her because she is leuk positive?  No I treated her like I would any other
 cat and gave her every opportunity to live, despite her status.  I do the
 same with all my positives even though I know the end result is usually
 them losing the battle with this horrible disease.  I'm not saying that
 whoever adopts these cats should go to those lengths to save them but I
 know the veterinary care that is involved with leuk positives.  If somebody
 is worried about paying a $100 adoption fee because the cat might die, are
 they going to say the same thing about vet care?  I don't want to spend
 the money because it might die.  And what about senior cats/dogs or
 special needs cat/dogs? Rescues charge adoption fees for them as well and
 they can die in a year or two.  Why are leuks any different?  I paid an
 adoption fee at a shelter in CT for 2 of my leuk positives.  I do
 understand there is a controversy about free adoptions vs. fees.  We are
 not a rescue that cares about numbers.  We are a no-kill and we commit to
 an animal for life.  We do the best we can for that animal and are
 committed to finding it the best home possible.  We don't do free adoptions
 or try to move cats as quickly as we can.  It just isn't  how we operate.
 We have a very selective adoption process and we try to make sure all our
 cats are going to loving forever homes.  I am trying to do the same for
 these cats, even though I am well aware of how awful this disease is.

 The woman that contacted us about these kittens has placed lots of
 kittens, no vetting, no applications, no follow up.  That is not helping
 the situation to give kittens away to people that aren't going to take care
 of them or be responsible about this disease.  Asking for an adoption fee
 simply helps show that the adopters are committed and that they understand
 the expense involved in owning an animal.  It in no means makes a dent in
 the money that we spend to help them, nor is it meant to.  We are vetting
 these cats and we are trying to teach this woman about helping in a
 responsible way.  She was going to adopt these cats to anybody and just
 spread the disease or release them outside.  As it is, we are trying to get
 a hold of the stray mom who is probably outside and leuk positive.  I'm
 trying to help educate her and teach her about leukemia and everybody makes
 it sound like I'm doing something wrong.  I have placed numerous cats on
 this board over the years as people constantly call me to help the
 positives.  This woman called me and we are trying to do the right thing.
 Money is not the issue.  It costs us about $500 to vet a kitten
 completely.  There are 5 of them which means about $2500.  I am not trying
 to get that money back.  We already paid to combo test all of them and to
 treat the one for a URI without any commitment to these cats or any thought
 of an adoption fee.  She could have euthanized them all and we would have
 been out that money.  We were just trying to help her out.

 Anyway, I'm probably not going to convince any of you about the adoption
 fee but I would like to say that I never said anything about not placing
 these cats in homes with other FeLV positive cats.  I said I would do an
 IFA first because both Cornell and the SPCA suggest that.  I have
 researched this disease for the past 10 years of my life and talked to vets
 all over the country about it.  I've talked to sanctuaries as well and many
 will not take a leuk positive cat without a positive IFA.  If the cat is
 going to convert and you send it to a home with leukemia when it is IFA
 negative, you could be giving that kitten a death sentence when it could
 have a happy full life leukemia free.  Right now we are giving them 30 days
 to start converting and then we will retest.  But if somebody wanted  one
 and they had cats with leukemia, I just would want to make sure the kitten
 is truly positive.  As I mentioned, we recently had 5 positives at our

Re: [Felvtalk] IFA

2014-11-15 Thread Katherine K.

I don't have anything other than anecdotal experience, but we ran IFAs on
my four who were 14 weeks old and all were positive.
On Nov 15, 2014 12:28 AM, Kelley S moonv...@gmail.com wrote:

 is the IFA test valid and reliable on a 12 week old kitten?  If not do you
 have links?  I'm thinking I've heard it isn't, but can't find anything.

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Re: [Felvtalk] 5 leukemia positive kittens

2014-11-14 Thread Katherine K.

Amy,
I wish you the best of luck in placing these kittens. I had a litter of 4
positive kittens and tried very hard to find good homes for them, with no
luck, so they lived with me until they passed away, most before they were 1
year old. It was a very busy year, but they were a lovely little group and
it was nice seeing them stay together as a family for the time they had.
I have to agree with Kelley that a $115 adoption fee in reality is not
likely to help you get them placed in homes. In my experience, people just
don't want to adopt and get attached to, much less pay a fee for, a kitty
who will probably not live long. I was lucky enough to be working with a
larger rescue organization who covered their shots, spay/neuters and
testing expenses. I just provided the home, food, love and tears :)
I suggest making flyers with the best photos you can get, and make them
sound very friendly and loving. Play the sympathy card for all it's worth!
:)
Good luck,
Katherine

On Fri, Nov 14, 2014 at 11:44 AM, Kelley S moonv...@gmail.com wrote:

 I must not be getting all the posts.  FELV+ kittens are very hard to
 place,and the adoption fee you are charging doesn't make it easier.  I too
 do rescue.   We adopted out a double positive cat to a person on this list.
 We altered her, vaccinated her, tested and retested her.  We charged $25
 and today I doubt we'd charge that. She went to an excellent home, we got
 pictures and updates.  She recently was euthanized due to severe
 cardiomyopathy and lived 7.5 years.  I wish you the best of luck testing
 your 5.  Maybe someone here has room for a new kitty:)

 On Fri, Nov 14, 2014 at 8:53 AM, dlg...@windstream.net wrote:

 I GOT ANNIE AS AN ADULT OF 4 YRS, BUT THE VET THINKS SHE WAS ALWAYS
 POSITIVE.  SHE HAD NEVER BEEN OUTSIDE THE LADY'S HOUSE AND WAS SPOILED
 ROTTEN.  I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH MY OTHER CATS WHO WERE ANYWHERE FROM 1
 YEAR TO 10 YEARS.  MOST DIE OF OLD AGE AT 18 OR SO.  YOU DO HAVE TO BE VERY
 OBSERVANT AND CATCH ANY PROBLEM BEFORE IT CAN GET STARTED.
 I AGREE, YOU HAVE TO TELL PEOPLE, BUT IF THEY REALLY LOVE CATS, THEY WILL
 TAKE THE CHANCE AND LOVE THEM UNTIL THEY ARE GONE.  WHAT YOU GET FROM THEM
 IN THAT SHORT TIME IS WORTH IT.

  Amy awilkin...@yahoo.com wrote:
  Did she get leukemia as a kitten?  I have a 12 year old leuk positive
 but I didn't get him til he was three so not sure if he had it as a kitten
 or an adult.  I also just lost one of my leuk positives that was 12, also
 got her around 4 so not sure when she got leukemia.  Anybody that I had
 with leukemia as a kitten hasn't made it past 2 :(  I know any of them can
 defy the odds and I always tell people that but I will warn people that
 there may be heartbreak ahead.  I think it is only fair.  Never stopped me
 from helping these little ones though.  They are all so special.
 
  We just had an entire litter convert at our rescue (which the vets and
 the specialists have told me is really unusual) so I'm hoping for the best
 for these little cuties.  So happy your Annie is doing well!!!
 
 
  
   From: dlg...@windstream.net dlg...@windstream.net
  To: Amy awilkin...@yahoo.com; felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
  Sent: Friday, November 14, 2014 9:28 AM
  Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] 5 leukemia positive kittens
 
 
  MAY NOT LIVE OVER A YEAR, BUT THEN YOU NEVER KNOW.  MY ANNIE IS NOW 8
 YEARS OLD .
 
 
 
 
   Amy awilkin...@yahoo.com wrote:
   I volunteer for a rescue in Rochester, NY and have also owned
 leukemia positive cats (rescues) for years.  We were recently contacted by
 somebody that adopted out a kitten from a litter of 5 that she found
 outdoors.  She got a call from the adopters that the kitten tested positive
 and that the people needed to bring him back.  She wanted help so we paid
 to have all 5 kittens tested this week.  All five are positive.  The foster
 is willing to hold them for 30 days so we can retest them but she does not
 want to euthanize (nor would we suggest that) and she can't keep them.  She
 has five cats of her own and can't take another 5.  She would like us to
 try to find adoptive homes for them.
  
   We have agreed to find homes for them if she will let us screen the
 homes and do the adoptions through our rescue, Animal Service League.  We
 would love to find homes for them with people that know this disease.  We
 have a black, a blue cream, a gray and white, a calico and a tortie.
 Pictures are available if you email me.  We will determine sex and give
 them names soon.  We will also retest them at 30 days or possibly do an IFA
 to make sure they are positive if somebody wants them sooner and has other
 leuk positives.  We wouldn't want to send them to a home with leukemia if
 there is any chance they are going to fight it off but will all five
 positive, we suspect some or all of them will remain positive.
  
   These kittens will not be free.  We will do all the vetting on them -
 spays/neuters, microchipping, rabies,

Re: [Felvtalk] Viralys maple flavored gel

2014-11-06 Thread Katherine K.

I buy lysine capsules and sprinkle the powder over their dry food or mix it
in with the wet. They aren't too picky and will eat it, it doesn't have
much of a smell. I think there are also flavored powders. Good to know
about the gel and the chewies though, I hadn't heard of them.

On Thu, Nov 6, 2014 at 1:52 AM, Marsha mar...@lynxe.com wrote:

 Tasted the gel, definitely a maple-y flavor, but not sweet like syrup.
 Mild, not bad tasting.


 Marsha

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Re: [Felvtalk] Such a short little life

2014-10-22 Thread Katherine K.

Elisabeth, I am so sorry to hear about Nanita. She sounds like a beautiful
little soul and wonderful, silly friend. Thank you for giving her a happy
life .May you find comfort in the memories you shared together.

On Wed, Oct 22, 2014 at 8:19 AM, Maya D'Alessio mde...@gmail.com wrote:

 I am so sorry to hear that Elisabeth.  I suffered a similarly painful loss
 back in June and I can only say that grieve as much as you need to, and
 don't apologize for it.  The pain lessens with time.   3

 On Wed, Oct 22, 2014 at 3:50 AM, Elisabeth Eastley eeast...@gmail.com
 wrote:

 It is with the greatest sadness that I have to say that out little Nanita
 passed away last night. She was just over a year old and had developed
 lymphoma which grew quite quickly. Most of her life was spent getting up to
 mischief and her nickname was Troublemaker. She was her Daddy's girl and
 lived her life to the fullest. She was a happy and affectionate little
 girl. Her loss leaves a hole that will never be filled.

 Thank you to everyone who replied to my question.

 With kindest regards

 Elisabeth

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 --
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 PhD student
 B1 377B, x32320
 Graduate Studies Endowment Fund Coordinator
 Biology GSA Vice Chair
 GSA Director At-Large
 University of Waterloo

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Re: [Felvtalk] FeLV not eating

2014-10-18 Thread Katherine K.

Hi Elisabeth,
I'm so sorry to hear your baby is not feeling well. In general, I have
syringe-fed both Hills AD and blended chicken livers to sick cats who stop
eating. If you need assistance syringe-feeding, search YouTube for a
tutorial or there is a feline assisted feeding group on Yahoo.

My last FeLV kitten, Peanut, died from enlarged lymphoma glands around his
lungs and stomach, seen via x-ray. For the next week or so he would not eat
much and whatever he ate came right back up a few minutes later. I tried
many foods - the liquidy consistency of blended livers was all he could
keep down but he would not eat enough of it to give him much energy. He
still was friendly and sweet but his energy level went way down. His
breathing became labored and shallow for the last couple of days. We waited
too long, in my opinion, and I am afraid he suffered on his last day. We
got home from work and he was just languishing. A couple of hours later, he
was gasping for breath and retching repeatedly, likely trying to clear the
swollen nodes (tumors) from his air passage and get enough air. We had to
take him to the emergency vet that night to be euthanized.

He had always been very energetic up until the last two weeks. He was 1
year old.

There is an herbal tonic that is supposed to help decrease the tumors,
DLGEGG on this list will have more info if you want it. I did not get a
chance to try it.

Enjoy the time you spend with her. Thank you for giving her a life full of
love 3

Katherine
On Oct 18, 2014 4:09 AM, Elisabeth Eastley eeast...@gmail.com wrote:


 We rescued a kitten on New Year's Eve. She was about 3 months old at the
 time, so she is now just over a year old. She tested FeLV positive and has
 been quite well until 2 months ago. She had terrible diarreah and was very
 lethargic.( In previous months she was so active and playful and naughty
 that her nickname was Troublemaker.
 The vet said that she had lymphoma in her intestines and the glands would
 eventually cut them off. She was given antibiotics and anti inflammatories
 and there was some improvement for a while. Then we had to take her back
 for more medication.

 She has deteriorated significantly in the last 2 weeks. Her hears are
 floppy, she's gradually stopped eating - we've been trying to tempt her
 with everything we can think of. She still purrs and paws, is able to climb
 the stairs and get on the bed, but has stopped playing. Her tummy is very
 plump - but we believe that this is the glands growing bigger.

 Her quality of life at this point is such that we don't believe it is
 time, but we want to get her eating. Is there anything we can offer her
 that has been found to be successful?

 Regards

 Elisabeth

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Re: [Felvtalk] Blind positive cat

2014-09-25 Thread Katherine K.

Just wanted to let everyone know that I got the blind kitty. He's sper
sweet. My other positive cat seems interested in meeting him, so hopefully
that's a good sign.

On Tue, Sep 23, 2014 at 3:34 PM, Jennifer Lewis blonded...@mac.com wrote:

 And be sure to introduce the new kid slowly.
 On Sep 23, 2014, at 12:06 PM, Grace Mifsud wrote:

  Hi
  I have homed a few blind cats.it shoud not be a problem giving this
 blind cat a home you just have to put litter,food water always in the same
 place.they will get so used to the house you will some times think they are
 not blind.
  Grace
 
  Katherine K. kaths...@gmail.com wrote:
 
  Does anyone have experience with a blind FeLV+ cat? There is one near me
 who needs a home, so I am considering him. I think he is about 1-2 years
 old. I believe his blindness comes from a viral infection. I do not have
 stairs in my home, and I have been told he is littertrained. I plan to
 start him out in one room.
 
  I'm also concerned about stressing my 12 yo positive cat. He likes other
 cats, but I don't know how sensitive his immune system will be to a change
 in the household and would hate to cause him to have a health relapse due
 to introducing a new cat. On the other hand, I know how hard it is to
 rehome a positive cat, and since I already have a positive household, I
 feel like I should be open to helping other positives.
 
  Katherine
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[Felvtalk] Blind positive cat

2014-09-23 Thread Katherine K.

Does anyone have experience with a blind FeLV+ cat? There is one near me
who needs a home, so I am considering him. I think he is about 1-2 years
old. I believe his blindness comes from a viral infection. I do not have
stairs in my home, and I have been told he is littertrained. I plan to
start him out in one room.

I'm also concerned about stressing my 12 yo positive cat. He likes other
cats, but I don't know how sensitive his immune system will be to a change
in the household and would hate to cause him to have a health relapse due
to introducing a new cat. On the other hand, I know how hard it is to
rehome a positive cat, and since I already have a positive household, I
feel like I should be open to helping other positives.

Katherine
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Re: [Felvtalk] need some help/advice

2014-09-15 Thread Katherine K.

Matt,
I'm sorry Roughy is having a hard time. I'm thinking of you both this
morning.
Katherine

On Sun, Sep 14, 2014 at 8:59 PM, Maya D'Alessio mde...@gmail.com wrote:

 Just wanted to send my emotional support to you and Roughy.  I will keep
 you in my thoughts.

 I lost my cat soul-mate, Yang to a VERY sudden and shocking onset of FeLV
 (we didn't know she was positive, and she was only 3) only a few months
 ago.  I hope your outcome is much happier.  Just remember that you've given
 Roughy an amazing life, and continue to do so for as long as he is in your
 life.

 Sending all our love!

 On Sun, Sep 14, 2014 at 8:16 PM, Matt Pardo mpa...@velocitystorm.com
 wrote:

  Thanks Marsha! I will check it out!



 *From:* Felvtalk [mailto:felvtalk-boun...@felineleukemia.org] *On Behalf
 Of *Marsha
 *Sent:* Sunday, September 14, 2014 2:39 PM

 *To:* felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
 *Subject:* Re: [Felvtalk] need some help/advice



 There are also veterinarians available on JustAnswer.com.  $20.  I gave
 Milkdud dexamethasone injections, rather than the pills, so that may be
 different.

 Marsha

 On 9/14/2014 1:47 PM, Matt Pardo wrote:

 Thanks so much, Susan! I will get on that page asap. I am sticking with
 the label since I am hoping the system is more correct.



 I appreciate the quick reply!



 *From:* Felvtalk [mailto:felvtalk-boun...@felineleukemia.org
 felvtalk-boun...@felineleukemia.org] *On Behalf Of *Susan Grimes
 *Sent:* Sunday, September 14, 2014 1:40 PM
 *To:* felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
 *Subject:* Re: [Felvtalk] need some help/advice



 Hi Matt and Roughy!!

 I just read your email and sense you need a quick answer to appropriate
 dosage for dex (which is a steroid).  I don't have a for-sure answer for
 you but, I can say thisI am a health care therapist and also a patient
 due to several autoimmune diseases.  This I know in humans, oral steroids
 are given in most cases in multiple doses (2-4) a day as it is a short
 acting medication.



  I would go by the printed dosage which is usually correct.  The best
 avenue to get quick feedback is on Face Book.  There is a page for Owners
 of Feline Leukemia and FIV cats  There are some very active ppl with a lot
 of experience that will answer pretty quickly.  I have had only a couple
 posts here.  I like and post a lot on the face book page almost daily.



 Wishing you and Roughy the best, and good health,

 Susan and Sophia



 On Sunday, September 14, 2014 12:12 PM, Matt Pardo 
 mpa...@velocitystorm.com wrote:



 Hi everyone, I am new to the list. I have been looking through the
 archives for an answer, but haven’t found it yet. Sorry if this has been
 answered before.



 My cat, named Roughy, was a feral cat with FIV and FeLV. I have had him
 for about four years now with only minor infections. However, on Thursday,
 he didn’t eat. On Friday, I took him to the vet. The vet said he was
 extremely anemic…unfortunately, I was too shell shocked to ask for a copy
 of the lab results so I can’t say what that means. He gave him a shot of
 dexamethasone on Friday and gave him fluids. He seemed much better when I
 took him home. He gave me some dex to give him to him. I could have sworn
 he said one time a day, but the label says 2 times per day (every 12
 hours). My concern is that I am giving him too much dex. The dosage per
 pill is 0.5 mg which nets to 1 mg per 24 hours. Is this ok/normal? This is
 the first anemia I have experienced and I am really worried. Poor Roughy
 had a really rough night Friday. Last night was a bit better, but he still
 seems to be struggling. I would really appreciate it if anyone knows if
 that dosage is ok. Of course, I have tried contacting my vet, but I can’t
 get him.



 Thanks!



 Matt




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 PhD student
 B1 377B, x32320
 Graduate Studies Endowment Fund Coordinator
 Biology GSA Vice Chair
 GSA Director At-Large
 University of Waterloo

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Re: [Felvtalk] FELV contagious

2014-08-11 Thread Katherine K.

Hi Maya,

I have 2 cats who have lived together for a long time. I found out one was
positive. The other tested negative, so I had her vaccinated against FeLV.
But, they had already been in very close contact for a long time. If you do
decide to bring in a negative cat, definitely make sure he/she is
vaccinated against FeLV. It is not a fool proof vaccine but it helps.

However, perhaps you could find another FeLV+ friend for Merlot. You could
alert volunteers and staff at your local shelters and rescues to contact
you before euthanizing if one of their strays tests positive for FeLV or if
they hear of any positive cats. Or keep an eye on local rescue websites. We
have one in the U.S. called Craigslist where people are always dumping or
rehoming their pets.

I personally wouldn't want to introduce a healthy cat to my positive cat.
But that's an interesting perspective about saving one from death row, and
certainly something to consider. And I know others on the list have done
it, without many issues. Hopefully you can find a positive friend for
Merlot. I do hate to think of him being lonely! 3

Katherine


On Mon, Aug 11, 2014 at 5:24 PM, Maya D'Alessio mde...@gmail.com wrote:

 So, my one cat Merlot is clearly lonely.  He is used to being second in
 command to our cat Yang who passed away.

 I work with a cat rescue, and the cats there all live communally until
 they are adopted (with a quarantine area for cats on meds/who are really
 sick).  She thinks that there isn't much of a problem with bringing another
 cat in to the house, as long as the other cat is not immune compromised,
 etc.  This contrasts with what my vet says - no other cat contact.

 I'm not sure who to believe here.  Obviously FELV is contagious, and it is
 passed from cat to cat.  The chance of that increases with increased
 contact, but the lady made it seem that for the 20 years she's been running
 the place she has only had a handful of FELV+ cats, none of them died from
 it, and she had a 19 year old cat who had lived with all of them test
 negative for FELV recently.  I can't imagine being responsible for exposing
 another cat to the virus and getting them sick, but I also feel bad for
 Merlot who is lonely.  I was thining maybe I would consider (in six months
 or so), trying to take in a cat who was not going to find another home.
  ie. an older cat, or a cat from a society that they were about to put down.

 What do you guys think / what has your vet said to you about this?

 --
 Maya D'Alessio
 PhD student
 B1 377B, x32320
 Graduate Student Endowment Fund Coordinator
 Biology GSA Vice Chair
 GSA Director At-Large
 University of Waterloo

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Re: [Felvtalk] Smoosh

2014-07-25 Thread Katherine K.

Jennifer, I'm so sorry for your loss of Smoosh. I'm sure she was glad to be
with you. Thanks for caring for her.


On Fri, Jul 25, 2014 at 1:07 AM, Marsha mar...@lynxe.com wrote:

 Jennifer, my heartfelt sympathies on your loss of Smoosh.

 Marsha

 On 7/24/2014 11:01 PM, Jennifer Lewis wrote:

 We said goodnight to my heart, my Smoosh about an hour ago.
 She contracted the virus from her feral mom, and came to us at 8 weeks
 after being trapped. We loved her dearly for 13 wonderful months until she
 left with my heart tonight.



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Re: [Felvtalk] Just tested positive

2014-07-24 Thread Katherine K.

Hi Maya,

I'm so sorry for your loss of Yang. Is Merlot also 3 years old? Last year I
had a litter of 4 kittens who all tested positive at 3 months of age. We
lost the first one at 8 months, and the last one died this May at 1 year
old. They were all very healthy and active until the last week or two of
their lives. My 12 year old cat was also diagnosed with the virus last
July. He was very sick then, but bounced back and is doing well now. He has
some minor health issues but energy, appetite, bathroom and
comfort/happiness levels are all normal. Every day I have with him is a
gift.

Yes, you can be pro-active now. The key to maintaining good health is to
feed high quality food, keep them indoors, in a low-stress environment, and
make a vet appt ASAP if something isn't right. You know him best, don't be
afraid to trust your gut.

For my 12 year old cat, since his initial illness, I have been giving him a
booster shot once a month of LTCI (http://tcyte.com/). It is not
inexpensive, unfortunately. A more economical immune system booster is
alpha interferon, which is given by mouth daily. You can search the mailing
list archives or website for more info on both of these, and talk to your
vet to decide what treatment might be best for you.

Let Merlot's happiness and joy for life guide you. Play with him, love him,
take video and photos of the two of you together having fun. It's tough
knowing they'll be gone too soon, but let that help you cherish the good
times together.

We aren't vets here, but we can offer you experience and support.

Katherine


On Thu, Jul 24, 2014 at 3:12 PM, Maya D'Alessio mde...@gmail.com wrote:

 Hello everyone,

 My cat Merlot, just tested positive for FeLV yesterday afternoon.  We had
 him tested, because my three year old cat Yang (female) started acting ill
 at the end of June, the next morning I took her in to the vets and we
 discovered she was anemic, jaundiced and had a high fever.  They checked
 her blood levels and found she was anemic (about 13, vs 26 in a healthy
 cat).  She stayed at the vet during the day  and her blood levels didn't
 get any worse, and our vet was optimistic.  They transferred her over to
 the emergency clinic which was open all evening and in to the weekend.
  They monitored her overnight and her red blood cells decreased, her fever
 lowered but she went past normal to too cold.  That morning the blood tests
 came back and she was positive for FeLV.  We were shocked.  Even worse was
 that her detailed blood work showed no uptick in blood cell production,
 where she should have increased production, she actually had almost no
 production.  We then got to see her before we had to put her down.  That
 was the hardest day of my life.

 Now, with Merlot testing positive I am terrified of losing him so quickly,
 and I am still grieving for Yang.  I know the statistics are not great for
 long term prognosis, but he is currently healthy (just a tiny bit of
 gingivitis - we are going to start brushing his teeth).  What can I do to
 keep him healthy?  How do I live with him everyday without starting to
 grieve him already?  I know we all are going to die someday, but this just
 feels like it is going to hang over me.  I am still doing reading on the
 disease and newer treatments and such, but do these all start after the cat
 becomes noticeably ill, or are there things I can be doing now to help keep
 him healthy?  Are probiotics helpful in this case?

 For those who have or have had a healthy FeLV cat, how long did they stay
 healthy for?


 --
 Maya D'Alessio


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Re: [Felvtalk] Just tested positive

2014-07-24 Thread Katherine K.

Just wanted to add - for the kittens, I didn't give them any boosters or
treaments, really. Since everything I've read said kittens usually succumb
to the illness before they turn 2, I didn't think it would make much of a
difference. And since I had 4 of them, it wasn't economically feasible for
me. One of them became anemic toward the end, so I did give him an
iron-rich liquid supplement called Lixotinic.


On Thu, Jul 24, 2014 at 4:32 PM, Katherine K. kaths...@gmail.com wrote:

 Hi Maya,

 I'm so sorry for your loss of Yang. Is Merlot also 3 years old? Last year
 I had a litter of 4 kittens who all tested positive at 3 months of age. We
 lost the first one at 8 months, and the last one died this May at 1 year
 old. They were all very healthy and active until the last week or two of
 their lives. My 12 year old cat was also diagnosed with the virus last
 July. He was very sick then, but bounced back and is doing well now. He has
 some minor health issues but energy, appetite, bathroom and
 comfort/happiness levels are all normal. Every day I have with him is a
 gift.

 Yes, you can be pro-active now. The key to maintaining good health is to
 feed high quality food, keep them indoors, in a low-stress environment, and
 make a vet appt ASAP if something isn't right. You know him best, don't be
 afraid to trust your gut.

 For my 12 year old cat, since his initial illness, I have been giving him
 a booster shot once a month of LTCI (http://tcyte.com/). It is not
 inexpensive, unfortunately. A more economical immune system booster is
 alpha interferon, which is given by mouth daily. You can search the mailing
 list archives or website for more info on both of these, and talk to your
 vet to decide what treatment might be best for you.

 Let Merlot's happiness and joy for life guide you. Play with him, love
 him, take video and photos of the two of you together having fun. It's
 tough knowing they'll be gone too soon, but let that help you cherish the
 good times together.

 We aren't vets here, but we can offer you experience and support.

 Katherine


 On Thu, Jul 24, 2014 at 3:12 PM, Maya D'Alessio mde...@gmail.com wrote:

 Hello everyone,

 My cat Merlot, just tested positive for FeLV yesterday afternoon.  We had
 him tested, because my three year old cat Yang (female) started acting ill
 at the end of June, the next morning I took her in to the vets and we
 discovered she was anemic, jaundiced and had a high fever.  They checked
 her blood levels and found she was anemic (about 13, vs 26 in a healthy
 cat).  She stayed at the vet during the day  and her blood levels didn't
 get any worse, and our vet was optimistic.  They transferred her over to
 the emergency clinic which was open all evening and in to the weekend.
  They monitored her overnight and her red blood cells decreased, her fever
 lowered but she went past normal to too cold.  That morning the blood tests
 came back and she was positive for FeLV.  We were shocked.  Even worse was
 that her detailed blood work showed no uptick in blood cell production,
 where she should have increased production, she actually had almost no
 production.  We then got to see her before we had to put her down.  That
 was the hardest day of my life.

 Now, with Merlot testing positive I am terrified of losing him so
 quickly, and I am still grieving for Yang.  I know the statistics are not
 great for long term prognosis, but he is currently healthy (just a tiny bit
 of gingivitis - we are going to start brushing his teeth).  What can I do
 to keep him healthy?  How do I live with him everyday without starting to
 grieve him already?  I know we all are going to die someday, but this just
 feels like it is going to hang over me.  I am still doing reading on the
 disease and newer treatments and such, but do these all start after the cat
 becomes noticeably ill, or are there things I can be doing now to help keep
 him healthy?  Are probiotics helpful in this case?

 For those who have or have had a healthy FeLV cat, how long did they stay
 healthy for?


 --
 Maya D'Alessio


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Re: [Felvtalk] Just tested positive

2014-07-24 Thread Katherine K.

I have been unable to pinpoint who got it from whom in my house, and could
go in circles about it all day if I let myself! Did you get Yang first, and
then Merlot? For how long did they live together?


On Thu, Jul 24, 2014 at 4:52 PM, Maya D'Alessio mde...@gmail.com wrote:

 Thank you for all of the support everyone.

 Katherine - Yang was 3, Merlot is just two years old now.  I don't know
 which cat had it and then gave it to the other.  I feel terrible, I was not
 informed on FeLV and didn't test for it before I introduced another cat in
 to my house, so one of them gave it to the other.

 I will look in to the interfuron and LTCI, thank you!

 I was not informed on cat vitamins before, so I will definitely be looking
 in to those as well.



 On Thu, Jul 24, 2014 at 4:40 PM, Katherine K. kaths...@gmail.com wrote:

 Just wanted to add - for the kittens, I didn't give them any boosters
 or treaments, really. Since everything I've read said kittens usually
 succumb to the illness before they turn 2, I didn't think it would make
 much of a difference. And since I had 4 of them, it wasn't economically
 feasible for me. One of them became anemic toward the end, so I did give
 him an iron-rich liquid supplement called Lixotinic.


 On Thu, Jul 24, 2014 at 4:32 PM, Katherine K. kaths...@gmail.com wrote:

 Hi Maya,

 I'm so sorry for your loss of Yang. Is Merlot also 3 years old? Last
 year I had a litter of 4 kittens who all tested positive at 3 months of
 age. We lost the first one at 8 months, and the last one died this May at 1
 year old. They were all very healthy and active until the last week or two
 of their lives. My 12 year old cat was also diagnosed with the virus last
 July. He was very sick then, but bounced back and is doing well now. He has
 some minor health issues but energy, appetite, bathroom and
 comfort/happiness levels are all normal. Every day I have with him is a
 gift.

 Yes, you can be pro-active now. The key to maintaining good health is to
 feed high quality food, keep them indoors, in a low-stress environment, and
 make a vet appt ASAP if something isn't right. You know him best, don't be
 afraid to trust your gut.

 For my 12 year old cat, since his initial illness, I have been giving
 him a booster shot once a month of LTCI (http://tcyte.com/). It is not
 inexpensive, unfortunately. A more economical immune system booster is
 alpha interferon, which is given by mouth daily. You can search the mailing
 list archives or website for more info on both of these, and talk to your
 vet to decide what treatment might be best for you.

 Let Merlot's happiness and joy for life guide you. Play with him, love
 him, take video and photos of the two of you together having fun. It's
 tough knowing they'll be gone too soon, but let that help you cherish the
 good times together.

 We aren't vets here, but we can offer you experience and support.

 Katherine


 On Thu, Jul 24, 2014 at 3:12 PM, Maya D'Alessio mde...@gmail.com
 wrote:

 Hello everyone,

 My cat Merlot, just tested positive for FeLV yesterday afternoon.  We
 had him tested, because my three year old cat Yang (female) started acting
 ill at the end of June, the next morning I took her in to the vets and we
 discovered she was anemic, jaundiced and had a high fever.  They checked
 her blood levels and found she was anemic (about 13, vs 26 in a healthy
 cat).  She stayed at the vet during the day  and her blood levels didn't
 get any worse, and our vet was optimistic.  They transferred her over to
 the emergency clinic which was open all evening and in to the weekend.
  They monitored her overnight and her red blood cells decreased, her fever
 lowered but she went past normal to too cold.  That morning the blood tests
 came back and she was positive for FeLV.  We were shocked.  Even worse was
 that her detailed blood work showed no uptick in blood cell production,
 where she should have increased production, she actually had almost no
 production.  We then got to see her before we had to put her down.  That
 was the hardest day of my life.

 Now, with Merlot testing positive I am terrified of losing him so
 quickly, and I am still grieving for Yang.  I know the statistics are not
 great for long term prognosis, but he is currently healthy (just a tiny bit
 of gingivitis - we are going to start brushing his teeth).  What can I do
 to keep him healthy?  How do I live with him everyday without starting to
 grieve him already?  I know we all are going to die someday, but this just
 feels like it is going to hang over me.  I am still doing reading on the
 disease and newer treatments and such, but do these all start after the cat
 becomes noticeably ill, or are there things I can be doing now to help keep
 him healthy?  Are probiotics helpful in this case?

 For those who have or have had a healthy FeLV cat, how long did they
 stay healthy for?


 --
 Maya D'Alessio


 ___
 Felvtalk mailing list

Re: [Felvtalk] charlies passing

2014-07-04 Thread Katherine K.

Michael,

I'm sorry for your loss. Charlie sounds like a big fun cat and I'm sure you
will miss him. I love tuxedos having two myself. Thanks for giving him a
chance, and for sharing his story with those of us on the list.

Katherine
On Jul 4, 2014 5:25 PM, michael devitt villagem48...@yahoo.com wrote:

 hi everyone i have been on the list for awhile not sure why but i had to
 tell somebody about my charlie a stray i taken in almost 3yrs now he tested
 felv+ when i had him neutered he turned out to be a big black and white cat
 that loved to terrorize my 2 other males 2 wks ago he wasnt finishing his
 meals which is strange he loved to eat i also noticed him being a little
 more lethargic the humid days really bothered him he had a uri last summer
 that made him sick for about a wk i thought that was happening again then
 he started having breathing problems breathing with his mouth open got
 worse he was losing weight took to vet which was not easy since he is very
 scared of people being semi-feral he really stressed out vet told to take
 him to emergency vet once there they got him in an O2 tank he was not
 responding to treatment they inubated him so they could take x-rays his
 lungs were full of fluid and i made the decision to let him go i still cant
 believe he went that fast just the wk before he was outside chasing june
 bugs and terrorizing my other 2 guys this disease is brutal in that it took
 a robust big 3yr old beloved cat so quick thanks for listening got
 teardrops dripping on keyboard got to go

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Re: [Felvtalk] help for Charlie

2014-06-17 Thread Katherine K.

Hi Emily,

I don't have enough experience to offer you any real insight or advice
about your situation, but I just wanted to let you know that I'm sorry you
and Charlie are going through this right now. I know how it is to be
stressed out and frustrated about tests, vet expenses, and not knowing the
best solution for your little friend. But like you said, it's great that
he's acting like his happy self at the moment. Take video of him doing his
favorite things while he is still happy and healthy, you will enjoy it
later.

If you are new to the list, searching/browsing the mail archives can be
helpful when considering different treatments, symptoms, etc.
http://www.mail-archive.com/felvtalk%40felineleukemia.org/maillist.html

Please keep us posted. Sending good thoughts to Charlie!

Katherine


On Mon, Jun 16, 2014 at 10:43 PM, Emily Cordeaux ecorde...@gmail.com
wrote:

 Hi everyone,

 I'm looking for some help in determining next steps for our cat Charlie.
 We adopted our beloved Charlie three years ago from a shelter. He is now
 about four years old. We found out in December while doing routine tests
 that he has feline leukemia (at the time trying to figure out the cause of
 his IBS- switching his food ended up doing the trick). We were quite
 surprised- at the time the only symptom that matched were his gums were
 relatively inflamed.

 At the end of March / beginning of April Charlie became ill. He lost
 weight and became lethargic. He kept eating but needed me to keep bringing
 his food to him in order for him to eat. He underwent different tests- the
 xrays/blood tests showed that his organs were fine. There was however some
 bacteria in his urine and so we thought it might be an infection. He also
 had a slight fever and his white blood cell count was low. We tried him on
 an injectable antibiotic initially which didn't help, but then switched him
 to Baytril to which he has responded really well.

 Charlie started to become sick again once he finished his first round of
 Baytril, and so we put him back on the antibiotic. He also underwent more
 tests- this time there was no bacteria in his urine but his white blood
 cell count was still low. Since this time he has stayed on Baytril (we
 tried him on a stronger antibiotic but he couldn't stomach it and so we
 stayed put).

 Charlie for the past few weeks has seemed incredibly well. He is vibrant,
 affectionate, and he eats incredibly well (he's even put on a pound).
 However, his white blood cell count is plummeting. He went from a 3.1 on
 April 2nd, to a 2.7 on May 27th, to 1.8 on June 13th.

 At this point it seems as though this isn't the result of an infection,
 but the progression of his leukemia. Our vet has presented us with some
 options moving forward but I'm not sure of what we should do.

 What's challenging is that he is so happy and vibrant right now. We're
 really afraid of doing anything that might compromise that. He is his happy
 little cheeky self and we are making the most of every moment.

 Our vet has suggested a series of tests (more blood, xray, urine, bone
 marrow) and they don't seem like our best option. Some are really
 invasive-like a bone marrow biopsy-and incredibly costly. We've maxed out
 all our credit options paying for Charlie's treatments so far, and there is
 only so much more we can do.

 Our vet has also suggested that we try putting him on steroids to see if
 that boosts his white blood cell count. She mentioned however that if this
 is an aggressive infection (and not the progression of his leukemia) the
 steroid could worsen it. She hinted that this is an option that she would
 at least try. At this point we don't have much to lose, but again we don't
 want to compromise any quality time we do have with Charlie.

 Our other option is to just keep him on the Baytril, and let things run
 their course. We could also wait and put him on the steroid once things
 worsen.

 I'd really appreciate any insights anyone can provide. This has been
 harder than I ever could have imagined. We've fallen so hard for this
 little guy and it's just been one heartbreaking visit to the vet after
 another.

 Thank you in advance.

 Emily


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[Felvtalk] Noisy purr

Hi everyone,

My 12 year old FeLV+ cat has been having a slightly noisy, gurgly purr
(sounds kind of wet) for about a month now. Some days it is more
noticeable, other times it sounds more normal.

He had the same problem last year. X-ray showed a spot of pneumonia. A
round of zeniquin cleared it up.

This time we gave him 2 weeks of zeniquin. X ray showed some congestion
(grayer areas) at the upper portion of his lungs, but vet/radiologist said
it could also simply have been that he exhaled during the film. Xray did
not indicate enlarged lymph nodes or fluid build up. Radiologist not overly
concerned about that area as being abnormal clinically.

He also got an EKG to look at his heart - everything looked normal.

Did a blood test for thyroid levels - also normal.

He was doing some swallowing/licking his lips last night. Vet suggested
post-nasal drip.

He does tend to have some slight spring allergies - dandruff, occasional
itchy spots around eyes/ears. So could just be allergies.

He takes LTCI injections once a month.

Eating, energy level, bathroom habits all normal. Anyone else ever have a
cat that had this problem?

Katherine
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Re: [Felvtalk] Noisy purr

No, we just did the test for hyperthyroidism. His blood panel last year
looked pretty normal. Forgot also to say his blood pressure was normal, and
that he sometimes has wheezing spells. But vet has checked xrays for asthma
in the past and not found anything.

He was diagnosed with FeLV last July, so close to 1 year now.

Good questions about allergies and immune system. I have no idea but he has
always been a little flea allergic, possibly pollen allergic. He's on
monthly Revolution.

I have not noticed any side effects with LTCI.


On Wed, Jun 4, 2014 at 11:20 AM, Marsha mar...@lynxe.com wrote:

 Hi Katherine,

 I don't have any specific experience with this, but would like to hear
 more about how long he has been FeLV+, and does your cat have any side
 effects with the LTCI?

 On allergies, I have one cat that had spring allergies (I think tree
 pollen) that spiraled out of control 2 years ago, and then his immune
 system began to attack his own platelets, and now he is on prednisolone
 probably for life.  Not too likely to happen to a FeLV+ cat, I would think.
  But I wonder - do allergies signal an active immune system, even though
 it's attacking the wrong things?  Can you have a suppressed immune system,
 and still have allergies?  I don't know enough about how that process works.

 I'm guessing you did more blood work than for thyroid, and it was all
 pretty normal?

 Marsha


 On 6/4/2014 9:41 AM, Katherine K. wrote:

 My 12 year old FeLV+ cat has been having a slightly noisy, gurgly purr
 (sounds kind of wet) for about a month now. Some days it is more
 noticeable, other times it sounds more normal.

 He had the same problem last year. X-ray showed a spot of pneumonia. A
 round of zeniquin cleared it up.

 This time we gave him 2 weeks of zeniquin. X ray showed some congestion
 (grayer areas) at the upper portion of his lungs, but vet/radiologist said
 it could also simply have been that he exhaled during the film. Xray did
 not indicate enlarged lymph nodes or fluid build up. Radiologist not overly
 concerned about that area as being abnormal clinically.

 He also got an EKG to look at his heart - everything looked normal.

 Did a blood test for thyroid levels - also normal.

 He was doing some swallowing/licking his lips last night. Vet suggested
 post-nasal drip.

 He does tend to have some slight spring allergies - dandruff, occasional
 itchy spots around eyes/ears. So could just be allergies.

 He takes LTCI injections once a month.

 Eating, energy level, bathroom habits all normal. Anyone else ever have a
 cat that had this problem?



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Re: [Felvtalk] Noisy purr

Actually, when I said EKG I meant ultrasound. Or, are they the same? We did
the xray first, then the ultrasound/EKG to get a closer look.


On Wed, Jun 4, 2014 at 12:20 PM, Lance lini...@fastmail.fm wrote:

 Personal layman’s opinion: If I could, I would do another x-ray in a month
 or if symptoms worsen or change in a worrisome way. If things get better,
 I’d trust the vet and what you know now. If they do worsen, I’d consider
 trying to get an ultrasound, though it’s going to be difficult. Ultrasounds
 don’t like the air that inevitably comes with lungs, but my understanding
 is that a lot of that area can be scanned by an experienced operator.

 Best hopes for your cat.

 Lance

 On Jun 4, 2014, at 10:30 AM, Katherine K. kaths...@gmail.com wrote:

 No, we just did the test for hyperthyroidism. His blood panel last year
 looked pretty normal. Forgot also to say his blood pressure was normal, and
 that he sometimes has wheezing spells. But vet has checked xrays for asthma
 in the past and not found anything.

 He was diagnosed with FeLV last July, so close to 1 year now.

 Good questions about allergies and immune system. I have no idea but he
 has always been a little flea allergic, possibly pollen allergic. He's on
 monthly Revolution.

 I have not noticed any side effects with LTCI.


 On Wed, Jun 4, 2014 at 11:20 AM, Marsha mar...@lynxe.com wrote:

 Hi Katherine,

 I don't have any specific experience with this, but would like to hear
 more about how long he has been FeLV+, and does your cat have any side
 effects with the LTCI?

 On allergies, I have one cat that had spring allergies (I think tree
 pollen) that spiraled out of control 2 years ago, and then his immune
 system began to attack his own platelets, and now he is on prednisolone
 probably for life.  Not too likely to happen to a FeLV+ cat, I would think.
  But I wonder - do allergies signal an active immune system, even though
 it's attacking the wrong things?  Can you have a suppressed immune system,
 and still have allergies?  I don't know enough about how that process works.

 I'm guessing you did more blood work than for thyroid, and it was all
 pretty normal?

 Marsha


 On 6/4/2014 9:41 AM, Katherine K. wrote:

 My 12 year old FeLV+ cat has been having a slightly noisy, gurgly purr
 (sounds kind of wet) for about a month now. Some days it is more
 noticeable, other times it sounds more normal.

 He had the same problem last year. X-ray showed a spot of pneumonia. A
 round of zeniquin cleared it up.

 This time we gave him 2 weeks of zeniquin. X ray showed some
 congestion (grayer areas) at the upper portion of his lungs, but
 vet/radiologist said it could also simply have been that he exhaled during
 the film. Xray did not indicate enlarged lymph nodes or fluid build up.
 Radiologist not overly concerned about that area as being abnormal
 clinically.

 He also got an EKG to look at his heart - everything looked normal.

 Did a blood test for thyroid levels - also normal.

 He was doing some swallowing/licking his lips last night. Vet suggested
 post-nasal drip.

 He does tend to have some slight spring allergies - dandruff, occasional
 itchy spots around eyes/ears. So could just be allergies.

 He takes LTCI injections once a month.

 Eating, energy level, bathroom habits all normal. Anyone else ever have
 a cat that had this problem?



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Re: [Felvtalk] Noisy purr