Re: [Felvtalk] New to List
Lisa Cannata wrote: Please visit www.imulan.com This is new treatment for FeLV and FIV cats. My cat Carl has been on this med for about 2 weeks. And while it is really too early to tell how much it will help him he is doing better! The study was very positive and hopeful. The cost was $900 which included 3 injections (he has had 2 so far and will be getting 4 in a row) xrays, 2 blood panels, and the doctors charge. I am sure a transfusion is at least this much. Hi Lisa, I assume that since you made a reference to transfusions, your reply was sent in response to my New to List post, so I've gone ahead and changed the subject line (you replied to the digest). I am so happy to hear Carl is doing better. My vet did discuss the Imulan product LTCI with me and I have reviewed the information on the Web site. My vet does not recommend using LTCI (nor does our internal medicine specialist). There are several reason for this. There appears to have only been one small, short-term study. There is no information provided about how many of the cats in this study were FeLV positive. (The study contained both FIV and FeLV positive cats. Also, apparently the company will not release any data from the study (other than the very general results they published in their brochure and other literature) to veterinarians. If my vet were able to review the study data, she would probably be more willing to try the product (unless the data did not support the product claims). My vet quoted me $400 for a blood transfusion and said that the LTCI runs about $100 per injection. I hope you will keep us posted about Carl's progress. I would be especially interested in knowing how much improvement you see in his lab work (CBC in particular). My kitty, Shane, is severely anemic and his neutrophil count is well into the danger zone. He is still active (though napping more), eating pretty well, maintaining his weight, and dashing around the house. In other words, other than subtle changes in his behavior, you would never guess that according to his lab work, he is at death's door. My vet has placed him on prophylactic antibiotics, pulsing them one week on/one week off. Thanks for your help and please let us know how it goes with Carl. Sue T. and Shane ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] New to List
Hello Folks, I was on the list for a while several years ago when my kitty Shane was first diagnosed as FeLV positive and then I dropped off due to time constraints (and because he was doing so well). For the past four years I have been treating him for ocular herpes, and then this past summer he was diagnosed with the additional eye disease, eosinophilic keratitis. He has been under the care of an eye specialist and those conditions are currently completely controlled by medications. He also has issues with his teeth and gums (he had a dental two years ago but things are pretty inflamed again). I have been monitoring his lab work every six months and everything had been looking pretty good for the most part. His neutrophil count was a little low about a year ago and when we checked it again last summer, it had actually rebounded a bit. There was no anemia at that time. However, I took him in for his routine lab work last week and he is now very anemic and his neutrophils have dropped well into the danger zone. My vet feels that he will soon reach a point where he will require a transfusion in order to live. He looks very good--his weight is excellent, he is eating (though he is a little pickier than usual), and he still does mad dashes around the house. I am very torn about the transfusion issue. This guy really stresses out over vet visits and procedures. If we were transfusing in order to buy enough time for some super cure to kick in, I wouldn't hesitate, but under the circumstances, I just don't know. I'm sure many of you have been in the position of having to make such a decision and I guess I'd just like to hear from some folks who have done transfusions (or decided against them). My vet says the effects of the transfusion would most likely last about a month. By the way, he was tested for hemobartonella several years ago (negative). My vet is retesting for it via PCR, but thinks it is highly unlikely and that the anemia is simply a progression of the FeLV. I look forward to hearing your experiences. Sue T. Shane - Manx mix, approximately 5-7 years old, diagnosed as FeLV+ 12-06 ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Thorne Immmugen
Hi Folks, Do any of you currently use Thorne Immugen for your FeLV+ kitties and, if so, have you noticed any improvement as a result? My FeLV+ guy Shane is having a recurrence of ocular herpes and is being treated for a corneal ulcer. He is already on Interferon Alpha (7 days on/7 days off), lysine and DMG. I'm just wondering if Immugen might be a useful addition. Thanks for your help! Sue and Shane Jerome, AZ
Re: Thorne Immugen - Kelly
On Sat, 02 Jun 2007 09:37:03 -0700 Kelly L [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: They use Immuno Regulin at BEST FIRENDS on theru FELV cats and have many old kitties. They use 0.25 cc (1/4 cc) each month I.M.) It is not expensive and I use it alsoit is best given I.V. so I take Max to the vet for his I. V dose once a month Kelly Thanks for the suggestion, Kelly. If the corneal ulcer has not healed when Shane sees the vet for his recheck appointment, I will ask her about ImmunoRegulin. Sue and Shane Jerome, AZ
Re: Thorne Immugen - Wendy
On Sat, 2 Jun 2007 14:28:21 -0700 (PDT) wendy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: No help with the thorne immugen, but I would like to tell you our kitty Smookie's story about her ulcer. Hi Wendy, Thanks for sharing your experience with Smookie's ulcer. I'm glad it healed and all is well. Shane had an outbreak of ocular herpes with a corneal ulcer about a year ago and it took several months of treatment to get everything under control. The ulcer resolved fairly rapidly, but there was still inflammation in his eye from the herpes for quite a long time. I keep Shane on lysine all the time, though I do increase the dosage when he is having a flare up. I do not use any of the gel lysine products because of the additives. He does get Innova Evo and other foods that I believe are high quality (including some home cooked). As far as a stress-free environment goes, I think our home is pretty low stress from a kitty perspective (other than the medications/treatments). Things do reach a point where you have to weigh the benefits of treatment against the stress, especially when you have an uncooperative kitty patient, so I can understand your decision to stop medication with Smookie. Shane is pretty good about everything, but these darn corneal ulcers are painful and he does not appreciate getting drops and ointment put in his eye a whole heck of a lot. :-( I do try to give him special treats after each treatment session. Thanks again for your help. Sue and Shane Jerome, AZ
Re: WAS: OT- Cheap source of Zithromax? - fleas; NOW: Heartworm
On Sun, 13 May 2007 15:02:19 -0500 Kelley Saveika [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I use Revolution for heartworms. How do yall prevent heartworms w/out Revolution? Are there other ways? Hi Kelley, I also use Revolution for my kitty, Shane. However, there are other preventatives available. Merial makes Heartgard (ivermectin) for cats and Novartis makes Interceptor (milbemycin oxime), so those would be other options. My vet prefers Revolution, I guess because it also deals with fleas, etc., plus it doesn't involve trying to get a pill into the cat (always a plus!). LOL After going through a three-month treatment process for my heartworm positive dog (found out he had it after I adopted him from the shelter) and learning how deadly it can be in cats, I decided that in this case, prevention is the way to go (I feel the benefits outweigh the risks of using these chemicals). Heartgard: http://us.merial.com/pet_owners/cats/products.asp Interceptor: http://www.interceptor.novartis.us/cat/en/about.shtml American Heartworm Society's information about heartworm in cats: http://www.knowheartworms.org/ and http://www.heartwormsociety.org/FelineHeartwormInfo.htm Sue and Shane (FeLV+)
Re: Nutro Max tainted...
On Wed, 11 Apr 2007 07:27:15 -0700 (PDT) cindy reasoner [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I went Saturday and bought some cans of Wellness and Evangers for my cats. Of course they wouldn't eat the stuff. I want to feed them better foods but they won't eat it. Any ideas? Cindy, My cat, Shane, doesn't like Wellness canned (any flavor), Innova Evo canned or Merrick canned. A couple of brands I've found that he likes (at the moment, anyway) are Felidae (I'm not crazy about feeding that because it contains grain) and Artemis. Of course, since cats have such variable tastes in foods, who knows if your crew will like these! These kitties keep us hopping, don't they? LOL Sue and Shane Jerome, AZ
Re: OT - ARGH to Pet Health Pharmacy
On Tue, 10 Apr 2007 08:08:48 -0500 Kelley Saveika [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I always have problems with my prescriptions there and they just called and said Shimmers' and Toodles' meds would be $125 *each* this time. They were $10 each LAST MONTH. I am thinking they have to have the wrong prescription. I'll learn how to compound Elavil myself before I pay $125 for a month's supply! Hi Kelley, This definitely sounds like an error. Amitriptyline HCl (generic form of Elavil) is very inexpensive. I assume you have to have it compounded because your kitties receive very small dosages. I've dealt with Pet Health Pharmacy a number of times over the years and they have always been extremely helpful and have saved me a LOT of money. I'll bet they had someone else's prescription confused with yours. Good luck and let us know how it turns out. Sue and Shane (FeLV+) Jerome, AZ
Re: Questions on Interferon
Hello, I currently get Interferon for my FeLV+ kitty, Shane, from Pet Health Pharmacy in Youngtown, Arizona http://www.pethealthpharmacy.com/. The dilution is 30 IU/ml. I give 1 ml. orally once daily for seven days, every other week (seven days on/seven days off). The instructions on the label are as follows: If using immediately (liquid), store in refrigerator. Expires in one month. If storing, keep in freezer. Expires in six months. According to this, even when frozen it has a limited shelf life (six months). Since, on the seven days on/seven days off schedule, I would never use up the entire prescription within one month, here is what works for me. When I receive the prescription (30 mls.), I split it into four small plastic bottles and put 7 mls. in each and freeze them (that leaves me with two doses in the original bottle). The day before each weekly dosing schedule begins, I thaw one of the 7 ml. bottles in the refrigerator. Each day I use a syringe to draw up 1 ml. for that day's dose. My vet furnished the small plastic bottles for free. Prior to getting the Interferon from Pet Health Pharmacy, I used a local (much more expensive!) pharmacy that dispensed it in individual dose syringes. Their instructions were to keep it frozen until ready to use, then thaw out a week's worth (seven syringes) at a time in the refrigerator. Each pharmacy seems to have a slightly different way of dealing with Interferon. I don't know why Island Pharmacy says not to freeze it once it's diluted as that contradicts what the two pharmacies I've dealt with have said to do. I hope this helps. Sue and Shane Jerome, AZ On Sun, 18 Mar 2007 16:57:04 -0600 C J [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Subject: Re: Questions on Interferon Hmm I was planning on buying lots of syringes to freeze, but now i'm not sure what to do. I'll maybe have to call my vet about it, but I don't think she's very familiar with Interferon, so i'm not sure she would know. If it isn't supposed to be frozen, and lasts 90 days, i'll have to get smaller quantities than 500ML, which would take me a year to use.
Switching from interferon alpha to omega
Hi Folks, Do any of you know if it is possible to switch from interferon alpha to Virbagen interferon omega if/when a cat becomes resistant to the interferon alpha? My thinking on this is to start my FeLV+ kitty Shane on the alpha now since it is readily available and affordable and if at some point it stops working for him, to look into importing the omega. (Everything on his CBC is presently within normal range.) Would that work, or when they become resistant to the alpha does that cross over to the omega? Anybody know? The other hope is that by the time that happens, maybe the Omega will be licensed for use in the USA. Also, how can you tell that a cat has developed a resistance to the interferon alpha, just by clinical signs or is there a specific test? Thanks in advance for your help! Sue and Shane Jerome, AZ
Re: New member introduction/questions-Michelle
On Thu, 7 Dec 2006 18:07:17 EST [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I would immediately put him on 500 mg/day of lysine for herpes. For the gingivitis you might want to try a 5 day course of clindamycin, an antibiotic that is especially good for gums. Michelle Hi Michelle, Thanks for your reply and suggestions. The variety of responses I received, both pro and con, on the dentistry emphasizes the fact that there is no correct answer. G Shane has been on Lysine, 250 mg. twice daily, since the ocular herpes was diagnosed and will remain on that for life. He was on antiviral eye drops (eventually a prednisone eye drop was also added for the inflammation) for about three months (he is off all the drops at present). The eye looks okay at the moment, though it sometimes still looks a little squinty. The vet had planned to do another thorough eye exam when he was under for the dental. Right now, I am leaning toward proceeding with the dental after pre-treating with antibiotics but I haven't decided yet. Thanks again for your reply. Sue and Shane Jerome, AZ
Re: New member introduction/questions-Phaewryn
On Thu, 7 Dec 2006 15:10:56 -0500 Jennifer Phaewryn O'Gwynn [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I once had a vet that scaled cat's teeth without any sedatives or anesthesiaPersonally, I wouldn't risk putting a FELV+ cat under anesthesia for a dental, the trade off is not worth the risks, IMO. Phaewryn Hi Phaewryn, Thanks for your reply and suggestions. I don't think a hand scaling without anesthesia would be very beneficial in this situation (even if I could find someone who would do it) as it doesn't clean under the gum line. My understanding is that hand scaling is primarily a cosmetic procedure that removes visible calculus. I also don't think that Shane would tolerate it. :-O I'm still debating risks vs. benefits of doing a conventional dental. Thanks again for your help. Sue and Shane Jerome, AZ
Re: New member introduction/questions-Sally
On Wed, 13 Dec 2006 19:27:04 -0500 Sally [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Junior's gingivitis cleared up with the immunoregulin treatments. I would say within two weeks. Sally Hi Sally, That sounds very encouraging! So, in Junior's case, the gingivitis cleared up strictly using the Immunoregulin and no dentistry was needed? I have a call in to my vet to find out if she's used Immunoregulin (or would be willing to try it). Thanks for your help! Sue and Shane Jerome, AZ
Re: New member introduction/questions-Elizabeth
On Fri, 08 Dec 2006 00:39:48 -0500 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Subject: Re: New member introduction/questions This is a tricky one. Dental health is very important. You would hate for your baby to overcome the rigors of fighting FeVL only to succumb to a debilitating and preventable illness caused by dental neglect. Hi Elizabeth, Thanks for your detailed reply. A big issue is that the gingivitis is progressing quite rapidly and I'm certain it will tax Shane's already compromised immune system if we don't try to get it under control. Three to four years is about right to get your first dental. People may disagree with me but I think that every other year there-after would be a good schedule for dentals for most cats. The issue is that he isn't most cats--he's an FeLV positive cat and his gum disease has progressed dramatically in just a few months' time. If he were a normal cat, I would most certainly do any and all routine dental care without hesitation. there is a lot you can do yourself in regard to dental hygiene but i really don't think it compares to an ultrasonic scaling beneath the gum-line and all that they can do now for tartar build-up. I agree 100%--once the teeth are clean, home dental hygiene may help keep them that way, but initially, a thorough cleaning is the only thing that is effective for getting under the gum line. With recent weight loss, however - my gut instinct says: wait. Even a pound of weight loss is a very large percentage of body weight for a cat. I'll probably take him to the vet's office in about a week to see if his weight has stabilized and go from there. If it were my FeVL+ kitty...and I knew she was very stable and wasn't experiencing any current problems related to the disease -- I would take her for a dental in a heartbeat. elizabeth Thanks for weighing in on this subject! I'd still like to hear opinions from folks on the topic of when it's appropriate (is it too soon to think about it when lab work is still normal?) to consider using Immunoregulin and/or interferon alpha. Sue and Shane Jerome, AZ
Re: New member introduction/questions-Belinda
On Fri, 08 Dec 2006 06:14:07 -0800 Belinda [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: He did fine with the surgery which lasted about 45 minutes, they used sevoflurane and fluids before, during and after. Belinda Hi Belinda, Thanks for sharing Bailey's dentistry success story. :-) Shane seems to be eating okay, so I don't know that the weight loss has to do with the state of his mouth, but it certainly could be related. My vet did tell me she would keep Shane on IV fluids before, during and after the procedure as well. I don't think they use sevoflurane, but they use isoflurane, which is also very safe. I'll probably take Shane in to be weighed in about a week and then make a decision about how to proceed. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks again! Sue and Shane Jerome, AZ
Re: New member introduction/questions-Nina
Fri, 08 Dec 2006 09:44:00 -0800, Nina [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: How is Shane with vet visits? Would he do okay with dental work while he's awake? How long ago was your last vet visit? Did he drop the weight quickly, or over a length of time? Depending on how bad his gums are, you might want to try and address his gingivitis and herpes infection first. Maybe try the antibiotics and lysine and see how he responds. Hi Nina, Shane does quite well at the vet's office. He usually purrs the whole time he is there and is very cooperative about everything. However, I'm sure he finds it stressful (don't most animals?) between being put in his carrier, riding in the car and then all the weird sounds and smells at the clinic. He certainly does better than many cats I've seen there. It had been about six weeks since his last vet appointment so the weight loss took place over that period of time. He's a little on the pudgy side, so he can actually stand to lose a little weight. However, since I hadn't been making a concerted effort to get any weight off of him, the weight loss does concern me. I plan to take him back in about a week to see if he is continuing to drop weight. He has been on L-lysine, 250 mg. twice daily for months (since his eye infection was diagnosed). The vet didn't start him on an antibiotic yet but will probably put him on a course of antibiotics whether we decide to do the dental or not. Thanks for your help! Sue and Shane Jerome, AZ
New member introduction/questions
Hi Folks, I just joined this list after finding out that my cat, Shane, is FeLV positive. Shane is approximately 3-4 years old. I adopted him about 2 1/2 years ago from our local shelter. I did not have him tested at the time I adopted him, so there is no way to know how long he has been infected (he does spend some time outdoors, though there are few other cats that venture onto our property). In July, he started having a problem with his left eye, which my vet diagnosed as an ocular herpes infection. It took about three months to clear things up and it now appears that it may be coming back. During this time, we also noticed that Shane was developing pretty severe gingivitis that has progressed pretty rapidly. I took him in for a pre-dental blood test on Monday and that is when his FeLV positive status became known. The rest of his blood work was fine--most everything was within normal range. I now have to make a decision about whether to stress him with a dental procedure or just do nothing. On the one hand, the worsening gum disease will have a negative impact on his health but, on the other hand, my vet is concerned that the anesthetic and procedure could potentially create a health crisis as well. I also wonder how long the benefits of the dental would last, considering how fast the gum disease has progressed in just a few months' time. Basically, my vet has left it up to me and says there are arguments for (and against) either option. Shane is in good condition (though he had dropped about 3/4 of a pound since our last visit to the vet), his appetite is excellent and there are no other abnormalities that we have detected so far. Does anyone have any thoughts in regard to the dental? Also, I've been reading through the files regarding interferon alpha, immunoregulin, etc. At what point is it reasonable to consider using those treatments? Do you wait until the CBC starts to show problems (anemia or drop in WBCs, etc.)? I look forward to you input. Sue and Shane Jerome, AZ
