Hi Leslie, We just started on this thread, we got side tracked from fleas & treatments,soyou haven't missed much.
I am sorry to hear that you lost a kitty to heartworms, and that you have 2 more that have tested pos. So, there no treatment for it, but what is the vet telling you to do from here on out for them? just curious. I myself, just cannot treat w/ a preventative 60+ cats every month for heartworms, especially when I have muliple chronically ill cats. It is just something else that I personally feel like is not a priority for my cats, especially since my vet says it's rare. I treat for fleas for a 90 day period when they have shown their ugly little heads, but after 90 days I stop. I also do not vacinate my cats, it is just one more thing to stress out their fragile immune systems. They are not allowed outside, and their enclosure is fly proof via pet screen and I have not seen any mosquitoes, either. It's just a risk I have to take, and I don't think there is a right answer or wrong answer here. However, I do respect your opinion and I certainly understand why you are concerned about heartworms. Please keep us updated on the 2 kitties that have heartworms, I would like to hear how they are in the future. Susan J. DuBose >^..^< www.PetGirlsPetsitting.com www.Tx.SiameseRescue.org www.shadowcats.net "As Cleopatra lay in state, Faithful Bast at her side did wait, Purring welcomes of soft applause, Ever guarding with sharpened claws." Trajan Tennent ----- Original Message ----- From: Leslie Lawther To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Monday, August 27, 2007 2:09 PM Subject: Re: fleas arhhhhh I have not been keeping up with this thread... but I saw "heartworms" and decided to read more. Everyone: Please don't be naive about heartworms! Take it from someone who has been heartbroken over losing a kitty that was misdiagnosed with Asthma (when it was heartworms - diagnosed by necropsy). She died instantly from a pulmonary embolism caused by heartworms. I've lost her to heartworms... and have two other rescues who have tested positive. Most vets haven't seen it because they assume "heart attack" when it is really heartworms. We are in Florida and the vets here are seeing it more and more of it each year. They are also seeing it with indoor only cats. There is a blood test for antibodies and another test that can be done to test for antigens. I have used Revolution without problem ever since... Our vet won't even carry the new Advantage until there is more information on it... and more practical data on the use of it. Heartworm is out there (especially in warmer climates) and it is deadly... I'll never get over losing Salem... or the guilt of not double checking her diagnosis. Now I watch my two other boys who have been diagnosed with it like a hawk, and know I could lose either of them without a moment's notice. There is no cure for it like there is for dogs.... Sorry if I've jumped in here mid discussion... Leslie =^..^= On 8/27/07, Susan Dubose <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Kelly, I have in the past discussed heartworms w/ Dr. Smith, and he said he has seen one case in 40+ years. I have never seen a case, myself,but I have seen several cats have skin reactions,nerve damage & death even from Revolution. Susan J. DuBose >^..^< www.PetGirlsPetsitting.com www.Tx.SiameseRescue.org www.shadowcats.net "As Cleopatra lay in state, Faithful Bast at her side did wait, Purring welcomes of soft applause, Ever guarding with sharpened claws." Trajan Tennent ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kelley Saveika" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: < felvtalk@felineleukemia.org> Sent: Monday, August 27, 2007 8:45 AM Subject: Re: fleas arhhhhh On 8/27/07, Susan Dubose < [EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Frontline , Advantage is good, but I would not use Revolution, as as good > forfleas, has Ivermec in it, can cause nerve damage in some cats and skin > reactions. See, I use Revolution every month, especially on my heart disease kitty. I am more worried about heartworms than nerve damage or skin reactions. Not that nerve damage is good, but everything is a crapshoot it seems. I'd rather have nerve damage than heartworms. (Not that I want either). Some vets lately have been recommending Advantage Plus, which is supposed to kill everything Revolution does. I have not studied it yet and it is not available at the source from which I get my Revolution. -- -- Leslie =^..^= To leave the world a better place - whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or an improved social condition - that is to have succeeded. That only one life breathed easier because you lived - that is success. ---Ralph Waldo Emerson