from:"lernermichelle"





Look in a health food store or online for Lysine in capsules. It comes that 
way, and you can open the capsules and use the powder.
Michelle

In a message dated 6/13/2006 1:14:14 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

  Anyone know where I can purchase lysine in powder form?
  I am so tired of grinding up pills.
  Thanks 
  Karen

Re: OT - Flower Essences





Nina,
 What have you concluded about EE versus RR?

Thanks,
Michelle

In a message dated 5/18/2006 8:41:21 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Hi 
  gang,Gosh everyone's been quiet lately! A little while back we 
  were discussing RR and I mentioned that I'd heard of something similar 
  called "Emergency" Essence. They're made by a company called 
  Australian Bush Flower Essences. I just ordered it and another one 
  called "Relationship" from Earth Spirits, 
  http://www.earthspirits-herbals.com/ a distributor for them in, I think 
  it's in MA. If you decide to give the FEs a try, don't order 
  from ABFE! They charge $12.50 a bottle, (ES charges $11), but the 
  kicker was they wanted $55. for shipping! Does anyone just click and 
  pay that?? They also had the FE in cream form and mist spray. 
  I'll let you know if the EE and Relationship works better than RR with 
  helping ferals/newcomers to my household.Nina

Re: Off antibiotics?





I don't really think any of us recommend no antiobiotics; we just caution 
against using them when you don't need to. I would highly, highly recommend a 
few doses of Immuno-Regulin-- it helped my Ginger get over a lingering 
upper respiratory infection in just two doses-- and she had fever and was not 
eating before I gave it to her. Others have had success with this too, with even 
worse URI's.
Michelle

In a message dated 6/13/2006 1:28:51 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

  Hi,
  I wrote about a week ago with a newly diagnosed 7 month kitten named 
  Lucy. I've read several recommendations that I shouldn't put her back on 
  antibiotics but the problem is that within a week of being off the antibiotics 
  she is deathly ill. Today was day 7 of not being on them and following some of 
  the regimins suggested to boost her immune system and she woke up today with a 
  fever of 106, runny eyes, and barely able to walk. The vet gave me antibiotics 
  again because without them I really believe she would be dead very quickly. 
  For those of you who do recommend no antibiotics, how do you get them well 
  when they get sick right away?
  
  Thanks,
  Maggie

Fwd: [NMHP] Silly bugs, kibble is for cats!




Forwarding for those of you who feed ferals... and because I found her 
answer on slugs to be very amusing. It's from the Best Friends No More Homeless 
Pets forum, which I recommend by the way and can be joined via their 
website.

Michelle


---BeginMessage---





Question 
from Louise:
It's almost summer and with summer come bugs! How do I keep them away 
from the cats' food? Do you have any other feeding advice?

Response from Meredith Weiss:
Typical bugs attracted to cat food are ants, flies and slugs. Ants 
can be kept out of the food by building a small moat. Take a plastic tray 
or Tupperware container -- something flat and fairly wide with raised sides -- 
and fill it with a quarter to a half inch of water. Then put the food in a 
separate bowl and place that in the middle of the tray with the water.The 
water will prevent the ants from reaching the food, while the cats can easily 
lean over and eat.

Slugs - well, strange as it sounds the way I solved this problem was to 
feed the slugs separately! Just take a little bit of dry or wet food and 
put it on the ground near the slugs, at least several inches away from the cat 
food bowls -- they'll be happy to not have to climb into the bowls.

Flies become a problem when the food is left out uneaten in warm 
weather.They are more of a problem with canned food than with 
dry. If your colony isn't trained to eat at a scheduled time, don't leave 
out wet food on hot days. Feed in the evening or at night instead. 
Or leave out dry food only.

In the case of asudden rainstorm,it's recommended to have a 
covered feeding station for your colony. If this isn't possible and you 
have to put food out unprotected from the elements, you can try this method to 
keep it dry: Again, take a Tupperware container, or a typical styrofoam 
take-out container from arestaurant, usually about nine inches wide. 
Fill it withdry food. Place the matching lid on the container upside 
down so it is covering the food but not snapped on. Put a few pieces of 
food on top of the turned-over lid. Even in this position, the lid will 
keep the rain out. When the rains stops and the cats come out they'll 
smell the food and flip the lid off to get it.

Both pigeons and raccoons love cat food! Hopefully in your area you 
only have one or the other -- not both! If you have pigeons, feed after 
dark when the pigeons are sleeping. With raccoons, just the opposite; 
usually they rarely venture out during daylight hours. And if you do have 
both in your neighborhood -- good luck!Leave out plenty of 
food. Raccoons and cats can get along and eat togetherif there's 
enough for everybody.

What to feed. Feed the best quality food you can comfortably 
afford. If you have a colony of three you may be able to feed a higher 
quality (more expensive) food than if you have a large colony. You may 
find that if you switch from a low quality to a higher one you'll soon be 
feeding a smaller quantity, so when you average out the cost, it may not be much 
greater after all. And if you do switch, do it gradually, mixing in the 
old with the new.

Generally, canned food is more nutritious than dry, but almost all feral 
cats will have to be given dry food at least some times for a variety of 
reasons. Check the ingredients on the label. If the first one is some kind 
of grain, or byproducts, it's not the best food as it contains mostly that 
ingredient. Remember, cats are carnivores and actually require no 
carbohydrates at all. 
__._,_.___




   






  
  
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---End Message---

Re: Bandy and the ringworm




I thought the program is just for fleas.
Michelle

In a message dated 6/14/2006 6:27:12 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

the program does not workfor ringworm. all 8 here had it over the holidays and after a month of no results we useda spray and shampoo made by malaseb. for the face you use the spray on a cloth and wipe on their face. unfortunatly the spores can live in the house for up to 18 months. (so they can reinfect durring that time) theres some informative websites out there on cleanup in the house ect. i know what your going through ! i bathed 8 twice a week ! the spray alone may help. if you want to try it out i can mail you a bottle. (have a couple left from our bout with ringworm)
karen

Re: Bandy's treatment for fever




Kerry, did you ever try the Immuno-Regulin for the fevers? It got rid of them for Smokey on this list, who seemed to have the same on and off fevers as Bandy. I have a feeling you may have written about this before, but can't remember so thought I would ask.
Michelle

In a message dated 6/14/2006 9:31:03 AM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

I am trying to catch up and saw a post about someone with an FIV and Felv+ with high fever..Bandy has both and we have been dealing with high fever for a year this month...I can just tell now when it is going up..so I give him 1/2 of .75mg. dexamethasone pill..and if that doesn't bring it down within 3 or 4 hours i give the other 1/2...it will usually bring it down...then it will go back up again within a wk or 8 or 9 days...He is also on oral interferon daily since last July...It all seems to be working for him...The fever, they tell me is due to inflammation from his diseases...so I still don't know...He always feels better within a few hours of giving the dex...also an injection will work much faster, but is alot stronger...and we save them for when it is really high or he is having other problems with his leg...or soreness from his past broken leg.
hope this helps,
Kerry and Bandy

Re: Bandy and the ringworm



Actually, I am almost positive that someone said a long time ago that the Immuno-regulin helped her cat kick ringworm. I think ringworm gets more of a hold when cats have suppressed immune symptoms, like with FeLV, and the I-R gives the immune system a quick boost to help fight it. Maybe it would help the fever at the same time.
Michelle

Re: Diagnosed Today




Yes, if the anemia is caused by lymphoma, leukemia the cancer, or an auto-immune response, steroids are one of the best things to use and are actually necessary.
Michelle

In a message dated 6/13/2006 9:00:10 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
  Hi, It depends on what is causing the anemia, Bailey was getting high doses of pred along with epogen to fight his anemia. this is not good as pred is an immune suppressant, not to mention I don't think it is necessarily the best way of handling anemia

Re: Need prayers for my Hannibal -getting blind




We can not know everything. Now you know. If you had brought him to the vet and it was nothing, you would have felt bad about stressing him unnecessarily. We are always walking this fine line with our positives and ferals.
Michelle

In a message dated 6/14/2006 7:41:31 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Thanks, Michelle for your kind words...I just wish I had known more about it so that as soon as I knew that something was wrong with his eyes, I would have taken to the vet right away.. instead.. I just sat at home wondering...stupid of me..

Re: Please pray for Bandy




Kerry, I bought the Immuno-Regulin from Revival online, and it arrived 
quickly and without problem, and I think was about $30 for a vial I have used 
several times and it is still half full.
Michelle

Re: two more questions that I forgot





Yes, on the lysine. As to interferon, most people who give it give it 
prophylactically, before they get sick, to try to keep the immune system up. It 
is up in the air how much, or if, it helps. Personally I think that things 
like lysine and immuno-regulin work better, but I-R is not generally given 
prophylactically (though someone on this list works at a shelter where a 10 year 
old positive cat was dropped off when her person went to a nursing home, and she 
had been healthy since birth with FeLV and was getting I-R regularly as an 
immune builder.
Michelle

In a message dated 6/17/2006 10:24:03 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

  Hi again all,
  
  I also was wondering, with all the 
  talk about lysine lately, if that is just regular lysine, the same as humans 
  would consume, but without the propylene glycol? is that 
  right?

Re: immuno-regulin dosage





Kerry,
 At least to start, I would give I-R IV, at the vet's if you 
can't do it yourself. That is the only way the studies show it working and the 
company that makes it says it will work. They advise against giving it sub-q. 
However, at least 2 cats on this list have gotten it sub-q without problems, and 
they seem to think it works really well, so if he continues to get it after the 
first couple of times I might try it sub-q. But with how badly he is feeling 
right now, I would start IV.

 The Dr. who wrote one of the articles on the website says he 
gives 1 ml IV every 3 or 4 days for 10 days. I have given 1 ml at a 
time. But one of my cats had a reaction at that dosage, having a fever 
spike and chills for an hour (but then got SO much better immediately and 
started eating), so I decided I would start at a lower dosage next time. The 
veterinary medical reference book (don't remember what it is called, maybe the 
Veterinary Pill Book) says to give 1/2 ml to 1 ml. So you might want to 
start with 1/2 ml. Then again, one of my cats did fine with no side 
effects on 1 ml, and the 1 ml dosage really does seem to jump start their immune 
systems, so maybe at this point you should try it, I don't know.
Sorry I can't be more definitive,
Michelle

In a message dated 6/17/2006 5:50:20 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

  I was trying to find some more info on the IR..and found the posts by 
  Cindy about giving it sub-q..I need to know how much IV and sub-q..and how 
  often we should stay with it...I guess we really need a starting point to see 
  if it won't help Bandy..
  I will keep trying to catch up on the past posts, but if you could post 
  it again, it would really help since it is needed quickly...Also, what about 
  him being on steroids? I read that it isn't good or they have to be off 
  them for a week...
  Thanks so much,
  Kerry and Bandy

Re: Please pray for Bandy





Kerry,. if he is still not eating enough, 1) try the liver shake recipe, 
and 2) if he won't eat that either or enough (normal or almost normal amount) 
you should probably syringe feed him some. Once they don't eat, they feel weaker 
and worse, which makes them less likely to eat, a vicious circle. You need to 
get food into him.
Prayers,
Michelle

In a message dated 6/17/2006 5:29:05 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

  Hi guys,
  I posted some of Bandy's troubles under the ringworm topic...He really is 
  sick right now...the worst I have seen since all this started last June..I am 
  hoping he will respond to some of the meds real soon..I don't know what to do 
  for him..
  He won't eat and drinks only a little...He can't get up at all...I stood 
  him up but he is too weak to stand alone, cause of his leg hurting him.. I 
  think he must have another infection somewhere or I really just don't 
  know...but something is for sure not right..other than the leg 
problem...
  Anyway, please pray for him.
  Thank you,
  Kerry and Bandy

Re: Bandy and the ringworm




Kerry, maybe you should have her get it overnighted by Revival so it will 
get there on Tuesday.
Michelle

Re: felv kittten





Have you tried calling Tabby's Place? I think it's on 22 or 202 near 
Bridgewater. When I was there last year they said they were going to build a 
room for FeLV+ cats and kittens. If they don't have space, they may know someone 
who does.
Michelle
Flanders, NJ

In a message dated 6/17/2006 12:15:49 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

  i work at a pet store and i have other kitten that had been dump there. 
  
  i took him in but the gorup i vol is to full and i do not have the money 
  to pay for a lot  the group i vol test him for me. but i have 4 other 
  kitten and 1 adult cat. the other kitten test neg. i live in nj 
  any help any one at can give will be great or if you know any one that live in 
  nj that foster felv cat that if he does test pos that might have opening it 
  would be helpful.
  
  his name is Giggles 
  i do not know how to post under the same page sry if i doing this work 
  please help
  ty

Re: Please pray for Bandy





I don't think that not eating affects PCV much.
Michelle

In a message dated 6/17/2006 6:42:59 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
It sounds like if he would just 
  eat, then his PCV and protein would improve. Even though 22 is lower 
  than he was, at least it's still a decentnumber. I guess I'm just 
  saying, I personally don't think he is anywhere near being ready to cross 
  yet. He just needs help, and that is presenting to be tricky at the 
  moment. I wish I knew something to help you, but I don't, but still, 
  personally,I think keep on trying, don't give up yet. My Spaz was 
  almost gone thrice, but we made it. It seems strange to me that he would 
  have a fever but normal WBC, unless his personal count is usually lower, so 
  this is actually high for him, but still technically within the "normal" 
  range. All I can tell you is that Spaz, when in the hospital for her 
  URI, had a temp that would go up and down for about 8 days, and then finally 
  was able to keep it down. I wish you the best for 
Bandy!

Re: Please pray for Bandy





Most feline anemia is not due to low iron. I myself had low iron anemia for 
a while, and my iron levels were actually low. But I am vegan, and ona 
medicine that hinders iron absorbtion, and a menstruating woman. Fasting for 
a few days does not make people get iron anemic, usually. And vets have 
told me that cats do not tend to get iron anemic. It may be that it affects it 
somewhat, but it should not make a big difference in their PCV.
Michelle

In a message dated 6/17/2006 7:01:01 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

  But if you the animal isn't getting iron 
  and protein, wouldn't that hinder production?
  
  Kris

Re: Please pray for Bandy





These are just things I have been told, not really my opinion as I have no 
medical training myself. I know medical things we are told are often 
wrong, including things told to me. 
Michelle

In a message dated 6/17/2006 7:47:03 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

  I guess we have some conflicting 
  information, etc. But that's what this site is for -toshare 
  ideas and try to help. Apparently, they are having a hard time figuring 
  out what is going on w/ Bandy. As far as fungi and steroids, it depends 
  on the fungus. The treatment that was supposed to work had no effect 
  whatsoever, so it was evidently something unusual. Steroids can irritate 
  some fungal infections, but the fungus showed up there and grew without any 
  steroid, so I don't think it "feeds" the fungus. But that is your 
  opinion, which we are all entitled to have.
  
  Kris

Re: [NMHP] Silly bugs, kibble is for cats!-To Michelle





Yes, I was there years ago, and it was fantastically beautiful, and the 
shelter is unbelievably large and well-run and wonderful.
Michelle

In a message dated 6/15/2006 6:25:27 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Michelle,I love Best Friends! I think what they are doing 
  isfantastic. They are VERY well connected too. I amsad 
  today because I had to cancel our reservations tovisit and volunteer in 
  the cat sanctuary at BestFriends early next month. My husband took a 
  new joband we cannot take off. We will eventually make itthere 
  though! Angel Canyon is supposed to 
bebeautiful!

Re: immuno-regulin dosage

2006-06-18 Thread Lernermichelle




Well, I did 1 ml, and it was for pneumonia with one cat and a bad URI with the other. It only took 1 dose with the first, and two doses with the second (3 days apart) and then they were better, so I never had to think about long-term dosing. I'm not sure. I think I would do every 3 or 4 days for a week or two, and if better taper from there and if not, keep it. If he does not respond after a dose or two at 1/2 ml, I think I would try 1 ml.
Michelle

In a message dated 6/18/2006 3:52:47 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

Michelle,
I think 1/2cc would be a good start tooHow many days apart did you wait? Did you give it every 4 days for a couple of weeks? I read that some place, too...and then you give it weekly for a few weeks then can go to once a month...Please let me know if I have this right...
I am going to order it myself on Sunday and have it shipped overnight so hopefully we will have it on Tues...
Anything else that could help is appreciated..
Kerry and Bandy

Re: Samantha's Prognosis

I am not sure why they gave her 3-4 months. That might be the case, but mediastinal lymphoma sometimes responds very well to chemo, and some cats have gone years in remission from chemo. Cats with FeLV respond as well to chemo, but they do tend to come out of remission faster if they go into it. That said, at least one person on this list had acat live over a year with lymphoma from chemo, I think. Mediastinal lymphoma responds better to chemo than any other kind of lymphoma. If you have not already, I would take her to a veterinary oncologist for the treatment, if you can. They are more knowledgeable about chemo than regular vets.

Also, if you decide not to do chemo, or you do and she comes out of remission and will not go back in (there is a chemo drug called CCNU that they give after a cat comes out of remission, and 50% of the time it puts them back in remission for a while), there is a steroid combination shot that works far better than prednisone at keeping them feeling good and slowing the tumor growth. It's 1/2 ml dexamethasone combined with 1/2 ml depomedrol. I have used it several times, and others on this list have as well.

Finally, I highly recommend that you join the yahoo feline lymphoma group at [EMAIL PROTECTED]. You will get up to speed on chemo and lymphoma very quickly there.

Lastly, I am sorry about the diagnosis. I have lost 3, and possibly 4, of my positives to lymphoma. I only did chemo with one, and wish now that I had tried it with the others.

Michelle

In a message dated 6/19/2006 6:28:25 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Hi, all :( Well, I have good news and bad news. The good news is that Samantha doesn't have FIV or FIP, just FelV. The bad news is that the tumor in her chest is definitely Mediastinal lymphoma, and it's in her lymph nodes, unfortunately. :( I can give her chemo and radiation and prolong her life for 3-4 months, or I can simply leave her be (they gave her Prednisone, short-term chemo, and something to keep her from having an allergic reaction to the chemo, today). She is better, and they drained some more fluid out of her, to test it for lymphoma cells, as my regular vet hadn't done that, yet; she wanted to see what I wanted to do, first. I now have to decide whether to spend almost $1700.00 and get her the radiation and chemo that will prolong her life for 3-4 months or just leave her be, and my inclination is to leave her be, and keep her home until she is suffering too much to do anything except let her go, with regular checkups from my regular vet, of course. I have meds to give her and they took her off the Lasix, as her body is producing more fluid than the Lasix can help her get rid of quickly, and all the other meds she was on except the antiobiotic, and they have me giving her one pill, once a day (don't remember what it is) and Children's Benadryl from the drugstore. Please pray for us, and any advice you care to offer is gratefully accepted. I need all the support and advice you care to give. Thanks for all your support.

Re: raw food



I feed raw to my two positives. I was worried about it too, but my hand was forced when one of my positives, Lucy, got IBD and stopped being able to tolerate even the best canned food. I read about raw and decided to try it, and she is so much better on it. I still gave canned to my other positive, Patches, until recently she started insisting on eating the raw.
Michelle

Re: Samantha's Prognosis




No, I actually agree with that. It does depend on the cat. If Samantha is terrified of car rides and vets, I might not do chemo, because you need weekly appointments. It all depends. If she is relatively ok with it, I would. 
Michelle

In a message dated 6/19/2006 4:58:06 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Idon't know, it sounds a bit crazy, but I think the decision to gothrough with chemo depends solely on the cat and you know Samantha best!

Re: Severe congestion?--Thanks!




Triaminic, the orange version, is a children's cold remedy that really helps clear congestion. A vet told me to give .2 ml (that's point 2, not 2) to Ginger when she was too stuffed up to eat, and it really seemed to make her feel better and help her start eating.
Michelle

In a message dated 6/19/2006 2:20:26 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
I wish I could be of more help with Chatty's impersonation of Darth Vadar. Starman, (my hulking FIV guy), was congested and breathing the same way when he showed up. I wasn't thrilled about doing it, but I took my vet's advice and put him on Baytril. It did clear it up and so far, it hasn't come back, (quick, say a prayer). I don't have any experience with the albuterol, let us know.Hugs,Nina

Re: More info





The depo/dex shots, besides making them more comfortable, actually does 
shrink lymphoma. The vet who taught me the regimen said that she sometimes saw 
cats with lymphoma go 6 months on these shots alone. When my Simon came 
out of remission from chemo and was too sick to get more chemo, these shots 
shrunk the lymphoma enough for him to get better enough to getmore chemo 
again. So it is a (gentle) form of chemo in itself.
Michelle


In a message dated 6/20/2006 5:45:23 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
I want 
  to reiterate asking your local vetabout the depo/dex shots for Samantha to 
  keep hercomfortable as her health fails.

Re: Need more prayers for my little babies..




I wonder if immuno-regulin can be used with kittens?
Michelle

Re: new to FeLV





CoQ10 is supposed to help. Maybe I-R would, I am not sure. 

Michelle

In a message dated 6/19/2006 10:40:39 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
My 1st 
  FeLV+ cat, I have had him 3 years, is healthy and activeexcept that he has 
  a chronic gum problem.. Antibiotics help some buthe hates them and hides 
  from us when he thinks that is what he isgoing to get... Would Immuno 
  Regulin be good for this ??Its easier to take him to the vet than it is to 
  get antibiotics in him...Tad

Re: Chester Not Eating




Have you tried the liver shake?
Michelle

Re: Severe congestion?--Michelle





Yes. It's the simplest of the formulas, with the fewest ingredients, I 
think. It's bright orange. The different formulas are diffferent colors.
Michelle

In a message dated 6/19/2006 9:12:50 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Thanks 
  for that, Michelle! I'm willing to try anything at this point togive 
  him a little relief...he hasn't eaten much today and I don't wanthim to go 
  on much longer w/ a poor appetite! So there's only one orangein the 
  children's variety?

Re: Bandy and metacam

2006-06-21 Thread Lernermichelle





My Ginger is the only one I have heard of getting a temp afterwards. 
Patches didn't, and no one else's cats seem to have. But it is listed as a 
possible side effect. It lasted for about an hour and gave her chills, but then 
her fever went lower than it had been before the shot. Most cats do not 
have any reaction. Also, I gave her a whole ml at a time.

I also used metacam for Ginger when her dental surgery was done, and 
another similar drug for Patches after her dental surgery. No problems, 
though they also seemed to work less than the narcotic shot I gave patches some 
of the days. I think it was called buporphenol or something. Worked 
better.
Michelle

In a message dated 6/21/2006 1:24:57 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

  Bandy's vet wants to give him metacam for the leg problem..I remember we 
  all discussed this last year..I need any more info you all have on the 
  metacam. Also, have any of you used it with immuno-regulin...??
  I received the IR today, but I am not sure when we are going to start 
  it..as we are a little concerned about the temporary rise in temp. following 
  the treatment...OR do some kitties not have a rise in temp following the 
  treatment? 
  He went in for an exam on Tues and got some more fluids...He is eating on 
  his own. That leg is really causing him a problem though...He really 
  can't walk on it..So I think the metacam might help with the pain and 
  inflammation and his fevers, too.. Also, I asked if we could put him on 
  medicine for bone infection since it won't show up on xray all the time..so he 
  is on 2cc twice daily of clindamycin..for 10 days. 
  Any info is appreciated,
  Kerry and Bandy

Re: Chester Sees Internist

2006-06-22 Thread Lernermichelle





Lisa,
 I would not give him flea medication while he is sick, unless 
he is clearly infested. Interferon, while possibly prophylactic, has never, to 
my knowledge, helped a cat get over anemia or anything serious like that. 
Immuno-Regulin maybe, but not interferon. It has done more for mouth problems 
and maybe preventing colds. Blood transfusions can help a lot while you 
are figuring out what is wrong and how, or if, to treat it. My cat Simon got 3 
transfusions while chemo was kicking in, and his blood count then rose to normal 
(he died 2 months later from hemolytic anemia, which is fast and an immune 
reponse to cancer sometimes). Others have had success with transfusions 
too. A transfusion takes about 4 hours, and it is the same amount of 
discomfort as getting IV fluids, i.e. not a big deal. Blood transfusions 
are usually only done if the hematocrit is down in the low teens or lower, 
though. I would definitely get the blood work done to see, whether or not you 
get the other tests done.

michelle


In a message dated 6/22/2006 12:26:31 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Hi 
  guys,Took your advice and found an internist (I live in Cleveland, and 
  surprisingly it took me 3 hours to find the nearest one which was 1/2 hour 
  away). I was not impressed w/this doc at all. (Had all files 
  faxed to him before appt). He looked at his gums and said he's 
  anemic (doc I saw last week after reviewing blood work said that he was 
  not-but hasn't eaten much in last few days so maybe that's why he is 
  paler). Listened to heart and said that he had a murmur. First 
  time I heard this after seeing 3 docs now. Said that he couldn't 
  tell me anything w/o running more tests. When asked a question he 
  would go around in a big circle. Took Chester out of room and said 
  that he wanted to get weight/temp. Doc came back in alone (w/o 
  weight/temp) and said he wanted to do more tests. I asked him about 
  Interferon "it might work it might not, I've had a few patients on 
  it". He talked in all medical terms (I understood him but the 
  average patient might not and he probably does this on purpose). I 
  asked him what he suggeted and what it would cost. Here's what he 
  saidExam $88Films-2 views $121.35Films-additional views 
  $76.40Rads Films $44.52PCV/PP Lab $13.48CBC $51.72SMAC/Profile 
  Lab $93.62Felv $28.69FIP $46Toxoplasmosis $71.78Urinalysis 
  $38.97Ultrasound 2 Cavaties $238.50Ultrasound PR Reg 
  $134.83Hospitalization (outpatient) $25.84Grand Total 
  $1073.70And this is w/o saying he might want to do a blood 
  transfusion!I think this doc is crazy, I wouldn't put him through a blood 
  transfusion.Chester's appetite is still not great. But he was very 
  hungry yesterday morning and ate dry food. Today I got him to eat a 
  very little bit of applesauce. Have tried baby food and he doesn't 
  like it. I will try the chicken broth. He is still drinking 
  water-and that is good. Are your furbabies on flea meds or should I 
  not give him his next dose? I am going to call the last 2 doc and 
  ask her to order Interferon. Prayers going out for 
  everyone.Lisa

Re: Chatty update




I know that someone on the lymphoma group had a cat with nasal lymphoma who 
got it treated (chemo or radiation or both, not sure), and he did really well 
for a few years after that.
Michelle

Re: cats who don't like moist food





My cat Lucy is exactly like this. She would only eat dry, period. 
Then she got IBD and could not eat dry, and luckily she likes raw food, so that 
is what she gets now. I was afraid she would not eat the raw because she would 
not eat wet food, but she was into it immediately. I give her Stelton's ground 
turkey from the health food store (comes frozen in one pound tubes, is free 
range, etc.), mixed with Omah's frozen ground turkey organs (I get it from a dog 
training place that sells it-- they have a website) and Feline Futures pre-mixed 
raw food vitamin supplement (which has the recipe for mixing the meat and organ 
meat too). She loves it.

You can try either raw, or at least the EVO dry food, which is a much 
better quality dry food and does not have any grains.

Michelle

In a message dated 6/23/2006 11:22:36 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

  I was just wondering if anyone has 
  ever had a cat who doesn't like moist food of ANY kind?? I have two that 
  don't like anything! Also, they don't like tuna, which I have heard of 
  before. But I was just wondering whether anybody has experienced this, 
  and if they ever found a moist food that was liked, or also if they tried raw 
  and whether the finicky ones liked that?
  
  Kris

Re: Shakiti Update





I am running out so will let someone else explain how to do it, but it is 
not hard and I have done many many times. basically it involves using A/D, 
or another canned food mixed with water to the consistency of a slurry, or baby 
food, using 3 ml or 6 ml oral syringes (can get from vet), kneeling behind the 
cat, opening the mouth with one hand, putting the syringe in with the other 
(angled toward side of mouth, not straight back, so as not to choke them), and 
slowly squirting in about 1 ml at a time and letting them swallow before next 
squirt. Ideally you want to get about 200- 250 calories/day into them, I 
think.

Michelle

In a message dated 6/23/2006 12:38:28 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

  Could you give me the specifics on syringe feeding? I know I 
  would be worried to death about choking them. Thanks.

Re: testing for dehydration





Feel the gums. If tacky or dry, there is dehydration.
Michelle

In a message dated 6/23/2006 8:51:07 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

  
   Do you know how to test for dehydration? Lift the skin 
  on his scruff and make sure it bounces back quickly, if it just holds the 
  shape of your "pinch" you've got trouble.

Re: Miss Kitty has gone to Rainbow Bridge

2006-06-25 Thread Lernermichelle




Brenda, I read so many of these posts, but reading yours I still could 
barely hold back tears. I can't believe what you have gone through. Bless you 
for giving them all life. I know it is very little consolation, but it is good 
that when she went she went fast, and did not suffer. I hope that I go so 
quickly when I go, that I eat and feel well the morning of my death. I am so, so 
sorry though.
Michelle

Re: How is Samantha today?





Julia, I really think thata dexamethasone/depomedrol shot would make 
her feel much better. It can make them feel good until they are ready to 
go. I have seen it happen with lymphoma multiple times, as has at least one 
other person on this list.
Michelle

In a message dated 6/28/2006 3:13:12 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Hi, 
  Wendy,Well, she's barely eating anything, in fact, she'd rather drink 
  the Lactaid milk I give her than eat. I tried putting food in her 
  mouth, but she doesn't want it. She's having a terrible time 
  breathing, and can hardly stand to be held, as it makes her very 
  uncomfortable. The vet said she thinks the tumor is taking up more 
  space, even with the Prednisone, and that's why she's having so much 
  trouble breathing; they hardly got any fluid out of her, the last time 
  they drained it out. I think she will be gone soon. :( :( 
  :(Julia

Re: Input needed on possible supplements




DMG is supposed to be really helpful. I used it briefly, I think, but I 
have used a lot of things. 
Michelle

Re: Chester is Catching Birds




I'm so sorry.
Michelle

Re: New FIV guy coming to rescue...need supplement advice.





What you already use sounds good to me. I think Best Friends said that they 
give monthly Vitamin B shots to their FIV+ cats, but I am not sure I am 
remembering right. If you call Best Friends and ask for the cat headquarters, 
they will be happy to tell you what they use.
Michelle

In a message dated 6/27/2006 1:14:15 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
they 
  have abandoned him, refusing to pick him up!! We work with this vet 
  frequently and she

Re: Hannibal departed to his new wonderful life... - thank you for all your p...




I am so, so sorry Hideyo. You have been through so much.
Michelle

Re: FIV resources





I placed an FIV+ cat, Charlie from the shelter where I volunteered, through 
one of the online FIV lists. The woman who took him has 12 or 13 FIV+ cats. We 
had to get him from MA to VA, and she picked him up there (she lives in 
TN). So it is possible. It's difficult, though.
Michelle

In a message dated 6/2/2006 2:30:06 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
I have a 
  couple of FIV+ cats of my own and a beautiful little Siamese mix foster who is 
  FIV+ They take longer to place. We have to try harder. We 
  have to work at educating people. But we have to get the message out 
  that FIV cats can live long happy lives and are not furry little lepers. 
  Consider how language reflects mindset and affects actions. Does it 
  really take longer to place an FIV cat than a senior or a special needs 
  cat? Or an all black cat? Some take longer than 
others.

Re: Devastated...Mr. Dobbs My New FIV Rescue Died After Neuter Surgery

2006-06-29 Thread Lernermichelle




oh my god, I am so sorry. Yes, I have heard of it. Hideyo had it happen to 
her. I think it happens in a small number of cases, like with human surgeries. 
It could mean there was an underlying health issue that was undetectable.
Michelle

Re: dehydration

2006-06-30 Thread Lernermichelle





When my cats are sick, I give them sub-q fluids at home. I think that is 
true for most of us on the list. You should have your vet teach you how to do 
it. It really is not hard. The only thing that is hard is if Minnie is a 
total monster about it (most cats aren't after the first or second time) and you 
have no one to help you with it. But I have been able to give fluids on my own 
to most of my cats who have needed it. My one cat Buddy was a total monster 
about it, even when he was quite sick, so I had to have someone hold him for 
me.
Michelle

In a message dated 6/30/2006 2:43:43 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

  hoow do y'all keep your kitlets hydrated when 
  they don't seem to want to drink? i do syringe minnie some at thome, but have 
  been having to take her 2 times a week or every other day for sub-Q fluids :( 
  
  
  her 
  appetite sucks as well but keep trying...
  
  how 
  much water should you try to get into your cat daily? on days off it is easy 
  but during the week it is tricky...
  
  LJ

Re: michelle/dehydration

2006-06-30 Thread Lernermichelle





I would definitely syringe feed her. Not just a little though. You want to 
try to get 100 cc's per day into her. I would do it in meals of 20-30 cc's at a 
time. A/D is what they usually use. You can use baby food short-term.

What exactly is wrong with Minnie? I may have missed some of the 
thread. Is she being treated for anything?

Michelle

In a message dated 6/30/2006 8:02:46 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

  you are a peach for answering
  
  i 
  took minnie in today for a sub-Q...she was so fretting about 
  this.
  
  i 
  know that i most definitely do not want her to fret and stress.. for a 
  million reasons
  
  my 
  doc who is awesome... said she would teach me. she is out on holiday 
  and will not be back for at least another week. i am not sure if Minnie is 
  able to make it that longshe is not eating more than a bite or two 
  ...should i try to force feed her by syringe in her little mouth...little 
  drips ? i took 5 days off over this weejend to try to prepare. 
  i have cried all day since i came home from the vet..
  
  LJ

Worried about Lucy




Lucy, who is positive, has had what we assume to be IBD since last 
October. After an initial dosing of prednisone and tapering to only 1.25 
mg every 3 days, and a change to a raw food diet, she has been doing well for 
the last 6 months or so. However, in the last few weeks she started to get a nib 
of white mucous on the end of her otherwise normal bowels, and losing weight. At 
this point she has degenerated to having very loose stool, pretty much diarrhea 
(her problem is in the colon or lower intestines, so the diarrhea is never 
really watery or anything), not wanting to eat much of her raw food, and she is 
down to 8.2 pounds (normally over 9 pounds). She is acting normal, basically, 
besides this-- wanting to go outside, hunting (I try not to let her do that), 
playing, etc. Her only behavior change, besides not wanting her raw food 
much, is that she usually hides around the corner when Patches uses the litter 
box and hits her as she comes out (devil-- I try not to let her do this either), 
and she has stopped doing that. But she played with a string this morning and is 
bright eyed and bushy tailed, not dehydrated, etc. She has stopped eating 
her raw food before and I have had to change the kind of meat I use, so it is 
not the first time for that. She also has lost this much weight before, as her 
weight fluctuates a lot, so this is not the first time for that either. But, 
other than when she drank a bowl of olive oil 2 months ago (yes, unbelievable as 
it sounds, she did drink a bowl of oil and it did not sit well with her!) she 
has not had diarrhea while on raw food. I put her back up to 10 mg/day of pred 
yesterday. She had been at 5 for the last week.

What I am worried about is intestinal lymphoma. FeLV+ cats are prone to it, 
as are cats with IBD, and she has both. The only way to diagnose that is 
with surgical biopsy where they remove a section of intestine, but they often 
can not distinguish even then between severe IBD and low-grade lymphoma. 
They treat both the same, with prednisone and an oral chemo drug called Leukeran 
(chlorambucil), and cats often do well for months to years on that. But 
they often insist on trying to do the biopsy before prescribing this 
regimen.

I took Lucy yesterday to the local vet. He thinks I should get a biopsy at 
a referral center an hour away. I have not wanted to do this in the past, 
because it is surgery and because Lucy gets really stressed by car rides and vet 
visits. But I am feeling now like I should at least go talk to an 
internist, because I am doing everything that has worked before, and it is not 
working now. It could just be an IBD flare-up, which is what I hope, but 
it could be lymphoma, which can be quickly fatal without treatment. Of course, I 
called this morning to try to make an appointment, and they say they are only 
open for emergencies until Wednesday and I can not even talk to anyone to 
schedule an appointment until then. 

If anyone has any thoughts or opinions on what is going on and what I 
should do, I would really appreciate it. Nina-- I also put Lucy back on 
the homeopathics Darla had prescribed, also to no avail.

Thanks,
Michelle

Re: Worried about Lucy





I actually got Red Bank hospital, the best in the state, to schedule me an 
appointment with an internist at the earliest date, but that is Thursday 
afternoon-- a long way away. I did try to talk the regular vet into just trying 
the Leukeran, but he wouldn't, and Lucy wasn't as bad yesterday anyway, and 
really I am not a vet, so maybe there would be a downside to doing that. it is a 
chemotherapy drug after all. i think you are supposed to wear gloves when 
administering it.

I resorted to baby food and dry i/d, and after a pepcid and some fluids she 
did eat 1.5 jars of baby food and a handful of the i/d tonight. It will 
wreak havoc on her intestines, but I don't know what else to do. I tried minced 
turkey breast plain and she would not touch it. My mom bought duck and I cut 
some of that up. She seemed all excited at first but only ate two bites of 
it. 

I think she is acting less of her usual self now. She is still playing, but 
not very enthusiastically. She is purring, though, and wanted to go 
outside. Though she ate a whole lot of grass when she did (which also wreaks 
havoc on her intestines). I found some bile vomit with grass in it in a 
few places in the house, but Patches often eats grass and throws up,so I 
am not sure it was Lucy (and if itwas her, not sure if it is 
justbecause she ate grass or from the underlying condition).

Lymphoma is in the front of my mind, not the back. I feel convinced she has 
it. She lost another 2 ounces today.

I upped her prednisooe to the amount they prescribe for severe IBD and 
forsmallcell lymphoma, will keep giving herpepcid and fluids, 
and will keep trying to feed her, until Thursday. I will fast her Thursday 
morning in case they want to do the biopsy and I agree.

I had decided not to let her outside at all, because she eats 
grasswhen I do and I find it all in her diarrhea and think it may be 
irritating her intestines. But my mom convinced me to let her out because she 
loves it so much, and in truth she ate more afterwards, maybe because the grass 
settled her stomach. My friend's cat who has lymphoma started eating a lot 
of grasswhen he got sick, so this also has me worried. I am pretty 
miserable. Not sure what else I can do, though.

Can you send me the turkey mush recipe? I will try it.
Thanks,
Michelle



In a message dated 7/1/2006 1:15:14 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
S**t 
  Michelle,What the heck is going on with Lucy now?? It's very good 
  that she's still acting herself for the most part. Could it be that 
  she's just off her food? I'm praying it's not the dreaded lymphoma, I 
  know that's always in the back of your mind. Why don't you try Gypsy's 
  turkey mush recipe and see if that helps? It makes me so crazy that the 
  internist's office won't make an appointment for you. What would you do, 
  if after the exploratory surgery they still didn't have a definitive answer 
  about her condition? Would you treat her for cancer anyway? If 
  that's what you would do, why don't you talk to your regular vet about 
  prescribing what is necessary? They might be more willing to do that, 
  (heck, you'd be able to prescribe what's needed better than most vets anyway), 
  when you tell them you took their advice, but the specialty clinic isn't able 
  to give you an appointment. I'm sorry sweetheart, you seem to be between 
  that rock and hard place once again. If it were me, (so impossible to 
  know what I'd do until I was actually faced with it), I think I would continue 
  to assume it is her IBD and not cancer that is causing her symptoms. How 
  old is Lucy again? If her diarrhea is back, that would explain why she's 
  not being as naughty as usual. Do you still have her on turkey and 
  Instincts TC? Why don't you mince up a turkey breast, leaving out the TC 
  and see if she gobbles it down? Gypsy responded to plain muscle meat 
  when she was so sick. When you start adding supplements, you could do 
  it individually, that way you could play around with the ratios and see 
  if lowering/upping them might help. Prayers and good wishes from our 
  tribe to yours,Nina

Re: michelle/water and food





It is pretty soft anyway. You just mix in a little water. You need to get 
it from a vet, though, as it is prescription. 

You can also try Gerber's turkey or chicken or lamb baby food. And 
you can try the liver shake recipe, sick cats often will eat that and it is very 
nutritious. Here is the recipe:

1 cup RAW LIVER (BEEF, or CHICKEN) 1 
cup FRESH CARROT JUICE or V-8, or Tomatoe Juice 1/4 cup *FRESH 
FILTERED WATER 1 RAW EGG 
YOLK 1 tsp.KELP POWDER OR 
SPIRULINACOMBINE AND MIX IN A BLENDER UNTIL 
LIQUIFIED. (Note: it will be 
frothy)Dosage:Administer lOcc 
daily 3-6 times a day. (6Occ per day max)Some cats will 
need to be force-fed with a syringe, while others willdrink it out 
of a bowl.This food has a sweet and salty taste, and the 
energetic properties oftonifying (energy boosting), warming and 
stimulating and supports thekidneys, spleen, liver and 
stomach.This drink is a complete dinner for a sick cat 
until they feel goodenough to eat by themselves again.
You may need to put some on her lips for her to taste it and realize she 
likes it. I have had that happen. I think it smells strange, but they love the 
taste. Sometimes they like it warmed a little, too.

What is her diagnosis?

Michelle

In a message dated 7/1/2006 11:11:34 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
thank you so much michelle i have a smaller type syringe at home 
  but no markings on it... how much in regular measurents ( cups/oz) would 100 
  cc be? i have been feeding her wellness and eagle pack wet food...she has 
  pretty much turned her nose up to all of it over the last day or so... i will 
  get some of the hills a/d do you just soften it with some broth to get it 
  into the syringe?

Re: Gums and Teeth in FeLV Positive Cats




Lucy had very high calcium on one lab test, but the vet said that this is 
often lab error, and seemed to be so for her (it was last October, and I think 
she had normal calcium levels after that). They said it could be a sign of 
cancer of the parathyroid gland, but that most likely it was a lab error.
Michelle

Re: Minnie and LJ (chicken broth recipe)





Nina is saying to get Beechnut because it is better quality, in that it 
does not contain corn starch, which cats don't need. But I have also found, with 
mine at least, that it is less palatable to them (probably because it is better 
for them!). I would get both brands (you may not even be able to find 
Beechnut-- they don't sell it much around here), and definitely try the Gerbers 
if she won't eat the Beechnut. I have found that chicken, turkey, and lamb 
(which I cringe at, having a sheep, and try to avoid for that reason) have 
seemed the most palatable to mine.
Michelle

In a message dated 7/1/2006 3:30:22 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Get 
  Beechnut, rather than Gerbers and an all meat type, like chicken, turkey or 
  beef. Beef is harder to digest so you might be better off with poultry, 
  but I have one kitty that won't eat any except the Gerbers ham baby 
  food.

Re: Worried about Lucy




Well, I had gotten Lucy to eat a decent amount for dinner, mostly baby food 
(1.5 jars), some i/d dry (which she had not had in months), and a little bit of 
raw duck. But at 3 am, about 7 hours later, she just had completely liquid 
diarrhea and seems to feel nauseous also. Right now I am thinking that it 
is not worth getting her to eat by giving her stuff I know is bad for her IBD, 
whatever is currently wrong with he. I will try cooked turkey, but if that does 
not work I think I will force feed her her raw turkey over trying to get her to 
eat stuff on her own that she has this reaction to.

I started her on metronidazole, too, to try for 2 days (you can usually 
tell by then if it is helping). The increased pred does not seem to be 
making a difference, and the vet on Friday said that he thought it was possible 
she has developed a bacterial overgrowth of some sort. I had tried Metronidazole 
when she first got IBD and, if anything, it seemed to make her worse. But i 
thought I would try again. I gave her a tiny bit of metaclopramide too to 
see if it makes her feel better. I may not feed her anything for 12 hours 
or so, to try to give her system a rest. In the past that has helped her recover 
some. Then I will only give her turkey, cooked or raw, voluntary or 
forced.

She is acting sick now, kind of slow and tender, but I assume it had to do 
with the bout of liquid diarrhea. The only other time she had liquid diarrhea 
like that was when she drank the bowl of olive oil in April, and she felt even 
sicker then. I had thought it was the lubrication of the oil itself that had 
given her liquid diarrhea, but maybe it was her intestines' reaction to a 
substance it could not handle.

Michelle

Re: Worried about Lucy





I did go through all of this when her problem started last October. It 
started after she was on antibiotics for a month. I tried all kinds of 
probiotics, and they all made her diarrhea worse. I tried fast track. I 
also started her out on chicken when her problems started, and her diarrhea did 
not get better until I put her on the turkey. I may try chicken again. But 
she was doing fine on turkey for the last 6 months. I suppose she could have 
suddenly developed an allergy to it. But after what happened last night when I 
gave her something she had not been eating (duck) and things she had not had for 
a while (turkey baby food, i/d dry), I am loathe to try new foods again right 
now.

Thanks, though,
Michelle

In a message dated 7/2/2006 8:04:17 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Try 
  chicken instead of turkey. Some of the better holistic books say turkey 
  is a major cause of food allergies in cats and chicken is not. I can't 
  cite the books (they are boxed for moving) but I went thru this with the Royal 
  Princess Kitty Katt. Please try chicken instead. Also, if you can 
  get it Fast Track or any active bacteria med will help reestablish the "good 
  bacteria" that the meds are destroying to get to the "bad bacteria" 
  which maybe leading to the overgrowth. Please, please, ask your 
  vet to consider a food allergy situation. It may not be all there is to 
  it but if it is even part of the problem it can be dealt with easily. 
  Kitty was about 10 years old when she developed her allergies so don't believe 
  a cat can be too old to have the problem. The diarrheawas watery 
  and extremely smelly for her and she lost so much weight. When we 
  figured it out (thanks to the angels I mentioned before) everything worked out 
  in that regard...no more diarrhea and the weight came back.

Re: michelle/nina/belinda/marilyn - my minnie





It's hard to say what would help without knowing what is wrong with 
her. She needs a diagnosis. There are so many things that positive cats 
can get, and most have treatments of one sort or another that at least sometimes 
work.
Michelle


In a message dated 7/2/2006 12:23:05 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

  
  thank you s much girlies will have to wait until tomorrow to see 
  if the vet has any of the science diet a/d but will try the baby meats and 
  maybe some of the pached ground chicken. 
  
  minnie has never had a huge appetite...but she does have to have some 
  protein. i am still trying to syringe her with water/pedialite...she hates 
  this...lol...i know i asked this before, but abouthow much water a day for a 
  7# cat? i have been trying to give her about 10 ml every hour or so,,,she is 
  getting over half of it maybe more... i hate totake her int tomorrow for a sub 
  Qshe HATES it and i don't want her to stress. 
  
  do y'all think a b-12 shot might help?
  
  head bonks to one and all... 
  LJ

Re: Worried about Lucy




She just ate some more broiled turkey and turkey organs, then jumped on 
Patches as she exited the litter box (poor Patches, but it made me feel better 
about Lucy), then wanted to go outside again. Again, this could just mean 
that her symptoms are under control from all the meds, rather than that her 
underlying condition is improving, but it is a relief nonetheless.

Thanks for bearing with me,
Michelle

Re: Worried about Lucy




Well, she ate almost all of the second batch of turkey that I broiled, and 
has probably eaten about a third of a breast by now, at least. And then 
she killed a mouse. I feel so guilty about that. I was telling my mom this 
morning about how I switched from corn litter to pine litter a few weeks ago and 
that seemed to take care of the mouse problem, and I had not seen one since. I 
knew right after saying it that I should not have said it, and a few hours later 
I found one dead. I was on the computer and heard a loud sound downstairs, but 
thought it was just a cat jumping down from a counter or something. I then heard 
strange meowing and assumed it was Quincy in the bedroom, who often calls me 
that way. But it was lucy catching a mouse. I just was not thinking 
about it or taking the normal precautions of running down to check noises that 
could be pounces or predatory meowing. I have been so focused on making her 
better that I just wasn't thinking about it, and I was too late. The poor little 
mouse was still warm when I picked it up.

Michelle

Re: minnie





Thanks. That helps. In that case I would very highly recommend that you 
give her a few doses of Immuno-Regulin shots. There is info about it on the 
website (www.felineleukemia.org). It has 
helped a bunch of our cats with weak immune issues like respiratory infections 
and low white blood cell counts and anemia. It has specifically helped 
with fevers. It is an IV injection every 3 or 4 days for a couple of 
weeks. When I have used it, I have only needed to do one or two shots 
before seeing great improvement.

Has Minnie been positive since she was born? If so, 10 years is quite an 
accomplishment-- I'm jealous! It is my dream for mine to live that 
long. So far my oldest was just under 7 when she died. I have two now, 
about5 and 6 I think (I have had them 4 years so am guessing at how old 
they were when they arrived-- they looked like young adults).

Michelle

In a message dated 7/2/2006 2:38:58 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

  
  minnie wasjust treated less than two weeks ago for an abdominal abcess; i 
  noticed that she hadn't had a bowel movement for a few days and took her into 
  animal emergency two drain tubes were put in and some oral 
  antibiotics...also fluids as her system was weak from the high fever
  
  she did ok after the proceedure... ate ok... took her into a new vet that 
  came highly recommended. she IS awesome.
  
  she said that minnie's recent medical incident was probably due to the 
  FELV and her weakened immune system... she put her onsome more 
  antibiotics...( which have really seemed to help ) but was still not geting 
  enough fluid so i had to take her in twice last week for sub-q's she hates 
  these and it stresses her so that i would like to try another approach. my new 
  vet was going out of town this weekend and wouldn't be back until next week. 
  she said she would be available by phone if i had any concerns minnie's 
  new doc did prepare me that minnie was facing some pretty dire realities... 
  she said there were a number of things we might try and echoed my concerns 
  about quality of life i adore this kitten ( well she is 10 years old but 
  has always been so tiny) i just want what is best for her...
  
  LJ

Re: Worried about Lucy





Thanks, Kerry. She's eating pretty well now, though will mostly only 
eat broiled turkey-- she did eat a few bites of her raw food this morning while 
waiting for the cooked, though. She had some liquid stool again last night 
at 7, but it has been over 14 hours now with no stool, so I have my fingers 
crossed. She also did not need reglan or fluids this morning to eat, just 
Pepcid. I did up her pred-- to 12.5 mg/day starting 3 days ago (read online on a 
vet site that for moderate to severe IBD 1 to 2 mg/lb body weight is often 
needed, so I am doing 1.5 mg/lb)-- and she is on metronidazole and pepcid as 
well. I am hoping it's just an IBD flare-up and not lymphoma. All of my 
positives who have died (with the possible exception of one who was never really 
diagnosed) have died of lymphoma, and IBD often leads to lymphoma, so I get 
convinced that is what is happening to Lucy, but I hope it isn't. She's acting 
pretty normal this morning. But she is on a lot of pred, and even if she has 
lymphoma that could make her feel better for a while, so I don't know.

How is Bandy doing?

Michelle

In a message dated 7/3/2006 9:16:30 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

  Hi Michelle,
  I am sorry to hear about Lucy...I hope she is doing much better 
  now...When Inky had some flare up with the loose stool, I added oat bran to 
  the turkey...Just mixed in about a teaspoon. It did seem to help his 
  loose stools.. since I am behind here, did you up her pred some..That usually 
  helped Inky, too...I am doing like you and Nina saidabout the pred and 
  he was down to 1.25mg every few days then maybe 2.5mg, I sort of rotate it.. 
  Anyway, I am glad to hear that she is eating some now...and hope it is just 
  the IBD..
  Our thoughts are with you two..
  Kerry and Bandy

Re: Worried about Lucy





Thanks, Kerry. Is Inky FeLV-? And did you ever have to do 10 
mg/day of pred for a while to get Inky back to feeling ok and having normal 
stool?

I would start the I-R as soon as your vet gets back. I know some people 
give it sub-q and it seems to work fine that way, but it is recommended that it 
be done IV, and even those who give it sub-q seem to start out with IV doses at 
first. So unless you can give an IV shot, I would wait until Wednesday and see 
if you can get your vet, or a tech, to administer it then. I think the 
regimen is every 3 or 4 days for a couple of weeks, then less frequently. I have 
only used it for respiratory infections, and it worked after one or two doses 
each time, so I never continued on a full regimen. But I think that if it 
is going to help you should see results within a week or two, so I would start 
with every 3 or 4 days, do a couple of doses on that schedule, and then 
revisit. Dosing varies from 1/2 ml to 1 ml. I have used 1 ml myself, but 
since Ginger had temporary side effects from that dosing (high fever and chills 
for an hour), even though Patches did not get any side effects and no other cat 
I have heard of using it seems to get them, I still would recommend starting at 
1/2 ml. If he does fine with it, and no side effects, I might try upping 
the dose to 3/4 or 1 ml the second time. Or, if it seems to work well at 1/2 ml, 
leaving it at that.

Please let us know what happens. I am almost positive that when I was 
first investigating I-R a few years ago someone, maybe even on this list, said 
that her FeLV+ cat had bad ringworm that would not go away and that I-R helped 
get rid of it. But I am not 100% surethat it was ringworm I am remembering 
about; I just really think it was. These days I archive emails like that so I 
can go back and check later (I have archived all of your emails 
aboutBandy's regimen, for instance, for future reference, and have sent 
them to other people on this list who have cats with fevers and anemia), but I 
didn't then. Sorry!

Michelle

In a message dated 7/3/2006 11:32:23 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

  Glad to hear that she is eating good again..Maybe it is the IBD..I think 
  sometimes we have to give them those supplements/meds to get them thru a hard 
  time..Seems to be that way for me and we just never know when it is going to 
  happen..
  Bandy got over the bad leg soreness (front and rear, right side), but now 
  seems to be favoring the left front..I don't know what he does to get like 
  this cause he isn't jumping anymore, at least I haven't seen it..He went over 
  2 wks without a temp and that is a first since last June...The worst thing now 
  though is the ringworm..It is taking him over..and I mean all over..I haven't 
  been able to stop it...it goes away in one place just to start in 
  another. Last few days, it is really bad..I don't know what to do 
  because the oral med is so bad for him...I won't use it...I have read too much 
  bad things about it and it does say do not use in FIV kitties. and some places 
  also says not for felv+ kitties either...Any thoughts on all this..
  Should I go ahead and give him the immuno-regulin? I have it 
  now..but we haven't started it cause of the holiday. My vet is gone til 
  Wed.. It is once every 4 days for 3 or 4 doses, is that right?? Let me know 
  what you think would be the best to start him on...as it might help the 
  ringworm, too...since his immune system is so weak..I don't know what else to 
  do..
  I hope Lucy continues to improve.
  Kerry and Bandy

Re: Worried about Lucy




Kerry, another thought... Has the vet looked into rheumatoid arthritis for 
Bandy? That kind of arthritis is immune-mediated. I am wondering if that 
could be what is going on. I don't know if cats get it. Does he have any 
swelling in his leg joints when he gets sore? If so, there is also something 
called polyarthritis that is an immune-mediated problem, which comes from the 
body attacking itself. My dog Fern got that as a response to her lung cancer 
(they seem to go together) and needed a lot of steroids to combat it (which then 
gave her Cushings disease, but dogs can't handle steroids like cats can). 


Michelle

Re: Worried about Lucy





Kerry,
 Did Inky ever have a relapse where you gave extra pred but it 
did not kick in during the first few days? Lucy has been on 12.5 mg/day for 3 
days now but is still having liquid stool (though she had one semi-solid stool 
yesterday, and at least her stools are far apart and not frequent). In the fall, 
her stools firmed up after the first day on 10 mg. I think something new 
is going on. 
Michelle

In a message dated 7/3/2006 9:16:30 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

  Hi Michelle,
  I am sorry to hear about Lucy...I hope she is doing much better 
  now...When Inky had some flare up with the loose stool, I added oat bran to 
  the turkey...Just mixed in about a teaspoon. It did seem to help his 
  loose stools.. since I am behind here, did you up her pred some..That usually 
  helped Inky, too...I am doing like you and Nina saidabout the pred and 
  he was down to 1.25mg every few days then maybe 2.5mg, I sort of rotate it.. 
  Anyway, I am glad to hear that she is eating some now...and hope it is just 
  the IBD..
  Our thoughts are with you two..
  Kerry and Bandy

For Kerry and Bandit-- calici virus




Kerry, is it possible that Bandy has Calici virus? Has he been tested for 
it? I did not think of it, because it generally affects kittens only, but I was 
just looking at Robert MacDowell's remedy for it and he says it can surface 
later in life if the cat is immuno-compromised. It gives kittens URI's and makes 
them limp, both of which have been affecting Bandy. Just a thought.

Click 
here: `Calici Virus (Limping Kitten Syndrome/ Rhinotracheitis) Herbal Treatment 
- Robert McDowell's Herbal Treatments. H 

Michelle

Re: Worried about Lucy





No, I had her palpated at the local vet on Friday and he couldn't feel 
anything.
Thanks,
Michelle

In a message dated 7/4/2006 1:19:26 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Michelle,if there is/are any palpable lump type things in her 
  abdomen, a fine needle aspirate could be done as opposed to a full surgical 
  biopsy. My Ninja developed intestinal lymphoma during her last 
  month or two and while the mass was definitely palpable (I felt it petting her 
  while she was on her side) it was typical of int. lymph. and wasn't a discrete 
  mass but was riddled throughout the tissue - there were enough cells removed 
  with the aspirate for the (experienced) lab tech to say lymphoma. 
  Financially, surgery wasn't an option no matter what and she was already on 
  pred (5mg bid) and phenobarb to control her seizures (poss dx meningioma) so 
  we treated for quality of life. She was my first cat as an adult (i.e. 
  not a family pet) and we had grown very close her last summer when I had to 
  nurse her so carefully.

Lucy update




Well, I found two very small, very hard bowels in the litter box just now. 
I can't be sure it's Lucy and not Patches, but I think it probably was. it would 
make sense of why she has had very small amounts of liquid stool very far apart, 
as that can happen with constipation. She has not gotten much fiber in the last 
few days as she has been eating mainly broiled turkey. If it was her, I will 
feel much better, as it will mean the diarrhea has stopped. Since the weight 
loss, appetite loss, and nausea also seem to have abated, if the diarrhea has 
abated as well I will be relieved. It still would not be certain she does not 
have lymphoma, as she is on a lot of pred and that can control lymphoma for a 
while as well, but I think probably it would indicate more a flare-up of her 
IBD. Maybe from the pine litter, I don't know. Anyway, I will be crossing my 
fingers. If anyone has the energy to say a little prayer for her, I would 
appreciate it. 
Thanks,
Michelle

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Re: Check out Clumping Clay Kitty Litters and Your Cat's Health

I think that one of the websites my mom sent me mentioned silica being bad
also. I can see if I can find it. You can probably find info on it by
doing a search on cat litter and silica.

Michelle

In a message dated 7/4/2006 4:57:26 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
I use
clumping litter, so I appreciate your posting this to the list. The
brand of clumping litter I get at Costco is LitterPurrfect. It doesn't
contain sodium bentonite, but it does have silica gel. Do you know if
this is dangerous as well? The box still warns against flushing the
litter, so it makes me wonder. It says it's 99% dust free, so that
should help with the inhalant risks. I did a quick search and this is
what I found on the Arm Hammer website about their litter, (couldn't
find a website for LitterPurrfect). I'm always skeptical of any
manufacturer's claims of safety etc. What do you think? The silica gel beads used in "crystal" cat litters have an
amorphous structure and pose no health hazard to the consumer (both the cat
and its owner). Silica gel used for cat litters is chemically similar to
silica gels used as desiccants (humidity absorbents found in bags, purses,
etc.) but are structurally different, designed to remain intact in the
presence of liquids (desiccant silica gels fracture in the presence of
liquids). Silica gel crystals used for cat litter absorb cat urine into its
internal pore structure, then allows the water to slowly evaporate.

Re: Check out Clumping Clay Kitty Litters and Your Cat's Health




This is what i found on one of the web pages my mom sent me:


Most, if not all, clay litters contain silica, which is potentially harmful. 
>From a Web 
page at The Andersons' Web site (manufacturers of FIELDFresh): 
"Crystalline Silica, once airborne, shows the ability of causing Silicosis. This 
can cause incurable lesions on the lungs and throat, rendering that tissue 
useless for transferring oxygen. Crystalline Silica is a naturally occurring 
element, also known as Quartz, and is found in some of the clay litters. ... 
According to government standards, silica is a known carcinogen and a Prop 65 
material in California." 

Yours is mostly dust-free, so maybe it is ok. I would be paranoid 
about it, though. The dessicant stuff that Arm and Hammer compares it to is 
definitely harmful if eaten (that's what all those little bags in vitamin 
bottles are filled with, and they always say "caution: do not eat" on them), and 
they do tend to get litter on their paws and lick their paws.

The websites my mom sent recommend using corn or wheat litter, or using 
recycled newspaper litter (they say that the chemical that used to make ink 
harmful is now illegal for newspapers to use, but I still don't like the idea of 
any ink being in the litter box). I use Worlds' Best Cat Litter, which is 
made of corn, and is great. It clumps just enough to be able to scoop it, but 
the clumps are soft, not hard, and it is just corn, which is digestible if 
swallowed, and safe. One of the websites my mom sent me said it is the 
safest, healthiest, and most environmental of the litters. Another said it is 
not the best because the corn is not organic and hence has some pesticides on 
it, and recommended using an organic wheat litter or recycled newspaper litter 
instead. There are apparently other plant-based litters also, like ones 
made out of kanaf.

Hope this helps,
Michelle

Re: ABFE - Emergency essence





They are absorbed well if you rub them on the skin inside the ear, where 
you would put transdermal meds.

Michelle

In a message dated 7/4/2006 5:34:36 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

  My alternative vet tells me to put drops on their 
  heads (or as close to them as possible). The Royal Princess Kitty Katt 
  let me put them on her when I could not get her to take meds or supplements or 
  anything. She seemed to know they were meant to help.

Re: Check out Clumping Clay Kitty Litters and Your Cat's Health





I did not use this in the house when my dogs were alive, so it's possible. 
I have been worried that it is attracting mice (we have a lot of mice in the 
house, judging from Lucy's hunting exploits), which is why I had switched to 
pine. I switched back because Lucy got sick around the same time I 
switched. If the mice like it, which I think they do (it's probably like a 
buffet to them), dogs might also.
Michelle

In a message dated 7/4/2006 7:11:12 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
I have 
  heard that a problem with corn litter is that dogs can't eat just one 
  !!!And some have been hospitalized from eating too 
muchTad

Re: Check out Clumping Clay Kitty Litters and Your Cat's Health





On second thought, though... the corn litter I use is tiny little hard 
pieces of corn. Are there really a lot of dogs who would eat that? Or is there 
another kind of corn litter that is in another form?

I guess it's hard to predict what dogs will eat, though!

Michelle

In a message dated 7/4/2006 7:11:12 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
I have 
  heard that a problem with corn litter is that dogs can't eat just one 
  !!!And some have been hospitalized from eating too 
muchTad

Re: Check out Clumping Clay Kitty Litters and Your Cat's Health





Lucy just kills them, but does not eat them. Patches just watches 
them. Not sure what to do about them. I tried changing the litter, but the pine 
I switched to may have made Lucy sick. Wheat would probably attract mice too. 
Clay isn't good for the cats. And I am skittish of the ink in the recycled 
newspaper. What to do? maybe I will try to order the kanaf litter online. Do 
mice eat kanaf? i don't think it is a grain, I think it is something they make 
paper out of, like a bamboo-type plant...
Michelle

In a message dated 7/4/2006 7:25:28 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
And the 
  cats might get sick from eating too many mice 
Tad

Re: ABFE - Emergency essence





Patches does this from anxiety. it is not an allergy with her, it is 
anxiety. But she does not do it anymore, because I put compounded transdermal 
benadryl in her ears twice a day. If I stop doing that, because I run out or 
something, she picks right up and starts at her belly and legs again. But if she 
gets it twice a day, the hair all grows back and she doesn't do it. The benadryl 
just takes the edge off, I guess. 

Even though benadryl is not a prescription, you need your vet to call in a 
prescription to a compounding pharmacy to get it compounded to transdermal. 
Don't use the benadryl cream from the drug store-- that is topical cream, not 
transdermal.

Michelle

In a message dated 7/4/2006 7:57:06 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
I 
  would be very interested in that too. My Phelix has a half-bald 
  belly..and his back legs are little granny legs because he has chewed the hair 
  off of them. I've had him tested for ringworm and every skin disease 
  known. I've tried moisturizing washes for cats, Rescue Remedy 
  cream...everything. We even did immunoRegulin to build up his 
  system. Nothing has worked. The vet thinks it is allergies. 
  Someone on this list, however, recommended the book "The Cat Who Cried for 
  Help" - and after reading that I'm wondering if it isn't a form of 
OCD.

Re: Lucy update





I am using rice bran now, which I hope helps. I have used slippery elm in 
the past, but it seems to increase Lucy's diarrhea when she has it. 
Thanks,
Michelle

In a message dated 7/4/2006 10:19:24 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

  Michelle,
  That sounds much better...I sure hope it was the pine litter..It does 
  sound like it could be and/or maybe she just had a little infection going on 
  like Inky did when they put him on the metro med...I would still try adding a 
  little oat bran to her turkey..I put around a tsp on Inky's..Also, did you 
  ever use slippery elm? I used that for Inky at times, too..
  Thoughts and prayers with you 2..
  Kerry and Bandy

Re: OT - Itchy cats antihistamine and other treatments





Nina, Patches actually doesn't itch. It's anxiety, a compulsive 
habit, rather than due to itching. The benadryl is given in a very small dose, 
transdermally in her ears, as an anti-anxiety drug rather than as an 
antihistimine. She sometimes licks anyway (I haven't seen her do it in a long 
time, but looking at her right now I see that the hair on her belly is shorter 
than elsewhere), but it makes a huge difference. Her anxiety predates 
Lucy-- she was anxious when she came to me. She had a huge scar on her cheek 
(now covered with fur), some broken teeth, and other signs of having been 
attacked or abused. She used to attack me whenever I made a loud noise 
like yelling at Simon when he did something particularly naughty. The 
benadryl calms her in general, though she does not seem tranquilized or 
anything. Has actually started playing recently, for the first time. Poor 
baby. She had a bad childhood on the street. But a little benadryl has 
worked better for her than 30 years of therapy does for some humans! :)

Michelle

In a message dated 7/5/2006 6:46:46 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Hi 
  Michelle,I had been avoiding using antihistamine for Starman's itching 
  because, well, mostly because I hate to medicate period. Have you heard 
  anything detrimental about long term use in controlling Patches' itching with 
  it? I was looking for information about possible side effects, long or 
  short term and found this page on treatments for allergies sponsored by Drs. 
  Foster  Smith. I know you said Patches chews on herself because of 
  anxiety, (tell Lucy to stop pouncing on her!), but thought you might find it 
  interesting and helpful. I didn't know that Omega 3 was specifically 
  beneficial for itching, and that biotin, (one of the B vita) has also 
  helped. It talks about the different type of antihistamines, steroid 
  treatments, etc. Anyway for all those itchy cats out there, here's the 
  article: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=1cat=1332articleid=505Nina

Re: OT - Itchy cats antihistamine and other treatments





Does chlortrimiteton have tranquilizing effects like Benadryl? I know 
Benadryl makes me sleepy, and I figured that is why it works for patches, though 
it does not make her sleepy.

I have not seen or heard of any bad effects. Did you read something 
specific about it?

Michelle

In a message dated 7/5/2006 7:34:35 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Sweet 
  little girl. I'm so glad you found each other. Don't you just 
  wish we could coo and stroke their anxieties away? So I take it that 
  you haven't found any cause for concern with ongoing dosing? You've 
  got me thinking... My main man cat, Instigator, has been anxious and 
  concerned about Spencer's arrival at the house. Spence is socially 
  retarded and just doesn't have any cat etiquette. I really think 
  he's just trying to initiate play with Instigator, but Insty is having 
  none of it, has stopped socializing altogether and is constantly looking 
  over his shoulder. I'm going to try the fe first, but may give him a 
  .5 Chlor tab as well. Hell, how about a round for all of 
  us!N

Re: OT - Itchy cats antihistamine and other treatments





The scar is not noticeable under her fur, and I don't think it bothers her 
at all. The benadryl and felliway seem to work well for her. I am so used to 
using both of them that it does not seem like a big deal, and I have never 
thought that low dose benadryl is a problem. Do you think it is for some reason? 
If it's not, I tend to want to leave well enough alone and not stress her, or 
myself, with new vets.

The funny thing is that when the vet first prescribed the benadryl, years 
ago, he told me to buy the pills from the drug store and pill her (I think it 
was 1/6 of a pill or something like that). But she is incredibly hard to 
pill, so I would have to chase her around twice a day and grab her and pill her, 
getting bitten, and she would foam at the mouth and hyperventilate. After a few 
days of this, it dawned on me that this was probably not helping her anxiety! So 
i asked for it to be compounded. She still runs when she sees I have the cream, 
but is easy to catch and is fine when I rub it in her ear. 

The vet who prescribed it had said that some cats, after getting it for a 
few months and stopping the habit of pulling their fur out, just get over it 
entirely even if the benadryl is stopped. That has not happened yet with 
Patches, and it has been almost 4 years!

Michelle

In a message dated 7/5/2006 8:29:56 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Have you 
  considered a holistic vet? Mine used laser on some scars Dixie Louise 
  has and it really seems to have helped. Rescue Remedy and other flower 
  essences have also worked. Guess I am looking for a cure instead of a 
  patch. The little ones from the streets need so much and are so 
  wonderful..

Re: OT - Itchy cats antihistamine and other treatments





the side effects lists for both of these are kind of scary. It's odd. I 
almost always do side effects research before starting them on anything, but it 
never even occurred to me to research the benadryl.

She is on a very small dosage (I think it's equivalent to 1/6 of the 
smallest over the counter pill, twice a day), transdermally. At this point 
I think I am more afraid to stop it than continue it, as it makes her so much 
calmer and happier. She gets really agitated when not on it. When Simon was 
alive, if I skipped a few doses, because I ran out or something, she would start 
hitting him on the head. He was always happy when I refilled her 
prescription!

Michelle

In a message dated 7/5/2006 8:30:37 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Yes it 
  does. I haven't read anything about long term side effects, I was just 
  researching to be sure. Here's a link about chlor from that same article 
  I posted earlier:Chlorpheniramine is an 
  antihistamine used to control itching in animals with allergies. It may also 
  be used as a mild sedative. May see vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or 
  inability to urinate when used at higher doses. Do NOT use products in which 
  chlorpheniramine is combined with other drugs or compounds such as caffeine or 
  acetaminophen.I've seen Diphenhydramine used in 
  sleep aid tablets, so I'm sure it does make one drowsy. Here's what they 
  have to say about Diphenhydramine, (the ingredient in 
  Benadryl):
  
  Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine. It is used for the 
  treatment of allergies and atopy, primarily to stop itching. (Atopy is an 
  allergy to something that is inhaled, such as pollen or house dust; also 
  called 'inhalant allergy.') It may also be used to control vomiting and motion 
  sickness, as a mild sedative, and to treat muscle tremors due to certain 
  toxins or medications. Contact your veterinarian if your pet experiences 
  sleepiness, agitation, a rapid heart beat, depressed respiration, an inability 
  to urinate, vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite while being treated with 
  diphenhydramine.

Re: OT - Itchy cats antihistamine and other treatments





I think that the dose Patches is on for anxiety is lower than an anti-itch 
dose. It is a very low dose.

What you say worries me. But with her FeLV, I also worry that stress can 
trigger her virus and cause her to get lymphoma, which has happened with my 
other cats, and the benadryl reduces her stress so much. So I am afraid to stop 
using it at this point.

Michelle

In a message dated 7/5/2006 8:37:19 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
My 
  holistic vet is concerned that antihistamines have been linked to 
  cancer..we were talking about an entirely different topic. Dixie was 
  scratching for totally unknown reasons and was about as raw as she could 
  get. We were using chlortrimiton to break the cycle of scratch, itch, 
  scratch some more etc.(My regular vet recommended that over the 
  benadryl.) Having one cat with cancer I took the holistic vet's words to 
  heartuse it sparingly. I have to talk to her more about it but I am 
  careful nowwith the cats and with myself.

Re: Bandy's latest





I'm sorry he is doing badly again. I would guess rheumatoid arthritis 
or polyarthritis. Polyarthritis is an auto-immune reaction. Does it get 
better when he gets dex shots? Polyarthritis would.

Have you started the Immuno-Regulin?

Michelle

In a message dated 7/6/2006 7:48:19 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

  He is sick again...He started limping on the left leg Sunday and it 
  seemed to be causing him some pain so I started giving him some pain meds and 
  also a dex on Sunday..He is eating and drinking some, but since he was to go 
  to eye spec. on today, I thought I had better have him checked out since he 
  wasn't any better on Wed..So he had 105.5 temp and very out of it...I hope we 
  caught this in time this time...anyway his vet here thinks we should go back 
  to the internal med specialist to have a bone scan done cause the leg problems 
  are just going back and forth...this is about the 4th or 5th time he has been 
  in for this in the last 6 wks...he gets better then it goes to the other leg 
  with some soft tissue swelling...Any of you had any sort of trouble like 
  this? I did ask about the RA tests and she said sometimes they aren't 
  conclusive...so MRI or bone scan or something on that line might tell us what 
  is going on...She is suppose to call the specialist today...so I hope we get 
  an appt. asap..We are going to start the IR on Monday cause his temp needs to 
  be down when we give the first injection..Anyway, the eye appt is off for 
  now..have to re-schedule..
  Please keep him in your prayers once again...
  Hope everyone else is doing good today.
  Kerry and Bandy

Re: Looking for a kitten in NY





Is she looking for a positive? Because Ilene on this list has a positive 
kitten in NJ and her mom is forcing her to take the kitten to a shelter.
Michelle

In a message dated 7/6/2006 11:44:40 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
anyone 
  help her?

Re: Bandy's latest





Kerry, I do think Ginger's reaction is rare. So you might want to wait and 
see before putting him in an incubator.

I don't think fluids from yesterday would be in his leg today unless he has 
edema or something. I think something else is going on.

Michelle

In a message dated 7/6/2006 5:20:47 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

  We are going to start IR on Monday as she wanted to make sure we get his 
  temp down..He ate for me just now...and I did see him go to the dry food bowl 
  and litter box..His leg is still swollen, but I think some of that is the 
  fluids that he got yesterday..
  She has an incubator that is heated with oxygen..She said we would put 
  him in it after he gets the IR injection just in case of the temp rise and 
  chills...guess he would be comfortable in it. 
  I leave one bed in his room with a heating pad under it on low all the 
  time...He will get in it at times as I think it makes him feel better..
  Kerry and Bandy

this groups is so much nicer than other groups!




I just had to unsubscribe to a feline IBD group. I had unsubscribed to the 
other one months ago. The people on it are so mean! On the first group, 
the moderator had all messages going through her, and literally sent me back 
almost every one of my posts to say I either had not included enough of the last 
post in the thread or had included too much of it. And sometimes she would send 
them back many hours or even days after I had tried to post. So much for getting 
help! When I told her that I knew someone who had unsubscribed for this reason 
and that I was finding it challenging and just needed support, she wrote back 
saying that me and my friends had a lot of nerve to think that rules should not 
apply to us! So I unsubscribed and joined a different one.This oneis 
fairly inactive, but boy are people mean sometimes! Someone whose cat is 
having terrible IBD symptoms is not eating, and she wrote asking what medicines 
are normally given for IBD and what to do about food and fluids. She said her 
cat was eating a little A/D. I wrote back about fatty liver and her cat needing 
food, but also said that A/D is not good for IBD, and that she should maybe try 
plain turkey, and that if she needs to force feed she can blend plain turkey 
with water to do so, pending a vet visit (and she is waiting for raw food to be 
delivered). I then explained about fluids, and about pred and flagyl and the 
pluses and minuses. Two people posted very nasty responses about where do i get 
off saying that a cat who is having trouble eating should not have A/D, that 
this is offensive, that I am acting like a vet when i have no expertise, etc. 
etc. etc. Given what I have been going through with Lucy and her IBD 
recently (and her appetite got way worse when I fed her stuff bad for her IBD 
and it gave her watery diarrhea, so that is what I was speaking from), it is not 
worth it to be treated that way. So I unsubscribed from that list 
too.

All of which is to say, thank God for this group. It is the nicest group 
around, and I hope it always stays that way. We have different opinions, but we 
all recognize that we care about our cats and each other's cats, and each other, 
and that we are just offering what we can. And we keep open minds and change our 
opinions, too! Thanks for being there, everyone! 

Michelle

Re: Check out Clumping Clay Kitty Litters and Your Cat's Health





I doubt the trees themselves, or the bark, is a problem. In fact, maritime 
pine bark extract is a health supplement, renowned for its antioxidant effects, 
and i gave it to my dog Fern when she had cancer and she did really well on 
it. I think it is the pine oil that is the problem, which is on the inside 
of the tree and just comes out when they process the wood. Cedar is the 
same.
Michelle

In a message dated 7/6/2006 8:18:54 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
This is 
  so strange. I would like to know more about pine being a hazard to 
  cats. There are several ferals and/or throw aways who live at/near 
  my Mom's. Most of them stay in the pine thicket behind her house or 
  sleep under the pine trees at the side. I really would appreciate 
  more information if anyone has any.

Re: Check out Clumping Clay Kitty Litters and Your Cat's Health





I think you are right about this. Quincy has used pine litter for years 
with no problem, and Lucy seems to have (though it could be coincidental) gotten 
a flare-up of her IBD just from using it for a few days.
Michelle

In a message dated 7/6/2006 9:46:22 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

  I also suspect that some animals might be more sensitive than others and 
  the aromatic oils could well cause allergic reactions in sensitive 
  kitties.
  
  This is good info
  elizabeth

Re: Check out Clumping Clay Kitty Litters and Your Cat's Health