Re: life spans of positives
Michelle, I have a positive named Killian who is 11 years old and still asymptomatic. I know that we are very lucky and pray to God that she will continue to stay healthy. We really don't know when she got leukemia but just found out that she is positive last June. It was devastating and shocking. That being said, we have done NOTHING different than love her to pieces! She has not been on any medications or anything like that. Please don't think that Simon could have lived longer if you had done something differently. You did so much for him! What in the world else could you have done? I think cats just have different strains of the virus, some more sever than others and there is nothing that you can do to change that! I guess it's just the luck of the draw. You can't say it's the cats that are well cared for that lived longer. Why has Killian made it to 11? I treat ! her like I would a negative cat and always have. If she became symptamatic of course I would have to do things differently just as you did for Simon. NO, it's obvious that you did so much for him. I can only hope that if Killian ever got so sick I would have the strength and knowledge to do as well as you! Kathy[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: If it is not too hard, could people let me know the ages of their positives now, and the ages of positives who have passed? I keep being told that I was being unrealistic in my hope that Simon, and my others, would live longer than they did. I had heard of positives living as long as 14. My Jo died at age 3, Buddy at age 18 months, and Simon was around 4. My largest grief right now is about his suffering and what he went through, but I am also so grief-stricken at how short his life was. And it was short, very short, at 4 years old, when cats can live to 20. But I also feel like it was short for a positive, like I should have been able to help him live longer than that. I am trying to assess my expectations of this, regarding my remaining positives as well, and so just want to know what the age spans really are for positives who are well cared-for, so maybe I can be more honest with myself about what truly can be expected.Thanks,Michelle
Re: For Dr. Susan - thanks
I really do miss Meowser and I say a prayer for her every night! The lady that runs the shelter said that Meowser was not doing so well in the shelter so she stays at her husband's workshop and is doing much better there! She hangs out with him while he works there. I'm a little scared to get Meowser back. It would really upset Killian. I am pregnant and due in June. I just worry that a new baby and a new kitty would really upset and stress my Killian out! She's been an only cat all of her 11 years. She was pretty stressed when Meowser was in the basement for 3 days. She hissed at the door and refused to take her usual naps. She was on guard! So I'm hesitant to bring Meowser into this situation. It sounds like she is doing ok where she is. I really miss her. I'm torn because sometimes I think how wonderful it would be to give her a loving home, but how awful it would be if Killian were to get sick! You know what I mean. Killian will have enough to handle with a new baby around. She has never even been around kids! It will be interesting to see how she reacts! Kathycatatonya [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I'm not Dr. Susan, but Killian could just be a carrier. Meaning she carries the virus but it won't make her sick, or it could be that later in life it will become symptomatic. Some positive kitties live long lives before they have any problems. If I remember correctly, you really liked Meowser. I'd go get him back! :) tonyaKathy Koutsis [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I will try to make this short and sweet: I have an 11 year old female cat named Killian who just last June tested positive for felv. My husband has had her for 10 years and she has always been an indoor cat. Last April we took in a stray which we kept in the basement. The stray -Meowser- never had any contact with Killian. We had her for 3 days in the basement. We found out she was felv+ so took her to a shelter that cares for positive cats. At the time we had no idea Killian also had leukemia. A couple months later I took Killian to the vet cause it seemed like she was throwing up a lot. The vet ran some blood tests on her. She had the IFA and ELISA done among other things. Turns out she has leukemia but is healthy in every other way! How can this be? How can she be an 11 year old positive and symptomless cat? How could she have gotten this? Thanks Dr. Susan for any input! Kathy
For Dr. Susan - thanks
I will try to make this short and sweet: I have an 11 year old female cat named Killian who just last June tested positive for felv. My husband has had her for 10 years and she has always been an indoor cat. Last April we took in a stray which we kept in the basement. The stray -Meowser- never had any contact with Killian. We had her for 3 days in the basement. We found out she was felv+ so took her to a shelter that cares for positive cats. At the time we had no idea Killian also had leukemia. A couple months later I took Killian to the vet cause it seemed like she was throwing up a lot. The vet ran some blood tests on her. She had the IFA and ELISA done among other things. Turns out she has leukemia but is healthy in every other way! How can this be? How can she be an 11 year old positive and symptomless cat? How could she have gotten this? Thanks Dr. Susan for any input! Kathy
Re: Chicago-Free neutering of male cats in Dec!!!
If you have a felv+ kitty they might not neuter! I live in a Chicagoland suburb and found a stray that was felv+. I wanted to get her spayed cheap and this placehad a great price ($25 I think). But when I told them that she was felv+ they acted like she had the PLAGUE! They would not take her! Now I can't be sure that it was PAWS but I'm pretty sure that it was. If not it was someplace like this. So, if you have a kitty that you already know is felv+ they might not do it! Kathy[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Please Forward To Other Groups: Wow! What a Christmas gift to boy kitties and everyone! Anyone living in any town, city or state can take advantage of this; there is no residency requirement at all! The PAWS Low Cost Spay Neuter Clinic in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood on the near southwest side of Chicago has offered to neuter all male cats during the month of December for free! As long as they are over two months of age and over two pounds, the male kitties are ready for neutering.They also offer rabies and distemper vaccines at $10.00 each, but vaccines are not required, although they are reccomended. Optional microchipping is $15 and testing for feline leukemia/FIV is $25, but these too are not required. .This great deal is available at the PAWS Chicago clinic at 3516 W. 26th Street, Chicago, IL 60623 and they can! even provide transportation for those folks that live in Chicago that do not have any. All services are available by appointment only ... So, please call the PAWS clinic at 773-521-7729 between 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to take advantage of this generous offer. Appointments are made on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.PAWS Chicago (Pets Are Worth Saving) is the city's largest no-kill humane organization. Their work is focused on alleviating our city's tragic pet overpopulation problem. Did you realize that 28,652 dogs and cats were euthanized in Chicago in 2003? The best way to control dog and cat overpopulation is by decreasing birth rates.If you have any questions, feel free to contact Susan Robinson, PAWS Chicago community outreach manager at 773-521-1408, extension 5, or you can e-mail her at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or check out their website at http://www.pawschicago.org/Thanks for saving lives by spaying and neutering! Terrie MohrCheck site for available Siameses for adoption!More will be posted soon.http://www.tazzys-siameses-collies.petfinder.org/http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wasiameserescuehttp://siamese.meetup.com/38/This is for those of you in WA. state and would like to attend.http://hometown.aol.com/tatorbunz/index.htmlhttp://hometown.aol.com/tatorbunz/myhomepage/petmemorial.htmlTAZZY'S! ANIMAL TRANSPORTSSIAMESE COLLIE RESCUEOwner/DriverPetfinder.comAdopt a Homeless Pet!http://www.petfinder.com/http://www.awca.net/index.htmhttp://www.felineleukemia.org/http://www.petloss.com/http://www.meezer.com/http://thesiamesestore.com/http://tx.siameserescue.org/adopt.html
Re: Belinda, can you please add Caramel to the Candlelight Service
Kerry, I'm so sorry to hear about Caramel. It sounds like you really gave him a lot of love and did all that you could for him...so don't worry about what you could've done. You did what was in your heart and there's nothing better than that! I'm sorry this had to happen. It's so sad. Take care. Kathy"MacKenzie, Kerry N." [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: My sweet little "foster" kitty Caramel succumbed to the leukemia on theevening of Thanksgiving Day. He was approximately 1 year and 2 monthsold. What makes his death seem particularly cruel is that Caramel, the gingerkitty of the little colony of six feral FeLV kitties that I took in lastDecember, was the most playful of them all---the one who, no matter whatelse he was involved in, would immediately rush over to play with thecat dancer as soon as he spotted it in my hands. His decline began around July, perhaps earlier. Over the summer mysweet-faced, fun-loving little kitty became withdrawn and lethargic andhis appetite noticeably decreased. He no longer wanted to play. Hedeveloped a URI. I had a housecall vet come and she put him on a doublecourse of antibiotics, gave him fluids and showed me how to give them.But he never ! regained his old perky self. I tried numerous tasty treatsthat he once liked---strong, homemade chicken broth a la Anitra Frazier,broiled chicken, sardines, tuna---but he lost interest in them all. Mylitmus test became the Wellness dry food that all six furballs go crazyfor. As long as Caramel still leapt from his favorite bed (where hewould now spend most of his time, facing the wall) when I brought thedry food into their room, I still had high hopes he would recover. Thenon Saturday morning, November 20, he stopped being interested in evenhis favorite food. I figured it was because he had developed a really bad cold again andcouldn't smell his food. I left a message with the housecall vet thesame morning only to discover on Monday that she was on vacation. Ifigured by this point it wouldn't be too difficult/too stressful for himto catch Caramel so I made an appointment with the doctor at my vetclinic who has treated two of Ca! ramel's siblings. The earliestappointment I could get was for Wednesday at 10.20am. I isolated Caramelin the bathroom on Monday evening, as comfortably as possible, in orderto monitor how much, if anything, he was eating and drinking (nothing,it turned out) and began hand feeding him with A/D wet food. I noticedhe had begun to smell bad around this time.On Wednesday, the vet prescribed a 10-day course of Clavamox, and saidto call her if he didn't improve in 5 days. (The pharmacy that makes theantibiotic 'treats' that I use couldn't fill the order until Friday sohe never actually started them.) He weighed only 5 lb, and needed toput on 2lb, the vet told me. She couldn't specify what the bad smell waswhen I asked--suggested it was a mixture of things--his chronic URI,bleeding gums, and lack of cleaning himself. (If any of you have anyexperience of this I'd be interested in feedback.)I made the decision on Wednesday evening to no! longer isolate Caramel,but simply spend whatever time was necessary morning and evening overthe 4-day holiday to catch him in order to assist-feed him. I was stillvery hopeful he would recover once I could get him started on theClavamox.I am very glad now that I made that decision, as it meant (despite hisbad odor) that he had the comfort and cuddles and grooming of the otherkitties, in particular dear little "care-giver" Flavia, during whatturned out to be his last days. He took the food I gave him on Thursday am and pm, but on Friday morningresisted after a few fingerfuls. On Friday evening I tried feeding himagain (he no longer tried to run away, so catching him was not anissue). But he made it clear he wanted nothing. And then, right afterthat, as he moved from the bed on to the floor I saw that his back legswere no longer supporting him. He ended up sort of collapsing on thecarpet. I rushed him to the emergency clini! c, and asked them to runwhatever tests were necessary.It seemed clear from the post-test numbers reeled off by the vet at theemergency clinic that Carmel's poor little body was ravaged. I'm sorryto say the numbers and facts are a blur now (and don't appear on thereport), but the disparity between what should be and what was seemedenormous. The vet said the prognosis was 'poor.' I didn't want Caramel to suffer any more; I felt he had suffered toomuch already. He was put to sleep at 9.10pm as I stroked his little headand body. I miss that orange ball of fluff so much---he was once such a perkylittle character, with such a sweet little face (which had become thinover the last few weeks) that I still can't believe he's gone. The imageof him lying on the table of the emergency clinic before he was put tosleep will haunt me for ever. I am only thankful---boy, am Ithankful--that this year I made no plans for Thanksgiving, and so! I wasable to be with him and care for him in
Re: Cat's Meow is Changing!
WellKillian's meow is back to normal! Maybe she was meowing this way for attention? She also hasn't thrown up in a few days. I think I'm going to wait and see how she is. Last time I took her to the vet because she had thrown up a few times and she ended up being fine and of course didn't throw up again AFTER going to the vet! In answer to questions: We really don't know when Killian contracted felv! My husband found her as a stray and pregnant before she was even 1. He is not sure if she has ever been tested for felv. She did have regular vet visits, so who knows. My vet thinks she may have had it all of her life. Supposedly it is more difficult for adult cats to contract felv. We did have a felv kitty in our home for 3 days in thespring but it was isolated from Killian. Then in June is when we found out that Killian has felv. I was shocked! She has been such a healthy kittydoesn't even get colds. She has always been an indoor cat. KathyKarolyn Lount [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I would take her to the vet. Any time one of my cats did that they werein pain
Cat's Meow is Changing!
My felv+ kitty, Killian, is meowing differently lately! Her meow is sounding quite pathetic! It's cute but I'm getting worried about it! This has been going on the past few days! Her meow sounds kind of weaker. She hasn't been acting differently. She has vomitted a few times in the past week (about 3 times). But she is still eating and drinking. Also, I have noticed a few tufts of fur on the rug. I guess she's shedding more than usual for cold weather. I checked her litter box and everything looks fine. It's the meow that has me curious. My husband thinks she may be doing it because of my reaction when she does it. I think it sounds so cute! Poor baby. Has anyone ever had a cat whose meow changed like this? Did it change back? Do I need to call the vet or wait a few days? Killian is 11 years old. Thanks for info! Kathy
RE: Is this wrong?
I live in Illinois. Today the dog was outside all day as usual. After school it was drizzling. Looked for the dog and it was not there. Can't believe they actually let it in! This is the first time that I have seen that dog inside the house! So, I didn't leave the papers in their mailbox. I am still going to keep an eye out for the dog, especially since it has no shelter. I'm sure I'll end up putting the papers in their mailbox sometime this week. I guess there is some hope - they did let him in! Maybe if they read the information they will keep him in more. I'd like to give them that chance before reporting them. Kathydiana rhodes [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hey. I would recommend contacting PETA. All outside animals are required to have shelter to go into out of the weather. My sister works for PETA and they give out dog houses to families who need one. So, Maybe they could help in some kind of way to make the poor dogs life a lil better.Where do u live again? Diana From: catatonya [EMAIL PROTECTED] Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: Is this wrong? Date: Sat, 13 Nov 2004 17:42:54 -0800 (PST) don't leave your name on any of the info. Kathy Koutsis [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:I searched online and found some information about keeping dogs outside all day.I printed it and I'm going to put it in their mailbox.It explains that dogs are used to being part of the pack, not solitary.It's actually 3 pages long - lots of information regarding keeping a dog outside for a long time.I leave work at 4 and have a half hour drive home so I don't know when they let this dog in (or if they even do).I would have to get closer to see if it has food or water, which I will do when I put the information in the mailbox.Perhaps they are just ignorant and once they read the info may change their minds.If not, then I am calling animal control.The weather is getting colder and colder.Poor thing!I work at a school and the dog's yard is right next to the playground where the children play duri! ! ng recess.It doesn't bark, it seems pretty mild mannered.Sometimes it runs to the edge of the fence when the children! are out. Well, I hope that I can help improve his situation a little.Thanks for your responses. Kathy Chris [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Does it have food or water?Is this in a house?Sounds its a little too long to leave a dog tied Chris [EMAIL PROTECTED] -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Kathy Koutsis Sent: Saturday, November 13, 2004 12:41 AM To: felvtalk Subject: OT: Is this wrong? This is way off topic, but I know that many of you own dogs and can offer some advice.I don't own a dog and never have so don't have any experience. When I go to work in the morning at 8:15am I can see a dog outside and it is still outside when I leave work at 4:00pm.It is out there every single day.It has a very long leash which is attached to something that looks like a clothesline.It does not have any shelter and no place to hide.It's just out there in the open grass.The weather here is getting colder, it has been about 35-50 degrees farenheit throughout the week.Is this ok?Is this normal?I feel sorry for the dog out there all day!I really don't know if they ever let it in since I leave work at 4.Would you say this is wrong?Or is it warm enough for a dog outside?And if it is wrong, what can I do to help? Thanks, Kathy
Re: RE: Is this wrong? (Bonnie_
Bonnie, that is the website that I printed the papers from to put in their mailbox! Good site with lots of info. Thanks! KathyBONNIE J KALMBACH [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Maybe "Dogs Deserve Better" can help. They are an organization dedicated to helping dogs chained outside or penned 24/7. Here is their address: http://www.dogsdeservebetter.com/home.htmlBonnie ATTACHMENT part 2 message/rfc822 Date: Mon, 15 Nov 2004 13:19:30 -0500From: diana rhodes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>Subject: RE: Is this wrong?To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hey. I would recommend contacting PETA. All outside animals are required to have shelter to go into out of the weather. My sister works for PETA and they give out dog houses to families who need one. So, Maybe they could help in some kind of way to make the poor dogs life a lil better.Where do u live again? Diana From: catatonya [EMAIL PROTECTED] Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: Is this wrong? Date: Sat, 13 Nov 2004 17:42:54 -0800 (PST) don't leave your name on any of the info. Kathy Koutsis [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:I searched online and found some information about keeping dogs outside all day.I printed it and I'm going to put it in their mailbox.It explains that dogs are used to being part of the pack, not solitary.It's actually 3 pages long - lots of information regarding keeping a dog outside for a long time.I leave work at 4 and have a half hour drive home so I don't know when they let this dog in (or if they even do).I would have to get closer to see if it has food or water, which I will do when I put the information in the mailbox.Perhaps they are just ignorant and once they read the info may change their minds.If not, then I am calling animal control.The weather is getting colder and colder.Poor thing!I work at a school and the dog's yard is right next to the playground where the children play duri! ! ng recess.It doesn't bark, it seems pretty mild mannered.Sometimes it runs to the edge of the fence when the children! are out. Well, I hope that I can help improve his situation a little.Thanks for your responses. Kathy Chris [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Does it have food or water?Is this in a house?Sounds its a little too long to leave a dog tied Chris [EMAIL PROTECTED] -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Kathy Koutsis Sent: Saturday, November 13, 2004 12:41 AM To: felvtalk Subject: OT: Is this wrong? This is way off topic, but I know that many of you own dogs and can offer some advice.I don't own a dog and never have so don't have any experience. When I go to work in the morning at 8:15am I can see a dog outside and it is still outside when I leave work at 4:00pm.It is out there every single day.It has a very long leash which is attached to something that looks like a clothesline.It does not have any shelter and no place to hide.It's just out there in the open grass.The weather here is getting colder, it has been about 35-50 degrees farenheit throughout the week.Is this ok?Is this normal?I feel sorry for the dog out there all day!I really don't know if they ever let it in since I leave work at 4.Would you say this is wrong?Or is it warm enough for a dog outside?And if it is wrong, what can I do to help? Thanks, Kathy
Re: Is this wrong?
Hmaybe I can just put the papers in their screen door - roll them up and put them in the screen door handle. Thanks Cherri! I didn't think of that! Kathy[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In a message dated 11/15/2004 10:27:15 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: So, I didn't leave the papers in their mailbox. I am still going to keep an eye out for the dog, especially since it has no shelter. I'm sure I'll end up putting the papers in their mailbox sometime this week. The site says not to put them in their mailbox as its a federal mail violation...the site says they have doorhangers which you can hang on he mailbox flag. Cherri
RE: Is this wrong?
I searched online and found some information about keeping dogs outside all day. I printed it and I'm going to put it in their mailbox. It explains that dogs are used to being part of the pack, not solitary. It's actually 3 pages long - lots of information regarding keeping a dog outside for a long time. I leave work at 4 and have a half hour drive home so I don't know when they let this dog in (or if they even do). I would have to get closer to see if it has food or water, which I will do when I put the information in the mailbox. Perhaps they are just ignorant and once they read the info may change their minds. If not, then I am calling animal control. The weather is getting colder and colder. Poor thing! I work at a school and the dog's yard is right next to the playground where the children play during recess. It doesn't bark, it seems pretty mild mannered. Sometimes it runs to the edge of the fence when the children are out. Well, I hope that I can help improve his situation a little. Thanks for your responses. KathyChris [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Does it have food or water? Is this in a house? Sounds its a little too long to leave a dog tied Chris [EMAIL PROTECTED] -Original Message-From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Kathy KoutsisSent: Saturday, November 13, 2004 12:41 AMTo: felvtalkSubject: OT: Is this wrong? This is way off topic, but I know that many of you own dogs and can offer some advice. I don't own a dog and never have so don't have any experience. When I go to work in the morning at 8:15am I can see a dog outside and it is still outside when I leave work at 4:00pm. It is out there every single day. It has a very long leash which is attached to something that looks like a clothesline. It does not have any shelter and no place to hide. It's just out there in the open grass. The weather here is getting colder, it has been about 35-50 degrees farenheit throughout the week. Is this ok? Is this normal? I feel sorry for the dog out there all day! I really don't know if they ever let it in since I leave work at 4. Would you say this is wrong? Or is it warm enough for a dog outside? And if it is wrong, what can I do to help? Thanks, Kathy
OT: Is this wrong?
This is way off topic, but I know that many of you own dogs and can offer some advice. I don't own a dog and never have so don't have any experience. When I go to work in the morning at 8:15am I can see a dog outside and it is still outside when I leave work at 4:00pm. It is out there every single day. It has a very long leash which is attached to something that looks like a clothesline. It does not have any shelter and no place to hide. It's just out there in the open grass. The weather here is getting colder, it has been about 35-50 degrees farenheit throughout the week. Is this ok? Is this normal? I feel sorry for the dog out there all day! I really don't know if they ever let it in since I leave work at 4. Would you say this is wrong? Or is it warm enough for a dog outside? And if it is wrong, what can I do to help? Thanks, Kathy
Re: Buster - 4 yr old - FIV+ Male - Need Help ASAP
I really hope that someone in the area or anywhere reasonalby close can help you out. If not please check if there are any sanctuaries nearby for fiv+ cats. It might not be as nice as having a home of his own but it is better than having him be euthanized especially if he is asymptomatic. I'm hoping for the best!Good luck! KathyDenise Uriarte [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: To my FeLV Talk List Friends: I just received a call from a local vet regarding Buster. Buster is a Male Cat, Approx. 4 Yrs. Old, Neutered.Buster just tested positive for FIV. Hisowners want him euthanized. Buster is asymptomatic and isotherwise completely heathly, so the vet is having a difficult time with their request and islooking for someone to help him. Ifanyone knows ofsomeone who would help Buster, please let me know ASAP. I'm trying to buy him time...but Idon't know how much time he has. Buster is located in San Jose, California.I will transportjust about anywhere within reason to save this guy. Thank You !! Denise Uriarte San Jose, CA
How often to vaccinate?
For those of you that do get distemper and rabies vaccinations for your felv+ kitties, how often do you have them done? Is three years really safe or should I get them annually? Kathy
For Karolyn: Re: Vaccinations in Felv+ Cats
Thanks Karolyn! How often do you vaccinate?Karolyn Lount [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi, I know there are "Pros Cons" about this. I have been rescuingFeLV+ cats for 12+ yrs. I vaccinate my cats and have never had a badresult because of it. My neighbor, who also rescued FeLV+ cats, did notvaccinate her cats. And she lost all of them to Distemper. We both livein a condo. I am on the ground floor and she is on the 3rd. floor. Shenow vaccinates her cats. It is so easy to bring it in on your shoes.I have been with the same Vet for 21yrs and a lot of his clients haveFeLV+ Fiv+ cats. They all get their cats vaccinated
Re: Vaccinations in Felv+ Cats
Thanks everyone for your viewpoints. It seems like there is some debate on this issue. I am not sure what to do! Does anyone have any documentation on this topic? I don't want Killian to get sick from the vaccines, but I don't want her to get rabies or distemper because she wasn't vaccinated! She is an indoor cat, but she can be very sneaky and has snuck out before when someone is leaving or the door is open. This hasn't happened very often, but it still makes me nervous. If anyone has documentation I would be very interested in reading it. Those that havevaccinated- have you had any negative effects? I am also worried that if I don't get her vaccinated she could catch something just be visiting the vets office! Kathy[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Dear Karolyn:Does it really do any good (and no harm) to give vaccines to a cat whose immune system is compromised?? There is a lot of current info suggesting that it is not wise to give vaccines of any kind to a cat who is FeLV+. Have any studies ever been done to demonstrate that vaccines do have a protective effect for immunosuppressed cats? Multivalent vaccines are not recommended for even healthy cats, but I have not seen a vaccine for just Panleukopenia available in any of the vet supply cataloges or web sites. That is the only virus the 3-way is supposed to protect against that is truly life-threatening. My first FeLV+, Purrsia, came down with Panleukopenia at 10 wks. a few days after I rescued her, before she could be vaccinated for anything. At that time she tested negative for FeLV and FIV. Since she had recovered ! from the P virus, there was no point in vaccinating her for that after the fact. But her playmate, Angel Eyes, was subsequently vaccinated with a 3-way before I found out she was FeLV+. I will always wonder if that vaccine had a negative effect on her immune system. Angel became symptomatic for FeLV and tested positive two weeks after Purrsia passed...for the next 8 months it seemed she might be one of the lucky ones who can live with the virus long-term, then the day after Xmas '03 she crashed and 14 days later was gone, just shy of 16 mos.I agree that Panleukopenia is a nasty disease and so much more easily spread than FeLV or FIV. Miraculously, I was able to successfully nurse my brave little Purrsia through it after the vet gave her virtually no chance to survive unless I hospitalized her, but I could not afford to do that. I think the fact I had started her immediately on Animal Stress Pack with Transfer Factors (from 4Life Products and available from KV Vet Supply) at the first sign of a temp helped to stem the tide as the characteristic horrendous diarrhea never digressed to being hemmoraghic in her case. The key seems to be keeping more fluids and nutrition going in than is coming out and it took round the clock syringe feeding, subQ fluids and meds to ward off opportunistic infections. It can take small kittens out in a matter of hours and is an agonizing way for a cat to die.Since Panleukopenia is a corona virus (related to the canine parvovirus), the factor of viral load comes into play and so multi-cat households or catteries are more at risk of being infected. And that would also apply to feral colonies where they may be many unvaccinated cats. Kittens and very old cats are most at risk, of course. I currently have three FeLV+ cats among 19. Two of them are just over a year old and had been doing fine until just recently...bot! h are now developing the tell-tale gingivitis. Neither of them has had any vaccines. The third kitten tested positive at 6 weeks...he is just 12 weeks now and needs to be retested. He has not been vaccinated, either. I do keep the positives separated from the rest of my cats, and leave my rubber boots that I wear to the horse stable outside. When I go out wearing shoes, I spray the soles with bleach spray when I get back and do not usually wear shoes in the house. I do worry, and wonder which represents a greater risk, vaccines for a positive cat, or the chance I will bring something pathogenic home.Sally in San Jose
Vaccinations in Felv+ Cats
Hello! I got a postcard for my vet reminding me that it was time for Killian's annual vaccinations a few weeks ago (rabies and distemper). I have been putting it off because I'm not sure that she should be getting these vaccinations. She had them done a year ago, that was before we knew that she was felv+(or she many have not been at that time). The vet knows that she has felv, it's where she was tested. So my question is - Is it safe for felv kitties to get these vaccinations? Thanks for you advice! Kathy
Ear mites?
Maybe I am being paraniod or watching Killian way too much for problemssince I found out that she is felv+ . . . I have noticed that Killian often scratches near her ears. She doesn't scratch her actual ears, she scratches the skin in front of the ears, where the fur is thin. Once in a while she shakes her head. She grooms herself A LOT, not just her ears. I don't see the waxy stuff that cats with ear mites have. If it is ear mites, how can I tell? What else could it be? Do vets usually check for ear mites on a routine checkup? She just had a checkup about 3 weeks ago. The cat that we had kept in the basement had ear mites but had never been in contact with Killian. This cat was only with us for 3 days. Can mites be transferred on my clothing? Any ideas of what could be wrong? Or do cats do things like this normally and I am just being overly watchful? Kathy
Re: Catnip
Lol! I will be sure to continue letting her have her catnip! I don't want Killian to take me to court over this! Julie Johnson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi Kathy! It's not only OK; it's mandatory!!! Killianmight file charges if she's deprived of her catnip! JulieKathy Koutsis [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Is it still ok to give Killian(my Felv+ cat) catnip? "I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it isto protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet. Do you Yahoo!?Yahoo! Mail - 50x more storage than other providers!
ELISA vs. IFA
Hi everyone! I made an appointment with the vet to have Killian take the IFA. Last Friday she tested positive for Felv (explained in earlier post). I called to ask the vet what test she gave and she said that it was the ELISA. Then I asked the vet if Killian could take the IFA and she said sure, if I wanted to confirm. What is the difference between these two tests? The vet said that the ELISA is about 98% accurate and the IFA is 99% accurate. So is it really worth the $62 to take the IFA? I made the appointment for Friday. Is there a big difference between the ELISA and the IFA? Has anyone had experience with one test turning out positive and the other negative? Thanks for your input! Kathy
