Re: FIV/FeLV info
Laurie, thank you for giving this overview of these two viruses. I wish so much I had educated myself prior to owning a Felv positive cat. Of course it helps to know ahead of time what you're dealing with. I swear we'd still have BooBoo with us if I had only known. I honestly believe now that we contributed to his demise by having him groomed, bathed (he was loaded with fleas, mites and horribly matted fur when we got him) and then the neutering a week later. I think we caused him so much distress that his immune system totally failed him. I also have this horrible guilt that if I hadn't been so insistent on owning him, he may have survived in his own enviromnent longer. When he was diagnosed with FIV on top of everything, he went downhill immediately. He had already lived 5 years and died within a month of us getting him and learning of his diagnosis. We did everything the vet told us to do and more and in the end I'm now thinking we should have left things well enough alone. It was a hard lesson to learn and I'm paying dearly for it. There isn't a day goes by that I don't miss him terribly. Getting Snowy the rescued cat has helped tremendously but still, BooBoo can never be replaced. Lynne - Original Message - From: Laurieskatz [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2008 10:59 PM Subject: FIV/FeLV info FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) Both FIV and FeLV are called retroviruses because of the way that they replicate, or multiply, inside the cat's body. FIV is further classified as a lentivirus, or slow virus. An FIV-positive cat may live for many years. However, the virus eventually weakens the immune system, which limits the cat's ability to protect itself against other infections or illnesses. Periods of relatively good health may be interspersed with recurrent illnesses. FIV is spread primarily through bite wounds. The virus is transmitted via the saliva of an FIV-positive cat when it bites deep into the tissue of another cat. It is therefore commonly found in tomcats as they fight for territory and mates. Casual, non-aggressive contact does NOT spread the virus. The virus cannot survive for more than a few hours when exposed to air. Therefore, an FIV-positive cat CAN live in a house with non-infected cats if they are all on friendly terms and don't fight with each other. Sharing food and water bowls, litter pans, and even grooming each other will NOT spread the virus. If acquired during adulthood, a cat with FIV can live a long, full life, and many do. However, the weakened immune system can lead to recurrent or chronic conditions such as inflammation of the gums and mouth, skin, urinary, or upper respiratory infections, weight loss, anemia, persistent diarrhea, and cancer. For additional information, please see: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?ds=1cat=1316articleid=213, http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/fiv.html, http://www.bestfriends.org/theanimals/petcare/cats_fiv.cfm, or contact us! -- -- FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) FeLV is also a retrovirus, but it differs in many ways from FIV, including its shape and genetic makeup. And although many of the diseases caused by the two viruses are similar, the specific way those diseases are caused is different. About 65% of cats with FeLV will live a full life. Unfortunately, the remaining 35% will probably die within three years. Just like FIV, FeLV may cause a weakened immune system that limits the cat's ability to fight off other infections. Periods of relatively good health may be interspersed with recurrent illnesses. An FeLV-positive cat sheds high quantities of the virus in its saliva and nasal secretions. Therefore, the virus can be spread from cat to cat through mutual grooming and, more rarely, by sharing food bowls and litter boxes, as well as through bite wounds. An infected mother can also transmit the virus to her kittens before birth or while nursing. FeLV is the most common cause of cancer in cats, and it may cause various blood disorders. As with FIV, FeLV can weaken the immune system so that the same bacteria and viruses that usually do not affect a healthy animal can cause serious illness in a cat with FeLV. Common secondary infections include inflammation of the gums and mouth, skin, urinary, or upper respiratory infections, and persistent diarrhea. For additional information, please see: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?ds=1cat=1316articleid=211, http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/felv.html, or contact us! ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Re: FIV/FeLV info
Lynne, I cannot believe that BooBoo is gone because of you. On the contrary I have to believe that he was sent to you and you were able to own him because some higher power wanted that beautiful kitty to know what it is like to be loved and cherished in this world before he had to leave it. I know how hard it is to miss a cat you are deeply fond of. Tucker has been gone just over two weeks and I can still hardly stand it. I have been second guessing the choices I made ever since. But there is no way in the world anyone could ever say that you didn't do everything you possibly could for BooBoo. Both medical and emotionally. Please go easier on yourself and believe that that little kitty angel will be very happy to see you at the bridge. Sue - Original Message - From: Lynne [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2008 11:45 AM Subject: Re: FIV/FeLV info Laurie, thank you for giving this overview of these two viruses. I wish so much I had educated myself prior to owning a Felv positive cat. Of course it helps to know ahead of time what you're dealing with. I swear we'd still have BooBoo with us if I had only known. I honestly believe now that we contributed to his demise by having him groomed, bathed (he was loaded with fleas, mites and horribly matted fur when we got him) and then the neutering a week later. I think we caused him so much distress that his immune system totally failed him. I also have this horrible guilt that if I hadn't been so insistent on owning him, he may have survived in his own enviromnent longer. When he was diagnosed with FIV on top of everything, he went downhill immediately. He had already lived 5 years and died within a month of us getting him and learning of his diagnosis. We did everything the vet told us to do and more and in the end I'm now thinking we should have left things well enough alone. It was a hard lesson to learn and I'm paying dearly for it. There isn't a day goes by that I don't miss him terribly. Getting Snowy the rescued cat has helped tremendously but still, BooBoo can never be replaced. Lynne - Original Message - From: Laurieskatz [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2008 10:59 PM Subject: FIV/FeLV info FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) Both FIV and FeLV are called retroviruses because of the way that they replicate, or multiply, inside the cat's body. FIV is further classified as a lentivirus, or slow virus. An FIV-positive cat may live for many years. However, the virus eventually weakens the immune system, which limits the cat's ability to protect itself against other infections or illnesses. Periods of relatively good health may be interspersed with recurrent illnesses. FIV is spread primarily through bite wounds. The virus is transmitted via the saliva of an FIV-positive cat when it bites deep into the tissue of another cat. It is therefore commonly found in tomcats as they fight for territory and mates. Casual, non-aggressive contact does NOT spread the virus. The virus cannot survive for more than a few hours when exposed to air. Therefore, an FIV-positive cat CAN live in a house with non-infected cats if they are all on friendly terms and don't fight with each other. Sharing food and water bowls, litter pans, and even grooming each other will NOT spread the virus. If acquired during adulthood, a cat with FIV can live a long, full life, and many do. However, the weakened immune system can lead to recurrent or chronic conditions such as inflammation of the gums and mouth, skin, urinary, or upper respiratory infections, weight loss, anemia, persistent diarrhea, and cancer. For additional information, please see: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?ds=1cat=1316articleid=213, http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/fiv.html, http://www.bestfriends.org/theanimals/petcare/cats_fiv.cfm, or contact us! -- -- FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) FeLV is also a retrovirus, but it differs in many ways from FIV, including its shape and genetic makeup. And although many of the diseases caused by the two viruses are similar, the specific way those diseases are caused is different. About 65% of cats with FeLV will live a full life. Unfortunately, the remaining 35% will probably die within three years. Just like FIV, FeLV may cause a weakened immune system that limits the cat's ability to fight off other infections. Periods of relatively good health may be interspersed with recurrent illnesses. An FeLV-positive cat sheds high quantities of the virus in its saliva and nasal secretions. Therefore, the virus can be spread from cat to cat through mutual grooming and, more rarely, by sharing food bowls and litter boxes, as well as through bite wounds. An
Re: FIV/FeLV info
I'm sorry for the horrible sadness you're going through Sue and everyone else who has lost a little one lately and not so lately. At two weeks post Boo I was still so sick at heart I could hardly function. The difficult thing is I have to drive by his former home every day on the way to and from work and there is his son sitting in the window most days. When I come home from work I expect to see Boo come out from under our trailer. That's where he always stayed last year til we came outside. Then we would feed him and try to put antibiotics on his ears which were always bloodied. I love Snowy for herself though she does have those funny little BooBoo ears and squished in nose like him. She has been a god send for my husband and I. Fortunately despite her horrible pre foster existence she tested negative for Felv but had the Feline Herpes Virus. We've had no problems with her but her one eye is somewhat scarred. If stress triggers this virus, I'm not worried because this girl is the most spoiled cat known to man. She gets anything she wants whenever she wants. I guess the bottom line is, we do what we feel is in our cat's best interest and pray those who know more than we do, give us the right advice. I still have to get Snowy spayed but the foster mom and vet said I could wait. It's been almost 4 months since we got her and I'm still worried about doing it. She's an indoor cat but is allowed outside under supervision only for fresh air and back yard nature. I'm not worried about other cats coming into the yard, but still I have to get her spayed. It was part of the contract. Lynne - Original Message - From: Sue Frank Koren [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2008 6:58 PM Subject: Re: FIV/FeLV info Lynne, I cannot believe that BooBoo is gone because of you. On the contrary I have to believe that he was sent to you and you were able to own him because some higher power wanted that beautiful kitty to know what it is like to be loved and cherished in this world before he had to leave it. I know how hard it is to miss a cat you are deeply fond of. Tucker has been gone just over two weeks and I can still hardly stand it. I have been second guessing the choices I made ever since. But there is no way in the world anyone could ever say that you didn't do everything you possibly could for BooBoo. Both medical and emotionally. Please go easier on yourself and believe that that little kitty angel will be very happy to see you at the bridge. Sue - Original Message - From: Lynne [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2008 11:45 AM Subject: Re: FIV/FeLV info Laurie, thank you for giving this overview of these two viruses. I wish so much I had educated myself prior to owning a Felv positive cat. Of course it helps to know ahead of time what you're dealing with. I swear we'd still have BooBoo with us if I had only known. I honestly believe now that we contributed to his demise by having him groomed, bathed (he was loaded with fleas, mites and horribly matted fur when we got him) and then the neutering a week later. I think we caused him so much distress that his immune system totally failed him. I also have this horrible guilt that if I hadn't been so insistent on owning him, he may have survived in his own enviromnent longer. When he was diagnosed with FIV on top of everything, he went downhill immediately. He had already lived 5 years and died within a month of us getting him and learning of his diagnosis. We did everything the vet told us to do and more and in the end I'm now thinking we should have left things well enough alone. It was a hard lesson to learn and I'm paying dearly for it. There isn't a day goes by that I don't miss him terribly. Getting Snowy the rescued cat has helped tremendously but still, BooBoo can never be replaced. Lynne - Original Message - From: Laurieskatz [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2008 10:59 PM Subject: FIV/FeLV info FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) Both FIV and FeLV are called retroviruses because of the way that they replicate, or multiply, inside the cat's body. FIV is further classified as a lentivirus, or slow virus. An FIV-positive cat may live for many years. However, the virus eventually weakens the immune system, which limits the cat's ability to protect itself against other infections or illnesses. Periods of relatively good health may be interspersed with recurrent illnesses. FIV is spread primarily through bite wounds. The virus is transmitted via the saliva of an FIV-positive cat when it bites deep into the tissue of another cat. It is therefore commonly found in tomcats as they fight for territory and mates. Casual, non-aggressive contact does NOT spread the virus.
Re: Greetings again
Jane Lyons wrote: Hi Nina I'm writing from the site, but I am not sure it will go to the list. If this reaches the list, Sam I've had good results with L-lysine (500mg's daily which I split between 2 feedings) and a liquid supplement called DMG. I have also found that good quality food helps. As everyone on this list will tell you, a lot of love and affection and a low stress existence is key. It is great that Gus is without symptoms. Hopefully you can boost his immunity and he will be able to throw the virus. Here's hoping. To the list: Since the server problems I have not been able to send or receive messages. James cannot figure it out. If anyone knows how to get back on, please let me know. Thanks Jane [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: FIV/FeLV info
I doubt that anything you did contributed to his death. I think even if it did he was better off being with someone who took care of him and loved him rather than being left outside with fleas, earmites, etc... That wasn't a good life for him, and I'm sure he was miserable and stressed in that condition too. Don't second guess yourself. You did what you thought was the best thing. I would have done the same. tonya Lynne [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Laurie, thank you for giving this overview of these two viruses. I wish so much I had educated myself prior to owning a Felv positive cat. Of course it helps to know ahead of time what you're dealing with. I swear we'd still have BooBoo with us if I had only known. I honestly believe now that we contributed to his demise by having him groomed, bathed (he was loaded with fleas, mites and horribly matted fur when we got him) and then the neutering a week later. I think we caused him so much distress that his immune system totally failed him. I also have this horrible guilt that if I hadn't been so insistent on owning him, he may have survived in his own enviromnent longer. When he was diagnosed with FIV on top of everything, he went downhill immediately. He had already lived 5 years and died within a month of us getting him and learning of his diagnosis. We did everything the vet told us to do and more and in the end I'm now thinking we should have left things well enough alone. It was a hard lesson to learn and I'm paying dearly for it. There isn't a day goes by that I don't miss him terribly. Getting Snowy the rescued cat has helped tremendously but still, BooBoo can never be replaced. Lynne - Original Message - From: Laurieskatz To: Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2008 10:59 PM Subject: FIV/FeLV info FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) Both FIV and FeLV are called retroviruses because of the way that they replicate, or multiply, inside the cat's body. FIV is further classified as a lentivirus, or slow virus. An FIV-positive cat may live for many years. However, the virus eventually weakens the immune system, which limits the cat's ability to protect itself against other infections or illnesses. Periods of relatively good health may be interspersed with recurrent illnesses. FIV is spread primarily through bite wounds. The virus is transmitted via the saliva of an FIV-positive cat when it bites deep into the tissue of another cat. It is therefore commonly found in tomcats as they fight for territory and mates. Casual, non-aggressive contact does NOT spread the virus. The virus cannot survive for more than a few hours when exposed to air. Therefore, an FIV-positive cat CAN live in a house with non-infected cats if they are all on friendly terms and don't fight with each other. Sharing food and water bowls, litter pans, and even grooming each other will NOT spread the virus. If acquired during adulthood, a cat with FIV can live a long, full life, and many do. However, the weakened immune system can lead to recurrent or chronic conditions such as inflammation of the gums and mouth, skin, urinary, or upper respiratory infections, weight loss, anemia, persistent diarrhea, and cancer. For additional information, please see: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?ds=1cat=1316articleid=213, http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/fiv.html, http://www.bestfriends.org/theanimals/petcare/cats_fiv.cfm, or contact us! -- -- FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) FeLV is also a retrovirus, but it differs in many ways from FIV, including its shape and genetic makeup. And although many of the diseases caused by the two viruses are similar, the specific way those diseases are caused is different. About 65% of cats with FeLV will live a full life. Unfortunately, the remaining 35% will probably die within three years. Just like FIV, FeLV may cause a weakened immune system that limits the cat's ability to fight off other infections. Periods of relatively good health may be interspersed with recurrent illnesses. An FeLV-positive cat sheds high quantities of the virus in its saliva and nasal secretions. Therefore, the virus can be spread from cat to cat through mutual grooming and, more rarely, by sharing food bowls and litter boxes, as well as through bite wounds. An infected mother can also transmit the virus to her kittens before birth or while nursing. FeLV is the most common cause of cancer in cats, and it may cause various blood disorders. As with FIV, FeLV can weaken the immune system so that the same bacteria and viruses that usually do not affect a healthy animal can cause serious illness in a cat with FeLV. Common secondary infections include inflammation of the gums and mouth, skin, urinary, or upper respiratory infections, and persistent diarrhea. For additional information, please see:
