Re: [Felvtalk] LTCI, and FELV Fevers and Treatments
Hi Andy, The Internet is getting smaller and smaller everyday. I have been reading your posts on 910 pets about Aggie. I guess when we get that bad news about our fur babies we head for the web to learn more. I so happy for you and Aggie that she doing well. Our vet has Kelsea on Alpha Interferon 7 days on then 7 day off. As of Tuesday her CBC are great. She also very playful and great appetite. She is gaining a little over a 1pound a month. Which is right on track for a kitten. Her attitude is awesome. All the vet tech at the veterinary hospital we bring her to here in MA love her. I been the Mass Veterinary Hospital so much that Kelsea that the vet and I are on first name basis . Since Aggie is asymptomatic does this meaning she still test postive for FeLV even thou she showing no other signs of FeLV. I have heard of some cats may test negtive after LTCI. Did Aggie FeLV show up in the bone marrow, or just the blood? Part of me wants to put her on LTCI now, but the other parts just wants to wait and see how she does. Like you said this won't continue on forever, but for now--everyday is a party with her. Take care, Sharon On Thu, Dec 9, 2010 at 2:29 PM, Andy Domek oxjake...@hotmail.com wrote: Re: :LTCH--I've had reasonable success with LTCI. If you do a search in the archives, you can read what I've written about my journey with my cat, Aggie. She's still kicking at 6 and a half years. I've had her on Alpha Interferon every day of her life, 1 cc every morning (and after she suffered a seizure of unknown cause, every morning and evening). She's also been on LTCI every two weeks since her WBC and neutrophils went downhill last Spring. Her bloodwork has rebounded nicely, and she is currently asymptomatic, and very playful with a fine appetite and attitude. I know this won't continue on forever, but for now--every day is a party with her. About the interferon, Aggie has been on it every day of her life from the time we adopted her. She had zero symptoms of anything FELV related until she developed adenocarcinoma of the salivary gland (cancer) at the age of 5. We had that removed in the Summer of 09, and as I mentioned above--she's still here. I think the Interferon may have played a role in keeping her healthy for so long. It isn't terribly expensive, at any rate. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Question about Interferon
Many of you have said that you are using interferon to treat your FeLV cats and I'm trying to decide if we should start Eden on this as well. Nobody has mentioned any side effects from the treatment but I work with cancer patients and I've seen many patients treated with interferon and it is not well tolerated at all. In fact it is a treatment that is plagued with many serious side effects and in many cases the side effects are much worse then the symptoms of the patient's actual disease. So I'm wondering if the cats being treated are experiencing side effects or if the dose is so low in cats that the side effects aren't a problem. Thanks, Brenda ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Question about Interferon
Hi Brenda, At this time my kitten is tolerating the interferon. It is my understanding from my vet that some cats do have side effects with the interferon. When we put Kelsea on the interferon it was the right thing to do, she was very sick kitten. I have to say I am very glad I did. I'm not sure if I mention in pass emails that Kelsea is on the interferon for 7 days then off for the next 7 days, she only get 1 cc at night. Let me know what you decide to do. My thoughts are with you and Eden. Sharon On Fri, Dec 10, 2010 at 9:59 AM, brenda_osbou...@hotmail.com wrote: Many of you have said that you are using interferon to treat your FeLV cats and I'm trying to decide if we should start Eden on this as well. Nobody has mentioned any side effects from the treatment but I work with cancer patients and I've seen many patients treated with interferon and it is not well tolerated at all. In fact it is a treatment that is plagued with many serious side effects and in many cases the side effects are much worse then the symptoms of the patient's actual disease. So I'm wondering if the cats being treated are experiencing side effects or if the dose is so low in cats that the side effects aren't a problem. Thanks, Brenda ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] LTCI, and FELV Fevers and Treatments
While Aggie doesn't have symptoms outwardly at present, she has always tested positive on bothe Elisa test and IFA tests from the time she was 3 months old. We've had her tested no less than 7 or 8 time--the most recent being after her cancer surgery in 2009. She's been on LTCI every two weeks since June, so if she's still kicking in March or April of 2011, we might have her retested for the heck of it. I doubt she will have seroconverted, but as you will know from 910 pets and others on this blog--it has apparently happened with others. Not counting on it, but that sure would be nice. If that did happen, I would still consider her as a positive, jut that there isn't enough virus to show up on tests. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Interferon
Thanks. I can do without the sarcasm. I'm just trying to figure out what's best for my girl. Eden has a very sensitive system and if there are side effects of any drug then no doubt she's going to have them. And no I don't consider still being alive as being a side effect and again, I can do without the sarcasm when I'm trying to make some very difficult decisions during a very stressful time. I work in the medical field so I'm well aware of what drugs can do to a body and I'm also aware of the great benefit they can offer. I like to know as much as I can before making any decisions when dealing with what has the potential to be a very toxic drug. I thank everyone else who has shared their stories and experiences. Brenda From: oxjake...@hotmail.com To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Date: Fri, 10 Dec 2010 19:05:00 + Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Interferon Aggie has had interferon every day of her life since I've had her (for 6 and a half years) and has had no noticeable side effects. But--she is still alive and happy, so I suppose you could consider that a side-effect. Might also be chalked up to good luck, but I'm sure the Interferon hasn't hurt her. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Interferon
Hi Brenda, I had zero intention of being sarcastic! I know you are just researching what is best for your baby, and I know how scary this is. I meant no disrespect to you, or anyone else. In thinking back over Aggie's life, I was honestly trying to think of anything that might be considered a side effect, and couldn't think of anything, so I wrote the only thing that came to mind as a joke. That's the problem with the written word--it is impossible to see tone on the page that if spoken in a conversation wouldn't even be an issue. I am truly sorry for offending you during what is obviously a very difficult time. Andy ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Interferon
A friend of mine has an FELV cat (along with another non FELV cat; they're buddies). She's had the FELV kitty on interferon alpha for several years - kitty has done extremely well. Gloria On Dec 10, 2010, at 1:05 PM, Andy Domek wrote: Aggie has had interferon every day of her life since I've had her (for 6 and a half years) and has had no noticeable side effects. But--she is still alive and happy, so I suppose you could consider that a side-effect. Might also be chalked up to good luck, but I'm sure the Interferon hasn't hurt her. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Insight Please
My shelter just took in a litter of 5 kittens. They are about 8 weeks old. The 3 females tested possible for feline leukemia with the Idexx snap test and the 2 males were negative. We retested from another batch of tests and the same thing. How is this possible if they are all from the same mother? Can anyone shed some light on this please? Marnie Sent from my iPhone ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
