Re: [Felvtalk] Pale gums
Hello Katherine, I definitely have to back Heather here. Pale gums and eating litter are very indicative of anemia. Earlier this year, our sweet girl Polli, started licking walls and clay planters. She slowly lost interest in her toys and food. By the time I took her to the vet, she was severely anemic. The vet didn't think she had more than a week and was hesitant to treat her. She was also about six months when she started showing symptoms. We gave her Pet-tinic and Transfer Factor Plus in addition to a vitamin-rich diet and a lot of pampering. She fought through the anemia but we lost her to FIP five months later. I would suggest taking him to the vet as soon as possible. The earlier you catch anemia, the better the chances are of treating it. On Tue, Oct 29, 2013 at 7:58 AM, Heather furrygi...@gmail.com wrote: Yes, definitely. I would get him in asap (today). This is a worry with any kitty and especially felv+ kitties. Last time someone told me their cat was eating litter, he died soon after even though they got him to the vet (probably needed a transfusion which I don't think they tried). Again not to scare you but given pale gums + eating litter, would rather err to the side of caution and say get him in asap as that's definitely worriesome. On Tue, Oct 29, 2013 at 10:51 AM, Katherine K. kaths...@gmail.com wrote: Thanks. After doing few searches on the listserv archive and reading past posts I wanted to add that I also have found him a couple of times recently eating litter (the kind he was eating was Worlds Best Cat Litter made from corn, but he also uses clay litter) and he has a tendency to lick the shower drain after my shower. Seems like those could also be symptoms of anemia..missing a mineral or something. On Tue, Oct 29, 2013 at 10:20 AM, Heather furrygi...@gmail.com wrote: Pale gums can indicate anemia, if gums are white they are usually near death. I'd get the kitty's PCV (packed cell volume) checked asap. FELV+ cats are particularly prone to anemia, I don't have any FELV+ cats and think sometimes it is non-regenerative but some here might have some advice. Not to scare you, but anemia is something that needs to be addressed quickly. On Tue, Oct 29, 2013 at 10:16 AM, Katherine K. kaths...@gmail.comwrote: Just saw Avaykn's email as I was writing this. I have the opposite problem - pale gums. One of my positive kittens Terence has started looking/feeling a little skinny and his usually short sleek fur has a more raggedy look to it. I checked his gums this morning and they were pale compared to his 3 siblings (who are also positive). He is 6 months old. They are on lysine and getting wet and dry food. I'm going to try adding fortiflora and get some lixotinic from the vet. Appetite seems normal, he's still active/playful but perhaps less so than usual. Katherine ___ 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 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 -- There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge Bertrand Russell ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Pale gums
Hi, Pet-tinic is a liquid supplement rich in iron, copper and Vitamins B12, B6 and Thiamine, among other vitamins. The belief is that this supplement will help the animal produce more RBCs. There is also a product called Liqui-Tinic which offers similar vitamins and minerals. It does, however, have corn syrup in it which I am not a big fan of. Transfer Factor Plus is a combination of amino acids and vitamins. It's works by boosting the immune system's response. FeLV+ felines are at greater risk for contracting illness because of the virus; by boosting the immune system, they are able to fight opportunistic illness better. I obviously can't guarantee these are what kept her alive. It could have been the constant love, lunch meat or her little body fighting on its own. However, it also didn't hurt. Several people on this forum have used one or the other or both and have had success with them. I truly believe that if she hadn't contracted FIP, she would have continued to recover with the help of these supplements... and endless amounts of lunch meat ;) -A On Tue, Oct 29, 2013 at 11:02 AM, Avaykn ava...@gmail.com wrote: Hi Amanda, Can you please tell me more about Petinic and transfer factor? Thanks, Sent from my iPhone. On Oct 29, 2013, at 13:31, Amanda K. Payne amandak.pa...@gmail.com wrote: Hello Katherine, I definitely have to back Heather here. Pale gums and eating litter are very indicative of anemia. Earlier this year, our sweet girl Polli, started licking walls and clay planters. She slowly lost interest in her toys and food. By the time I took her to the vet, she was severely anemic. The vet didn't think she had more than a week and was hesitant to treat her. She was also about six months when she started showing symptoms. We gave her Pet-tinic and Transfer Factor Plus in addition to a vitamin-rich diet and a lot of pampering. She fought through the anemia but we lost her to FIP five months later. I would suggest taking him to the vet as soon as possible. The earlier you catch anemia, the better the chances are of treating it. On Tue, Oct 29, 2013 at 7:58 AM, Heather furrygi...@gmail.com wrote: Yes, definitely. I would get him in asap (today). This is a worry with any kitty and especially felv+ kitties. Last time someone told me their cat was eating litter, he died soon after even though they got him to the vet (probably needed a transfusion which I don't think they tried). Again not to scare you but given pale gums + eating litter, would rather err to the side of caution and say get him in asap as that's definitely worriesome. On Tue, Oct 29, 2013 at 10:51 AM, Katherine K. kaths...@gmail.comwrote: Thanks. After doing few searches on the listserv archive and reading past posts I wanted to add that I also have found him a couple of times recently eating litter (the kind he was eating was Worlds Best Cat Litter made from corn, but he also uses clay litter) and he has a tendency to lick the shower drain after my shower. Seems like those could also be symptoms of anemia..missing a mineral or something. On Tue, Oct 29, 2013 at 10:20 AM, Heather furrygi...@gmail.com wrote: Pale gums can indicate anemia, if gums are white they are usually near death. I'd get the kitty's PCV (packed cell volume) checked asap. FELV+ cats are particularly prone to anemia, I don't have any FELV+ cats and think sometimes it is non-regenerative but some here might have some advice. Not to scare you, but anemia is something that needs to be addressed quickly. On Tue, Oct 29, 2013 at 10:16 AM, Katherine K. kaths...@gmail.comwrote: Just saw Avaykn's email as I was writing this. I have the opposite problem - pale gums. One of my positive kittens Terence has started looking/feeling a little skinny and his usually short sleek fur has a more raggedy look to it. I checked his gums this morning and they were pale compared to his 3 siblings (who are also positive). He is 6 months old. They are on lysine and getting wet and dry food. I'm going to try adding fortiflora and get some lixotinic from the vet. Appetite seems normal, he's still active/playful but perhaps less so than usual. Katherine ___ 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 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 -- There is much pleasure to be gained from
Re: [Felvtalk] Los Angeles - Good vet for very sick FIV+ kitty needed!!!
I live in Los Angeles and can suggest two vets: Overland Vet Clinic 310.559.2424. They are in the Palms/Culver City area. Veterinary Care Center 323.919.. Hollywood area. My cats go to Overland and all of their vets are very helpful and kind. They helped us with Polli, our FeLV+ kitty. All the rescues I work with take their cats to VCC. They have a *very*knowledgeable staff and will work relentlessly to help any animal that comes through their doors. Hope this helps and her kitty pulls through! -Amanda On Tue, Oct 29, 2013 at 7:36 PM, Heather furrygi...@gmail.com wrote: I am in Tampa and a friend who adopted a very special FIV+ kitty from us 2 years ago is afraid she is losing him, tests are showing nothing and she is having a terrible time with the vets. Can anyone recommend a good vet for a very sick FIV+ kitty in the Los Angeles area? His main symptom is just extreme weight loss and constant vomiting. B/w, xray and ultrasounds have been unremarkable--I have warned her about HL and the need to force feed. Thank you for any suggestions!! Heather ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org -- There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge Bertrand Russell ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Anyone Home?
I've been getting messages, though very sporadically. I'll get some right away but most I get a month, sometimes two, late. Not sure what's going on. On Mon, Oct 7, 2013 at 10:30 AM, kat merrykatme...@email.com wrote: I'm here - tho I mainly just lurk these days.. It has been quiet. Kat (Mew Jersey) - Original Message - From: Lee Evans Sent: 10/07/13 01:25 PM To: Felvtalk Subject: [Felvtalk] Anyone Home? I haven't received any messages from the group in over two weeks! Yahoo was sending back my messages with the information that the address no longer exists. What gives? ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org -- There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge Bertrand Russell ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] IFA tests/PCR tests
Like others who have replied, I have worked with cat rescues and have personal experiences w/ FeLV. I trust ELISA and IFA results if done properly. However, I wouldn't run a PCR test. I feel this test is EXTREMELY sensitive and any sort of mishandling will result in an untrustworthy result. One of the rescues I volunteered with occasionally tested with ELISA and, if positive, ran a PCR test. One litter came from a FeLV+ mom. All the kittens except for one tested positive on ELISA as well. Those four were retested through PCR. They all came back negative. What a relief, right? Not really. All those negative kittens were allowed to mingle with three other litters that came through. All of these kittens were adopted out around Thanksgiving and Christmas last year. A little over a month ago, we received a few heartbreaking calls and emails about some of these kittens dying from FeLV related illnesses. They weren't actually negative and had FeLV the entire time they were in the rescue. At least 15 other kittens were exposed through contact with the positive kittens. I feel the ELISA test followed by a confirmatory IFA test is the best route. If the ELISA test is positive, run an IFA. If the cat is negative on the IFA, retest using ELISA in 12 weeks. If it's still positive, it's unfortunately a true positive. Of course there are going to be outliers. Some cats carry latent infections, some cats can beat it, ect. Despite all the stories you hear, these aren't typical cases. -Amanda On Wed, Aug 14, 2013 at 6:16 PM, Lance lini...@fastmail.fm wrote: If I understood the AAFP retrovirus guidelines paper, PCR tests are the only test that will show regressive infection. Theoretically, regressive infections rarely if ever surface. In other words, a true negative on ELISA/IFA should not go positive later on down the line. Testing, like vaccination, is not ironclad guaranteed in results, but it's still useful for bringing in new cats and adopting them out. It's a shame that IFA and PCR testing is so expensive. Probably not too bad for an owner of one cat, but for rescuers… Hopefully we'll have better diagnostics someday, but most everything with FeLV feels stuck in the status quo of 2005. Lance ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org -- There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge Bertrand Russell ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] A Tribute to Polli
Bonnie, It brings a smile to my face thinking of Polli disease-free. FeLV robbed her of so much and every day she was ill, I just wanted to make her better so she could enjoy the things she once loved. I can only hope that somewhere, she's fetching toy mice again and singing for treats. Thank you for your sweet words and blessings. We appreciate it during these difficult times. Best, -Amanda On Sat, Jul 6, 2013 at 9:09 PM, Bonnie Hogue ho...@sonic.net wrote: Amanda, your heart-felt words bring tears to my eyes. A sweet tribute to a deserving being. Blessings to you and your wonderful man during this difficult time. And Polli…we know she now can be pain and disease free in the land of rainbows. Peace Bonnie ** ** *From:* Felvtalk [mailto:felvtalk-boun...@felineleukemia.org] *On Behalf Of *Amanda K. Payne *Sent:* Saturday, July 06, 2013 7:35 PM *To:* felvtalk@felineleukemia.org *Subject:* [Felvtalk] A Tribute to Polli ** ** It was just another hot August morning when our upstairs neighbors frantically called my boyfriend. He went out to see what was wrong and came back, worried. He told me I needed to come check something out. Concerned, I went into the foyer and frantically running around and mewing was a tiny gray and white kitten with huge white paws. ** ** That was the morning we first met Polli. She was dirty, blanketed with fleas and had a terrible URI that had glued her little eyes shut. Our neighbors couldn’t keep her due to a cat-aggressive dog and my boyfriend wasn’t a pet person who was absolutely against us having another cat. However, we live in a city with high kill shelters and there was no way this little cat would make it out alive. Without a second thought, I rushed her into our home and called the local vet. I promised my guy that once she recovered, I would find a new home for her. Who knew that within those two weeks it took for her to become healthy and strong that she would have also stolen our hearts, officially making my boyfriend a “cat person.” Or as he would say, “a Polli person.” ** ** Since August of 2012, we have been the lucky guardians of this sweet girl. Polli, named for her polydactyl paws and the gray dot on her pink nose that reminded us of the dot on a lower-case ‘i’, was like no other cat I have known. As a friend once said, she has the sweetest soul of any creature he has ever met. She rushed to greet whomever came to our home, spent countless hours sprawled out across my boyfriend’s chest and would wake me at 6:30 every morning by sweetly meeping at our bedroom door, waiting to come in to lay in my arms and chew on my hair before falling back asleep.* *** ** ** Since her diagnosis in March, the little cat we love slowly faded. Even though the vet gave her just two weeks, she fought on for close to four months, earning her the nickname, “Tiny Brawler”. During those months, we let our hearts spill forth and gave her so much love and affection. Windows were left open for her to rest in, plates full of treats and wet food were always present and not a day went by that we didn’t kiss her little head and tell her what a wonderful cat she was. Her strong will to live and give love was no match for the terrible ways FeLV ravaged her body. We wanted her to leave this earth knowing love and comfort and assisted her passing this afternoon. Her spirit left this earth as her body laid in one of her favorite spots in our kitchen with both my guy and I petting and kissing her. ** ** Her life, though short, was filled with love, a full belly and warm home that will feel empty without her. To my sweet Polli, may your spirit soar high with birds and find its place at the Rainbow Bridge. You will be forever missed and loved by so many people, especially Austin and I. ** ** -Amanda ** ** -- There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge Bertrand Russell ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org -- There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge Bertrand Russell ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] A Tribute to Polli
Heather, Thank you for thinking of us during these hard times. Our sweet Polli was such an incredible cat. She brought so much to our lives! Once again, thank you. We truly appreciate it. -Amanda On Sat, Jul 6, 2013 at 8:48 PM, Heather furrygi...@gmail.com wrote: Amanda, Thank you for sharing this beautiful tribute to sweet Polli (there was a character in the old cartoon Underdog named Sweet Polly). I am so, so sorry your time with her was so short, thank you for making her life so wonderful and full of love. There really aren't words to express my sadness for you, but I will remember Polli's story and will think of her often, what a very special girl she obviously was. My heart goes out to you at this very sad time. Heather in Tampa On Sat, Jul 6, 2013 at 10:35 PM, Amanda K. Payne amandak.pa...@gmail.comwrote: It was just another hot August morning when our upstairs neighbors frantically called my boyfriend. He went out to see what was wrong and came back, worried. He told me I needed to come check something out. Concerned, I went into the foyer and frantically running around and mewing was a tiny gray and white kitten with huge white paws. That was the morning we first met Polli. She was dirty, blanketed with fleas and had a terrible URI that had glued her little eyes shut. Our neighbors couldn’t keep her due to a cat-aggressive dog and my boyfriend wasn’t a pet person who was absolutely against us having another cat. However, we live in a city with high kill shelters and there was no way this little cat would make it out alive. Without a second thought, I rushed her into our home and called the local vet. I promised my guy that once she recovered, I would find a new home for her. Who knew that within those two weeks it took for her to become healthy and strong that she would have also stolen our hearts, officially making my boyfriend a “cat person.” Or as he would say, “a Polli person.” Since August of 2012, we have been the lucky guardians of this sweet girl. Polli, named for her polydactyl paws and the gray dot on her pink nose that reminded us of the dot on a lower-case ‘i’, was like no other cat I have known. As a friend once said, she has the sweetest soul of any creature he has ever met. She rushed to greet whomever came to our home, spent countless hours sprawled out across my boyfriend’s chest and would wake me at 6:30 every morning by sweetly meeping at our bedroom door, waiting to come in to lay in my arms and chew on my hair before falling back asleep. Since her diagnosis in March, the little cat we love slowly faded. Even though the vet gave her just two weeks, she fought on for close to four months, earning her the nickname, “Tiny Brawler”. During those months, we let our hearts spill forth and gave her so much love and affection. Windows were left open for her to rest in, plates full of treats and wet food were always present and not a day went by that we didn’t kiss her little head and tell her what a wonderful cat she was. Her strong will to live and give love was no match for the terrible ways FeLV ravaged her body. We wanted her to leave this earth knowing love and comfort and assisted her passing this afternoon. Her spirit left this earth as her body laid in one of her favorite spots in our kitchen with both my guy and I petting and kissing her. Her life, though short, was filled with love, a full belly and warm home that will feel empty without her. To my sweet Polli, may your spirit soar high with birds and find its place at the Rainbow Bridge. You will be forever missed and loved by so many people, especially Austin and I. -Amanda -- There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge Bertrand Russell ___ 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 -- There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge Bertrand Russell ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] A Tribute to Polli
It was just another hot August morning when our upstairs neighbors frantically called my boyfriend. He went out to see what was wrong and came back, worried. He told me I needed to come check something out. Concerned, I went into the foyer and frantically running around and mewing was a tiny gray and white kitten with huge white paws. That was the morning we first met Polli. She was dirty, blanketed with fleas and had a terrible URI that had glued her little eyes shut. Our neighbors couldn’t keep her due to a cat-aggressive dog and my boyfriend wasn’t a pet person who was absolutely against us having another cat. However, we live in a city with high kill shelters and there was no way this little cat would make it out alive. Without a second thought, I rushed her into our home and called the local vet. I promised my guy that once she recovered, I would find a new home for her. Who knew that within those two weeks it took for her to become healthy and strong that she would have also stolen our hearts, officially making my boyfriend a “cat person.” Or as he would say, “a Polli person.” Since August of 2012, we have been the lucky guardians of this sweet girl. Polli, named for her polydactyl paws and the gray dot on her pink nose that reminded us of the dot on a lower-case ‘i’, was like no other cat I have known. As a friend once said, she has the sweetest soul of any creature he has ever met. She rushed to greet whomever came to our home, spent countless hours sprawled out across my boyfriend’s chest and would wake me at 6:30 every morning by sweetly meeping at our bedroom door, waiting to come in to lay in my arms and chew on my hair before falling back asleep. Since her diagnosis in March, the little cat we love slowly faded. Even though the vet gave her just two weeks, she fought on for close to four months, earning her the nickname, “Tiny Brawler”. During those months, we let our hearts spill forth and gave her so much love and affection. Windows were left open for her to rest in, plates full of treats and wet food were always present and not a day went by that we didn’t kiss her little head and tell her what a wonderful cat she was. Her strong will to live and give love was no match for the terrible ways FeLV ravaged her body. We wanted her to leave this earth knowing love and comfort and assisted her passing this afternoon. Her spirit left this earth as her body laid in one of her favorite spots in our kitchen with both my guy and I petting and kissing her. Her life, though short, was filled with love, a full belly and warm home that will feel empty without her. To my sweet Polli, may your spirit soar high with birds and find its place at the Rainbow Bridge. You will be forever missed and loved by so many people, especially Austin and I. -Amanda -- There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge Bertrand Russell ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Bad News
Hi everyone, We took Polli in to a new vet today to get something new to treat her URI. She had a bad reaction to Clavamox and we were looking for a new vet who would be more aggressive and open minded with her treatments. We found a great vet, one I used to go to when I lived on the other side of town. He was optimistic about her treatment and was confident we could get her over this URI. However, he noticed that her belly is distended. He did a tap and diagnosed her with FIP (another disease I have already dealt with before). Her skin and gums are also very jaundiced. He says it appears her body is shutting down. We made an appointment to euthanize her at our home tomorrow afternoon. She's been on a decline for the past two weeks and feel it's time to help her go. Please keep us in your thoughts. Best, -Amanda -- There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge Bertrand Russell ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] goodby little one
Karen, I'm sorry to hear of Penny's passing. Your touching email made me cry. Thank you for taking her in and doing all you could to find her good home. Her time on earth was short, but thanks you, it was filled with love. If only all FeLV kitties could be so lucky. Sincerely, -Amanda On Mon, Jul 1, 2013 at 9:02 AM, Karen Harshbarger harshbargerka...@yahoo.com wrote: It is with a sad heart that I remember a little cat that came into our lives one cold winter morning this past winter. She lost her battle with feline leukemia last night. Little Squirt --- later to become Penelope (Penny) squeezed her way into our outside kennel and into our hearts. She was sick and needed help, shelter and love; which we gave without question. With medical care, she seemed to become better. We already had so many cats, so I put out a cry for help and assistance. Panora P.E.T.S.. (bless their hearts) offered to take her and her brother to try to help them find a forever home. They found them a foster home while waiting, but soon learned that Penelope had to leave her brother for a new foster home and a cat friend (that also has feline leukemia) because it was discovered she had feline leukemia. She seemed to be doing okay, but this horrible illness finely claimed her life. I remember a beautiful sweet loving cat that was so tiny and loved to be cuddled and cradled like a baby in my arms. Hopefully her friend that she made hereour other cat (Tig) that also lost his battle to this horrible illnessare now playing together in cat heaven and never know illness or pain again---nothing but happiness. Poor little Penelope never found her forever home here on earthbut I know she at least found love from all of those that tried to help her, including us. I cried when we took her to Panora but knew they could give her a better chance of finding a inside loving home. Penelope---know we will always love you and Tig, and you will forever be in our hearts. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org -- There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge Bertrand Russell ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Please keep Polli in your thoughts
Thank you everyone!! As you can imagine, I'm a wreck over it. I'm also housesitting at the moment and can't be with her at night. Though she's with my boyfriend who loves her dearly, I feel awful that I'm not there to comfort her. Over the last ten years, I've had my cats die from FeLV, FIP and now Polli is also deathly ill with FeLV. None of the cats ever met one another but it seems I'm a sucker for sick kitties. The cats I rescue and I just can't seem to catch a break. Lance, I haven't had the vet give her a transfusion. The vet we went to (whom I don't care for) diagnosed her with non regenerative anemia back in March. FeLV is wreaking havoc on her bone marrow and it's just not producing enough red and white blood cells. A transfusion would maybe give her a few more weeks, if that. Margo, I'm not sure if there is anything I can do. She was doing okay before I brought home a nasty URI (I volunteer with several rescues and must have somehow exposed her to it). She of course caught it. I gave her Clavamox for two days before she just crashed. The Clavamox caused her to poo herself for hours on end and she deteriorated after that. I took her off Clavamox and decided to look for a better vet. My vet doesn't seem interested in helping what she thinks is a lost cause. Watching her get sick just makes me start to doubt all my decisions. Could I have done something better? Did I bring something home from the shelters I volunteer at that may eventually kill her? I know it is what it is but like many of you, I just can't help from wondering if I could have done something differently that would prolong her time. I'll keep you all updated and thank you again for the support. Best, -Amanda On Tue, Jun 25, 2013 at 2:06 PM, Margo toomanykitti...@earthlink.netwrote: We're here, Amanda. Please know that Polli is getting LOTS of positive energy and hope sent her way. Are you able to do anything for her, at this point? I know everyone wishes her (and you) the very best, Margo -Original Message- From: Amanda K. Payne ** Sent: Jun 25, 2013 2:09 PM To: Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Subject: [Felvtalk] Please keep Polli in your thoughts Hi everyone! Please send some good energy to my Polli. She's have a rough few days and I'm not sure she'll come out of this. She was diagnosed with severe anemia back at the beginning of March. She rebounded but not completely. Recently, her breathing has become a bit more labored. We also noticed she's pulling out her own fur andsome strange lumps on her stomach. I'm really worried that the end is near for her and feel so guilty that I couldn't do more. Please keep us in your thoughts. It's going to be a tough few days. Best, -Amanda -- There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge Bertrand Russell ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org -- There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge Bertrand Russell ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Callie
Lance, Callie is definitely in my thoughts and prayers and is Ember and you. Hopefully, her immune system will step up and kick some FeLV butt. Adult cats have such an easier time kicking that nasty virus. I've read tons of stories through this forum and have experience with positives mixing with negatives. It seems more often than not that it ends up okay. Polli lives with an older cat, Alfred. For six months they played, groomed one another, shared water and litter boxes and even gave each other a few scratches. Alfred was tested when I first got him but Polli was a random kitten we found in our backyard who we didn't intend to keep. I also had a naive notion that since I've already had one FeLV kitty chances are I wouldn't have another (WRONG). I was worried sick that I exposed him to FeLV through Polli and beat myself up over it for a while. However, despite all the time they spent together and all the things they shared, Alfred is still negative. I have to test him again in a few months but I honestly feel he'll be okay. Hang in there, Lance, and try not to beat yourself up over it so much, though I know it's hard not to. You can't change what happened and can only focus on what each day brings you (something I also need to learn)! Best, -Amanda On Tue, Jun 25, 2013 at 12:01 PM, Lee Evans moonsiste...@yahoo.com wrote: Loose stools are really not a sign of a cat going FeLv+. It could be just about anything - from eating something different to stress to an unrelated bug that you brought in with you from outside. Really Lance, you can't keep a cat in a sterile bubble. I'm not saying that a bite from a positive cat is not serious but most cats who are well cared for, have enough immunity to ward off anything serious from a bite. In addition, Ember is not active for leukemia. She has tested positive. Yes, she could spread it through fighting and biting but it's more likely that she didn't. Spay and Neuter your cats and dogs and your weird relatives and nasty neighbors too! -- *From:* Marcia marciabmar...@gmail.com *To:* felvtalk@felineleukemia.org felvtalk@felineleukemia.org *Sent:* Tuesday, June 25, 2013 11:26 AM *Subject:* Re: [Felvtalk] Callie Me too. I'm not trying to downplay your feelings at all. I just hate to see you be so hard on yourself over this. I tend to do the same and I just need someone to point it out. Give positive vibes, it will help her more than you being stressed(-: Take care Sent from my absolutely outstanding iphone(: On Jun 24, 2013, at 7:12 PM, Lance lini...@fastmail.fm wrote: Thanks, everyone. Please keep our tabby girl (Callie) in your thoughts and prayers. A bite is very serious, and I suspect that the loose stools mean she's dealing with the infection. Hoping she ends up as a negative. Lance On Jun 24, 2013, at 3:10 PM, Marcia marciabmar...@gmail.com wrote: Hi Lance We don't have control over everything. C'mon, yours on this list, that means you love your cat! And as far as I'm concerned, anybody that loves cats the way all of us do, is a damn good human being. -: Sent from my absolutely outstanding iphone(: On Jun 24, 2013, at 12:07 PM, Lance lini...@fastmail.fm wrote: Hi everyone, Please pray for my mom's cat, Callie. I mentioned her here a few weeks ago, after my FeLV+ cat, Ember, bit Callie when she accidentally got into Ember's room. Callie has had soft stools for the last four days, and there was blood on her stool on Saturday. Since Callie hasn't been vaccinated since she was a kitten, she probably has no immunity from that route. She is 7 years old, and I'm hoping that she'll be able to deal with the virus better having a more mature immune system. People talk about age resistance with FeLV, but I don't think it can be relied on. I'm dealing with an incredible amount of guilt over this. I love Callie like I love Ember. She's one of my favorite cats ever. It was my fault that she got into Ember's room, and it's my fault that Ember is still here with my parents. It's also my fault that we didn't vaccinate Callie, as I worried about vax site sarcoma for Callie, and the few run-ins that had happened between the two cats over the last seven years were always brief and friendly. I also feel guilty as, if I'd just gotten in the room (quite literally) a minute or so sooner, this wouldn't have happened. Please pray that Callie can fight the virus so that she isn't persistently infected, and please pray for me. I'm dealing with a lot. Thanks, Lance ___ 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] Please keep Polli in your thoughts
Her anemia isn't really understood; it comes and goes so I'm wary of the non regenerative anemia diagnosis. I'm not sure if her recent problems are related to anemia or to the URI. We're looking for a new vet at the moment. As soon as I know more, I'll let you all know. -Amanda On Wed, Jun 26, 2013 at 4:47 PM, Margo toomanykitti...@earthlink.netwrote: Lorrie wrote;True, IF the virus is latent and hiding in the bone marrow, but when a cat is severely anemic the virus is active, and the cat will suffer a painful death. I must have missed something, sorry. What I saw Amanda say was; She was diagnosed with severe anemia back at the beginning of March. She rebounded but not completely. Recently, her breathing has become a bit more labored. This indicated to me that the severe anemia had responded once, and that at this point, I didn't think that there had been a CBC done recently. Again, my apologies. I wanted to encourage and support Amanda, but since Polli has been confirmed as severely anemic (HCT 10-15, I believe) and no treatment is planned, then yes, euthanasia is probably best. I had thought that the anemia related to FeLV was less well understood. I'll keep researching. I'm so sorry. Margo . ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org -- There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge Bertrand Russell ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] We let Bubba go.
Beth, I am so sorry to hear about Bubba. He knew nothing but love and comfort in his final days. Thank you for all you did for him. I'm sure he'd thank you if he could =) Sincerely, -Amanda On Tue, Jun 25, 2013 at 4:18 AM, dlg...@windstream.net wrote: I know that feeling all too well. You want to keep them with you but you do not want to make them suffer. That is what happens when you rescue, you know nothing about their past lives and illness and it makes it so hard to help them. Watching Jackson Galaxy has taught me so much about my pride. Amazing that many of the cat's problems can be laid at their owner's doorstep. I especially remember the couple's cat that would not use the box. They only cleaned the box every other week. I have 7 boxes and I clean them twice daily.One thing you know for sure, he is not suffering and is in a happier place now. Thank you for caring.. Beth create_me_...@yahoo.com wrote: We did the ultrasound Friday. It showed enlarged spleen kidneys. Vet thinks spleen was probably cancerous. I was not putting him through any more. He had just been laying around for 2 1/2 weeks, mostly having to be force fed. I did that with my 1st FeLV I said I would never do it again. I did it at 1st because he had a URI I knew he could get over that. But once that was gone he didn't get better as far as activity eating. It was a really sad decision. I had had a tough time with him at first because he peed on everything. Thanks to some things I learned from watching Jackson Galaxy we got him out of that habit he was becoming a total sweetheart. He just loved to walk up to you an put his head against you. Some hit you harder than others. This was pretty difficult. The lady who found him is having him cremated for me. Thanks guys for just being there. Beth Don't Litter, Fix Your Critter! www.Furkids.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org -- There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge Bertrand Russell ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Please keep Polli in your thoughts
Hi everyone! Please send some good energy to my Polli. She's have a rough few days and I'm not sure she'll come out of this. She was diagnosed with severe anemia back at the beginning of March. She rebounded but not completely. Recently, her breathing has become a bit more labored. We also noticed she's pulling out her own fur and has some strange lumps on her stomach. I'm really worried that the end is near for her and feel so guilty that I couldn't do more. Please keep us in your thoughts. It's going to be a tough few days. Best, -Amanda -- There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge Bertrand Russell ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] feline leukemia tests
Lance, I could totally get behind your Christmas Wish List. I rescued my first FeLV+ kitten ten years ago. In that decade, there seems to be little to no progress made in FeLV prevention and/or treatment. Instead, the information I come across is more confusing than it was when I first heard of FeLV. I understand that a lack of funding and red tape slow down scientific progress, but come on! There's a huge difference between slow down and standstill. It may be too late for my Polli, but I look forward to the day that FeLV is treatable instead of something that only supportive care is available for. -Amanda On Wed, Jun 12, 2013 at 12:44 PM, Lance lini...@fastmail.fm wrote: Yeah, it does show that persistent infection isn't necessarily inevitable when a cat is exposed and infected. It's sad that we don't know more about how often regressive vs. persistent happens. There are a lot of things I think we need with regard to information. For Christmas, I'd like some tangibles: * an immediate treatment that can hit the virus right after exposure. Even if it's only useful for 48 hours, that would allow people with bitten cats to treat immediately, rather than to wait on the disease process. Perhaps this is unrealistic or even science fiction. I think some folks have used AZT in these cases, but that seems potentially dangerous. * a long-term treatment that allows for FeLV+ cats (and FIV+ cats) to live with their illness in a similar way to how more people are able to live with HIV infections. This is going to require lots of funding, but we need feline-friendly antiretrovirals that are less toxic. Imagine someone getting an FeLV+ diagnosis for his or her cat in the (hopefully) not-too-distant future, and while they are saddened, they know that their cat can live a full life with the right drugs–the virus will be relatively under control. * a vaccine that doesn't cause vax site sarcomas. How hard can this possibly be? Why do we not understand how this happens better after a decade of dealing with it? Why is their less vax site sarcoma prevalence in the UK and Europe vs. America, when both sides use pretty much the same vax? In my family's case, I think I would have advocated for our girl now of questionable status to be vaccinated if I didn't have to feel like I was putting her at risk for an aggressive cancer. But, my FeLV+ was isolated, and the few accidental meet-ups that they'd had were always quick and easily curtailed, so putting Callie at risk of the sarcoma didn't seem right. I'm regretting that now. On Jun 12, 2013, at 2:20 PM, Margo toomanykitti...@earthlink.net wrote: Hi Lance, Thanks! I don't know if I have that or not, but it sounds interesting G. And it does give me some hope. All the best, Margo ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org -- There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge Bertrand Russell ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Healing thoughts for Bubba
You and Bubba are in my thoughts, Beth. I hope he recovers soon! There was a time I thought our Polli was suffering from haemobartonella because she had a bad bout of fleas and was extremely anemic. Getting rid of her fleas was a long process but she's an indoor cat and we were eventually able to get her flea-free. I gave her a few flea baths and would comb through her fur and pick fleas off with tweezers! The vet gave us Doxy just incase. Polli recovered slightly but has yet to fully recover. To put it bluntly, FeLV sucks. I hate dealing with it but it breaks my heart to watch Polli and hear of all these wonderful cats who are battling this awful disease. -Amanda On Wed, Jun 12, 2013 at 12:51 PM, Beth create_me_...@yahoo.com wrote: Hey guys need some positive energy for one of my FeLV fosters - Bubba. He had been battling a URI. Tried a couple different antibiotics, and finally, after a week the URI cleared he started eating on his own last Sunday. Well as soon as I took him off the Doxy he started going down again. We went to the shelter this afternoon thankfully they had a wonderful vet volunteering who has experience in FeLV kitties. We're wondering now if he has Hemobart since he starting going down after withdrawing the Doxy. His gums were pink, though. I've had a constant battle with fleas. Advantage was no longer working so I switched Frontline, but that doesn't seem to be working well either. He got fluids, more Doxy, Prenisone, Cyproheptadine, Capstar AD. On top of that it looks like he has a cat bite o his tail. Poor baby. Going to go home tonight spend some one-on-one time with him. Just being able to talk to you guys about these babies really helps. At least I feel like someone understands how helpless I feel sometimes. Beth Don't Litter, Fix Your Critter! www.Furkids.org http://www.furkids.org/ ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org -- There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge Bertrand Russell ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Rescuing Kittens and Positive Kitty w/ Flatulence
Beth, Everyone I've spoke with tests with the exception of some of the rescues I work with. I'm going to approach the folks in charge about testing. One of them recently told me that scientists not longer believed FeLV was transmissible through saliva (sharing water bowls, ect) so foster cats have a hard time passing it. I read a lot about FeLV and haven't read that ANYWHERE. Ugh, this whole thing makes me feel terrible. I don't want to potentially infect other cats but I also don't want to scare away potential fosters. -Amanda On Mon, Jun 10, 2013 at 5:46 AM, Beth create_me_...@yahoo.com wrote: Our shelter tests on intake on the snap test. Positives are immediately re-tested to make sure there was no error. If retest is positive we do an IFA. If the IFA is negative we wait retest on the snap In an ideal world all rescues that tested negative would be quarantined for 3 months rested to make sure they really are negative, since the virus can take 3 months to show up on the snap test. But that just is not feasible. I don't have any suggestions on your second question. Beth Don't Litter, Fix Your Critter! www.Furkids.org http://www.furkids.org/ -- *From:* Amanda K. Payne amandak.pa...@gmail.com *To:* felvtalk@felineleukemia.org *Sent:* Sunday, June 9, 2013 4:57 PM *Subject:* [Felvtalk] Rescuing Kittens and Positive Kitty w/ Flatulence Hi Everyone! I have two questions today regarding FeLV. First, for anyone who has worked in the rescue world, what is your testing protocol? I volunteer w/ several cat/kitten rescues in Los Angeles. I recently found a litter in my garage and they're staying in my guest room until I can find a foster. I have two FeLV+ cats so I'm overly cautious and don't want other cats in the house, even if they're in the spare room away from my cats. One of the rescues found another foster for the litter but the new foster has a cat. I got to talking to her about FeLV and now she won't take the kittens without them being tested--which I TOTALLY agree with. However, the rescue doesn't seem to think it necessary. Am I just paranoid? I think all cats and kittens should be tested before being introduced into a new household. However, I feel like an ass for talking too much because I may have wrecked their potential foster home. I also know that testing isn't the most economical thing to do--LAAS doesn't even test their animals until they are adopted out. How does everyone feel about testing vs. not testing? Also, my girl, Polli (the one who wasn't eating a few weeks ago) has terrible gas. It clears the room. She's eating, drinking and using the litter box fine. She's always had problems with flatulence but now that she's showing signs of leukemia related illnesses, I once again just want to make sure it's not a sign of something bigger. Anyone have FeLV kitties with gas? Or a gassy cat for that matter? Talk to ya'll soon and I hope everyone's kitties are doing well! Best, -Amanda -- There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge Bertrand Russell ___ 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 -- There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge Bertrand Russell ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Rescuing Kittens and Positive Kitty w/ Flatulence
Margo, I like to think of the soapbox as more of a passion and I like it! It means you will have researched the subject a lot and are able to offer educated opinions. Blue Buffalo is new to our home. It was suggested by a friend who also has a finicky eater. I didn't realize it was so carb heavy! I'll be the first to admit that when Polli stops eating, I try anything without regards to how healthy the food is (or isn't). I remember seeing a list of healthy foods that was circulating this email group but cannot find it in my inbox. Do you have any suggestions for food that may be better for her digestive system? As far as wet food goes, she doesn't seem to be crazy about it like she used to. I've offered her Tiki Cat, Fancy Feast, Friskies, Hill's a/d and Ziwi Naturals. She seems to only like the gravy from the food. Again, I am open to suggestions. We're more than willing to try new items for our Polli cat! Thank you for your help! Best, -Amanda On Mon, Jun 10, 2013 at 4:41 AM, Margo toomanykitti...@earthlink.netwrote: Hi Amanda Has Polli eaten the Blue Buffalo before without issue? I'm focusing on that, as it seems pretty high carb, with many different carb sources. Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Oatmeal, Whole Ground Brown Rice, Whole Ground Barley, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Salmon Meal, Menhaden Fish Meal (source of DHA-Docosahexaenoic Acid), Dried Egg, Natural Chicken Flavor, Whole Potatoes, Peas, Whole Carrots, Whole Sweet Potatoes, Cranberries, Blueberries, Flaxseed(source of Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids), Barley Grass, Dried Parsley, Alfalfa Meal, Dried Kelp, Taurine, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Three grains in the first 5 (really 4, they're splitting with the chicken). 7 fruits/veggies. And flaxseed. Any of those can cause digestive issues leading to gas. They usually don't, most cats can live with them, but maybe Polli just isn't up to it. You say she's eating some Tiki? Are you offering any other canned? Tiki seems to be a good food, but my cats don't care for it. In my way on thinking, even less expensive canned (but still without grains, fruits or veggies) is still a better choice than dry with so many grains, but it sure is tough to switch a picky cat. Are you in a position where you could offer a different dry food, a little next to her Blue Buffalo? Perhaps a different canned? Obviously another soap-box for me g Margo -Original Message- From: Amanda K. Payne ** Sent: Jun 9, 2013 9:10 PM To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Rescuing Kittens and Positive Kitty w/ Flatulence Margo, I agree with you. I think every rescue and shelter should test prior adopting a cat out or placing it in a foster home where it will mingle with resident cats. Unfortunately, Los Angeles Animal Services (LAAS) and many other cat rescues feel it's unnecessary. I'm going to try to find veterinarians or RVTs in the area who are willing to donate or discount their services so that I can talk some of these rescues into testing. As for Polli, she's a picky eater these days. She drinks a lot of fresh water and is eating Blue Buffalo Healthy Living dry food. Occasionally, she'll actually eat her Tiki Cat instead of just liking the gravy off. She's also obsessed with Temptations Treats--not the healthiest snacks but she loves them and we indulge it. I give her Pet-Tinic twice a day to help with her anemia and Viralys in the morning. Thanks, Margo! -Amanda On Sun, Jun 9, 2013 at 4:21 PM, Margo toomanykitti...@earthlink.netwrote: Oh Dear ! I forgot about Polli. I apologize for that, I meant to include it. What Is Polli eating? Drinking? Meds, supplements? ^..^ -Original Message- From: Amanda K. Payne ** Sent: Jun 9, 2013 4:57 PM To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Subject: [Felvtalk] Rescuing Kittens and Positive Kitty w/ Flatulence Hi Everyone! I have two questions today regarding FeLV. First, for anyone who has worked in the rescue world, what is your testing protocol? I volunteer w/ several cat/kitten rescues in Los Angeles. I recently found a litter in my garage and they're staying in my guest room until I can find a foster. I have two FeLV+ cats so I'm overly cautious and don't want other cats in the house, even if they're in the spare room away from my cats. One of the rescues found another foster for the litter but the new foster has a cat. I got to talking to her about FeLV and now she won't take the kittens without them being tested--which I TOTALLY agree with. However, the rescue doesn't seem to think it necessary. Am I just paranoid? I think all cats and kittens should be tested before being introduced into a new household. However, I feel like an ass for talking too much because I may have wrecked their potential foster
[Felvtalk] Rescuing Kittens and Positive Kitty w/ Flatulence
Hi Everyone! I have two questions today regarding FeLV. First, for anyone who has worked in the rescue world, what is your testing protocol? I volunteer w/ several cat/kitten rescues in Los Angeles. I recently found a litter in my garage and they're staying in my guest room until I can find a foster. I have two FeLV+ cats so I'm overly cautious and don't want other cats in the house, even if they're in the spare room away from my cats. One of the rescues found another foster for the litter but the new foster has a cat. I got to talking to her about FeLV and now she won't take the kittens without them being tested--which I TOTALLY agree with. However, the rescue doesn't seem to think it necessary. Am I just paranoid? I think all cats and kittens should be tested before being introduced into a new household. However, I feel like an ass for talking too much because I may have wrecked their potential foster home. I also know that testing isn't the most economical thing to do--LAAS doesn't even test their animals until they are adopted out. How does everyone feel about testing vs. not testing? Also, my girl, Polli (the one who wasn't eating a few weeks ago) has terrible gas. It clears the room. She's eating, drinking and using the litter box fine. She's always had problems with flatulence but now that she's showing signs of leukemia related illnesses, I once again just want to make sure it's not a sign of something bigger. Anyone have FeLV kitties with gas? Or a gassy cat for that matter? Talk to ya'll soon and I hope everyone's kitties are doing well! Best, -Amanda -- There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge Bertrand Russell ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Rescuing Kittens and Positive Kitty w/ Flatulence
Margo, I agree with you. I think every rescue and shelter should test prior adopting a cat out or placing it in a foster home where it will mingle with resident cats. Unfortunately, Los Angeles Animal Services (LAAS) and many other cat rescues feel it's unnecessary. I'm going to try to find veterinarians or RVTs in the area who are willing to donate or discount their services so that I can talk some of these rescues into testing. As for Polli, she's a picky eater these days. She drinks a lot of fresh water and is eating Blue Buffalo Healthy Living dry food. Occasionally, she'll actually eat her Tiki Cat instead of just liking the gravy off. She's also obsessed with Temptations Treats--not the healthiest snacks but she loves them and we indulge it. I give her Pet-Tinic twice a day to help with her anemia and Viralys in the morning. Thanks, Margo! -Amanda On Sun, Jun 9, 2013 at 4:21 PM, Margo toomanykitti...@earthlink.net wrote: Oh Dear ! I forgot about Polli. I apologize for that, I meant to include it. What Is Polli eating? Drinking? Meds, supplements? ^..^ -Original Message- From: Amanda K. Payne ** Sent: Jun 9, 2013 4:57 PM To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Subject: [Felvtalk] Rescuing Kittens and Positive Kitty w/ Flatulence Hi Everyone! I have two questions today regarding FeLV. First, for anyone who has worked in the rescue world, what is your testing protocol? I volunteer w/ several cat/kitten rescues in Los Angeles. I recently found a litter in my garage and they're staying in my guest room until I can find a foster. I have two FeLV+ cats so I'm overly cautious and don't want other cats in the house, even if they're in the spare room away from my cats. One of the rescues found another foster for the litter but the new foster has a cat. I got to talking to her about FeLV and now she won't take the kittens without them being tested--which I TOTALLY agree with. However, the rescue doesn't seem to think it necessary. Am I just paranoid? I think all cats and kittens should be tested before being introduced into a new household. However, I feel like an ass for talking too much because I may have wrecked their potential foster home. I also know that testing isn't the most economical thing to do--LAAS doesn't even test their animals until they are adopted out. How does everyone feel about testing vs. not testing? Also, my girl, Polli (the one who wasn't eating a few weeks ago) has terrible gas. It clears the room. She's eating, drinking and using the litter box fine. She's always had problems with flatulence but now that she's showing signs of leukemia related illnesses, I once again just want to make sure it's not a sign of something bigger. Anyone have FeLV kitties with gas? Or a gassy cat for that matter? Talk to ya'll soon and I hope everyone's kitties are doing well! Best, -Amanda -- There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge Bertrand Russell ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org -- There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge Bertrand Russell ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] New Member
Deborah, First of all, thank you for fostering! You and your daughters provided an invaluable service for your local HS. I'm sorry your first fostering experience has been tainted by FeLV. Please understand that FeLV isn't an automatic death sentence though cats and kittens who are positive usually have a shorter life span. However, it doesn't mean their quality of life is horrible the entire time they are alive. Whether they live for days or months or years, FeLV+ cats and kittens can have fun, be crazy, play like there is no tomorrow and give tons of love. Testing kittens for FeLV can be troublesome, especially if they've been exposed to the virus. I work with several different rescues in the Los Angeles area and also have a FeLV+ cat and have had them in the past. Most rescues and vets will recommend testing the kittens once they have reached six months of age OR have been separated from an FeLV carrier for six months. False positives happen more frequently in kittens under 6 months of age so that is why they suggest testing when they hit the six month mark. As far as their chances of having FeLV, no one can say with certainty or give you probabilities. Some kittens get it while others don't. For instance, I've had a kitten that was rescued from a hoarder. This kitten was around three other litters for two months and around the mama cats. The kitten I brought home was FeLV+ but no other kittens ever tested positive nor did their mamas. As you can see, FeLV is a real crapshoot. I apologize I can't give you a more definitive answer. Most importantly, and I cannot stress this enough, is how important fostering is. I know your current experience is rough and you may feel you are not up to it. Whether these kittens end up with FeLV or not, your fostering them most likely saved their lives. Even if their lives are cut short by a FeLV related illness, they knew love and care and that is the most important part of fostering; every animal deserves to know love and safety and somebody has to love those FeLV kitties! Hopefully, they stay negative, find great homes and you choose to keep fostering. Once again, thanks for fostering. Best, -Amanda On Thu, Jun 6, 2013 at 1:14 PM, Deborah Adams auntiede...@yahoo.com wrote: Hi all,** http://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/neo/# I'm a new member of this group hoping to better understand FeLv and the situation that I'm in. Last month, I decided to foster kittens for my local humane society as a summer project with my 2 girls (age 7 and 10 years). We were given a momma cat and her 3 kittens who were about 4-5 weeks old, found as strays. All were initially tested for FeLv and came back negative (I don't know which test HS used.) After helping momma wean her kittens, I returned her to the shelter this past weekend. Yesterday she was retested for FeLV before her spay surgery and was positive. (HS checked both her blood and serum.) Today, I took the kittens back to HS for testing and they are negative for FeLV. I agreed to continue fostering them for 30 days and then they will be retested. How much hope do these kittens have? Is there any chance that they will continue to be negative for FeLV? I'm so stressed about all this. My kids are heart-broken. I feel like everything is going all wrong. First, they all got URI and one kitten got a persistent eye infection that took three different antibiotics until it finally cleared up. But her eye is all clouded over and she is probably blind in that eye. And now this FeLV scare. I don't know if I can handle fostering. Deborah Adams ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org -- There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge Bertrand Russell ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Meowko passed, and interferon alpha 2b available
Dear Catherine, I'm so sorry to hear of Meowko's passing. She sounded like a wonderful kitty. During her short time on earth, she was loved and loved you and your family in return. Please take comfort in knowing what a great life you provided for her and the loving companionship you and Meowko shared. Sincerely, -Amanda On Tue, May 28, 2013 at 7:48 AM, Michele Fougeres atomicbetti...@hotmail.com wrote: Dear Catherine, I'm flooded with tears after reading your story with Meowko, what a lucky cat she was to have you and your hubby in her life. She brought you and your husband together, and has inspired, I think, all of us in this group to keep loving our babies and fight with and for them to overcome this terrible disease. I wish you all the best, someday we will all meet again on the other side of the rainbow bridge. Lots of love, Michele (from Ecuador) 3 -- CC: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org From: ava...@gmail.com Date: Tue, 28 May 2013 07:35:03 -0400 To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Meowko passed, and interferon alpha 2b available Dear Catherine, I'm so sorry for your loss, I know how difficult and heartbreaking such a loss is, Sent from my iPhone. On May 28, 2013, at 7:21, Margo toomanykitti...@earthlink.net wrote: Dear Catherine, I'm so sorry. I know that there are no words that will bring any relief, but I wish I could help. Meowko will never be gone as long as she remains in your heart, and I see that you will never lack for happy memories. That she passed easily is a blessing. She chose you as her family and you gave her a wonderful life. There is no greater gift. She has just gone on ahead. Not far, and you may still sense her sometimes. I wish you peace, Meowko has found hers. *Lend Me a Kitten* I will lend to you a kitten, God said. For you to love her while she lives, and mourn her when she's dead. Maybe for twelve or fourteen years, or maybe two or three. But will you, 'till I call her back, take care of her for me? She'll bring her charms to gladden you and, should her stay be brief You'll always have your memories, as solace for your grief. I cannot promise she will stay, since all from earth return. But there are lessons taught below I want this girl to learn. We've looked the whole world over in search of teachers true. And from the folk that crowds life's land, she has chosen you. Now will you give her all your love, nor think the labor vain? Nor hate me when I come to take my kitten home again? I fancied that I heard them say 'Dear Lord Thy Will Be Done' For all the joys this FurChild brings, the risk of grief we'll run. We'll shelter him with tenderness, we'll love him while we may. And for the happiness we've known, forever grateful stay. But should you call her back much sooner than we planned, We'll brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand. If, by our love we've managed your wishes to achieve, In memory of the one we loved, please help us while we grieve. And when our cherished kitten departs this world of strife, Please send yet another needing soul for us to love, for life. ** *Author Unknown* My thoughts are with you. Margo -Original Message- From: I-Chun C. C. Chang Sent: May 27, 2013 10:43 PM To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Subject: [Felvtalk] Meowko passed, and interferon alpha 2b available Dear friends, Thank you very much for the great support over the last several weeks. Meowko is now an angel. She crossed the rainbow bridge on May 26th, around 8:45pm US eastern daylight saving time. Her passing was peaceful, but for whole my family, our life would never be the same without her. I can't stop thinking about the day I first met Meowko back in Taipei city, Taiwan. It was not me who adopted Mewoko; it was Meowko who adopted me. That was also a beautiful May day. She jumped into my window during dinnertime demanding the fish entree in my bento. From that day, she came every night, until one day she decided to stay and never left again. I didn't know anything of cats back to that time. I was actually very afraid of cats when I was little as in many Asian legends cats are evil. So I turned to one of my friend's friend who I knew he took care of street cats for years, asking tips about how to be a cat parent. This friend became my boyfriend, later my husband. Meowko traveled with us all the time, from Taiwan to the US 7yrs ago, and from Minnesota to Connecticut last year, not to mention those shorter trips/research trips over these years. She was good at taking airplanes, riding for week-long road trip, and had always been calm in front of anything. She was the perfect cat a geographer can ever dream for, and I always believe herself was a cat geographer as well. We have always been saying that she probably taught geography in feline schools when her humans were in
Re: [Felvtalk] Ember exam
Lance, I'm definitely keeping you and Ember in my thoughts! I hope her procedure tomorrow goes well and you get some good news. Best, -Amanda On Tue, May 28, 2013 at 9:05 AM, Lance lini...@fastmail.fm wrote: We're taking Ember to a veterinary surgeon in another town tomorrow. The main reason for going is to get diagnostics and finally know for sure what the lung mass is. I should have done this a month ago, and I'm kicking myself for not having been aggressive. Depending on what the vet says, he might be opening Ember up tomorrow to remove the tumor. I have big reservations about this, which is why I didn't pursue things more previously. But as I watched Ember eat last Thursday night, it occurred to me that I should at least find out what this is and give Ember the possibility of more time. She's been such a wonderful cat, and I'd love to have more time with her, if that's possible. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Lance ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org -- There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge Bertrand Russell ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Introduction
Hi Beth, I, too, looked into LTCI from Tcyte when I found out my ten month old kitten, Polli, was FeLV+. We have a vet and a very experienced vet tech, both of which work in cat only clinics, in the family. When I asked for their opinions, neither one of them had heard of LTCI but said it a very specialized and new medication and wanted me to give feedback if I decided to use it on Polli. I also talked to several (at least ten) vets in the Los Angeles area as well as a cat rescue operator and a scientist from Tycte laboratories. They all gave the medication rave reviews. However, each person told me that it works better in cats who contract the disease (over the age of 2) than kittens who are either born with it or contract it at an early age. The operator of the cat rescue said that each of the FeLV+ kittens they treated succumbed to complications from the disease before the age of one (the average mortality rate for positive kittens). With adult cats, they even had one seroconvert after treating it with LTCI! So, from my research, it works well in cats but the results aren't promising in kittens. Keep in mind, though, that the medication reportedly has no side effects and I haven't read about any either. Because of that, treating Mozart with LTCI may be an option you choose to explore. If you want to survey vets like I did, Tcyte has a link on their website that shows the names and locations of vets who have used it in the area you live. If you do decided to use it, it can cost anywhere from $40 to $120 a shot. The typical protocol is a shot each day for a week then one shot a week for four weeks followed by a shot every four to six weeks. The vets also have to do blood work regularly. For these reasons, I chose not to treat Polli. I didn't want to stress her out for her remaining time on earth especially since there isn't much success treating kittens with LTCI. Sorry, I know this may not be the sort of information you're looking for but I just wanted to share my research with you. If you do decided to use LTCI, please document your experiences. I know there are many cat owners and vets who are curious about this medication. Best, -Amanda On Mon, May 20, 2013 at 12:21 PM, Margo toomanykitti...@earthlink.netwrote: Hi Beth, Welcome, but sorry you have to be here. Just have time for a quick note, but I'll be back later when I have a bit more time. As for the vaccines, I have chosen to go with the Merial recombinant FeLV vaccine, and i'll link to some articles which will help explain why. If you go back to fanciers and search for rFeLV, you should get Stephanie's amazing discussions...Oh! I saved it G http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/fanciershealth/message/141570 I'm in the same situation, but I just get more confused as I learn more. Warning, if you try to but the vaccine yourself, it's VERY expensive. Through a Vet it seems to be much less. HTH, Margo -Original Message- From: Betheny Laubenthal ** Sent: May 20, 2013 2:37 PM To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Subject: [Felvtalk] Introduction Hi. My name is Beth. I run a feral cat rescue. That's how I ended up with Mozart, a 10 month old kitten. April 18, I took him to a spay clinic to get neutered, his rabies vaccination and for a Felv/FIV test. He tested positive for Felv. It was recommended that he immediately be euthanized. I refused. I contacted my vet. She agreed with my decision to allow him to live out his life. She retested him May 17. Again, he tested positive. This surprised me because he is a healthy cat. No symptoms at all. None of his brothers tested positive. His mom took off with his two sisters when he was 5 weeks old. Mom was feral. Have not found her or the missing kittens. My vet is awesome (which is great because my rescue takes in cats with medical issues and behavioral issues as well as ferals that cannot stay where they are). That's a lot for me to say since I have a general distrust of vets for various reasons. Anyways, she is looking for another felv cat for me to introduce to Mozart as a playmate. Mozart is locked in my bedroom. Other cats in my home were tested. They were negative. We are vaccinating with a 4 way vaccine with leukemia. I am in the process of ordering more vaccination-with and without leukemia. I have him on a raw diet. Been raw feeding for over 3 years-not the least bit concerned about bacteria. I feel as if it is safe and beneficial to feed Mozart this diet. I am looking into this treatment for him: http://tcyte.com/cat-owner-information/ Anyone have any luck with it? Anyone hear of it? Does anyone have any advice they can give to me? Also, what about vaccines? I am concerned about the increase chance of vaccine related sarcomas. Thank you! --Beth Laubenthal ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Introduction
Yes! I actually have heard of RetroMAD1. I believe it's currently only available in Malaysia and is still in the trial stages. It sounds very promising but would be rather difficult to get ahold of in the States... if you're in the States, of course. Like LTCI, there isn't a lot of scientifically backed research on it. Yet. They are both newer medications and funding for research and trials is very limited. Unfortunately, if there isn't a lot of money to be made from it, the research gets dismal funding. On Mon, May 20, 2013 at 1:13 PM, Betheny Laubenthal bailleyspetc...@gmail.com wrote: Amanda (and everyone else), Have you heard of RetroMAD1? A friend of mine suggested it. http://blog.lepak.com/2011/02/au-tests-retromad1-new-wonder-drug.html Maybe I'm grasping at straws, but I cannot give up without a good fight. There has got to be something that works. --Beth ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org -- There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge Bertrand Russell ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] What to feed a finicky, sick kitten?
Thanks again for the responses. I'm not sure if my original reply has been posted yet or not. Fortunately, Polli decided she liked food again late Thursday night and has regained her appetite somewhat. She's extremely thin now but is active and assisting me with cleaning and gardening. She also realized I keep some of her snacks in the fridge and has started going to the fridge and meowing whenever she wants food. I realize that more than likely her life will be a short one. She isn't the first FeLV+ cat that has found me and I doubt she'll be the last (they literally show up at my door or in my yard). However, I feel that as long as she's up and about, using her litter box, playing and drinking water, I owe it to her to try to get her to eat. -Amanda ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Napoleon lost his battle
I'm so sorry to hear about Napoleon's loss! Though his life was cut short, I'm happy to know he experienced nothing but love and kindness from you and your friend. Choosing to take care of an FeLV+ cat is a difficult decision; we know we're setting ourselves up for heartbreak as well as vet bills and lots of worry. However, it is also one of the most unselfish actions. We know these cats and kittens will be on earth for a much shorter time than most of their FeLV- counterparts but we choose to give it our best and give them one of the greatest cat lives imaginable! Thank you for doing that for Napoleon, Willie and all the other kitties you've taken care of. So many cats, whether healthy or unhealthy, don't get to experience kindness, love, safety or care yet your kitties have known nothing but that. Sincerely, -Amanda On Thu, Apr 18, 2013 at 4:38 AM, Lorrie felineres...@frontier.com wrote: Hi, Not sure if you want the symptoms of my cat, Willie, or Napoleon's symptoms since the subject line above is the same. Anyway, Two of my FelV kittens died from anemia. Willie had a URI which the vet cured with Zithromax, but he never rallied back, and got thinner and weaker. After two months of hoping he'd finally gain weight and get better I took him back to the vet who felt a mass on his right kidney. Operating on a FelV positive, sick, weak kitten was not an option, so he was PTS. I have had many FelV cats over the years and several died of tumors on the spine, which resulted in them losing the use of their back legs. This retrovirus can cause any number of things that eventually kill our babies. Mostly it's been anemia however. Lorrie On 04-17, DeAnna Dockery wrote: So sorry for the loss of your precious baby! Praying for your healing heart! Of I may ask, what symptoms did he have ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org -- There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge Bertrand Russell ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
