Re: Hi again :)
I have had Duncan for a year now and he is fat, active and symptom-free. Now Celery and Baby Girl have joined him. They are all healthy and love each other's company. A vet tech said to me recently, "Enjoy your FeLV + cats while you have them, because they'll probably be dead within a couple of years." Nice. I've been upset about her comment since then, but with luck she'll be proven wrong. --- On Wed, 6/4/08, MaryChristine <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > From: MaryChristine <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: Re: Hi again :) > To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > Date: Wednesday, June 4, 2008, 6:26 PM > current wisdom is that positive cats can remain asymptomatic > for > years, until the virus is triggered. no one really knows, > however, > what it is that activates it. culprits high on the list are > serious > illnesses, but i know that at the sanctuary, we had > positive who got > very sick, were treated (often surgically) and recovered > quite fine to > go on for a number of years. stress is another thing > suspected of > awakening the virus, but how do you define that? the best > we can do is > the best we can do: give them as calm and safe and loving > an > environment as possible, feed them the best food that your > own > research tells you to (that varies because everyone has > their own > opinion, and last year before the pet-food recall, some > people were > accused of murdering their cats because they didn't > feed them things > that others thought they should--things that turned out, in > some > cases, to ACTUALLY kill, while the other foods did not); be > extra > vigilant about any health concerns or behavior changes, and > have them > attended to right away--and did i mention love them as long > as you > have them, because no matter how long that is, it won't > ever be long > enough. > > there are no guarantees for any of us--the healthiest cat > or dog or > human can drop dead tomorrow--to worry about it all the > time > accomplishes nothing, and probably creates a level of > stress that the > cats can pick up. > > there have been FeLVs in my life who have only had five > months to > share with me, and other whom i've known for > years--it's the quality > that matters. > > (and take lots of pictures--i get incredible joy from > looking at the > photos of the silly little furcritters that aren't > wandering this > earth anymore--and i just grin when i see their faces > looking out at > me, and remember how they graced my life.) > > MC > > On Tue, Jun 3, 2008 at 12:28 PM, Laurieskatz > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > YES. Squeaky tested positive at age 13 and lived to > age 22, symptom free > > except for his final 3 weeks. > > Laurie > > > > -Original Message- > > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf > Of Sue Koren > > Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:33 AM > > To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > > Subject: Re: Hi again :) > > > > Does anyone know if a positive cat who stays positive > but not sick for a > > certain length of time, if the chances are that they > will not become sick? > > Or could the sickness just come on them at any time > regardless of how long > > they have harbored the virus and remained healthy? (I > hope that made some > > kind of sense) > > Sue > > > > MaryChristine <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > wrote: > > > > = > > yes, cats can retest negative on IFAs if enough time > has passed so > > that the virus can work itself out of the system. just > as with initial > > exposure, the time period given varies from 60 to 120 > days, depending > > on who/what you read--i go for the 120 days or longer, > so i don't > > always wonder.. tho it's not mentioned in the > current on-line > > merck manual, and i never thought to keep the > reference back when i > > first read it in 2003 or so, it used to refer to a > case where it took > > a cat seven or nine (my memory is going) for a cat to > revert to > > negative on an IFA. > > > > generally, however, if 120 days or so has passed since > last possible > > exposure, i figure they're not gonna > seroconvert--but until/if the > > virus gets activated, they're just positive, not > sick. > > > > my little pastel calico, lorelei, who came to me last > summer solstice, > > just retested positive on the IFA when she was spayed, > so i'd say that > > it's pretty definite that she's gonna stay > positive. but it didn't > > really matter, because it wasn't going to change > anything one way or > > another, so there was no rush here to retest > > > > and for those who don't know, all my others are > either vaccinated, or > > were inadvertently exposed almost eight years ago, so > she's no threat > > to anything other than my peace of mind--calico, after > all. > > > > MC > > On Mon, Jun 2, 2008 at 5:51 PM, Laura B > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >> A few weeks ago I joined this list but > couldn't post, so Belinda very > > kindly > >> posted an introduction for myself and my FeLV+ > kit
Re: looking for advice re kitty prozac
Just curious, can other drugs be made into creams to be used in the ear? I have a 24 pound foster cat with a bad URI, and he had to spend a week at the vet (at a cost of over $300) because I absolutely could not give him oral meds. Can this be done with Clavamox or Baytril? Laura --- On Sun, 6/22/08, Belinda Sauro <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > From: Belinda Sauro <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: Re: looking for advice re kitty prozac > To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > Date: Sunday, June 22, 2008, 1:58 PM > That is also what I did with Cody, we started with the most > commonly used of the drugs (amytriptaline), we tried 2 or 3 > before > trying the prozac, they all helped but only the prozac > stopped it > completely. > > > I tried amytriptaline (that's probably spelled > wrong!) on Ruben for > > inappropriate urination.I now believe that it was > his first signs > > that something was wrong with him internally > > My daughter used the same drug (we had it compounded > into a cream we > > could rub into the ear...pilling was out of the > question) on one of > > her male cats...her cat became more calm, but I'm > not sure it > > completely solved the problem. > > I have heard people are having great results with the > plug ins that > > release certain pheremones that are calming, but I > haven't tried them > > yet myself. > > Good luck, it's one of a cat owner's biggest > problems!! > > -- > > Belinda > happiness is being owned by cats ... > > Be-Mi-Kitties > http://www.bemikitties.com > > HostDesign4U.com [affordable hosting & web design] > http://www.hostdesign4u.com > > ForYouByUs.com [custom printing] > http://www.foryoubyus.com > > > ___ > 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: help please
One of my fosters was HORRIBLE for several days after spaying. She was a nice cat who became very aggressive and basically just stayed in a corner. Eventually she returned to normal. --- On Tue, 6/24/08, Lynne <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > From: Lynne <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: help please > To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2008, 7:21 PM > For those of you have had female cats, at what point should > I be alarmed about their health. Snowy was spayed today. > The vet said all went well. She seemed very pleased and ok > on the way home. Since then she has become very somber, > with her mouth slightly open and I swear I can hear a > raspiness in her throat. She won't even let me touch > her and has retreated to upstairs. She has had some drinks > of water, a lot actually when we first got home. My vet is > not available this evening and my only alternative is to > take her to the emergency clinic which I hate with a > pasion. The vet there is a complete jerk. The fact that > he couldn't put BooBoo to sleep fast enough has a lot > to do with it. I just don't know if this is normal > behaviour for after this kind of surgery or something is > very wrong. She looks angry or in pain. I can't give > her any pain medication until tomorrow morning. They gave > her an injection before we left today. I've put in a > call to her foster mother hoping she can give me some > advice but of course the way things go she isn't home. > > Lynne___ > 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] Duncan is gone
Sadly, I had to have Duncan euthanized last night. He was suffering from a URI and getting Clavamox, and the URI was clearing up, but he was still sluggish. On Sunday night he seemed disoriented, and was crying as if he was in a lot of pain. I rushed him to the emergency vet and then to my regular vet Monday morning. The vet called me at 5:30 as I was driving home from work to get Duncan's food and told me that he thought Duncan was very close to dying. Test results had showed Hemobartonella and he was fading fast. We talked about possible treatments but Dr Leathers felt that it would be best, and kindest, to put him down. He deteriorated so quickly - just a couple of days ago he was eating and walking around. Unfortunately, I assumed he just wasn't 100% because of the URI. I will not make that mistake again. He has never shown any symptoms in the year that I've had him. My other two positives, who lived with him, are fine, but I'm going to have them checked out at the vet next week. I lost my 18 year old cat last Monday so this hasn't been a very good past couple of weeks for me. Laura ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Kiwi
One of my fosters (FeLV negative) is an older cat who always had diarrhea problems, no matter what food I used. Finally I put him on Wellness and he hasn't had diarrhea since. Laura --- On Sun, 8/24/08, Gloria Lane <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > From: Gloria Lane <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Kiwi > To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > Date: Sunday, August 24, 2008, 10:37 AM > Another remedy - our rescue normally does a drop or two of > Revolution > on the back for kittens - can get fleas and internal > parasites. I > also buy Panacur for $8 at the Farmers store, and give a > little bit > (1/4 cc) to kittens for parasites. I buy homeopathic > anti-diarrhea > tincture in a small bottle for $8-10 at the health food > store and use > it for some forms of diarrhea. I like the canned pumpkin > for diarrhea > too, sounds like a great first thing to try for the baby. > > Best of luck, > > Gloria > > > > On Aug 24, 2008, at 2:55 AM, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > Will only take him to the vets as needed. I am a > little worried > > because he is a bit thin and has the runny stools that > he might have > > some type of deficiency. He might need it this time > just to see > > where he stands. He hasn't seen a vet since he > was fixed. > > > > ___ > > 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
Re: [Felvtalk] Two kitties - names unknown - please add to CLS (non FELV)
Lack of communication, and people not caring about their jobs. We had a similar situation this week at the shelter where I work. A resident was missing a dog, but she saw him on Petfinder so she knew he was at the shelter. She called us on Monday to let us know that she'd be coming to pick up the dog on Tuesday, since we're closed to the public on Mondays. My idiot co-worker who answered the phone not only refused to let the woman pick up the dog on Monday, she never even bothered to let our director know that the dog would be reclaimed the next day. Needless to say, the family came to retrieve their dog at 10 am Tuesday, but the dog had been euthanized just a couple of hours before. I wasn't there on Monday, by the way, and that would NOT have happened if I had been the one to pick up that phone call. And sometimes even having a verbal committment from a rescue does no good. I'll never forget Dixie, a big longhaired tortie we had last summer. She was scheduled to be pulledbut I couldn't save her even though I insisted that rescue was coming. I'm so sorry that happened. I know how horrible it feels when you try so hard to get them out and something gets screwed up. Laura --- On Sat, 8/30/08, Kelley Saveika <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > From: Kelley Saveika <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: [Felvtalk] Two kitties - names unknown - please add to CLS (non FELV) > To: "felvtalk" > Date: Saturday, August 30, 2008, 8:50 PM > Hi guys, > > I'm very sad today. We had made arrangements to pull a > blind cat and a cat > with a cleft palate (the kitty with the cleft palate's > mom went into a > nursing home). We were supposed to pick them up today. > The shelter rescue > coordinator called and told us they had accidentally been > killed two days > ago. > > Apparently this shelter's policy is to immediately kill > all handicapped > kitties. > > I still don't understand how you can accidentally kill > a cat - these cats > were safe - they had rescue - and they were still killed. > > Kelley > > > > -- > Rescuties - Saving the world, one cat at a time. > > http://www.rescuties.org > > Vist the Rescuties store and save a kitty life! > > http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect-home?tag=rescuties-20 > > Check out our Memsaic! > http://www.memsaic.com/app/launch.cfm?sid=08D2CAB2A6E9 > > http://www.zazzle.com/rescuties* > > Please help with some of our kitties medical needs! > > http://rescuties.chipin.com/kitties-medical-expenses > > "Rather than helping, it's easier to point fingers > and say "take them first > as long as you leave me alone". > ___ > 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] Charlotte is positive....tested negative last year
I got some bad news at the vet today. I brought Charlotte in for a visit because she wasn't herself and had been losing weight. She's been with me for about a year, and, like all my cats, was combo-tested before she was put in with my other cats. So FeLV was the last thing I was worried about. But they re-tested her when they did the bloodwork, and guess what, she's positive. We have started her on interferon. I'm really worried about my other cats. They're 100% indoor cats and have no contact with my FeLV+/FIV+ crew, and I hate to admit it, but their yearly vaccinations don't always get done quite on schedule. My vet said he really wasn't that concerned about it since they've always been vaccinated, but maybe he was just trying to make me feel better. I'm going to get all 15 of them re-tested and if anyone turns up positive, well, we will just have to deal with it. I did lose Duncan, one of my FeLV cats, last July, but the others have been stable and look great. I'm going to give Charlotte lysine, too. Any other suggestions? Thanks, Laura ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Charlotte is positive....tested negative last year
That's the best news I've heard all day. Thank you. --- On Fri, 4/10/09, Frank and Sue Koren wrote: > From: Frank and Sue Koren > Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Charlotte is positivetested negative last year > To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > Date: Friday, April 10, 2009, 5:09 PM > Laura, > My vet has said that he has seen research that says > vaccination every three years is ok, so don't beat > yourself up over being late for the yearly. My Casper and > Scottie are going tomorrow for theirs and they are a few > months late. Time and expense - it just doesn't work > out some times. > Sue > - Original Message - From: "Laura > Mostello" > To: > Sent: Friday, April 10, 2009 4:34 PM > Subject: [Felvtalk] Charlotte is positivetested > negative last year > > > > > > I got some bad news at the vet today. I brought > Charlotte in for a visit because she wasn't herself and > had been losing weight. She's been with me for about a > year, and, like all my cats, was combo-tested before she was > put in with my other cats. So FeLV was the last thing I was > worried about. But they re-tested her when they did the > bloodwork, and guess what, she's positive. We have > started her on interferon. > > I'm really worried about my other cats. > They're 100% indoor cats and have no contact with my > FeLV+/FIV+ crew, and I hate to admit it, but their yearly > vaccinations don't always get done quite on schedule. My > vet said he really wasn't that concerned about it since > they've always been vaccinated, but maybe he was just > trying to make me feel better. I'm going to get all 15 > of them re-tested and if anyone turns up positive, well, we > will just have to deal with it. > > I did lose Duncan, one of my FeLV cats, last July, but > the others have been stable and look great. > > I'm going to give Charlotte lysine, too. Any other > suggestions? > > Thanks, > > Laura > > > > ___ > > 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
Re: [Felvtalk] Charlotte is positive...
Thanks so much, everyone. I feel much, much better knowing that some of you have been through this and everything has been OK. I just got home from work and saw that Charlotte had eaten all of her food, both canned and dry, and she was ready to eat again. So her appetite seems to be coming back. --- On Sat, 4/11/09, Gloria B. Lane wrote: > From: Gloria B. Lane > Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Charlotte is positive... > To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > Date: Saturday, April 11, 2009, 5:27 PM > Same here... > > > On Apr 11, 2009, at 4:17 PM, Lorrie wrote: > > > Absolutely true.. I've had positives mixed > with unvaccinated > > negatives, without knowing the positive cats had FelV, > and the other > > cats remained negative. Apparently the immune system > of an adult cat > > is better able to handle the FelV virus. With kittens > this doesn't > > seem to apply, as their immune systems are not fully > developed. We > > had a litter of 8 feral kittens born last spring and 4 > died of FelV > > while the other 4 are all fine. > > > > The FelV group is excellent. Let me know if you want > to join. > > > > Lorrie > > > > On 04-11, Emily Hunter wrote: > >> Even if the others hadn't been vaccinated at > all, they still could be > >> fine. I'm almost positive our Denzel had felv > when he joined our > >> household (he was already sick), but the vet > didn't test him until > >> over a year later. Our other 5 all tested negative > despite sharing > >> dishes and mutual grooming. Um, I should mention > we now use a > >> different vet! > >> > >> -Emily > >> Sent from my iPhone > >> > > > > ___ > > 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] Update on Charlotte
I brought Charlotte back to the vet yesterday. She still wasn't doing well, just nibbling at her food and appearing very lethargic. Since I wasn't especially happy with my vet's response to her, I tried another clinic that I'd heard good things about, just to get a second opinion. Dr. Ray took more blood and told me that Charlotte was indeed very anemic - her PCV was 9% versus about 40% for a healthy young adult cat. So I was a little ticked off that my regular vet didn't tell me just how anemic she was, and a week had gone by when something else could have been done. The vet was concerned about tumors but X-rays showed nothing. He recommended that a blood transfusion be done immediately, so he packed up his 22 pound donor cat and I brought both cats to North Fulton emergency center since they were just down the road & Dr Ray's office was closing for the day. I picked Charlotte up at 11:30 last night (lots of coffee was needed since it was an hour and a half drive) and she was so hungry! She started chowing down right away. She now has doxycycline and Prednisilone twice a day. Now we just have to wait for the rest of the test results to come back. I'll keep you all updated. Thank goodness for Visait was almost $900 yesterday. My mom asked me, "Why didn't you just put her down?" but I couldn't. She doesn't want to die. She's purring and rolling over to be petted and even yesterday when she didn't feel good she was going up to everybody and looking for attention. Laura ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Update on Charlotte
I've thought about checking it out, but I've met a few people who have been turned down by Care Credit lately for no obvious reason. I suppose the rotting posts on the front porch won't be fixed this year, and forget about painting the dining room. That's the most I've ever spent in one day on a vet visit. And that's in addition to the $600 spent last week on Tabby's teeth cleaning, Charlotte's initial exam, testing and meds and 2 neuters. Charlotte already is more active and is walking around the turtle room. She still isn't eating as much as I'd like, but she just seems so more normal now. And I really liked the vet we saw yesterday (Dr Michael Ray at the Cat Clinic of Roswell in Roswell, GA, for all you Georgians on the list). I think we've found a new vet. --- On Sun, 4/19/09, dlg...@windstream.net wrote: > From: dlg...@windstream.net > Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Update on Charlotte > To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > Cc: "Laura Mostello" > Date: Sunday, April 19, 2009, 11:06 AM > Laura, hang in there as long as you can and if they have > Care Credit in your area, try it instead of Visa. you > don't have to pay interest if you pay it off wihtin a > year. you can reach them at www.geoonlineservice.com or > 1-866-893-7864. they have gotten me thru a couple of > $600.00 bills and a big dental bill. i don't know if > they are in your area or your vet uses them, but would be > worth a try. dorlis > Laura Mostello > wrote: > > > > I brought Charlotte back to the vet yesterday. She > still wasn't doing well, just nibbling at her food and > appearing very lethargic. Since I wasn't especially > happy with my vet's response to her, I tried another > clinic that I'd heard good things about, just to get a > second opinion. Dr. Ray took more blood and told me that > Charlotte was indeed very anemic - her PCV was 9% versus > about 40% for a healthy young adult cat. So I was a little > ticked off that my regular vet didn't tell me just how > anemic she was, and a week had gone by when something else > could have been done. The vet was concerned about tumors but > X-rays showed nothing. He recommended that a blood > transfusion be done immediately, so he packed up his 22 > pound donor cat and I brought both cats to North Fulton > emergency center since they were just down the road & Dr > Ray's office was closing for the day. > > I picked Charlotte up at 11:30 last night (lots of > coffee was needed since it was an hour and a half drive) and > she was so hungry! She started chowing down right away. She > now has doxycycline and Prednisilone twice a day. Now we > just have to wait for the rest of the test results to come > back. I'll keep you all updated. > > Thank goodness for Visait was almost $900 > yesterday. My mom asked me, "Why didn't you just > put her down?" but I couldn't. She doesn't want > to die. She's purring and rolling over to be petted and > even yesterday when she didn't feel good she was going > up to everybody and looking for attention. > > Laura > > > > ___ > > 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] Charlotte is going back to the vet tommorrow
Charlotte has an appointment to see Dr. Ray again tomorrow. Her IFA test did come back positive - so Dr. Ray is not optimistic about the long-term outcome, especially since she's so young. But we'll see. He mentioned trying Epogen - anyone have any success with that? Overall, though, she is doing GREAT! I've been bringing her to work with me (I work at an animal shelter so it's OK with my boss), and yesterday seemed to be a real turning point. She ate almost an entire can of Fancy Feast, plus some chicken and chicken livers that I cooked for her, and I had to feed her more later and even more this morning. I can feel the weight coming back on; she's not as bony as she was a week ago. One of my co-workers - just like my mom - said, "Just put her down." But she goes up to everybody (and she doesn't know these people) and cries until they pick her up and put her on their laps. So euthanizing her when she's clearly trying so hard and eating so well is not an option. I'll let you all know what happens tomorrow. Thanks everyone for being so supportive. Laura ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Charlotte is going back to the vet tommorrow
All 15 of my cats came from there, including Charlotte! So if I'm going to bring anything home I've probably done it already...and we've had outbreaks of parvo and both feline and canine distemper at work with no problems back at home. I do take off my shoes before coming into the house and I get a shower as soon as I get home. I'm really paranoid, too, but I'm careful. Charlotte doesn't go into the back, she just stays in the front office. Laura ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Charlotte is going back to the vet tommorrow
Yes, she is anemic. I'm not sure what her HCT is. She's been on doxy for about a week now. We don't know if it's Hemobart/Mycoplasma since that's an additional test, but I'd rather be safe than sorry since I did lose one to Hemobart last year. --- On Thu, 4/23/09, Belinda Sauro wrote: > From: Belinda Sauro > Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Charlotte is going back to the vet tommorrow > To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > Date: Thursday, April 23, 2009, 10:52 PM > Hi Laurie, > I'm not familiar with what is going on with > Charlotte, is she anemic and if so what is her HCT? If she > is anemic has she been on doxocycline for at least 4 weeks? > Positive cats commonly get something called hemobartonella, > it is acually recently called something else but it is a > parasite and very hard to get an accurate test for. It > causes anemia and is treated commonly with doxy. Most vets > will put a positive kitty on it if they are anemic just to > be on the safe side. I know one person who had her cat > tested 5 times and come up negative and on the 6th test was > positive. Even if she isn't positive the doxy won't > hurt her but if she is positive may save her life. > > My Bailey was on epogen when he was anemic, his HCT was at > 20% when we ordered the epogen and down to 18% when we > started it. It can take several weeks for it to kick in and > the HCT may continue to go down for as many as 3 or 4 weeks, > Bailey got as low as 15% before his HCT started going up. > In about 6 weeks he as at 40% and on the epogen we > maintained his HCT at 33% to 25%. He was on it for 5 months > before he passed of undiagnosed pancreatic cancer. We found > the cancer upon necropsy. I know many, many CRF kitties who > are on epogen and there is an Anemia list that you many want > to look into. Many vet will poopoo epogen for a positive > cat but when the choice is do nothing and the cat WILL die > or try epogen and the cat may live I'll always take the > chance, if the cat is going to die anyway there is nothing > to loss and everything to gain!!! There are other things > and some people thing they are better, aranesp and procrit > both help with anemia. Procrit and epogen are basically the > same thing, the aranesp is something new and some say it has > less of a chance of causing an antibody reaction (antibody > reaction means basically that the epogen doesn't work > anymore and you are back where you started), it is estimated > between 10 and 30% of cats on epogen can develope antibodies > in 5 or more months. I personally know of several cats on > epogen for much longer with no problems, one cat Jean Luc > was on it for 2 years, he would have been dead long before > without it. He had lymphoma and CRF. > > -- > Belinda > happiness is being owned by cats ... > > http://bemikitties.com > > http://BelindaSauro.com > > > ___ > 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] Cautiously optimistic about Charlotte, plus a little venting
Charlotte returned to the vet today as scheduled. Her PCV is up to 19% versus 9% a week ago. The CBC should be back tomorrow. Both the vet and the vet tech noticed how much better she looks. She'll be back for a recheck in a couple of weeks. And if I may vent a little: we adopted out 2 cats at the shelter to one person. The adopter called today and said that she had both cats euthanized because one was FeLV+ and one was FIV+. I am really ticked off. We've had good luck getting these cats out to rescues - we've never euthanized one who tested positive for either disease - and instead of calling us beforehand she just had them put down. We would have taken the cats back and found places for them to go. It's very upsetting, especially after going through all this with Charlotte, and knowing how much effort, time and money the people on this list spend on their positive cats. What a cop-out. Laura ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Cautiously optimistic about Charlotte, plus a little venting
I work at a county shelter. We really can't do any true screening, nor can we ask the hard questions. The adoption application needs to be revised big time. I can't tell you how many times someone's walked out with a cat or dog and we look at each other and say, "That animal's coming right back." But this is worse. And the adopter in this situation volunteers for a major rescue. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Please add Charlotte to the CLS
Charlotte has just passed away. I came home from work, went into her room and she was lying on her side, crying and breathing heavily. I ran and let my dogs out, came back to her and held her for what turned out to be about 4 hours. She gradually slowed down, but was responding to my voice for quite a while. Eventually that stopped and I knew she was probably unconscious. She passed at the stroke of midnight, and I know it sounds crazy, but I immediately felt so calm - I can only explain it by saying that as soon as she died I physically felt her suffering end. It was so strange. I am sitting here crying as I write this even though I know it's better and she won't be in pain any more. But she'd been doing so well and eating like a pig. Just this morning she was stuffing her face with chicken. So I thought that maybe I could have her with me for just a while longer, and just maybe she'd be one who survived despite the odds. Guess I was wrong. I hate this disease. Thanks everyone for all your help. Laura ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Please add Charlotte to the CLS
This is what's so strange. I'm not a religious or even a spiritual person, at all. But after I felt that overwhelming peacefulness - and this is where it really gets weird - the air in front of me changed. The only way I can describe it is to say it sort of smoothed over, or glassed over. And then it changed color. It had a green tint. And then everything dissipated and was gone. I told my co-workers about it today, expecting to be ridiculed, but surprisingly, everyone took me seriously. Alison told me that after her 14 year old dog died, she had the body cremated. It took 2 weeks for the ashes to come back. During that 2 weeks she both saw and heard that dog in the house. When she finally brought the ashes back to the house, she saw a plume of black smoke whoosh through the house and disappear. She never saw her dog again after that. I buried Charlotte in the fern garden. But I know she's not really there. I will miss her so much, but at least she went quickly. Laura ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] question about excessive salivation
I was wondering if any of you might know why Charlotte was drooling copiously when she passed away on Tuesday. I know it doesn't matter now since she's gone, but I'm just curious. She hadn't been doing this before at all, but while I held her on my lap for those last 4 hours, she was salivating excessively. My pants leg was soaked with it. Mostly it was clear, but sometimes it was a little foamy looking. Any suggestions? Laura ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Zuckerman has crossed
I am so sorry. It's been a week since Charlotte passed and she's the first thing I think about when I get up in the morning and the last thing I think about when I go to bed at night. --- On Tue, 5/12/09, Amy Dalgliesh wrote: > From: Amy Dalgliesh > Subject: [Felvtalk] Zuckerman has crossed > To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > Date: Tuesday, May 12, 2009, 5:58 PM > My Zman lost his fight today. He is my 6th in the past 9 > months. I know that it is to be expected when you take in > sickly street kids, but it doesn't help with the pain of > losing any one of these wonderful creatures. . > > Zuckerman was a 2 week old kitten with a horrible URI when > I found him. He quickly became a momma's boy, going to > work with me during the day and holding paws through the > carrier door at night. > > Once old enough to graduate from the carrier, he became > quite the snuggler, curling up at my neck during the > night. He loved to suckle earlobes and would launch > himself off a piece of furniture onto any unsuspecting > person who happened by in order to attach himself to > one. I told him that he would have to stop because we > couldn't have a 12 pound adult "catapulting" > himself onto everyone. Guess I don't have to worry > about that now, he was only 8 months old and less than 4 > pounds at the end. > > We were holding paws when he left. > > It's been said before by all of us and unfortunately I > know it will be said many more times, but I hate this > freaking disease. > > > > ___ > 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
Introduction
Hi all - My name is Laura and I'm new to this list. I'm also new to FeLV, since I've just adopted an infected cat. I work at an animal shelter here in Georgia, and one of my favorite cats tested positive last week. We had planned to take him to an adoption fair but had to run the test first. Well, Duncan was one of the unlucky ones. He has a terrific personality and I'd grown quite attached to him during his 4 months at the shelter, so I adopted him myself rather than let him be euthanized. Duncan visited the vet today, and aside from slightly swollen lymph nodes, the vet says he looks great. He's extremely energetic, friendly and has a great appetite, and so far there are no symptoms of illness. It was a real surprise when the test came back positive. Cats rarely stay healthy for 4 months at the shelter - they usually contract a URI and, since there is no money in the budget for vet care and no medications, most deteriorate quickly and are euthanized. But we never worried about Duncan; he always seemed so strong and he never got sick. Of course at this point the vet can't give me a definite prognosis - we just have to wait and see what happens. I'm hoping to learn a lot from others on this list, especially what you all have done to keep your cats healthy. Thanks! Laura
