Re: Late FeLV diagnosis
I might add that you need to rule out herpes as the eye problem. It requires special antiviral drops. Many positive cats carry this virus and have outbreaks that effect the eyes. Good luck with Mao. I hope this email finds him feeling better. tonya Lance [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Nathan, I'm really sorry to read that Mao is so ill. It sounds like you have a good vet, in that you don't mention him recommending euthanasia yet. We sometimes see less compassionate and less concerned vets recommending this just because a cat tests positive. Has your vet recommended any further treatment options? Do you have any specialists in your area who might be helpful? To fight the eye infection, I'd recommend boosting Mao's immune system. I'm using Transfer Factor Plus Advanced and Liquid-DMG for boosting my FeLV+ Ember's system. The TF is a bit expensive (about a dollar a capsule), but the DMG isn't bad. Ember is also on low dose human interferon, which is also pretty affordable. Decent cat food is important. Ember is currently on Felidae canned, which is generally considered to be human grade where the meat ingredients are concerned, and is also not involved in the current recall. I think you'll get better advise from others here, especially those who have dealt with cats with respiratory problems. I really hope there's something that can be done to help Mao. He'll be in my prayers. Lance On Tue, 3 Apr 2007 11:59:00 -0400 (EDT), Nathan Kennedy said: Yesterday I got the bad news that my boy Mao was FeLV+. This was the worst-case scenario and one that I had dismissed because he tested negative when I rescued him from the street as a baby in October, as had the only other cat he had contact with. He saw the vet on his first visit, the next day for vaccinations and a checkup, a few weeks later for boosters, again for a nasty fever in December that cleared up shortly afterwards, and in January for neutering. Other than the fever, the only problems he had were recurring diarrhea that I tried to manage by modifying his diet and an occasional fit of whooping that the vet had dismissed as hairballs. Those worried me a bit, but the vet's clean bill of health, his big appetite, energy, and growth all reassured me. Until recently. Mao seemed to dull a bit, and started snoring during his naps. Over the past week, Mao developed a nasty case of earmites and increased trouble breathing, progressing into fits of gasping for air. Since he had no runny nose and his temperature was normal, I thought it might be asthma. I took him to the vet on Saturday, and he took a blood sample and X-rayed him, finding a constriction in his trachea. He prescribed prednisone to try to make it easier for him to breathe as well as treatment for the mites. Then Sunday night, Mao almost instantly developed a horrible eye infection. The third eyelid of his right eye closed over and swelled up, blinding him in that eye and making it impossible for him to close it--meanwhile, his breathing deteriorated. He went back to another vet in the morning, and got eyedrops and ointment as well as antibiotics. It wasn't until later in the afternoon I got the call that he had tested FeLV+. Mao's breathing is not improving. The slightest exertion is enough to send him into a loud fit of labored gasping, and when he is not napping every breath is strained--he can't climb his scratching post anymore, which used to be his favorite perch. Despite all that, he still wakes me up in the morning purring and rubbing my face. He still likes to eat and pauses between bites of his favorite food to give me his happy look through his squinting, red eyes. He has always been such a happy cat, and it still shows through all his suffering. But if his condition doesn't get any better I don't think he can last much longer. It's hard to see this happen to Mao at such a young age (not even 8 months yet). The vet who diagnosed him told me that he could have gotten FeLV shortly before I found him and tested negative. I didn't think I would lose him so soon. -- Lance Linimon [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Late FeLV diagnosis
I'm also praying for Mao. Gina C J [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I'm sorry that Mao is ill. At least if he is still showing his happy personality, you know that he's not giving up on himself yet. Praying for Mao that he pulls through this and stays with you for quite awhile longer. Cassandra - Original Message - From: Nathan Kennedy To: Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2007 10:59 AM Subject: Late FeLV diagnosis Yesterday I got the bad news that my boy Mao was FeLV+. This was the worst-case scenario and one that I had dismissed because he tested negative when I rescued him from the street as a baby in October, as had the only other cat he had contact with. He saw the vet on his first visit, the next day for vaccinations and a checkup, a few weeks later for boosters, again for a nasty fever in December that cleared up shortly afterwards, and in January for neutering. Other than the fever, the only problems he had were recurring diarrhea that I tried to manage by modifying his diet and an occasional fit of whooping that the vet had dismissed as hairballs. Those worried me a bit, but the vet's clean bill of health, his big appetite, energy, and growth all reassured me. Until recently. Mao seemed to dull a bit, and started snoring during his naps. Over the past week, Mao developed a nasty case of earmites and increased trouble breathing, progressing into fits of gasping for air. Since he had no runny nose and his temperature was normal, I thought it might be asthma. I took him to the vet on Saturday, and he took a blood sample and X-rayed him, finding a constriction in his trachea. He prescribed prednisone to try to make it easier for him to breathe as well as treatment for the mites. Then Sunday night, Mao almost instantly developed a horrible eye infection. The third eyelid of his right eye closed over and swelled up, blinding him in that eye and making it impossible for him to close it--meanwhile, his breathing deteriorated. He went back to another vet in the morning, and got eyedrops and ointment as well as antibiotics. It wasn't until later in the afternoon I got the call that he had tested FeLV+. Mao's breathing is not improving. The slightest exertion is enough to send him into a loud fit of labored gasping, and when he is not napping every breath is strained--he can't climb his scratching post anymore, which used to be his favorite perch. Despite all that, he still wakes me up in the morning purring and rubbing my face. He still likes to eat and pauses between bites of his favorite food to give me his happy look through his squinting, red eyes. He has always been such a happy cat, and it still shows through all his suffering. But if his condition doesn't get any better I don't think he can last much longer. It's hard to see this happen to Mao at such a young age (not even 8 months yet). The vet who diagnosed him told me that he could have gotten FeLV shortly before I found him and tested negative. I didn't think I would lose him so soon. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.25/744 - Release Date: 4/3/2007 5:32 AM Visit my Tigger Tales site! - Never miss an email again! Yahoo! Toolbar alerts you the instant new Mail arrives. Check it out.
Re: Late FeLV diagnosis
This is a reply to all the messages. The blood was sent to the lab, not checked in-office, and was double-checked--came up positive twice. So there's not much chance it was a false positive. But from what I've read it is not unusual for an infected cat that's only three months old to test negative. He should have been retested around the time he was neutered, but my vet at the time did not mention that possibility. Mao has actually seen three vets now (total of seven visits). One vet did the initial checkup, vaccinations, treatment for a fever, and neutering. I had moved so when the respiratory problems got bad I rushed him to a vet that was closer and open on Saturday. He took the X-ray, blood sample that came back FeLV+, and gave him steroids and mite treatment. The third vet I went to the next day was for the acute eye infection, and he got eye drugs and antibiotics added to his regime. The eye treatments seem to be helping, and he seems to be adapting to his breathing a little better. I don't think it has actually gotten any better, it's just a matter of being more used to his new environment since I moved house again. It hasn't gotten much worse in the last two days, although that's not saying much as I can't see how it could get much worse without killing him. Any exertion or scare throws him into a length fit of open-mouthed gasping--if it is particularly bad, his gums do in fact get blue. The worst is when I put the mite medication in his ears or the ointment in his eyes, to the extent that I am considering stopping those two particular medications if they're doing more harm than good, and hoping that the pills, antibiotics and eyedrops will do it. The vet hasn't mentioned euthanasia although he has said that the prognosis is very bad. He has offered to see him again and give him something to help his immune system a bit. I think he is doing all he can. Even if I could get interferon, it would be contraindicated because he is on steroids for his breathing. Surgery would require a specialist and hospitalization and in his state there is no way I would put him through that. He doesn't have a hypoplastic trachea, it is being squeezed or constricted in one spot, either due to a growing tumor or inflammation from his infection. In any event, I'm continuing to give him all his drugs and watching him closely. I hope he can pull through it but I can't let it get much worse. It gives me just a little hope that he's still happy to see me and rub my face, and still has an appetite, even though he is suffering. Last night he even managed to get onto his scratching post again. -Nathan I'm sorry that Mao is ill. At least if he is still showing his happy personality, you know that he's not giving up on himself yet. Praying for Mao that he pulls through this and stays with you for quite awhile longer. Cassandra - Original Message - From: Nathan Kennedy [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2007 10:59 AM Subject: Late FeLV diagnosis Yesterday I got the bad news that my boy Mao was FeLV+. This was the worst-case scenario and one that I had dismissed because he tested negative when I rescued him from the street as a baby in October, as had the only other cat he had contact with. He saw the vet on his first visit, the next day for vaccinations and a checkup, a few weeks later for boosters, again for a nasty fever in December that cleared up shortly afterwards, and in January for neutering. Other than the fever, the only problems he had were recurring diarrhea that I tried to manage by modifying his diet and an occasional fit of whooping that the vet had dismissed as hairballs. Those worried me a bit, but the vet's clean bill of health, his big appetite, energy, and growth all reassured me. Until recently. Mao seemed to dull a bit, and started snoring during his naps. Over the past week, Mao developed a nasty case of earmites and increased trouble breathing, progressing into fits of gasping for air. Since he had no runny nose and his temperature was normal, I thought it might be asthma. I took him to the vet on Saturday, and he took a blood sample and X-rayed him, finding a constriction in his trachea. He prescribed prednisone to try to make it easier for him to breathe as well as treatment for the mites. Then Sunday night, Mao almost instantly developed a horrible eye infection. The third eyelid of his right eye closed over and swelled up, blinding him in that eye and making it impossible for him to close it--meanwhile, his breathing deteriorated. He went back to another vet in the morning, and got eyedrops and ointment as well as antibiotics. It wasn't until later in the afternoon I got the call that he had tested FeLV+. Mao's breathing is not improving. The slightest exertion is enough to send him into a loud fit of labored gasping, and when he is not napping every breath is
To Nathan: Re: Late FeLV diagnosis
Hi Nathan, First, I am so sorry the you and little Mao are having to go through this. It must be very tough for both of you, especially considering how young he is. Second, I don't want to give you false hope of Mao getting back to where he was before he got sick, BUT...there are a lot of things you can do to help manage/ease his pain. Obviously, since the growth is in his trachea area, surgery is either probably not an option, or a very risky one, given his breathing issues. Also, cutting into cancer cells in any mammal, if they aren't all removed, often results in the return of the cancer, and sometimes stronger. FeLV+ kitties are 300 times more likely to develop lymphoma. That's the bad news. The good news is that lymphoma is very manageable in cats. They respond very well to chemo and steroids. Some here have lived a lot longer than anyone thought. Depending on what your financial situation is, as sadly for many of us here it's a factor in determining treatment, but if you can, I would go to a Veterinary Internist a.s.a.p. and inquire about chemo. An internist will be an expert in treating cancer, assuming that's what the obstruction is. It seems the most pressing thing right now is to get whatever is constricting Mao's airway to shrink. The best way to do that is chemo. And chemo does not do to cats what it does to humans as far as illness goes; they fare much better with it. Depending on what the internist says and what treatment you decide to go with, if any, there is a steroid shot that works wonderfully for pain management, particularly in the later stages of cancer. It's a combo shot of dexamethasone and depomedrol. The internist should know about this, and possibly your regular vet. No matter who you see for help, a good vet is SO important in treating your furbaby. Find one you like; run from any you don't feel good about. Also, lysine is GREAT for strengthening the immune system, which is very important for FeLV+ cats. My Smookie had a horrible corneal ulcer that would not clear up with topical or oral antibiotics, nor with anti-viral drops. I started giving her 250-500 mg 2x per day of lysine and it went away! Make sure they lysine does not have propynol glycol in it as it causes blood issues in cats. Also lysine (or L-lysine) is tasteless, so I just put it in my cat's wet food and they had no idea it was there. They gobbled it right up. I got the lysine at my local health food store. Don't give up on Mao. My baby Cricket developed a horrible infection over three years ago. He had horrible fevers and the vet was just going to let him die in that cage. I took him home, gave him his antibiotics, water, and food every hour, and he came back and lived two more years until anemia took him. And I don't think he would have developed the anemia had he not been stressed out in my home due to other circumstances. The two most important things you can do for Mao is to keep him stress-free (and yourself as well) and to feed him a GREAT diet. I feed mine Innova Evo and cooked chicken, but there are other good foods out there as well. Please keep us posted on Mao's situation. Prayers going out for both you and Mao. Know that you are doing all you are out of love, so try not to second-guess yourself too much. We all do though. It's natural. And know that, unfortunately, you are not alone. :) Wendy Dallas, TX Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world: Indeed it is the only thing that ever has! ~~~ Margaret Meade ~~~ Bored stiff? Loosen up... Download and play hundreds of games for free on Yahoo! Games. http://games.yahoo.com/games/front
Re: Late FeLV diagnosis
Nathan, I am so sorry this is so complicated. You sound like you are doing all you can. God bless both you and Mao. Dede and Ki --- Nathan Kennedy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This is a reply to all the messages. The blood was sent to the lab, not checked in-office, and was double-checked--came up positive twice. So there's not much chance it was a false positive. But from what I've read it is not unusual for an infected cat that's only three months old to test negative. He should have been retested around the time he was neutered, but my vet at the time did not mention that possibility. Mao has actually seen three vets now (total of seven visits). One vet did the initial checkup, vaccinations, treatment for a fever, and neutering. I had moved so when the respiratory problems got bad I rushed him to a vet that was closer and open on Saturday. He took the X-ray, blood sample that came back FeLV+, and gave him steroids and mite treatment. The third vet I went to the next day was for the acute eye infection, and he got eye drugs and antibiotics added to his regime. The eye treatments seem to be helping, and he seems to be adapting to his breathing a little better. I don't think it has actually gotten any better, it's just a matter of being more used to his new environment since I moved house again. It hasn't gotten much worse in the last two days, although that's not saying much as I can't see how it could get much worse without killing him. Any exertion or scare throws him into a length fit of open-mouthed gasping--if it is particularly bad, his gums do in fact get blue. The worst is when I put the mite medication in his ears or the ointment in his eyes, to the extent that I am considering stopping those two particular medications if they're doing more harm than good, and hoping that the pills, antibiotics and eyedrops will do it. The vet hasn't mentioned euthanasia although he has said that the prognosis is very bad. He has offered to see him again and give him something to help his immune system a bit. I think he is doing all he can. Even if I could get interferon, it would be contraindicated because he is on steroids for his breathing. Surgery would require a specialist and hospitalization and in his state there is no way I would put him through that. He doesn't have a hypoplastic trachea, it is being squeezed or constricted in one spot, either due to a growing tumor or inflammation from his infection. In any event, I'm continuing to give him all his drugs and watching him closely. I hope he can pull through it but I can't let it get much worse. It gives me just a little hope that he's still happy to see me and rub my face, and still has an appetite, even though he is suffering. Last night he even managed to get onto his scratching post again. -Nathan I'm sorry that Mao is ill. At least if he is still showing his happy personality, you know that he's not giving up on himself yet. Praying for Mao that he pulls through this and stays with you for quite awhile longer. Cassandra - Original Message - From: Nathan Kennedy [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2007 10:59 AM Subject: Late FeLV diagnosis Yesterday I got the bad news that my boy Mao was FeLV+. This was the worst-case scenario and one that I had dismissed because he tested negative when I rescued him from the street as a baby in October, as had the only other cat he had contact with. He saw the vet on his first visit, the next day for vaccinations and a checkup, a few weeks later for boosters, again for a nasty fever in December that cleared up shortly afterwards, and in January for neutering. Other than the fever, the only problems he had were recurring diarrhea that I tried to manage by modifying his diet and an occasional fit of whooping that the vet had dismissed as hairballs. Those worried me a bit, but the vet's clean bill of health, his big appetite, energy, and growth all reassured me. Until recently. Mao seemed to dull a bit, and started snoring during his naps. Over the past week, Mao developed a nasty case of earmites and increased trouble breathing, progressing into fits of gasping for air. Since he had no runny nose and his temperature was normal, I thought it might be asthma. I took him to the vet on Saturday, and he took a blood sample and X-rayed him, finding a constriction in his trachea. He prescribed prednisone to try to make it easier for him to breathe as well as treatment for the mites. Then Sunday night, Mao almost instantly developed a horrible eye infection. The third eyelid of his right eye closed over and swelled up, blinding him in that eye and making it impossible for him to close it--meanwhile, his breathing deteriorated. He went back to
Re: Late FeLV diagnosis
I would have him at the vet's office in an oxygen cage, personally. That may get him through this current crisis, they can also give him stronger antibiotics, and put him on IV fluids, all of which are supportive measures which could turn the balance in his favor. On a side note... if the breathing/eye problem is due to herpes (rhino), giving him steroids could make his eyes worse. Here are webpages with what Herpes eye issues look like, does his eye look like any pics on these pages? http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=AA=1327S=1SourceID=42 http://vet.osu.edu/assets/courses/vm718/sam2/herpes.html Phaewryn http://ucat.us/domesticcatlinks.html Special Needs Cat Resources
RE: Late FeLV diagnosis
Nathan -- I'm sorry Mao is sick. But first off, which test was used to test for FeLV most recently? If it was the ELISA (in-office), it has a high incidence of false positives. If it was the IFA, that's more reliable. It's just odd that he would test negative when you got him and then suddenly develop it later on when chances were slim to none of new exposure. The folks on this list will probably have a ton of suggestions on how to make him feel better. Diane R. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Nathan Kennedy Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2007 10:59 AM To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Subject: Late FeLV diagnosis Yesterday I got the bad news that my boy Mao was FeLV+. This was the worst-case scenario and one that I had dismissed because he tested negative when I rescued him from the street as a baby in October, as had the only other cat he had contact with. He saw the vet on his first visit, the next day for vaccinations and a checkup, a few weeks later for boosters, again for a nasty fever in December that cleared up shortly afterwards, and in January for neutering. Other than the fever, the only problems he had were recurring diarrhea that I tried to manage by modifying his diet and an occasional fit of whooping that the vet had dismissed as hairballs. Those worried me a bit, but the vet's clean bill of health, his big appetite, energy, and growth all reassured me. Until recently. Mao seemed to dull a bit, and started snoring during his naps. Over the past week, Mao developed a nasty case of earmites and increased trouble breathing, progressing into fits of gasping for air. Since he had no runny nose and his temperature was normal, I thought it might be asthma. I took him to the vet on Saturday, and he took a blood sample and X-rayed him, finding a constriction in his trachea. He prescribed prednisone to try to make it easier for him to breathe as well as treatment for the mites. Then Sunday night, Mao almost instantly developed a horrible eye infection. The third eyelid of his right eye closed over and swelled up, blinding him in that eye and making it impossible for him to close it--meanwhile, his breathing deteriorated. He went back to another vet in the morning, and got eyedrops and ointment as well as antibiotics. It wasn't until later in the afternoon I got the call that he had tested FeLV+. Mao's breathing is not improving. The slightest exertion is enough to send him into a loud fit of labored gasping, and when he is not napping every breath is strained--he can't climb his scratching post anymore, which used to be his favorite perch. Despite all that, he still wakes me up in the morning purring and rubbing my face. He still likes to eat and pauses between bites of his favorite food to give me his happy look through his squinting, red eyes. He has always been such a happy cat, and it still shows through all his suffering. But if his condition doesn't get any better I don't think he can last much longer. It's hard to see this happen to Mao at such a young age (not even 8 months yet). The vet who diagnosed him told me that he could have gotten FeLV shortly before I found him and tested negative. I didn't think I would lose him so soon. This electronic mail transmission and any attachments are confidential and may be privileged. They should be read or retained only by the intended recipient. If you have received this transmission in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete the transmission from your system. In addition, in order to comply with Treasury Circular 230, we are required to inform you that unless we have specifically stated to the contrary in writing, any advice we provide in this email or any attachment concerning federal tax issues or submissions is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, to avoid federal tax penalties.
Re: Late FeLV diagnosis
Nathan, I'm really sorry to read that Mao is so ill. It sounds like you have a good vet, in that you don't mention him recommending euthanasia yet. We sometimes see less compassionate and less concerned vets recommending this just because a cat tests positive. Has your vet recommended any further treatment options? Do you have any specialists in your area who might be helpful? To fight the eye infection, I'd recommend boosting Mao's immune system. I'm using Transfer Factor Plus Advanced and Liquid-DMG for boosting my FeLV+ Ember's system. The TF is a bit expensive (about a dollar a capsule), but the DMG isn't bad. Ember is also on low dose human interferon, which is also pretty affordable. Decent cat food is important. Ember is currently on Felidae canned, which is generally considered to be human grade where the meat ingredients are concerned, and is also not involved in the current recall. I think you'll get better advise from others here, especially those who have dealt with cats with respiratory problems. I really hope there's something that can be done to help Mao. He'll be in my prayers. Lance On Tue, 3 Apr 2007 11:59:00 -0400 (EDT), Nathan Kennedy [EMAIL PROTECTED] said: Yesterday I got the bad news that my boy Mao was FeLV+. This was the worst-case scenario and one that I had dismissed because he tested negative when I rescued him from the street as a baby in October, as had the only other cat he had contact with. He saw the vet on his first visit, the next day for vaccinations and a checkup, a few weeks later for boosters, again for a nasty fever in December that cleared up shortly afterwards, and in January for neutering. Other than the fever, the only problems he had were recurring diarrhea that I tried to manage by modifying his diet and an occasional fit of whooping that the vet had dismissed as hairballs. Those worried me a bit, but the vet's clean bill of health, his big appetite, energy, and growth all reassured me. Until recently. Mao seemed to dull a bit, and started snoring during his naps. Over the past week, Mao developed a nasty case of earmites and increased trouble breathing, progressing into fits of gasping for air. Since he had no runny nose and his temperature was normal, I thought it might be asthma. I took him to the vet on Saturday, and he took a blood sample and X-rayed him, finding a constriction in his trachea. He prescribed prednisone to try to make it easier for him to breathe as well as treatment for the mites. Then Sunday night, Mao almost instantly developed a horrible eye infection. The third eyelid of his right eye closed over and swelled up, blinding him in that eye and making it impossible for him to close it--meanwhile, his breathing deteriorated. He went back to another vet in the morning, and got eyedrops and ointment as well as antibiotics. It wasn't until later in the afternoon I got the call that he had tested FeLV+. Mao's breathing is not improving. The slightest exertion is enough to send him into a loud fit of labored gasping, and when he is not napping every breath is strained--he can't climb his scratching post anymore, which used to be his favorite perch. Despite all that, he still wakes me up in the morning purring and rubbing my face. He still likes to eat and pauses between bites of his favorite food to give me his happy look through his squinting, red eyes. He has always been such a happy cat, and it still shows through all his suffering. But if his condition doesn't get any better I don't think he can last much longer. It's hard to see this happen to Mao at such a young age (not even 8 months yet). The vet who diagnosed him told me that he could have gotten FeLV shortly before I found him and tested negative. I didn't think I would lose him so soon. -- Lance Linimon [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Late FeLV diagnosis: my reply
Nathan, I don't give advice on FeLV on this list because I am so new, but I CAN tell you about a hypoplastic trachea, because I have a cat with it. She also has asthma, and the attacks are very frightening. I give her .5ml dexamethasone (sp) in her rear muscle. I also give her aminophiline to open her airway. It takes a few hours to work, but it does. She is in a room with a HEPA air filter. You have to keep them quiet during any breathing problems. Unless they are mouth breathing and the gums are pink, they are holding their own even tho it looks like they are dying. I am NOT a vet, and this is what I do for MY cat as per my vet's instructions. I does sound to me like your vets are not doing enough for Mao. I will just add that it took me 3 yrs to find a vet that has successfully treated Dusty. They say this condition is fairy rare. All the best, Dede --- Nathan Kennedy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Yesterday I got the bad news that my boy Mao was FeLV+. This was the worst-case scenario and one that I had dismissed because he tested negative when I rescued him from the street as a baby in October, as had the only other cat he had contact with. He saw the vet on his first visit, the next day for vaccinations and a checkup, a few weeks later for boosters, again for a nasty fever in December that cleared up shortly afterwards, and in January for neutering. Other than the fever, the only problems he had were recurring diarrhea that I tried to manage by modifying his diet and an occasional fit of whooping that the vet had dismissed as hairballs. Those worried me a bit, but the vet's clean bill of health, his big appetite, energy, and growth all reassured me. Until recently. Mao seemed to dull a bit, and started snoring during his naps. Over the past week, Mao developed a nasty case of earmites and increased trouble breathing, progressing into fits of gasping for air. Since he had no runny nose and his temperature was normal, I thought it might be asthma. I took him to the vet on Saturday, and he took a blood sample and X-rayed him, finding a constriction in his trachea. He prescribed prednisone to try to make it easier for him to breathe as well as treatment for the mites. Then Sunday night, Mao almost instantly developed a horrible eye infection. The third eyelid of his right eye closed over and swelled up, blinding him in that eye and making it impossible for him to close it--meanwhile, his breathing deteriorated. He went back to another vet in the morning, and got eyedrops and ointment as well as antibiotics. It wasn't until later in the afternoon I got the call that he had tested FeLV+. Mao's breathing is not improving. The slightest exertion is enough to send him into a loud fit of labored gasping, and when he is not napping every breath is strained--he can't climb his scratching post anymore, which used to be his favorite perch. Despite all that, he still wakes me up in the morning purring and rubbing my face. He still likes to eat and pauses between bites of his favorite food to give me his happy look through his squinting, red eyes. He has always been such a happy cat, and it still shows through all his suffering. But if his condition doesn't get any better I don't think he can last much longer. It's hard to see this happen to Mao at such a young age (not even 8 months yet). The vet who diagnosed him told me that he could have gotten FeLV shortly before I found him and tested negative. I didn't think I would lose him so soon. When you are in the service of your fellow beings, you are only in the service of your God Mosiah 2:17 Now that's room service! Choose from over 150,000 hotels in 45,000 destinations on Yahoo! Travel to find your fit. http://farechase.yahoo.com/promo-generic-14795097
Re: Late FeLV diagnosis
Nathan, I am so sorry you and Mao are going through this. I'm saying prayers for both of you. elizabeth On 4/3/07, Nathan Kennedy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Yesterday I got the bad news that my boy Mao was FeLV+. This was the worst-case scenario and one that I had dismissed because he tested negative when I rescued him from the street as a baby in October, as had the only other cat he had contact with. He saw the vet on his first visit, the next day for vaccinations and a checkup, a few weeks later for boosters, again for a nasty fever in December that cleared up shortly afterwards, and in January for neutering. Other than the fever, the only problems he had were recurring diarrhea that I tried to manage by modifying his diet and an occasional fit of whooping that the vet had dismissed as hairballs. Those worried me a bit, but the vet's clean bill of health, his big appetite, energy, and growth all reassured me. Until recently. Mao seemed to dull a bit, and started snoring during his naps. Over the past week, Mao developed a nasty case of earmites and increased trouble breathing, progressing into fits of gasping for air. Since he had no runny nose and his temperature was normal, I thought it might be asthma. I took him to the vet on Saturday, and he took a blood sample and X-rayed him, finding a constriction in his trachea. He prescribed prednisone to try to make it easier for him to breathe as well as treatment for the mites. Then Sunday night, Mao almost instantly developed a horrible eye infection. The third eyelid of his right eye closed over and swelled up, blinding him in that eye and making it impossible for him to close it--meanwhile, his breathing deteriorated. He went back to another vet in the morning, and got eyedrops and ointment as well as antibiotics. It wasn't until later in the afternoon I got the call that he had tested FeLV+. Mao's breathing is not improving. The slightest exertion is enough to send him into a loud fit of labored gasping, and when he is not napping every breath is strained--he can't climb his scratching post anymore, which used to be his favorite perch. Despite all that, he still wakes me up in the morning purring and rubbing my face. He still likes to eat and pauses between bites of his favorite food to give me his happy look through his squinting, red eyes. He has always been such a happy cat, and it still shows through all his suffering. But if his condition doesn't get any better I don't think he can last much longer. It's hard to see this happen to Mao at such a young age (not even 8 months yet). The vet who diagnosed him told me that he could have gotten FeLV shortly before I found him and tested negative. I didn't think I would lose him so soon.
Re: Late FeLV diagnosis
I'm sorry that Mao is ill. At least if he is still showing his happy personality, you know that he's not giving up on himself yet. Praying for Mao that he pulls through this and stays with you for quite awhile longer. Cassandra - Original Message - From: Nathan Kennedy [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2007 10:59 AM Subject: Late FeLV diagnosis Yesterday I got the bad news that my boy Mao was FeLV+. This was the worst-case scenario and one that I had dismissed because he tested negative when I rescued him from the street as a baby in October, as had the only other cat he had contact with. He saw the vet on his first visit, the next day for vaccinations and a checkup, a few weeks later for boosters, again for a nasty fever in December that cleared up shortly afterwards, and in January for neutering. Other than the fever, the only problems he had were recurring diarrhea that I tried to manage by modifying his diet and an occasional fit of whooping that the vet had dismissed as hairballs. Those worried me a bit, but the vet's clean bill of health, his big appetite, energy, and growth all reassured me. Until recently. Mao seemed to dull a bit, and started snoring during his naps. Over the past week, Mao developed a nasty case of earmites and increased trouble breathing, progressing into fits of gasping for air. Since he had no runny nose and his temperature was normal, I thought it might be asthma. I took him to the vet on Saturday, and he took a blood sample and X-rayed him, finding a constriction in his trachea. He prescribed prednisone to try to make it easier for him to breathe as well as treatment for the mites. Then Sunday night, Mao almost instantly developed a horrible eye infection. The third eyelid of his right eye closed over and swelled up, blinding him in that eye and making it impossible for him to close it--meanwhile, his breathing deteriorated. He went back to another vet in the morning, and got eyedrops and ointment as well as antibiotics. It wasn't until later in the afternoon I got the call that he had tested FeLV+. Mao's breathing is not improving. The slightest exertion is enough to send him into a loud fit of labored gasping, and when he is not napping every breath is strained--he can't climb his scratching post anymore, which used to be his favorite perch. Despite all that, he still wakes me up in the morning purring and rubbing my face. He still likes to eat and pauses between bites of his favorite food to give me his happy look through his squinting, red eyes. He has always been such a happy cat, and it still shows through all his suffering. But if his condition doesn't get any better I don't think he can last much longer. It's hard to see this happen to Mao at such a young age (not even 8 months yet). The vet who diagnosed him told me that he could have gotten FeLV shortly before I found him and tested negative. I didn't think I would lose him so soon. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.25/744 - Release Date: 4/3/2007 5:32 AM
