Re: Kitten update and FIP question
Hi Leslie, I haven't been able to keep up with the list, I'm betting others with more knowledge than I have posted about potential FIP risks to Powder. From what I understand about it, there are genetic risks involved that take most of the protection against it out of our hands. All I can say is that giving Powder a chance in your loving home would seem to outweigh your concerns. A shelter situation would certainly expose her to greater health risks than Satchmo alone. Maybe I'm operating from the ridiculous premise of it just wouldn't be fair, but I think Powder is better off with you no matter what happens because of it. You asked about success stories... My little Timmy and his brother Lucky were 2 of 6 kittens born with felv. We didn't find out the litter was pos until the first kitten died. Lucky has never been tested, (he was adopted out and they decided they didn't care what the result of the test was, they were just going to love and care for him), and Tim tested neg when he was finally tested at about 6mos. They are going on 3 yrs now and are both healthy and strong, (the other 4 kittens died between 6mos and 2 yrs old). I think your philosophy of taking each day as a blessing and being grateful for whatever time you have, (while remaining proactive and optimistic), is the best one we can have under any circumstance. I am sure that my little felv angels were part of my life to help me with just this lesson. Blessings and thanks to all our special needs loved ones and all those that have the courage to care for them! When does Powder come home? Nina Leslie wrote: Hello, it's Leslie again, So here's the FeLV+ kitten update from the Humane Society: I went to visit and play with both kittens last Wednesday and they were so cute. Incredibly active, curious, friendly. The volunteer and I talked about my situation a lot and we agreed that since they are together, it would be ideal to get them a home together. I can't take them both, so I decided to let fate take a hand. Yesterday was my day to volunteer with the dogs, but every 30 minutes or so, I'd wander back over to the cat side and give them a scratch. Since I'm obsessive, I check the website hourly, and at 6 pm last night, Trixie was taken off of it - meaning that she'd found a home! That leaves Powder (the bobtail) and the one that pulled my heart strings a just a little tighter, truth be told. I'm going to call the humane society when they open in an hour and confirm that it wasn't a computer glitch. So now that it looks like I will be taking Powder, I have one question and one request. The question: my last + cat to pass, Hepburn, was taken down by FIP, she had the wet variety, potbelly and all. So whether or not my current + guy, Satchmo, introduced it to her, he was certainly exposed to it before I knew what she had. Should I worry about this in introducing a + kitten to him? I would feel just awful about giving something to a cat that I'm trying to help. What do you think? The request: I know that it's riskier than average to expect a kitten to make it the long haul with leukemia, but do any of you have these success stories? I've heard of kitten's turning negative from you (and please reiterate those and if you did anything special to reach that conclusion), but are there kittens that are positive that grow to be healthy, positive adults? I have already embraced (or am trying) your philosophy that the control we have is over our attitude toward the events in life, not the events themselves (well, to some extent, but not totally). So if my expectations in adopting this kitten are that if we have two months, that's a success, and anything above that is a gift, then that's what I'll do. Thank you all so much, Leslie
Re: Kitten update and FIP question
Leslie, How exciting! Will you keep her named Powder or rename her (or is it a him?)? I don't know anything about FIP. I wish I could give you answers as to how long you can expect Powder to be with you, but I'm afraid I just don't know. My girls are now 9 months and seem to be really strong and healthy, a far cry from two months ago when the vet said one of them was on death's door - so I guess they don't know either. Someone on this board (sorry, I can't give credit because I don't remember!) made a really good point that struck me and has stuck - they said that cats have no concept of future, they only know the now. How true! As long as my girls are happy in the moment that's all that matters because they have no mechanism to fear the future (that's quite a gift!). Maggie -- Original message -- From: Leslie [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hello, it's Leslie again, So here's the FeLV+ kitten update from the Humane Society: I went to visit and play with both kittens last Wednesday and they were so cute. Incredibly active, curious, friendly. The volunteer and I talked about my situation a lot and we agreed that since they are together, it would be ideal to get them a home together. I can't take them both, so I decided to let fate take a hand. Yesterday was my day to volunteer with the dogs, but every 30 minutes or so, I'd wander back over to the cat side and give them a scratch. Since I'm obsessive, I check the website hourly, and at 6 pm last night, Trixie was taken off of it - meaning that she'd found a home! That leaves Powder (the bobtail) and the one that pulled my heart strings a just a little tighter, truth be told. I'm going to call the humane society when they open in an hour and confirm that it wasn't a computer glitch. So now that it looks like I will be taking Powder, I have one question and one request. The question: my last + cat to pass, Hepburn, was taken down by FIP, she had the wet variety, potbelly and all. So whether or not my current + guy, Satchmo, introduced it to her, he was certainly exposed to it before I knew what she had. Should I worry about this in introducing a + kitten to him? I would feel just awful about giving something to a cat that I'm trying to help. What do you think? The request: I know that it's riskier than average to expect a kitten to make it the long haul with leukemia, but do any of you have these success stories? I've heard of kitten's turning negative from you (and please reiterate those and if you did anything special to reach that conclusion), but are there kittens that are positive that grow to be healthy, positive adults? I have already embraced (or am trying) your philosophy that the control we have is over our attitude toward the events in life, not the events themselves (well, to some extent, but not totally). So if my expectations in adopting this kitten are that if we have two months, that's a success, and anything above that is a gift, then that's what I'll do. Thank you all so much, Leslie
Re: Kitten update and FIP question
Hideyo, my heart goes out to you. You have done such an amazing job in caring for these cats, you haven't let one of them down for a second. All of my well wishes and Satch's naughty-cat energy will be pointed toward you and your cats. And Sherry, so sorry to here about Nya. It's true what the others have said, that her life was the better for it, even if it was too short by our standards. MC, Maggie, and Nina, thank you so much for replying to my email. MC what a great wealth of information that was, that makes me feel a lot better about bringing in Powder...and losing Hepburn oddly enough. Nina, thanks for you story of the healthy kittens, and Maggie, I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that your two stay on this side of the vet's amazement. :) I've actually been thinking about that comment about how cat's perceive things. No yesterday, no tomorrow, just now. Hungry now, happy now, in pain now, pet me now. It's true and it makes things much simpler. I don't think that I'll keep the name Powder (she's female) because it makes me think of the movie or a dilute calico, and her colors are pretty sharp. I don't know what I'll name her, I'll have to see what strikes me. I hope to pick her up tonight, but it'll be after work, so if the humane society needs to speak to my landlord, I'll have to wait until tomorrow. :) It seems to be the samephenomenon of the day that you're getting your hair cut, your have a great hair day - because Satch has been in this sweet, I'm-an-only-cat love-bug mood of late. He must know. ;) Leslie
Re: Kitten update and FIP question
I'm glad 'what's her name' will be coming home soon, (I'm sure she'll let you know soon enough what she wants to be called!). High hopes and prayers that she turns out to be one of the fortunate and lives a long, healthy life. I think we would all do better concerning ourselves with tomorrow, but living in the now. Re Satchmo and the little one... I would talk to him about her coming to live with you. Let him know that she's to be HIS kitten, that you are bringing her home so he will have someone to watch over and play with. The you were once in her place and she needs us logic doesn't seem to work as well with my crew! I'm sure with as many kitties as you've had, I don't have to remind you to take the introductions slowly and to shower Satch with attention. Let us know all about it. Hugs to you, and congratulations, Nina It seems to be the same phenomenon of the day that you're getting your hair cut, your have a great hair day - because Satch has been in this sweet, I'm-an-only-cat love-bug mood of late. He must know. ;) Leslie
To Leslie Re: Kitten update and FIP question
Leslie, Congratulations on Powder's future adoption! Absolutely, there are kittens who throw off the virus and become healthy adults, and even if they don't, they can live with it for a long time. Many die before age 3, but some do not. My kitty Cricket lived to 4.5 years, and I truly believed he would have lived longer had he not been stressed out by ten family members staying with us in our 1500 sq. ft. house for a week during Hurricane Rita. He shortly thereafter developed anemia. If I were you, I would be giving the L-lysine and the Mega C for the rest of kitty's life. Also, good quality food, like Evo. And LOTS of love and snuggles! Bless you! :) Wendy __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
P.S. Re: To Leslie Re: Kitten update and FIP question
P.S. Please keep us posted on Powder's adoption. I would love to hear how Satchmo adjusts to her and the funny stuff that happens after you bring her home! :) Wendy --- wendy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Leslie, Congratulations on Powder's future adoption! Absolutely, there are kittens who throw off the virus and become healthy adults, and even if they don't, they can live with it for a long time. Many die before age 3, but some do not. My kitty Cricket lived to 4.5 years, and I truly believed he would have lived longer had he not been stressed out by ten family members staying with us in our 1500 sq. ft. house for a week during Hurricane Rita. He shortly thereafter developed anemia. If I were you, I would be giving the L-lysine and the Mega C for the rest of kitty's life. Also, good quality food, like Evo. And LOTS of love and snuggles! Bless you! :) Wendy __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
Re: Kitten update and FIP question
FIP is currently considered to be a MUTATED form of the common corona virus--up to 90% of cats who have been in a multi-cat environment will have been exposed to one of the corona virii. (the same percentage of humans show the same exposure rate!). there is some question about whether or not there is one form of the virus that is more likely to mutate into FIP than others, but the chief proponent of that seems to be the lab that created a test for that strain, which in research has not proved to be reliable or accurate. in other words, most cats have been exposed to corona viruses, but most cats do NOT develop the mutation that causes FIP. the corona virii are contagious, the mutation per se is NOT. current research is showing that there is a genetic predisposition for FIP, which may turn out to be the major factor--right now, no one can predict who will get FIP, there's no way to protect against it, and, essentially, there's no treatment. if you have siblings of the kitty that developed FIP, those would be the most likely to develop it, but the new cat should be at no additional risk. MC On 8/7/06, Leslie [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hello, it's Leslie again, So here's the FeLV+ kitten update from the Humane Society: I went to visit and play with both kittens last Wednesday and they were so cute. Incredibly active, curious, friendly. The volunteer and I talked about my situation a lot and we agreed that since they are together, it would be ideal to get them a home together. I can't take them both, so I decided to let fate take a hand. Yesterday was my day to volunteer with the dogs, but every 30 minutes or so, I'd wander back over to the cat side and give them a scratch. Since I'm obsessive, I check the website hourly, and at 6 pm last night, Trixie was taken off of it - meaning that she'd found a home! That leaves Powder (the bobtail) and the one that pulled my heart strings a just a little tighter, truth be told. I'm going to call the humane society when they open in an hour and confirm that it wasn't a computer glitch. So now that it looks like I will be taking Powder, I have one question and one request. The question: my last + cat to pass, Hepburn, was taken down by FIP, she had the wet variety, potbelly and all. So whether or not my current + guy, Satchmo, introduced it to her, he was certainly exposed to it before I knew what she had. Should I worry about this in introducing a + kitten to him? I would feel just awful about giving something to a cat that I'm trying to help. What do you think? The request: I know that it's riskier than average to expect a kitten to make it the long haul with leukemia, but do any of you have these success stories? I've heard of kitten's turning negative from you (and please reiterate those and if you did anything special to reach that conclusion), but are there kittens that are positive that grow to be healthy, positive adults? I have already embraced (or am trying) your philosophy that the control we have is over our attitude toward the events in life, not the events themselves (well, to some extent, but not totally). So if my expectations in adopting this kitten are that if we have two months, that's a success, and anything above that is a gift, then that's what I'll do. Thank you all so much, Leslie -- MaryChristine AIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCats MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ICQ: 289856892
