Tuesday January 6, 1998 20 Messages ====================================== Date: Tue, 06 Jan 1998 10:38:48 -0500 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: olivia gostanian Subject: Re: Lovejoy Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi Everyone: Hope this post finds you well. It was very touching to come back and read your posts and see how everyone else's beloved companions are faring. (Barb, I was sorry to read about Merlin's recent bout, but am glad to hear that he is making some progress every day. I hope that he will soon be fully recovered.) As some of you know, before I left for 2 weeks Xmas vacation, I pondered the pros/cons of boarding vs home care for my sweet cat, Lovejoy. While most of you recommended home care, because I could not find reliable home caregivers who would be able to follow his meds regimen consistently, I decided to board him at a highly rec'd animal hospital that I had visited myself, etc... Long story short, I called *every* day while gone to check on him, and every day I was cheerily told "no problems while boarding." However, upon my return and rush right to the vets to pick him up, I was told that just the day before Lovejoy had develop a slight sneezing problem that should be monitored. Well, as I soon discovered, the slight sneezing problem was really a full-blown upper respiratory infection, complete with horrible wheezing, explosive sneezing, wet runny eyes, a swollen nose, and -- worst of all -- a purr factor of absolute zero!!! Lovejoy is absolutely not the kind of cat who will "punish" one by withholding affection; he's normally an absolute bundle of purrs and head butts etc... (hence his name) so I knew he was in bad shape. After a sleepless, helpless night of listening to my baby sneeze and shake, I called the vet the next morning, who kind of hemmed and hawed and finally said, "you know, we do the best we can, but he must've picked up a virus." I wasn't looking to place blame (I feel horribly guilty and upset enough with myself as it is), but to find out what can I do? Is it treatable, etc... The vet says that as long as Lovejoy has no temperature (he doesn't) and that his appetite is good (it is), that there is no reason to worry and he believes this will run its course within 2 weeks or so. Is this true? In the meantime, the vet prescribed Chlorepamine (sic?), an antihistamine to dry him up, along with Baytril, an antibiotic that he's on chronically as he seems to lag and start to fail if I stop giving it to him, and I've just started him on Interferon. He's on the the Chlor. for a 20 day regimen, and supposedly Lovejoy should be able to ride this out. Has anyone else out there dealt with a severe upper resp. infection and is there anything else I should consider doing? Geez, I really hate to even have to go into work during this time, but I am dashing home at each lunch hour to spend it with my boy. Please keep us in your thoughts and I'll let you know how we progress. In meantime, happy new year to all of you and special blessings of health and happiness to your kitties. Olivia ------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 06 Jan 1998 10:57:10 -0500 From: albobo To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Feeding felv kitties Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Lynn You seem to be doing a great job with Stinker. Keep up the good work. My only suggestion is the possibility of adding some acidopholus to his food to help with the effects of the antibiotics! Good luck. > > Kathy G and the 3 Furries in Daytona Beach =^.^= - Rusty =^.^= - Smokey =^.^= - Money See us at: http://cgi.gambitsys.com/homey/webdoc5.htm The Cat: Mother Nature's Masterpiece! --------------------------------------- From: KATHY BODZIAK To: "'felvtalk@MailingList.net'" Subject: RE: Lovejoy Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 10:22:36 -0600 Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Olivia, I certainly can sympathize with you on this one. Our vets have recommended ChlorTrimaton as a decongestant. If you have an Albertson's grocery near you, they have a generic of the same thing under their brand name and it's less expensive. It's an over-the-counter medication, so you don't need a prescription for it. Just make sure the ingredients match. I don't like to use it for more than three or four days, but it seems to work wonders. Double check with your vet for dosages, but as a rule of thumb, I give the kittens four to eight weeks old a scant quarter tab, nine weeks to four months a generous quarter tab (like about a third) and average weight adult cats one half. I dose twice a day, for up to four days. Sometimes all it takes is a day or two before they start breathing easier and I discontinue it. I volunteer with a rescue group and we've been complaining to one of our vet clinics that all the cats we get back from there quickly develop upper respiratory! They must have gotten lots of complaints, because they finally fostered out all their animals over the holidays and did a thorough cleanup. It's especially frustrating for us to get in a rescued animal, and have to hold it for weeks to clear up this kind of illness. They're already scared and nervous, and getting sick after getting spayed or neutered doesn't help. We work though the PetsMart stores to adopt our rescues. We've been pretty lucky this past year, we only had to euthenize three that were FeLV positive. They were so far gone that the vets just recommended a quiet end to their suffering. On the up side, we got a beautiful sweet Persian/tabby mixed kitten we named Pebbles who tested a weak positive a few weeks ago. We kept her isolated, gave her good food, lots of love and attention, and prayed. I just got the results back on her retest and she was definitely negative! We have a home waiting for her, a sweet little 7 year old girl who's waiting patiently for her new kitten. We had to be sure Pebbles was clean because they have one other cat already. Good luck with LoveJoy, and you an give him a cuddle for me. I'll be thinking good thoughts for you both. Kathy ------------------------------------- From: "Lynn or Josiah Stickels" To: "felvtalk" Subject: re: Lovejoy Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 08:54:54 -0800 Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: Lynn My kitty Stinker just recovered from a upper respriatory infection that he got just before Christmas. It was awful! I just new he wouldn't make it and it was just before I was going to start him on interferon along with the immunoregulin he's been taking. What I did, was to give him the immunoregulin shots twice a week. I give them at home under the skin. It seems to be easier on his acceptance of it. I also made sure he ate a can of A/D prescription canned food(from the vet). I gave him Felovite 11 vitamins every morning. I also would steam up the bathroom and let him stay in there around 15 minutes throughout the day. To make him feel better, I would comb him and keep him groomed. If he seemed to have a fever or was in pain, I gave him aspirin.......1/4 of a baby aspirin every other day is allowed for cats. I kept a humidifier on all of the time and since I couldn't put nose drops in his nose(really stressed him), I put some in the humidifier. I know the anguish you are going through. In my case, it lasted about two weeks, two long weeks! But, he made it through and so can yours. Just hang in there and keep up your hope. -------------------------------------- From: "AZ-HART" To: Subject: Re: Lovejoy Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 10:52:53 -0700 Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Lynn, Wow, I'm so touched that you do so much to help your kitty. I do animal rescue for cats and kittens here in Phoenix, AZ, and the way people toss their cats away and have so little regard for cats, in partciular, would break your heart. I have 6 FeLV+ kitties, all robust and healthy thank heavens, but most people wouldn't make a place in their home for special needs cats. Steaming up the bathroom sounds like a good idea, I haven't tried that. I do use a humidifier if someone has batch upper resperitory. I'm so glad your kitty is better. Anytime an FeLV kitty looks funny, I worry. One of my 5-month old FeLV kittens has irisitis, and another iris problem I can't pronounce, and I'm treating her eyes with a very $$$ prescription called Trifluridine. She does seem to have responded, but the irisitis is still there. She also gets baby asperin. One vet had prescribed 1/2 baby asperin twice a day (when she was worse), but my other vet said no, that's too much, and prescribed 1/2 baby asperin every 3 days. I had to go to Drug Emporium to get it, because Wal-Mart had no baby pain reliever without tylenol in it, if you can believe that, and we know tylenol is a big no-no with animals. I've used canned A/D many many times on sick kitties, and have gotten many a cat through kidney or liver failure with it. Is there any possibility of divulging how much the Interferon runs? I know it is used as adjunctive therapy in people for melanoma (skin cancer) and runs a fortune in that case. So I'm very curious how much kitty dosages run. Irene Hart Arizona Homeless Animals Rescue Team (AZ-HART) http://home.sprynet.com/sprynet/azhart Email us at: azhart@sprynet.com ---------------------------------- Date: Tue, 06 Jan 1998 12:19:27 -0600 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: Cheryl DeSantis Subject: Introduction and question Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net I have only sent messages to a few familiar names on this list in the past. First, I would like to send best wishes to Barb and Merlin. Barb was very instrumental in me getting help for my positive cat, Copley. Copley was diagnosed in the beginning of October and I finally found a great vet at the end of October. Copley has been on ImmunoRegulin and Interferon since and although the changes have not been dramatic I have obviously seen an improvement since I thought I lost him a month ago, but he is still here today. The biggest problem I have had so far has been skin infections. The last one developed a fungus that is spreading around his face and of course his paws too from washing. The poor thing is loosing hair around his ear, chest and cheeks. The doctor gave me Fluvin (sp?), but these pills are huge and Copley is not so cooperative. He is supposed to be on these for twelve weeks. Has anyone tried to treat a fungus topically? With over the counter medicine? I have a great book "The Well Cat Book", (Ironic title I know), that suggests using these cream products. - Cheryl DeSantis Account Executive Bradmark, Inc. 4265 San Felipe Suite 800 Houston, TX 77027 800-621-2808 http://www.bradmark.com ------------------------------- From: KATHY BODZIAK To: "'felvtalk@MailingList.net'" Subject: RE: Introduction and question Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 12:15:54 -0600 Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi Cheryl, Ask your vet about over-the-counter creams used for athletes foot. I've used them for ringworm on cats and kittens with good results. Since ringworm is also a fungus, these may help you. Good luck. Kathy ----------------------------------- From: "phaedrus" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 13:17:45 +0000 Subject: (Fwd) some help Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net ------- Forwarded Message Follows ------- Date: Tue, 06 Jan 1998 14:06:37 -0500 From: Jenn Reply-to: jcrocus@chubb.com Organization: The Chubb Corporation To: felvtalk Subject: some help To all: I hope everyone and their babies are doing okay. I've just joined Felvtalk and have some questions. I've never heard of Immunoregulin or any of these other new methods for FelV until my Cooky got real sick. It's too late for him now, but I have another Felv+ cat, Chloe (just like Steve's, except mine's a boy - long story) who is Cooky's brother. He's a very long cat, with a lot of bulk, not fat, behind him - weighing in at about 16 pounds. He's had no signs of this disease yet. So, here's some questions: 1. What exactly is Immunoregulin and Interferon? I want to go to my vet with as much info as I can because when I looked into Immunoregulin, she stated that it was only dispensed to dogs. 2. How do I or my vet get this? 3. Should I use it on Chloe now, while he's okay, or do I wait until he is showing signs? 4. Does the vet dispense these or do I give it to him? 5. Has there been a case with any of you where these didn't work or had any side effects? 6. What are the side effects? 7. How expensive? I really apppreciate any or all information you are able to give me. Thanks Jenn -- Jennifer Crocus mailto:jcrocus@chubb.com The Chubb Corporation http://www.chubb.com/ In loving memory of Vyvyan: March 20, 1988 - August 15, 1997 James G. Wilson phaedrus@ctnet.net , phaedrus69@hotmail.com , phaedrus69@juno.com, felv@angelfire.com http://www.angelfire.com/il/felv/ http://www.fortunecity.com/skyscraper/sterling/20/tribute.html http://www.litchfieldil.com/members/phaedrus/ http://www.fortunecity.com//skyscraper/sterling/20/niu.html http://www.wapd.org/points/jgwilson.html ------------------------------------ From: "phaedrus" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 13:17:45 +0000 Subject: [Fwd]: Hannah Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net ------- Forwarded Message Follows ------- From: "Naomi Carroll" To: phaedrus@wamusa.com Subject: Hannah Date: Tue, 06 Jan 1998 08:55:42 PST Dear James: Please post this to the group. I am looking for a home of Hannah. She is a young tortie with FELV. She is IFA positive. We in the Nashville area have been unsuccessful in finding her a new home. Since I lost both of my cats in December, I am emotionally unable to take her at this point. If you know of any one that could help please let me know. Thanks. In loving memory of Boo-Boo 4-97 to 12-11-97 and Ms. Kitty 1992 to 12-12-97. Naomi Carroll k9carroll@hotmail.com ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com In loving memory of Vyvyan: March 20, 1988 - August 15, 1997 James G. Wilson phaedrus@ctnet.net , phaedrus69@hotmail.com , phaedrus69@juno.com, felv@angelfire.com http://www.angelfire.com/il/felv/ http://www.fortunecity.com/skyscraper/sterling/20/tribute.html http://www.litchfieldil.com/members/phaedrus/ http://www.fortunecity.com//skyscraper/sterling/20/niu.html http://www.wapd.org/points/jgwilson.html ---------------------------------- From: "phaedrus" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 13:37:36 +0000 Subject: Re: Lovejoy Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi Olivia, Sorry to hear about Lovejoy's URI. It is truly an epidemic all across the country that started about October. I've been reading some very good suggestions here on the list about how to handle Lovejoy's URI, and I think he'll pull through just fine with a little extra TLC from you. Please don't blame yourself or the clinic for this- URI's are so widespread that it is likely that he would've aquired it no matter what you did. Take care, and I hope you keep us posted on Lovejoy's progress. Talk to y'all soon. In loving memory of Vyvyan: March 20, 1988 - August 15, 1997 James G. Wilson phaedrus@ctnet.net , phaedrus69@hotmail.com , phaedrus69@juno.com, felv@angelfire.com http://www.angelfire.com/il/felv/ http://www.fortunecity.com/skyscraper/sterling/20/tribute.html http://www.litchfieldil.com/members/phaedrus/ http://www.fortunecity.com//skyscraper/sterling/20/niu.html http://www.wapd.org/points/jgwilson.html ------------------------------------- From: "phaedrus" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 13:37:36 +0000 Subject: Re: Lovejoy Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi everyone, > From: "AZ-HART" > > Is there any possibility of divulging how much the Interferon runs? I > know it is used as adjunctive therapy in people for melanoma (skin > cancer) and runs a fortune in that case. So I'm very curious how much > kitty dosages run. There is a company in Wisconsin that sells Interferon (pre-mixed to the proper dosage for cats) in 1L bottles for roughly $100.00. Note: This is enough Interferon to last five (5) cats for a year at the protocol most commonly suggested. Now, depending on your vet, s/he may charge a little more, but that's roughly the price you're looking at. Since Interferon can be stored frozen, it can last up to a few years, so you may try to cut a deal with your vet if s/he is treating other FeLV+ cats (or cats and/or dogs with other communicable diseases or cancer). Irene, since you are running a shelter, I'm sure that you'll be using the whole bottle yourself. Let me or Barb Stock know if you need the address for your vet to obtain the Interferon. In loving memory of Vyvyan: March 20, 1988 - August 15, 1997 James G. Wilson phaedrus@ctnet.net , phaedrus69@hotmail.com , phaedrus69@juno.com, felv@angelfire.com http://www.angelfire.com/il/felv/ http://www.fortunecity.com/skyscraper/sterling/20/tribute.html http://www.litchfieldil.com/members/phaedrus/ http://www.fortunecity.com//skyscraper/sterling/20/niu.html http://www.wapd.org/points/jgwilson.html --------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 13:50:18 -0600 (CST) From: "Nancy A. Schmall" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Steve Lackow's elixir Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi Steve, Thanks for all you information! I'm especially curious about the interferon protocol (off it and on it). I will ask my vet about that tomorrow when I see her. Yes, I have 7 cats, two with FELV. They are doing very well; both are on interferon, and one is on immunoregulin and prednisone (because he is improving so dramatically--since the immunoregulin was added--we are experimenting with lowering his prednisone (which I REALLY want to do). Both cats also get a tiny bit of raw liver daily, and occasionally some lightly cooked organic egg yolks and minced greens. Additionally, I had them on about 1500 mg. of Vit. C but lowered it slightly because of your recent info re: ViT. C. One also gets "Pet Tinnic" and Dr. Belfield's ViT. C. Pediadrops. The other cat hates "Pet Tinnic" so instead gets a fairly comparable Iron supplement. I consider their improvement a gift. I have lost three cats to FELV and I was not prepared for this psychologically. I also did not realize the current protocol is interferon--was very happy to disover that vets were using it! ---------------------------------- Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 14:01:39 -0600 (CST) From: "Nancy A. Schmall" To: felvtalk Subject: Re: Feeding felv kitties Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi Lynn! What a lucky kitty Stinker is to have a wonderful companion like you! I am hoping the Interferon will do such wonders for Stinker that perhaps you can cut down on the antibiotics. One think that would help restore his good bacteria or flora in his digestive tract would be to feed him either yogurt (plain) or acidophilus in capsule form. You didn't mention if he suffered from diarrhea, but either way, I think the addition of acidophilus would be good for him. I too use baby food ocassionally, especially for a treat, and have used A/D with one FELV+cat with good results. Some cats really love raw liver and/or nutritional yeast. . . and roasted chicken or turkey--also smoked turkey. I figure just about anything my cats will eat is a plus. Nancy ----------------------------------- Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 14:05:28 -0600 (CST) From: "Nancy A. Schmall" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Merlin and other things Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Dear Barb, So glad to hear little Merlin is doing a tad better. A few weeks ago I was delighted to hear one of my FELV+ cats meow--I realized I hadn't heard that in 3 weeks so I understand what you say about the small things. Were you able to get the protocol on the homepathic medicines? You and Merlin are in my thoughts! ------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 14:19:23 -0600 (CST) From: "Nancy A. Schmall" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Lovejoy Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi Olivia! It's great to know there are so many loving, giving people out there who really CARE for their animals! I have one FELV+ cat who has had an upper respiratory infection twice in the past 5 months. My vet prescribes Baytril and the same antihistamine as your vet did, although I only use it if Panther is quite congested--otherwise, I believe he "dries out", possibly causing greater problems. My vet suggests turning on a vaporizer with some salt water soution for 15 min. 2 or 3 times daily in the bathroom and putting the cat in there to breathe it in (I put Panther in there with a treat--he'll almost always eat smoked turkey). If the heat is on in the rest of the house, I will keep a vaporizer going all winter long--for them and as well as us. Because Panther got a 2nd infection so soon after the first, I asked my vet about a short dose of immunoregulin. She agreed to 2 shots a week apart and felt that would stimulate his immune system. He's recovered both times. Please try not to feel guilty about boarding your "Lovejoy." It sounds like you made the BEST decision you could for both of you. My understanding is that upper respiratory virus is airborne and highly contagious. Not to go overboard in defending the vet that boarded Lovejoy, but it is possible that under the best of conditions, your kitty could have contracted it. Nancy ------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 15:48:25 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Lovejoy Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Olivia, Put one drop of the Interferon in each nostril daily. That is what finally cured Merlin's upper Resp. infection. I got that from a vet oncologist. The virus is living in his sinuses most likely and the interferon gets to it. I think Steve had a question about this treatment as well. Continue to oral interferon for the felv. Merlin progresses slowly, how far back he will come, I don't know, but I keep trying. And, most importantly, so does he. He can go from a lying down position to a sitting position with some effort. He can't sit up nor stand, but I am hoping and do his physical therapy several times a day. His eyes are bright again, most of the time. Last week, he looked so miserable, I didn't know if I doing the right thing, but I think I am now. He is such a little fighter I can't wait to take him in to the vet and have him walk out of his carrier. That will be a very special day indeed. Good luck. Barb ----------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 15:56:19 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Introduction and question Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net cheryl, Do you have any doctor friends? There are some very good antifungal topical treatments out there, the best are prescription of course. I will ask around at work and try and get you a name. That way your vet can give you a script for it. I would think topical would be better for it on the skin. Has it been identified? Have the vet take a scraping and send it to the lab for indentification. Will get back tomorrow with a name for you. Barb ---------------------------------- Date: Tue, 06 Jan 1998 15:35:17 -0600 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: Cheryl DeSantis Subject: Re: Introduction and question Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Barb, If you have a name that would be great. For some reason my vet said he does not like to treat this topically. I am not sure why at this point. Copley is currently getting antibiotics for the infection, which has pretty well cleared up, but the fungus is the problem now. It has not been identified and I have not rushed him to the vet, other than his regular weekly ImmunoRegulin shot, since I was told this is a six to twelve week process to clear up. I am not sure of when to really worry. In spite of the vets feelings and since pills are such a problem for Copley, I have been using over the counter medicine, but it seems to make him upset. Anytime his behavior changes I become very concerned. I am not sure if it is simply that he doesn't like his beautiful fur all messed up (being the egomaniac he can be) and greasy or if it actually bothers him physically. All in all the medicine seems to help, but I'm just not sure if I'm doing the right thing by using this cream. Any suggestion that you may come up with is a starting place for me to learn more. Thanks. Cheryl DeSantis Account Executive Bradmark, Inc. 4265 San Felipe Suite 800 Houston, TX 77027 800-621-2808 http://www.bradmark.com ----------------------------------- From: "Steve Lackow" To: Subject: Re: How & What We Feel Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 13:37:29 -0800 Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net > I have lost three cats to FELV and I was not prepared >for this psychologically. You've said a mouthful there! It still amazes me what a powerful reaction I have when animals are sick or hurt. By chance, I rescued a golden retriever on Sunday who had just been hit-and-run by a car driving at very high speed in the very busy LAX airport area here in LA. I am happy to say that more than 10 people eventually stopped for this guy, and we were able to make him comfortable and get him to his "owner" and the vet, and he's fine except for the broken leg and nose. Point of story, I found myself crying afterward for no apparent reason. It just really upsets me the way people use animals and this entire planet, as if it and they were ours to trash. -- Steve ------------------------------------- From: "Steve Lackow" To: Subject: Re: Lovejoy Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 13:41:42 -0800 Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net >Let me or Barb Stock know if you need the address for your vet >to obtain the Interferon. Hi Jim. Would you post this address please? Gloria in Mexico, who posted here and with whom I have been corresponding with off the list, is desperate to educate her vet and get the interferon for her cat, who she loves so dearly that she really feels as if she will die along with the cat. I would also like to post this info on my website. -- Steve -------------------------------------- END PART 1: PART 2 IS AT: http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Spa/9801062.txt