Friday January 9, 1998 Part 2 25 Messages ======================================= From: Newtanator Date: Fri, 9 Jan 1998 14:59:35 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Drugs Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net The interferon nasally is only for chronic upper resp. infections which felv cats are prone to. I always start mine out on the ImmunoRegulin IV, then switch to under the skin. barb --------------------------------------- From: "phaedrus" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net, felvtalk@MailingList.net Date: Fri, 9 Jan 1998 14:07:24 +0000 Subject: Re: Drugs Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi Cheryl, > All, > I must have missed the conversation about administering this through the > nose. Does anyone else know why this is more effective? It is given in the nasal passages for URIs- not as part of the treatment for FeLV. > Also, I heard ImmunoRegulin is more effective given IV. We stopped doing > this to my cat because it became such a torturous experience for him. My > vet was part of a study that was investigating whether or not IV was > truly more effective. Although the study was discontinued before it was > complete it was close to the end and the results had shown no difference > in effectiveness in how the drugs was administered. I've read similar studies that seem to come to the same conclusion. However, I can't help but feel that most of these studies are tainted making them inaccurate. Really, that has proven to be the biggest hinderence of all to the study of FeLV- incomplete and inaccurate research data leading to false conclusions :( Don't get me wrong, I'm not bashing researchers- the problem stems mainly from lack of funding, pre-existing prejudices about FeLV, and a host of variables that seem uncontrollable even under the best of circumstances. Oddly enough, our best information and treatment options for FeLV have come about as a result of HIV studies because the two viruses act in similar ways to destroy the body's immune system. > I have read several different articles about all sorts of stats etc., but > one thing you quickly learn when researching is that nothing in this area > is definite. It is all in what the owner feels most comfortable in doing > for their cat. However, I have found everyone's experiences on this list > to be the most helpful in educating me. > > Any thoughts would be appreciated! > - > Cheryl DeSantis This is very well said, Cheryl, and I agree with you. No one knows your pets better than you, so do what you feel is best for them. Experience and education go hand in hand, and, although the vets have the education, we as pet-owned folk have the experience to know how our pets are feeling. Take care, and I hope we can continue to bridge the gap between vets and the pet-owned so that newer and more effective treatments are found and used- our pets just mean too darned much to us not to try all that we can. 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, felvtalk@MailingList.net Date: Fri, 9 Jan 1998 15:01:00 +0000 Subject: Re: help for Sasha Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi everyone, This message bounced back to me, so I'm forwarding it to the list. It bounced because it has the word "help" in the subject line. Majordomo (the listserv software program) gets confused because "help" is command that can be issued to it. Just thought you'd like to know :) ------- Forwarded Message Follows ------- From: owner-felvtalk@MailingList.net Barb- I checked the web site but my computer won't let me connect. Can I just call them and will they send it to me? What about the Immunoregulin? According to everything I've read that has to be ordered by a Vet. Please, please let me know ASAP. Thanks Carol ------------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 Jan 1998 15:09:49 -0600 (CST) From: "Nancy A. Schmall" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Thank You for Sasha Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Carol, I responded too quickly to your message--before I had a chance to read the one where you said you lived in Washington--sorry. I am glad Sasha is holding steadily. I hope you can either find another vet or get yours to work FOR YOU and SASHA without too much trouble. I am lucky I have a vet who keeps up and if I find some material I want her to look at, she will. When I decided to try my Jake on Immunoregulin, my vet didn't know if the head of the clinic would buy more Immunoregulin since the current thinking is Interferon. I made up my mind that if he wouldn't, I would look for another vet. I've been with this clinic for 14 years and spent thousands of dollars. Fortunately, the clinic still had some Immunoregulin on hand and have worked with me in this regard. Also . . . I agree with you on quiet time . . . we adopted a stray kitten right before the boys got sick and it's been a challenge to give the boys time to rest in spite of a VERY HYPER 7 month-old kitten who races around the house. Jake often goes out to his "doghouse" on the deck to sleep. Good luck. You and Sasha are on my mind a lot. Thanks for all you do for her--she is a lucky cat to have you as a companion! Warm regards, Nancy -------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 9 Jan 1998 15:27:10 -0600 (CST) From: "Nancy A. Schmall" To: felvtalk@mailinglist.net Message-ID: Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi Everyone-- Got a question; would like feedback. My 2 FELV+ kitties have been on interferon since November '97. They take it every day. Many of you have spoken about the 7 days on, 7 days off protocol. Is that what all or most of you have heard and followed? I want to discuss this with my vet so I would like to have your input. Thanks! Nancy -------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date: Fri, 9 Jan 1998 17:16:58 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: help for Sasha Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Carol, The number for ImmunoVet for the ImmunoRegulin is: 1-888-282-8381. Have your vet order the Equi Stim. It is the exact same thing, but it is cheaper. Yes, it's the name of the ImmunoRegulin they use for horses, but a rep right from the company advised me to get that, because it is cheaper. You should start with one half cc, twice a week for a month. I feel IV is still the best, but if cost of office visit, stress on the cat etc. make that impossible, then go with the sub-q under the skin. Have a nurse or dr friend show you how if your vet won't. The Interferon is: 1-800-328-7060. Have your credit card ready if your vet does not have use for the excess himself. You will have to buy the whole thing. $100 plus shipping. 30 units orally, under the tongue or on the tonsils, daily. On for seven days, off for seven days. Good luck, hope this is in time. barb ------------------------------------ From: Newtanator Date: Fri, 9 Jan 1998 17:36:26 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Need info Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Belinda, I have heard split ideas on the ELISA test. I have heard some say, once positive always positive,like a TB test. And others say no, once they have beaten it, they will test negative. The best way would be to have the vet run a IFA test. That has to be sent out to a lab for testing and will tell you if your cat is viremic or "shedding the virus". If the IFA comes back negative, he is no longer contagious. barb --------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date: Fri, 9 Jan 1998 17:45:49 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: JOY TO THE WORLD Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Sheron, If the cat still has a fever you should go back to the vets for a different antibiotic. For the leukemia, he should start on ImmunoRegulin and Interferon along with the food and vitamins you give him. Visit our leukemia page at: www.angelfire.com/il/felv for more on treatments. My Merlin has been thru hell, but he is still here. All we can do is give them the best treatments and nutrition and love we can. We don't win them all. I have lost 2. Most of us have lost at least one, but the odds get better every day. Be agressive and remember it ain't over til it's over. I was on the verge of putting Merlin to sleep, he was that bad, but with encouragement from this group, we have both made it. barb ---------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date: Fri, 9 Jan 1998 17:56:19 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: How & What We Feel Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Steve, Have to tell you about what I found when I got home from work today. I have mentioned that I have a 8 month old Golden Retriever named Kate (Cando Katelyn Helza Blazin). Anyway, I got home and there she was with a cardboard box from a 12 pack of pepsi stuck on her head. She was most embarrased. The best laugh I have had in days. I might add, sadly, that her mother was killed by a car when she was 7 wks old. My cats never go out and my dogs have a fenced yard. Because of that, I have never had to lose one under the wheels of a car, thank god. barb ----------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date: Fri, 9 Jan 1998 17:59:31 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: (Fwd) The Light in the Darkness Award Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net All, Once again I say, Jim Wilson does the lions share of work on our felv site. He works with a dedication and fever that spreads to all of us. Our goal is help keep our furbabies with us as long as possible and as healthy as possible. Way to go Jim! Barb ------------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date: Fri, 9 Jan 1998 18:05:18 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Merlin update Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hello all, Got Merlin a brand new cat box for his use only and his little eyes just lit up with excitement. He dug, with a little support from me, and was able to be a real cat again. Then he got his "just got home from work" cuddle, his food, and is now napping. All the excitement wore him out. But he continues to do well. Barb ------------------------------------- From: "Steve Lackow" To: Subject: Re: How & What We Feel Date: Fri, 9 Jan 1998 16:23:07 -0800 Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net I had a Golden too! Dusty, one of the best trail dogs I ever had, and the gentlest dog around cats I've ever seen. My late KK just loved having a dog ;-) -- Steve ---------------------------------- From: "Lynn or Josiah Stickels" To: "felvtalk" Subject: re: felv testing Date: Fri, 9 Jan 1998 17:02:21 -0800 Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net I have been reading alot on this site about the leukemia test. What I want to say is what makes the difference? Are you going to put your kitty to sleep because he tests positive or is it going to make any difference in the way that you love him? I have 16 kitties that I love more than anything. I don't bother testing them unless they become sick because it doesn't make any differnce as to their life. I protect the healthy ones by vaccinating and I do as much as I can to protect them. These tests do more harm than good, I feel, as they assume that a positive test means death. Whether they test positive or negative, I don't need to know. I would never "kill" a kitty for that reason. The only reason that the test is necessary, I think, is to help him when he becomes sick......................Lynn(Stinker) ----------------------------------- From: "Lynn or Josiah Stickels" To: "felvtalk" Subject: re: stress from immunoregulin injections Date: Fri, 9 Jan 1998 17:14:38 -0800 Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net I know what you mean about the stress the kitty goes through knowing that he's going to the vet for that shot.:) I had a leukemia kitty that the vet just could not do it. He would tie his feet and still my kitty would end up throwing the needle through the air and jump into his box!:O) The vet finally started giving it to him under the skin. This way has worked out just fine as I have used it for my other leukemia kitty. You can do it at home and it is alot less stressful and just as affective, I have found. It is alot less trauma on their system this way. But, I am not a vet. I am just speaking from my own experience. The immunoregulin and the interferon(thanks to this site) has kept my kitty alive with a will to live...........................Lynn(Stinker) ------------------------------------- From: "Lynn or Josiah Stickels" To: "felvtalk" Subject: re: interfeon (Nancy) Date: Fri, 9 Jan 1998 17:26:41 -0800 Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Nancy, I just started my kitty, Stinker on interferon around Christmas time. My vet told me 7 days on and 7 days off. I have noticed a big difference in the way he feels! He is also on immunoregulin and has been for the past year and a half except now I can give it to him(Sub Q) whenever I feel it is necessary. These new drugs have done wonders! I have lost several kitties from leukemia and it is such a miracle that these new drugs have come about. Without them, I would not have my beloved kitty, Stinker.:) Good luck with the interferon. I would suggest highly the use of the immunoregulin also.......................Lynn(Stinker)_ -------------------------------------- From: "Lynn or Josiah Stickels" To: "felvtalk" Subject: re: outcome (Nancy) Date: Fri, 9 Jan 1998 17:40:59 -0800 Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Nancy, I just read your letter and what caught my attention was your comment on the outcome of your kitty. Your kitty will be happy and have a will to live if you keep up your hope and your love. Don't think such negative thoughts as your love for your kitty will get him through. I know that those horrible thoughts come to your mind as it does mine. Our love and care for our creatures does make a difference!......................Lynn(Stinker) -------------------------------------- From: "Lynn or Josiah Stickels" To: "felvtalk" Subject: re: nasal interferon Date: Fri, 9 Jan 1998 17:49:36 -0800 Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net This sounds great! Giving the interferon in the nose. Now, how do you do it?:) My kitty isn't the best patient. I don't want to stress him out by fighting with him. How do you go about doing this? I just feel fortunate to give it by mouth.:)....................Lynn(Stinker) -------------------------------------- From: "AZ-HART" To: Subject: Re: felv testing Date: Fri, 9 Jan 1998 19:03:02 -0700 Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Lynn, Please hold on a minute! You DO need to know whether a cat is FeLV+ or not, because if you have mixed non-symptomatic FeLV+ cats with cats that did not have FeLV, you may be setting the non-FeLV cats up to contract the illness! Many FeLV+ cats look completely healthy, there is no way you can tell some of these cats have a thing wrong until they're near the end. By not testing, you may have 1 or more FeLV cats in the group and not know it, which means instead of those kitties having shorter lives, they may cause other kitties to have shorter lives where exposure to FeLV could have been prevented! There are many many people out here (like me) who would never think of euthanizing a cat just because it tested positive for anything! We just keep the positives separate, and they go on to lead happy lives as well, without exposing the non-FeLV's to the illness needlessly. Vaccinations are helpful, but they cannot insure a cat exposed to FeLV won't catch it. Please don't take this posting as a flame. It is not intended to be. But don't lull yourself into a false sense of security by thinking cats that look healthy are not carriers of FeLV, FIV or FIP. Testing positive does not make us all "kill" those cats, but it keeps them from infecting cats with no illness. Irene Hart Arizona Homeless Animals Rescue Team (AZ-HART) http://home.sprynet.com/sprynet/azhart Email us at: azhart@sprynet.com ------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date: Fri, 9 Jan 1998 21:40:09 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: felv testing Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Lynn, I also have many cats, 17 in fact. Four are positive. Because I know who is positive, I know who to treat with the ImmunoRegulin and Interferon. Three are totally free of symptoms and, when I'm a few bucks ahead, I want to do a IFA on them. That way I will know if they are contagious or not. Merlin of course, you have been reading about and I am thrilled to report he continues to improve. He is weak, but he had been on both drugs, the ImmunoRegulin esp for about 2 months. I'm still not sure what set this episode of paralysis off, but I don't think it was the leukemia, despite what what the vet said. At this point, I don't care. I guess the only reason to test a cat is so that treatment can get started at once, before they get sick. I truly feel that my Kallie and Newton would be alive today if I had only known there were treatments out there. I discovered them to late for them. My other three were treated tho they were not sick. Ariel had slightly swollen lymph glands which went down within two weeks of the ImmunoRegulin treatments and stayed down. The other two, Duncan and Lor also got them and all three are fat and happy now and it's been a year now. All my other cats are vacinated and I do not isolate the positives. All newcomers are isolated until two weeks after the last shot. All of mine were in a position that would have lead to death if I had not taken them, so, I figure the risk is better that the odds they had. I certainly agree that a positive test is no reason to put a cat to sleep. But it could save them or lengthen their lives. barb -------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date: Fri, 9 Jan 1998 21:57:59 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: nasal interferon Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Lynn, Ask your vet for a syringe, remove the needle, draw up a couple of drops and get a good grip and sneak up on him. That's what I did with Merlin. He did not like it one bit. Who would? Of course he will sneeze and carry on, but somehow it got in there and took care of his chronic infection. It was that darn infection that gave his leukemia the upper hand. Three different kinds of antibiotics and all it did was tear up his little stomach and had him passing blood. Thank goodness for this stuff! Barb --------------------------------------- From: "Lynn or Josiah Stickels" To: "felvtalk" Subject: re: leukemia testing IAZHART) Date: Fri, 9 Jan 1998 19:06:51 -0800 Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net I don't mean to argue with you but to put a kitty in a bedroom doesn't work all of the time. I did try with my baby, Stinker. He was misarable. I love my cat with all of my heart and because he has this horrible illness, I am not going to make him suffer any more than he has to. He means the world to me and to have someone say to "just put him in the bedroom" does not cut it with me. He needs all the love and affection and being shut away in a bedroom will not do it. I will do all that I can to make his life worth while, although it may not seem that way to others. I have a positive cat that I got from my vet that was going to be put to sleep. He is so far well and showing no signs of sickness. As one lady said on this site, what are we to do with these kitties. Let them starve and suffer with no one to care? I care for ALL cats! And if they happen to suffer from leukemia or some other horrible disease, I will take the best care of them that is possible! As for the so called healthy ones(who knows what will make them die), I will do my very best to protect them. I love them all, as I do leukemia cats. I just do the best that I can. I love them with all of my heart! To put a judgement on me is very unfair!......................Lynn(Stinker) ------------------------------------- From: "Lynn or Josiah Stickels" To: "felvtalk" Subject: re:Newtanater leukemia testing Date: Fri, 9 Jan 1998 19:18:34 -0800 Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net I wasn't sure that treating a leukemia positive kitty would be of any benefit if he were otherwise healthy. What do you do in that case? If it would help, I would certainly test all of my kitties and start treatment but I did not know it would help. I thought that treatment would only help those that were sick. And I have been through some heart wrenching situations with kitties that I dearly loved. If treating them early, before they got sick would help, I would really like some information and feedback from others. I did get a letter from someone that really hurt me alot. I just need to know that I am doing the best....................LYNN(STINKER) ------------------------------------ From: "Lynn or Josiah Stickels" To: "felvtalk" Subject: re: leukemia testing AZHART Date: Fri, 9 Jan 1998 19:55:54 -0800 Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net I am VERY aware of leukemia positive and leukemia negative cats! I have lost alot of my precious babies to this horrible illness. My heart hurts for all of them and it also hurts for those that are out there with no one to care and for the ones that their lives are worth nothing! For the ones who are out there in the cold and starving! For the ones that people seem to just throw away because of the inconvience! I cannot put my loving Stinker in a bedroom, he was very lonely and miserable. I can see that as a good idea but it simply does not work for me. Maybe I am wrong, I don't know. All I know, is that my Stinker means the world to me and to stick him in the bedroom seems very wrong to me. I love my other kitties very, very much and I don't mean to put their lives in danger. I didn't ask for these kitties, they were unwanted and doomed to death. What am I suppose to do? Do You Have The Answer? Other than sticking them aside in a bedroom? And just how long is that suppose to work? It is just that I do try my very best and I will do anything for them that I can do. I just can't separate them to a life of loniless and isolation, so shall I just rid myself of the sickly?..........Lynn(Stinker) ---------------------------------- From: macat@webtv.net (belinda sauro) Date: Fri, 9 Jan 1998 20:09:30 -0800 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: re: leukemia testing AZHART Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Lynn, I just wanted to let you know I support your decision, we have 5 kitties one is +. We had isolated him at first, but we decided with our other kitties vaccinated we would leave it up to God. So far all of our kitties are healthy, I pray every night that this continues. Bailey is a very loving playful cat, and him and Joey adore each other, he would never have gotten the love and attention he deserves in the bedroom. I do not regret my decision and next month is vaccine time, so we will see what happens. I can only keep praying that God keeps my babies healthy. Hang tight Lynn, your kitty may not even have been alive today without your love and care. Belinda Happiness is being owned by cats... www.angelfire.com/ma/macat5 http://members.tripod.com/~macat5/index5.html ------------------------------------ From: "Lynn or Josiah Stickels" To: "felvtalk" Subject: re: bedroom? Belinda Date: Fri, 9 Jan 1998 20:21:02 -0800 Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net I thank you so much for your letter. That meant so very much to me.:) Thank you so very very much!.........Lynn(Stinker) ------------------------------------- END OF PART 2: See Part 3 at: http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Spa/9801093.txt