Wednesday January 14, 1998 Part 3 15 Messages ======================================= From: Newtanator Date sent: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 20:55:40 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: An introduction Organization: AOL (http://www.aol.com) Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Jean, Welcome! My name is Barb and am in Michigan and have 4 felv cats. Three that are incrediably healthy and one youngster, Merlin, that is not doing so well. He has really been thru it in the last 3 wks or so, but is hanging in. His story is to long to go into right how. I have lost 2 to the disease myself. You can see them if you link to our tribute page via our web site at: www.angelfire.com/il/felv/ Interesting about the L-lysine. I am always looking for anything new that might help keep them healthy. Wonderful you have a good vet. So do I. Always willing to try whatever idea I come dragging in with, if he can. No, most of us who lose our cats, they are young, and it is either overnight or long and drawn out and you watch helplessly as they waste away in front of your eyes. Either way, it is so hard. It's always hard to lose one, but a little easier to deal with when they are very old and you have had many wonderful years with them. Not a year or a few months. But that's one reason we are here. To help each other, no matter what happens. Again, Welcome. Barb --------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date sent: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 20:58:58 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: An idea for another project Organization: AOL (http://www.aol.com) Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Jim, Great idea. Let me chew on what topic I would like to tackle. While Merlin has made a remarkable recovery from whatever paralyised him, it took a lot out of him. He is not eating like he was and I am very worried. He has been thru so much for such a little guy, I hope he still has fight left in him. Barb --------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date sent: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 21:01:53 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: name of antibiotic? Organization: AOL (http://www.aol.com) Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Spoke to the other nurses at work about this antibiotic. One worked at Childrens Hosp. in Detroit and she raved about it in the treatment of babies with severe ear infections and resp ailments. This one might be very worth getting. She also works part time at a ped's office and is going to get me some samples for Merlin. It comes in a liquid form, so that is prob what we would want for the cats. Smaller doses can be given that way. Barb --------------------------------------- From: "Carol Gentry" To: Subject: Vet Bashing Date sent: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 18:10:03 -0800 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hey guys, there wasn't any vet bashing. I described what I did to give others the chance to see that if you push hard enough you can get what you want. I got this from reading what everyone else had written about their experiences. If I wanted to bash him, I have written what I said in the privacy of my own home before I settled down and took care of business. And you were right Barb. There is something about MD's and vets that has something to do with their egos. Isn't it up to us the public to yank on these people's chain once in a while to pull them back into perspective? I think it is. I couldn't have done what I have done without help from everyone. So no bashing was intended or was it perceived from anyone. Sasha is doing fine. Everytime she wakes up she eats. It's great to see. Carol from Vancouver --------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date sent: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 21:08:50 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: (Fwd) Help needed in Phoenix Organization: AOL (http://www.aol.com) Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Natalie, I have both positive and negative cats together and so far, knock on wood, have had no breakthrough of the disease to the negatives. Is there a risk? Yes, there is, but you have to make the decision about whether it is a risk you want to take. You should know that Zeus's friend, tho testing negative now, could convert to positive. I say could. It could also be one of those that has a natural immunity. One thing is for sure, by leaving him outside, you are putting other cats at risk who aren't vacinated like your cat is. He should be brought in, even if you keep him in a bedroom, away from the others, while you decide what to do. Good luck and welcome to the group. Barb --------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date sent: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 21:19:42 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Sasha for Barb Organization: AOL (http://www.aol.com) Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Carol, The ImmunoRegulin is best given, in my opinion, IV at first, one half cc, twice a week for a month, then once a week for a month. Then twice a month for a month. Then I brought some home and gave it under the skin for few months. This can be altered depending on how the cat is doing. There are always exceptions. Some cats get very stressed out going to the vet so much. I have one that is feral and he goes nuts, so he got all of his at home, under the skin. The stress he was under was more than the IV shots were worth. But Ariel actually seemed to enjoy the visits, so she got hers at the vets. Merlin did to, until he got so sick, now his are at home because I don't want to take him out in the cold. But he got about 2 months of IV injections. To my knowledge, ImmunoRegulin is not available in an oral form. If you get the interferon premixed, it will be worth the wait. I still think if when ordered, if you tell them to send it UPS, you will get it faster. It will come in a liter bottle and will have 30unit of interferon per cc or ml. (same thing, cc=ml) Sasha should get one cc per day. I have seen both protocals listed. on for seven, off for seven and every day. I really don't know which is best. Jim, can you field that one? I was actually very pleased that the vet took the time to go to our site and look at it. No matter what he may have said, he took the time and that is good. He may be worth keeping and educating. Barb --------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date sent: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 21:20:43 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: AZ-HART Organization: AOL (http://www.aol.com) Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Lynn, I'm sure you have checked, but could you have a flea problem? They will also cause scabs like that when the cat scratches at them. Barb --------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date sent: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 21:28:12 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: One last update for today Organization: AOL (http://www.aol.com) Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Olivia, Wait for the test results. It seems odd that he didn't have a problem until he was put on antihistamines. As I have learned just recently with Merlin, it isn't always the obvious that is the answer. I may never know what paralysed Merlin for that time, but I am sure it was NOT the felv. I have no real knowledge of what the symptoms of kidney failure is in cats, but urinary incontinence is not a symptom in humans. That is a sign of a bladder infection or something. I'm trying to remember....if antihistamines cause smooth muscle relaxation. I don't have my book in front of me, its in the car and it is VERY cold out. I will check tomorrow and let you know. Good luck with the tests. Thinking of you. Barb --------------------------------------- From: "phaedrus" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Date sent: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 20:26:36 +0000 Subject: Re: Vet Bashing Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Carol, Barb, et al, I posted about vet bashing as a pre-emptive measure only. I did not think that either of your posts fit that catagory, but I wanted to avoid any nasty replies to Carol's description of her dialogue with her vet. As you both know, I've had one of the worst of all possible vet experiences, but I don't want to publicly engage in "bashing" him- although I do occasionally relate things that he did and said during that hellish three weeks before Vyvyan died. This list is still quite fragile, and I've seen too many forums such as this slide into oblivion over too much negative posting. Venting frustration is fine (and necessary), but it must be done generally and based in fact- that is the point I was trying to make. At any rate, I apologize if anyone felt falsely accused. Take care, and best wishes to all. 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: Newtanator Date sent: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 21:34:40 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Hello out there in FeLV land Organization: AOL (http://www.aol.com) Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Olivia, I'm sure someone has told you by now, but just in case. yes, the interferon should be in the fridge. If you have a large amount, you should put it in small containers and freeze it. Barb --------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date sent: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 21:45:49 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Vet Bashing Organization: AOL (http://www.aol.com) Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Jim, No apology necessary. No offense taken. Barb --------------------------------------- From: "Cheri Gardiner" To: Subject: Re: Vet Bashing Date sent: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 21:27:21 -0600 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Barb, Can you tell me how long the interferon will stay "alive" in the freezer? I only have two cats and a bottle of 1000 ML. That's should last a while. Does it lose its effectiveness? My little ones have only been on immunoregulin and interferon for a few days. It seems like they already have had some positive effects. Could that be possible? Kitty is still taking her medicine for a urinary tract infection. Even that seems to be clearing up. She's a Manx and that problem seems to be an ongoing thing. Good luck to everyone ontheir little ones. They give of their love so freely and unconditionally. It's easy to give them love in return. Cheri Gardiner Kitty Chaz --------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date sent: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 23:14:41 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: interferon storeage Organization: AOL (http://www.aol.com) Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Cheri, As far as I know, it can be kept indefinetely in the freezer. I know, I had the same problem with what to do will all the excess. I put it in 50cc syringes, but, being a nurse, I had access to those things. what you could do is buy several small plastic containers, like tupperware, or anything similar, and leaving some space for it expand when it freezes, put it in them. Be sure and label it so everyone knows what it is! It keeps about 3 months I have been told in the fridge, so keep out about that much and thaw as needed. Barb --------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date sent: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 23:16:15 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Vet Bashing Organization: AOL (http://www.aol.com) Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Cheri, Forgot to mention, you certainly can see some results in just a few days and that is very good. For the ImmunoRegulin to work that quickly, that means your cat still has a fairly decent immune system left working. Barb --------------------------------------- Date sent: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 23:28:32 -0800 From: "Linda [Catlady]" Organization: Whisker Sitters To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Interferon information/Long Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Interferon Alfa-2a, Human Recombinant Hello Everyone; The following tells about interferon and how to mix it if doing yourself. This is from a veterinary drug book......Hope this helps. Linda (catlady) Chemistry - Prepared from genetically engineered cultures of E. coli wither genes from human leukocytes, interferon alfa-2a is commercially available /as a sterile solution or sterile powder. Human interferon alfa is a complex protein that contains 165 or 166 amino acids Storage/Stability/Compatibility - Commercially available products should be stored in the refrigerator; do not freeze the accompanying diluent. Do not expose solutions to room temperature for longer than 24 hours. Do not vigorously shake solutions. An article proposing using this product in cats for treatment of FeLV states that after dilution of 3 million IU in one liter of sterile saline the resultant solution remains active for years if frozen or for months if refrigerated. However data corroborating this is apparently not available. Pharmacology - The pharmacologic effects of the interferons are widespread and complex. Suffice it to say, that interferon alfa had antiviral, antiproliferate and immunomodulating effects. Its antiproliferate and antiviral activities are thought to be due to its effects on the synthesis of RNA, DNA, and cellular proteins (oncogenes included). The mechanisms for its antineoplastic activities are not well understood, but are probably related these effects as well. Uses/Indications - Thus far, interferon alfa use in veterinary medicine has been primarily been centered around its oral administration in cats to treat non-neoplastic FeLV disease. However, studies published at this point have not been controlled. Potentially, interferon may may be useful in treating a variety of conditions (neoplastic disease, some viral infections) in veterinary species, but toxicities and high drug costs may limit their usefulness. Oral interferon may also be of benefit in the treatment of ocular herpes infection, but controlled studies need to be performed. The recommended treatment regimen is to give Pharmacokinetics - Interferon alfa is poorly absorbed after oral administration as it is degraded by proteolytic enzymes and studies have not detected measurable levels in the systemic circulation. However, there may be some absorption via upper GI mucosa. Interferon alfa is widely distributed throughout the body, although it does not penetrate into the CNS well. It is unknown if it crosses the placenta. Interferon alfa is freely filtered by the glomeruli, but is absorbed by the renal tubules where it is metabolized by brush border or lysosomes. Hepatic metabolism is of minor importance. The plasma half life in cats has been reported as 2.9 hours. Adverse Effects/Warnings - When used orally in cats, adverse effects have apparently not yet been noted. When used systemically in humans, adverse effects have included anemia, leukopenias, thromobocytopenia, hepatotoxity, changes in taste sensation, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, "Flu-like" syndrome, transient hypotension, skin rashes and dry mouth. Except for the "flu-like" syndrome most adverse effects are dose related and may vary depending on the condition treated. Drug Interaction - Additive or synergistic antiviral effects may occur when interferon alfa is used in conjunction with zidovudine (AZT) or acyclovir. This effect does not appear to occur with vidarabine, although increased toxicities may occur. The veterinary significance of these potential interactions are unclear. Doses- Cats For treatment of non-neoplastic FeLV-associated disease: a) 30 IU/cat ( 1ml) given PO once daily for 7 days on a one-week-on, one-week-off schedule until clinically normal. Most cats remain FeLV positive. If clinical signs resume, may reinstitute therapy. b) 0.5 - 5 U/kg/day PO (Barta 1992b) Preparation of solution: Using the 3 million IU vial (see below), dilute the entire contents into a 1 L bag of sterile normal saline; mix well. Resulting solution contains approximately 3,000 IU/ml. Divide into aliquots of either 1 or 10 ml and freeze. By diluting further 100 fold ( 1 ml of 3000 IU/ml solution with 100 ml of sterile saline, or 10 ml with 1000 ml of sterile saline) a 30 IU/ml solution will result. Authors state that the frozen solution will remain stable for "years" and the final diluted solution 30 IU/ml will remain stable for several months when refrigerated. Refreezing unused portions of 30 IU/ml solution is not recommended. Veterinary Drug Handbook by Donald C. Plumb. 2d ed, c1995. p326-327 --------------------------------------- END OF PART 3