Friday January 16, 1998 Part 2 15 Messages ====================================== From: "phaedrus" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Date sent: Fri, 16 Jan 1998 16:00:47 +0000 Subject: Re: Acemannan Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Thanks Linda, I really appreciate that you took the time to type out all of that information. It seems to confirm everything I've been reading about Acemannan's effects on tumors and FeLV. However, I'm so sure I trust the bit about finding that giving Acemannan orally "showed no difference" from giving it IP. Jenn, you may want to print out Linda's post and take it to your vet- this sounds like the best option for Chloe right now. Please let us know how he's doing. Linda, about the interferon administered nasally- I would go with the standard 30 units per cc. The estimate I heard on the list of 25,000 units per cc seems like a bit much- but, I guess the researchers know what they are doing. Since Interferon comes pre-mixed, you'd probably have to order it as 25,000 units per cc. However, you could not use that to treat the FeLV since the protocol is different. I hope this helps answer your question. Take care, and best wishes to all on the list. 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 sent: Fri, 16 Jan 1998 16:13:33 +0000 Subject: Overstimulation of the immune system Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net > From: AskforArt > > Barb--Have been at the book store today reading a book on HIV, and some of the > latest research seems to indicate that overstimulation of the immune system > can do more harm than good, and, for the most part, patients who took a > moderate approach to therapy seemed to live heathier and longer that patients > who took a super-aggresive approach to treatment. Thanks for reminding me about this. I had read similar articles stating the same thing. One of the reasons why Interferon and Immunoregulin work so well with cats is because of the lower doses- 30 units per cc of Interferon and 0.5 ml of Immunoregulin. Interferon given to humans ranges from 3 million to 9 million units per cc- very large doses to say the least. This idea of lower doses for cats was based on just "treating" or "controlling" the immunodeficiency problem- not eradicating it. At any rate, this is something to consider. Take care, and best wishes at 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 -------------------------------------- Date sent: Fri, 16 Jan 1998 16:44:05 -0600 From: Cheryl and Michael To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Suggestions for inactivity? Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Over the past week I have mentioned that Copley has been taking an antibiotic and a medication for a fungus. Coincidentally, when I started the medicine Copley's activity level decreased dramatically. He eats and drinks, but I have to carry him from room to room. Once I put him in a spot he stays there for hours on end. Of course, his energy level has decreased since his blood count has dropped, but it has been a few months since he has been this inactive. I was hoping this was a side effect of one of the drugs, but the general opinion is that it simply is due to his blood count dropping even more. When he began the ImmunoRegulin and Interferon I was told that we may get him another three to six months. Well, we are nearing the end of the third month. At this point I am not sure what to think.My vet is very open minded and aggressive in trying to help. Like all of us, he is just trying everything he can with his vast experience and knowledge, and he is open to my comments. On this list I have many read messages pertaining to the consequences of leukemia, i.e. respiratory problems, not eating, etc. I have learned many things, but Copley is has not experienced any of this. To date I have been lucky in that his problems have mostly been skin related. Outside the body rather than internal. I have read that some of you started your cats on two injections of ImmunoRegulin a week. Copley has been getting one shot a week since the end of October. His blood work improved, not dramatically though, when we took a blood panel last month. Now it appears that it may be low again and the reason for his inactivity. Does anyone have any comments on two shots a week until we should see improvement? I am at a loss as to what I can do and when do I know I can't do anything. Since he is alert, eating and usually looking for affection it is difficult to not investigate options. I am in touch with another vet clinic, which my vet referred me to, that may provide me with an herb mixture to add to his food. They also do acupuncture, but I know Copley's personality and he would definitely not stand (or sit) for that. I feel I am nearing that fine line of taking action, but his problem may be far beyond what I can provide. As I said he is alert and eating, but the constant sleeping and not even moving to the other side of the sofa is worrisome. Any suggestions, thought or comments would be much appreciated. -------------------------------------- From: "Steve Lackow" To: Subject: Re: Suggestions for inactivity? Date sent: Fri, 16 Jan 1998 15:47:33 -0800 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Folks, try to keep your kitty warm. I'm noticing decreased activity with my cat too, but it's related to staying warm. She will have periods of high activity and then crash. The fatigue is from the anemia, and the winter coat may not have totally grown in yet as well. -- Steve -------------------------------------- From: "phaedrus" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Date sent: Fri, 16 Jan 1998 17:46:59 +0000 Subject: Re: Suggestions for inactivity? Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi Cheryl, I can't say with any certainty that the anti-fungal medication is causing Copley's inactivity- that will be for your vet to diagnose. Have you asked your vet about this? Anyway, whatever you do, please don't give up on him as long as he's alert and eating and drinking- as long as he's doing these things, he's alright. If his RBC count is low, perhaps you should discuss blood transfusion options with your vet- it seemed to help Carol's Sasha immensely. Does Copley show any signs of labored breathing, jaundice (a yellowish look to his mouth, gums, or eyes), or sensitivity on any part of his body? Have you tried giving him catnip to stimulate him? I've heard that can work for some cats. Also, the list discussion of Pau D'Arco got lost in the switch over to this list address- you may want to consider giving him that as a supplement. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know not to give up on him prematurely. FeLV is just too tricky to throw in the towel- you'll know when the time comes, and we certainly hope that that time is a looooooooong time from now. Take care, and we'll keep Copley in our thoughts. 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: Fri, 16 Jan 1998 19:03:15 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Suggestions for inactivity? Organization: AOL (http://www.aol.com) Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Cheryl, I know how frustrating it can be. I am facing similar, tho slightly different problems with Merlin. You may try a transfusion. It worked wonders for Sasha, also in this group. I'm sure you are already giving him vitamins and such. I think the transfusion might be your best option. Barb -------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date sent: Fri, 16 Jan 1998 19:18:49 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Merlin Organization: AOL (http://www.aol.com) Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net I have worried about over-stimulating his little immune system. Sometimes you just shake your head and feel like your going in circles. Dammed if you do and if you don't. I tried to get that new antibiotic today. When my vet called the pharmacy, they had it, could make it up, but it is only good for 2 wks. But the protacol is once a week for 6 wks!!. To try and mix it up as needed would run a huge risk of under or overdosing. How are you people doing it? Barb -------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date sent: Fri, 16 Jan 1998 19:25:50 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Merlin Organization: AOL (http://www.aol.com) Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Nancy, Thanks for the info on Prednisone. I have decided to hold off for a while. I am trying to get his ears cleaned up. I suspect he may be nauseated from some massive ear infection. It's a shot anyway. His antibiotics continue and I just keep cleaning. Barb -------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date sent: Fri, 16 Jan 1998 19:30:11 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Merlin Organization: AOL (http://www.aol.com) Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Carol, I have thought about that. But I don't think his prob is anemia. His gums and tongue are nice and pink. See other postings about his ears. I even have a donor picked out. My 13 and a half pound moose, Zackary. He would never miss a little blood I'm sure of that. We made it thru the paralysis, somehow, we will try to get thu this. Sure is nice knowing all of you folks are out there. Barb -------------------------------------- Date sent: Fri, 16 Jan 1998 18:31:22 -0600 From: Cheryl and Michael To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Thanks for the advice Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Thank you for the support and suggestions. I did talk to the vet this afternoon and we do not believe it is the medication. I am hoping to pick up an herb mixture from another vet tomorrow. I hate to delay action, but about all I can do tonight is try to keep food in him, which I am trying to make a bit higher in good fat. Copley is very thin, so I try to get as much in him as possible. I appreciate your encouragement it is what I need. I am a bit hesitant because I know my first reaction is to push and be aggressive with solutions, but I don't want to be "stupid" out of selfishness. I believe I will know when he has given up and I hope I am correct. So far, when I look in his eyes I do not see signs of hopelessness. By the way, about keeping him warm, my family affectionately teases me because I keep the heat up for him, since he is losing hair due to the fungus. We are in Houston and heat is really not needed very much during the winter months, but I have used it often this year. Also, the television stays on when I'm not home. I keep the volume low, but I thought the comfort of voices versus silence may be best. Again, thanks for the help. Due to this list I have numerous questions for my vet tomorrow. -------------------------------------- From: "Carol Gentry" To: Subject: For Barb Date sent: Fri, 16 Jan 1998 17:36:54 -0800 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net I went and picked up the interferon today from the vet. They also drew some more blood from her to check it again. But this time she wasn't as docile. A little more active. At any rate, they told me to give her 1 cc, or to number one on the syringes they gave me. I've noticed that you give your kitties 3cc. I'm sorry, but this is all really confusing. I want to make sure that I give her the right dosage so can you help me with this. I really haven't even looked at the bottle to see what it says so hang on. On the bottle it says 30 units. I don't know if this is helpful or not but HELP. If you could refer to a syringe measurment so maybe I will understand it, Thanks-Carol from Vancouver PS: i HAVE NOTICED THAT SHE HAS BEEN REAL QUIET SINCE WE GOT HOME. sHE ATE A LITTLE BUT NOT MUCH. iS THIS NORMAL AFTER GETTING THE INTERFERON OR DO YOU THINK IT'S JUST FROM HER LITTLE TRIP TODAY? -------------------------------------- Date sent: Fri, 16 Jan 1998 20:38:37 -0800 From: "Linda [Catlady]" Organization: Whisker Sitters To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: appetite stimulant Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net If anyone is interested in trying some herbs to help with appetite this is a copy of a post that I posted to a herbalist that is on another list I belong to and what she recommended: > Tigger (my FIV+ cat) is still not eating very well. I am still tube > feeding him twice a day thru his nose, I have tried tuna, chicken baby > food, various types of canned cat food. I did manage to get him to eat a > little dry food...... > He refuses raw food altogether.... I'm running out of things to try. you could try alfalfa...it is supposed to help appetite, maybe in an extract or very strong tea form. You might also consider Yucca root. Linda -------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date sent: Fri, 16 Jan 1998 21:37:36 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Thanks for the advice Organization: AOL (http://www.aol.com) Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Cheryl, You will know what to do and when to do it. You will do what is right for Copley. And he will tell you when it is time to let him rest. Until that time, give him love, warmth and closeness. Barb -------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date sent: Fri, 16 Jan 1998 21:41:43 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: For Barb Organization: AOL (http://www.aol.com) Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Carol, She is probably just tired from the trip, fighting with the vet ect. If it says 30u on the bottle, then there is 30units per one cc. That is what she should have. That is all Merlin gets also. Don't worry, you are doing it right. Barb -------------------------------------- From: "Cheri Gardiner" To: Subject: Re: For Barb Date sent: Fri, 16 Jan 1998 23:40:00 -0600 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Carol, My little ones always take a nap after their interferon dose. I give them 1cc orally at night after they eat. Then they get up and play later. ACtually it's been 11-12 lately. They are on their fourth day of oral interferon. They also take a nap after the immunoregulin shots. The vet said that's normal. Good luck with yourn little one. Cheri -------------------------------------- END OF PART 2: