Thursday February 5, 1998 Part 2 15 Messages ====================================== Date sent: Thu, 05 Feb 1998 15:53:33 -0500 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: "Michele R. Smeal" Subject: Barb Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi Barb: Any news from Dr. Rider YET? He's a busy man, but I just wondered. Michele Michele R. Smeal mrb2@psu.edu 107 Ritenour Bldg. University Health Services Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA 16802 (814) 865-6557 Have you hugged your pet today?????!!!!!! Love an animal today....they depend on you.... unconditional love guaranteed.............. -------------------------------------- From: "phaedrus" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Date sent: Thu, 5 Feb 1998 15:17:26 +0000 Subject: Re: eating cat litter?- Cheryl Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hello all, I think that what Cheryl is referring to is this mysterious desire of FeLV+ cats that eat cat litter. Vyvyan did it while he was so sick- seemed like he did it to help himself throw up because that's what he'd do right after eating it. Also, my "vet" said that another cat he was treating for FeLV at the time was also eating cat litter. I've found the references to the cat litter eating dated 1/10/98: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Nancy A. Schmall" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Barb and all others Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi Carol and all, I have heard that one reason FELV+ cats eat litter and lick clay pots is because clay is a natural healer and cats instinctively know that. One woman's cat was written up in "Prevention" Magazine a number of years back. The woman rubbed pure green cosmetic clay on her cat's fur so that he would lick it off... amongst other things she gave him . . . he made a "full recovery." Nancy ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I hope this helps you with what you were looking for. Take care, and best wishes. 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@aol.com Date sent: Thu, 5 Feb 1998 16:25:06 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Barb Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Michele, No, no response yet. Because he is also aol, I can check to see if he has read it yet and he hasn't. I hope he does answer tonight. Barb -------------------------------------- From: Newtanator@aol.com Date sent: Thu, 5 Feb 1998 16:35:20 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Russian Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Linda, This will sound strange, but did the vet check your cats ears?? Most, if not all Merlins troubles including staggering, paralysis and more, lead right back to his ears and a middle ear infection. Might as well rule it out to safe. barb -------------------------------------- Date sent: Thu, 05 Feb 1998 16:43:53 -0500 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: "Michele R. Smeal" Subject: Re: Amoxycillan dangers??? Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Dana: Thanks for the support. I go pick Benny up in about 15 minutes. I also have been wondering about the meds and if it does damamge being on them long term, I haven't had a chance to ask Dr. Rider a lot since he's been picked up from being boarded daily, but I'll find out what I can and let you all know. Hope your kitties are well. Michele -------------------------------------- Date sent: Thu, 05 Feb 1998 16:05:05 -0600 From: Cheryl and Michael To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: eating cat litter? Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Thanks for the feedback on this. I don't mean to get stuck on the point, but I was almost sure we had a discussion about this earlier. Copley only started licking cement, etc. when symptoms of the leukemia started. He does not seek out the cat litter, nor have I actually seen this behavior occur, and I add this strictly to emphasize the lack of frequency. However, my mother, who is kind enough to come to my house every day Monday through Friday to feed Copley noticed this behavior the other day. I thought perhaps it could be attributed to a lack of a mineral or something. For example, I have heard that chocoholics actually are craving magnesium, etc. I was just wondering if I should be supplementing his diet with something I'm missing at the moment. Thanks. -------------------------------------- Date sent: Thu, 05 Feb 1998 16:06:54 -0600 From: Cheryl and Michael To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: eating cat litter?- Cheryl Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Oops - sent my other reply in too soon. Those were the messages I couldn't find. Thanks so much for the help!!! :) -------------------------------------- From: Newtanator@aol.com Date sent: Thu, 5 Feb 1998 18:45:20 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Russian Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Linda, I have lost two to this disease. Newton, my dearest friend and Kallie, my "Klingon Warrior". I have Kallies Story on my homepage http://members.aol.com/newtanator/multicat/html She had lymphosarcoma. Newt, maybe I shouldn't tell you this, but we must always be honest with each other, had a pulmonary tumor, the name of it escapes me, but it is common in felv cats. His lungs were full of water and he was sufficating. I asked about draining is off, but I was told it would come right back, maybe even in a matter of hours. If it happened today, knowing what I know now, I probably would have put up more of a fight. But that happened in the days of my ignorance, but I have since read up on this condition in felv cats and the outlook is very grim. So I tell myself, that even tho I didn't know much then, I did the right thing when I had him put to sleep. It was one of the worst days of my life, I can tell you that. I don't know if Russian has this same condition. She may have pneumonia, or a mild case of congestive heart failure, both treatable. There is no way to know. Didn't she just have major surgery? It could be a carry over from being under anesthesia. So many things. Merlin deserves his nickname the magic man. He has had ups and very very downs. If you can manage it, you should try to get her home as soon as the vet says she is able. They need our strength, our urging and knowing that the love is there for them. It seems to give them more will to live. The fever of 103 isn't to bad for a cat. The norm is 101.4 to 102 or so, so that's not bad. As to getting better or staying weak. Only time will tell how she will respond. Merlin went from total paralysis to walking, well staggering, in 48hrs time. So never give up. Russian will let you know when she is tired of fighting. It doesn't sound like she is there yet. So hang in there. We are all rooting for her and you, Barb -------------------------------------- From: Newtanator@aol.com Date sent: Thu, 5 Feb 1998 18:48:35 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Separation of Cats Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Kelly, I don't separate mine either. All are vaccinated and healthy. Except Merlin, who had it when I brought him home. barb -------------------------------------- Date sent: Thu, 05 Feb 1998 19:01:54 -0500 From: Brad To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Eating Cat Litter? Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net I don't know about feeding my babies clay, but if anyone comes up with more information or knows a supplement that is clay based, pass it on. Meanwhile, I am going to try to find the Prevention Magazine mentioned to check out the article. Kelly -------------------------------------- Date sent: Thu, 05 Feb 1998 18:57:09 -0500 From: Brad To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: hug o war Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Knowing what we are all going through, I thought we could all use this! >From our house to yours...Kelly, 'Storm', 'Beast', & 'Wuzzy' It is a well known fact that we each need at least 7 hugs a day for good health, most of us never reach that goal. HAVE YOU HUGGED A FRIEND TODAY???!!! ( ^ )_( ^ ) ( ^ )_( ^) / o o) (o o \ __/ ( | | ) \___ (_ / * * \_) / \/ | \ | | | | | | | | \__/ | \__/ | / | | / > / \ / <____,---,___) (____/ (____> I will not play Tug O' War, I'd rather play Hug O' War; Where everyone hugs, instead of tugs, And everyone giggles and rolls on the rug. Where everyone kisses, and everyone grins; everyone cuddles, and everyone wins. ___ ____ ___ ____( \ .-' `-. / ) ___ (____ \_____ / (O O) \ _____/ ____) (____ `-----( ) )-----' ____) (____ _____________\ .____. /_____________ ____) (______/ `-.____.-' \______) *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug*Hug*Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug*Hug*Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* You have just been hugged!! That's right, there's no getting out of it this time!! This is the start of a full-scale Hug O' War! So hug everyone you know!!! Hug your friends, your enemies, everyone!! With all the other forwards out there, I thought this would be a good one to start. The hug is my favorite sign of affection. It can mean so much, and many things at the same time. It can be a sign of love, friendship, comfort or anything! So here you go. All I can say it will do is brighten someone's day. I mean, we all need a hug once in awhile. So send this on if you'd like, to anyone who may need a hug, send it back to whoever sent it to you, send it back to me!! Goodness knows, we could all REALLY use a hug sometimes. So send this on and show someone you care!! Hug O' War >> -------------------------------------- From: Newtanator@aol.com Date sent: Thu, 5 Feb 1998 19:06:55 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: separation of cats Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net We must remember that one third of the cats have a natural immunity to felv. This is not to say that as they get older, or if they get ill with something else, that immunity might weaken, it could, but we must balance quality of life to quantity. I had a natural immunity to Chicken pox. Never got it as kid, never got it when both my boys got it, but then..... a couple of years ago, while helping out in the clinic, giving kids their vaccinations, boom. Now, it was a very mild case. Only had about 10 spots, but titres said I most definetely had it. So immunities can weaken, but it took over 40 years for mine to do so. barb -------------------------------------- From: Newtanator@aol.com Date sent: Thu, 5 Feb 1998 19:14:13 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Russian Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Linda, Speaking as a nurse who has been doling out meds for over 18yrs. by all means, switch the times to what ever is convinient. If that is 8-8, that's ok. Only thing to be careful of, and your vet can tell you, some meds are best given on an empty stomach, some on a stomach with food. So check so you can adjust the med time with feeding time as needed. She will be cranky, Merlin even bit me once. I was stunned, I can tell you that. But he only did it that once, I may have pinched or startled him or something. When I think Merlin is not eating enough, like now, I wrap an afgan or big towel around him, with just his head sticking out, put a bib on him, and feed him. He glares at me, but he eats it. barb ps, he seems to forgive me everytime to. -------------------------------------- From: WORKPARK@aol.com Date sent: Thu, 5 Feb 1998 19:37:41 EST To: felvtalk@Mailinglist.net Subject: Rissa-tai Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Well, the last two tests I was waiting for came back on Rissa-tai. Her FIV test came back negative, but the Protein Electrophoresis came back with problems. There was a spike in her globulin range which is now at 10.1 (cats are supposed to be at 7.8 tops). It shows a "monoclomal gamopathy in the gamma region" (please excuse any botched spelling on my part), which the pathologist says is consistant with plasma cell myoloma = cancer, probably not caused by the FeLV. My vet and her partner have actually been very good about this (I think the main problem was that their new receptionist wasn't giving me messages). Apparently, this cancer is not amenable to treatment, and they are waiting to hear what the oncologist here in town has to say, although the oncologist wouldn't treat a FIV+ cat with it because she said it wouldn't buy any more time. Also, one of the main treatments used to fight this is prednisone. The vets are willing to try whatever we want, although the cancer is more problematic (more acute) now than the FeLV. They say they can script out for the chemo, and are willing to work on the FeLV. At this point, I don't know what to do. We had decided to treat the FeLV very aggressively, but I'm unclear if that is still an option. Has anyone else been through this? I don't know what the right decision to make for her is right now. She doesn't seem to be suffering, just very tired, and sometimes we have to remind her to eat. We don't know if right now we should just keep her comfortable in the time she has yet, or if there are treatment options, and if there are, if we can afford them. If anyone has any advice, I'd really appreciate it. I just don't know what the right decision is for her, and this is breaking my heart. Pam -------------------------------------- From: Newtanator@aol.com Date sent: Thu, 5 Feb 1998 19:53:30 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Rissa-tai Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Pam, Where is the tumor? Acemannan may be an option. Also, how old is Rissa-tai? Even tho it's not a felv tumor, the darn disease makes them more prone to tumors of all kinds. THis is a tough decision for you, know that we are thinking of you and Rissa-tai. barb -------------------------------------- END OF PART 2: See Part 3 at: http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Spa/9802053.txt