Tuesday February 17, 1998 Part 3 13 Messages ====================================== From: Newtanator@aol.com Date sent: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 20:41:45 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Drugs for Russian Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Linda, You might try the Ambrotose that has been talked about lately. I just ordered some tonight. I was impressed with the woman who sells it. Maybe if you asked her to rush it, you could have it by the weekend. barb -------------------------------------- Date sent: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 20:00:07 -0600 From: Cheryl and Michael To: "felvtalk@MailingList.net" Subject: Medication questions Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi all! It has been awhile since I have written due simply to being so buy with work and school. I was wondering if anyone else has had any experience with either of two appetite stimulants. The first is cyproheptadine and the other is Winstol V. I have continued to battle Copley's weight problem. He ate the a/d with gusto for two weeks and now he won't touch it. He did get up to 7 1/4 lb., but now he is back to 6 3/4 lb. and still losing and not eating. I gave him the Winstol for the first time back in October and don't remember it having much effect. For the past two days I have tried the cyproheptadine and this has had no dramatic results either. I am still giving it to him just in case it takes a few days to kick in. Anyone's experiences with either one of these medications or any success in methods to increase interest in food again would be greatly appreciated. With all the problems Copley and I have made it through I would hate starvation to be the down fall. Thanks. Cheryl -------------------------------------- From: "phaedrus" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Date sent: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 20:38:40 +0000 Subject: (Fwd) Re: Medication questions Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net ------- Forwarded Message Follows ------- Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 21:35:04 -0500 From: Tookie Myers Reply-to: ccmyers1@erols.com To: phaedrus@ctnet.net Subject: Re: (Fwd) Medication questions Never have tried cyproheptadine for appetite. I do use it as an antihistamine and for pituitary problems as it is a serotonin inhibitor. I have used a product called Body Builder in a variety of animal species for appetite increase. It works in many cases. It is a specially formulated form of gamma oryzanol, a plant steroid, and doesn't have any bad side effects. Can your cat smell? If his sense of smell is lowered he will not eat. Put something "smelly" in front of him anfd see if he seems to smell it. Try several things, some he would like and some he would not to see if you get an appropriate response. M. W. Myers, D.V.M. -------------------------------------- Date sent: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 21:37:36 -0500 From: Brad To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Your Lose Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Irene, As I am sure you read, I lost my little girl 'Storm' yesterday. It is so rough. My heart is with you. I take comfort in knowing that 'Storm' has crossed over the Rainbow Bridge and is with my other two babies I lost before. I imagine them running and jumping around together ...comparing notes on their "mom"! It makes me feel better knowing they are better off there, feeling good and healthy; than here, feeling bad and suffering. Take Care...Kelly -------------------------------------- From: "Steve Lackow" To: Subject: Re: Medication questions Date sent: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 18:49:38 -0800 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi folks. I've been following Copley's story and am very sorry to hear he's not eating. When a very sick animal won't eat, I stop trying to feed them what's good for them and feed them their treat foods. Chicken fat seems to be the key ingredient in these treats, and is not only cat-yummy but has immuno-boosting properties. Sometimes, I'll just get the smelliest, cheapest commercial stuff I can find. These are good temporary strategies. One thing that concerns me about some messages I have read here is about mixing supplements and remedies in with the animal's main food. This is a really good way to have them become suspicious of the food and of you. It's also less efficient in terms of getting the good stuff into the cat instead of the cat's dish. Giving medicine to most animals is no big deal, but they will pick up on your anxiety and apprehension... so, take it easy, and do it with a helper if you can. And if you're not sure how to give your cat medicine by mouth, by subQ or injection, have a vet show you, and you can turn it into Quality Time. My cat is a great patient, but I have had success with several animals who are decidely not! -- Steve -------------------------------------- Date sent: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 21:00:01 -0600 From: Cheryl and Michael To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Medication questions Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Steve Lackow wrote: > Hi folks. I've been following Copley's story and am very sorry to hear he's > not eating. Steve, I wanted to thank you for the response, also Dr. Meyers response. By the way, does anyone know where I might find the Body Builder product? Copley topped eating treats weeks ago. I mixed chicken fat in with his food and he ate this for awhile, but no more. Last week I resorted to buying any disgusting off the shelf food I could find. I usually have to open three or four cans before I find one that he will take one bite of. Unfortunately, this has always been Copley's biggest problem, not eating. I have learned not to panic too quickly and with all of the poor terribly sick kitties out there I considered myself pretty lucky. There has been a typical cycle of his appetite returning just when I think I'm going to lose it. This time we are getting somewhat desperate as his weight has never been lower than his current 6 3/4. For a male neutered cat this is not so good. (I get jealous every time I see my sisters whale Ticker. Younger than Copley and weighing in at a whopping 16 lbs.) My vet gave me the cyproheptadine and I am going to give it one more day and then I'm going to PANIC. Copley is taking a couple bites of food once in awhile, but I don't think four teeny bites are enough to sustain him for long. I also tried the vitamin-appetite gel, etc. Since he lost all that hair from the fungus it is disgustingly clear how thin he is. On the bright side his little face now has hair and his kitten like features have all returned! :) Thanks for the advice, suggestions and support. -------------------------------------- Date sent: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 22:10:14 -0500 From: Brad To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Storm and Topaz Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net To all who sent their well wishes for both Storm and Topaz. I have been off the net for a day and I got flooded just now. I was surprised to hear of yet another of our babies crossing over the Rainbow Bridge. I can see all of our beloved babies folic'ng together. Benny is probably showing them around 'the digs.' This is all so hard. As I am typing this, I am missing Storm very much. I usually spend at least two hours each night reading and writing to you all. This is because Storm is usually laying on my lap and I type with one hand. My husband has become overly possesive of Beast over the last 24 hrs. My older cat is alittle skittish and does not alllow anyone near him (what a trip to see me try to catch him to go to the vet!!!) Anyway, I am doing o.k. I have my moments. I keep thinking about the story Choices. I copied it and gave it to my vet. Everyone cried who read it. But it is sooo true to how I feel. I was starting to feel alittle less stressed last night, knowing Storm(ie) was in a better place...then I started to feel guilty this morning at having felt alittle relieved last night. Guilt is a wonderful thing... My vet said there wasn't anything they could have done for her, even if I had gotten her in. But then I think, at least she could have died peacefully in my arms instead of dying uncomfortably alone. I came to the decision, if there was something more I could have done, I would have done it. Since I have done all I have up until now. Grief...It stinks!!! Well, I am off to care for the other two. I will be in touch. Again, thank you for your thoughts! Kelly, Brad, Beast and Wuzzy P.S. Brad is my husband...not another cat. Although I think he wishes he was sometimes, so that he got more attention!!!! -------------------------------------- From: Newtanator@aol.com Date sent: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 23:08:18 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Medication questions Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Cheryl, Try a gel called Nutri Cal. It is a high calorie, vitamin, protein food that they don't have to eat much of to get what they need. It got Merlin thru the worst of his sickness. He liked it and took it right off my fingers. Barb -------------------------------------- From: Newtanator@aol.com Date sent: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 23:12:07 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Medication questions Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Cheryl, Merlin also likes boiled chicken, (dark meat only please) He has me very well trained. And tuna. those are his favorites. barb -------------------------------------- From: Newtanator@aol.com Date sent: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 23:22:28 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Storm and Topaz Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Kelly and Brad. That feeling of relief is very normal. We see it in humans all the time. You know someone you love is suffering terribly and you want it to end for them. For them to have some peace, then feel guilty about it. In truth, the one suffering probably wanted it to end. One of the greatest acts of cruelty I have seen in my years as a nurse is the family who won't let go, even when the one dying is begging them to let go. We have to realize that everything that could be done, was done and now we must let them have peace. ( No, I am NOT a fan of Dr. Kavorkian) One force we can not beat, and prob. never will is nature. And, as sad as it makes us sometimes, we must let it take it's course. When the time is right, there will be a new little life that will need a new mama and you will be a good one. Barb -------------------------------------- Date sent: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 22:13:10 -0600 From: Cheryl and Michael To: "felvtalk@MailingList.net" Subject: Merlin Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Barb, Thanks for the notes.....by the way, I read your note about Merlin. It sounds like he has stabilized a bit and is giving allowing you some rest? I know what you mean about babying them too much. I found myself doing that too. If someone couldn't get to Copley (my Mom or Fiance) when I felt I had to be away for too long I would cut short whatever I was doing. I have called in sick a few times to stay with him. For example, today no one could come over to feed him at lunch time, so I just left work early afternoon and stayed with him the rest of the day. My Mom has made a joke of it saying Copley is thankful when I go to work so he can get a break from all of my nagging. :) My backing off helped Copley too. This is one of those times when a bit more attention is needed. I just do it from a distance during the day then we snuggle up for our nights sleep. Hope all is well with Merlin and the gang! Cheryl -------------------------------------- From: "Cheri Gardiner" To: Subject: Re: Medication questions Date sent: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 22:16:22 -0600 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Barb, Can you give me the names and doses of the vitamins I should be giving my two little furry babies? They are just finishing up their Immunoregulin regiment and are still on 7 on/7 off Interferon. I supplement their regular C/D with fresh turkey chopped up and some baby food meat and veggies. They love the squash and peas. I will do anything to keep these two happy and well. So far they are symptom free. Kitty does have a urinary tract infection again but she has had one most of her life. She's a Manx and that seems to be the problem. She's on Baytril and cranberry powder in the wet food for that. Both work well. Thanks for all your help. How's magic Merlin? Cheri G., Kitty & Chaz In memory of our little boy and "brother" Mickey -------------------------------------- From: "Steve Lackow" To: Subject: Re: Medication questions Date sent: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 20:39:34 -0800 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net You guys are doing just great. The cat is fighting and so are you. When he stops, he's telling you, enough. Keep rotating the food, find something he'll take. You never know. Chloe is giving me the routine right now, she didn't eat dinner last night or a different breakfast today, and tonight I got her the favorite 9 Lives crap that she likes and she still won't eat it and cries in front of her bowl. And I just called out to her from the living room, "Oh all right, I'll give you crunchies (her treat food)". And she comes running out of the kitchen, stops and meows "You will?" in a surprised tone, and jumps up into my lap to get fed treat food by hand. She's no dummy. She just wants to tell me that she's the one in control of her. Very, very important. We hope Copley jumps into your lap very soon. -------------------------------------- END