Friday March 20, 1998 Part 1 15 Messages ====================================== Date sent: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 00:37:07 -0600 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: Ann M Blais Subject: Gretchen doing good and questions Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hello Everyone, I wish there was time now to contact many of you individually, but for now this will have to be my contact to all. Gretchen is doing so very good, eating most everything put in her dish and trying to play a few of her favorite games with me. She made sure to show me her "Ow Ow" and of course I was very impressed and had to kiss her belly. She is looking fuller around the middle than the day I brought her home. She looked like she had lost her belly that day. Reading some of the mail I have picked up references to the Immunoregulin shots that make me wonder if my vet gave Gretchen the shots correctly. He just pulled up the skin on the back of her neck and gave her the injection there under the skin. Now I am wondering if she was supposed to get this shot into a vein or artery. Also, is Interferon an injection or is it given orally? There seems to be so much information that I have yet to learn about what is available to help with felv and how to use it. My heart goes out to Judy and her husband, they are very special people and I feel grateful that she will be available to give helpful information from her experiences with felv kitties. Another thing that I am wondering about, somewhere recently, I have heard or read that DHEA helps to build up the immune system in humans. If this is correct, is it not possible for us to be able to use it on cats? I'm not positive about this information being correct and haven't had time to do any research on it, I can't even remember where I read about it. Also, just what percent of cats that have had preventative felv injections and are then exposed to a positive felv cat will come down with the disease? The reason I ask this is because if Gretchen doesn't read negative by August, at the latest the middle of September, I either will have to put my kitties together with Gretchen when we travel in the motor home or I will have to locate her a new home. ***TEARS***. This I will do if a good home is offered, but very regretfully. The other alternative is to put them all together and hope for the best, but if the danger is too high for Qetta and Honey, of course I would not do so. What an awful dilemma this is. I never thought when I rescued Gretchen that cold October night that she would work her way into my heart so deeply. Do any of you have positive cats in with regular non felv cats that have had preventative shots? Barb, when you mentioned that only 3 of your 15 kitties are positive, did you mean that the rest of them have felv and have tested negative? Thanks everyone, it's so great to have this place and know you are 'out there' to share and care. Ann M -------------------------------------- To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Date sent: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 01:44:16 -0500 Subject: Re: Gretchen doing good and questions From: naohalloran@juno.com (Naomi J O'Halloran) Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Ann, Glad to hear that Gretchen is doing well! In response to your questions about the immunoregulin and interferon, as far as I know, the immunoregulin is supposed to be given intravenously, at least that's what the vet medicine book said, but that's only one book. I'm sure they've probably come up with other ways to give it. That's why I decided on the Acemannan, because it could be given the way you said, or something close to it at least. The interferon is given orally. It's a mostly water solution that I just squirt into the side of Keigan's mouth. He doesn't even seem to mind it that much. Someone else might have better info on the immunoregulin though. Give Gretchen a hug for me! Naomi In loving memory of Moira 5/95-3/13/98 -------------------------------------- Date sent: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 00:50:24 -0600 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: Ann M Blais Subject: Re: Gretchen Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi Cheri, Kitty & Chaz, We are located in Maine and although I want to keep Gretchen with me,to be realistic, it may be necessary to find her a good home before September as we will be travelling in a motor home and there would be no way to keep her separated from Qetta and Honey. Please let me know more about this. It will have to be a very special home for a special girl. The thought of giving her up is to much to even think about just now. Ann M -------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date sent: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 07:02:43 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Gretchen doing good and questions Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Ann, Don't have much time before work but wanted to answer the question about ImmunoRegulin. It can be given both ways. Under the skin or IV. But I always prefer to start out in the first month of treatment to go the IV route, twice a week. barb -------------------------------------- From: katseven@pcsia.com Date sent: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 03:24:40 -0600 Subject: Re: Gretchen doing good and questions To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi, Judy, Welcome to the group. I think the vaccine is 80% effective, but when I adopted Ernie (FeLV+) my vet said that my other cats (I had six others then) had probably even built up a stronger immunity since all of them had had yearly vaccines for at least three years. I was able to keep him separate, so I did. But even my current vet (we moved) said the risk was not that great. I don't know...it's a difficult position to be in. Once a kitty's got your heart, it's hard to let go. But maybe we can find a good home for the baby girl, one that you'd be comfortable with. When you mentioned how Gretchen gave you a little head butt after she got home from the vet, I smiled. Such sweet babies. By the way, everyone, Ernie seems stabilized. It's too early yet to tell whether the Acemannan is working, but Ern's getting his appetite back. It's hard for him to eat because of a large tumor on his jaw, so I have been feeding him chicken baby food, but I am worried about him getting his full nutrition. Right now, I'm just grateful he's eating. I need to get some meat back on that kitty's bones! Susan -------------------------------------- From: katseven@pcsia.com Date sent: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 03:28:46 -0600 Subject: Re: Gretchen doing good and questions To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Sorry for calling you Judy, Ann. And vice versa. Welcome to both of you. Susan -------------------------------------- From: WORKPARK Date sent: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 02:23:54 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: computer virus alert Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net I normally don't forward stuff to the list, but felt this was importantwhen I received it today. << Received the following Virus Alert from Nasdaq today. Normally, I don't pay much attention to these alerts because they are frequently just hoaxes. But in light of SNET's recent Mail Server problems, I thought I should share this one. <-- If you receive an email titled "WIN A HOLIDAY" DO NOT open it. It will erase everything on your hard drive. This is a new, very malicious virus and not many people know about it. This information was announced yesterday morning from Microsoft; please share it with everyone that might access the Internet. Once again, pass this along to EVERYONE you know. Also, do not open or even look at any mail that says "RETURNED OR UNABLE TO DELIVER". This virus will attach itself to your computer components and render them useless. Immediately delete any mail items that say this. AOL has said that this is a very dangerous virus and that there is NO remedy for it at this time. Please practice cautionary measures. --> >> I hope this helps everyone. Pam -------------------------------------- Date sent: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 07:24:13 -0500 (EST) From: Kat To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: computer virus alert Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net I checked my web site source on hoaxes and "WIN A HOLIDAY" is just that - a Hoax!! The address is http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/hoax.html I find it very helpful to be able to verify the authenticity of these things before they get propagated out of control. Hope this helps. Kat (New Jersey) -------------------------------------- From: "James G. Wilson" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Date sent: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 12:29:26 +0000 Subject: (Fwd) Re: DMG questions Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net ------- Forwarded Message Follows ------- Date: Thu, 19 Mar 1998 22:21:11 -0500 From: Tookie Myers Reply-to: ccmyers1@erols.com To: phaedrus@ctnet.net Subject: Re: DMG questions James G. Wilson wrote: > > Hello Dr. Myers, > > I've been asked to ask you some questions about the use of DMG. How much > do you give cats that weigh around 9 or 10 lbs? What is the protocol for this? > We've had one report that today that this may be causing gas for someone's cats > (they are younger)- is this a possible side effect? I think she said she > bought the DMG at a local health food store. Didn't you say that you get it > from a reputable company via the mail? Thanks so much for your help with these > questions. 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, felv@angelfire.com > http://www.angelfire.com/il/felv/ > http://www.litchfieldil.com/members/phaedrus/ > http://www.fortunecity.com//skyscraper/sterling/20/niu.html I generally use the products available from Vetri Science corporation. I can supply anyone who needs them with these products. Even though they are nutritional supplements, Vetri Science only sells through veterinarians. 50 to 100 mg of DMG is the usual daily dose. M. W. Myers, D.V.M. -------------------------------------- From: AskforArt Date sent: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 14:13:21 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Gretchen doing good and questions Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Ann--DHEA is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands and helps the body to porduce natural steroids in the body. Its levels naturally decrease as we age. The DHEA you see in the stores is synthetic, and has many side effects including: heart palpatations, can cause metabolization of undesirabe levels of testosterone, cortisol, and estrogen, and puts stress on the liver. Saliva tests are needed to maintain the proper levels in the bloodstream. Using organically grown wild yam root will naturally help stimulate hormone production from the adrenal gland without any of the side effects of the synthetic DHEA. The acitve ingrdient in the wild yam is Dioscorea Villosa and seems to "trigger" the adrenal gland in the same way as our own body's DHEA does. I don't know enough about the corrolation between hormone production and the immune system response to know if DHEA would be important in the treatment of felv. I think maybe Barb could help with that one....... Linda P in Sacramento -------------------------------------- Date sent: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 15:13:46 +0000 From: LawBet Organization: Home for Wayward Felines To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: computer virus alert Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net I would tend to agree with Kat. A virus file, to my knowledge, must be one of three types of executable files: .exe; .bat; or .com. In order for a virus to work you must run an "executable" file and text files are not executable. A wise person NEVER runs an .exe , .bat , or .com file without either knowing that it comes from a reputable firm or company and/or has run a virus check on the file. Larry (The Lurker) -------------------------------------- From: "David & Leslie Kanzler" To: "felvtalk" Subject: Immunoregulin Date sent: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 10:21:37 -0500 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net When I started Jazz, my felv + kitty, on immunoregulin, we did 2 shots per week for 2 weeks, then 1 shot per week for 4 weeks, all IV. She is still not showing any signs of felv, so now I give her 1 shot per month at home, under the skin. If she ever gets sick, I might go back to the IV, but she really hates going to the vet, and as we all know, stress is the worst thing for our fur babies with this awful disease. Not saying I'm right in this, but my vet agrees and so far so good. Hope this helps. Leslie -------------------------------------- Date sent: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 11:44:00 -0500 From: Selena Walker To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: felv+ and felv- cats together Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Dear Ann, I'm not sure about putting Felv+ and Felv- cats together. This is probably something you should really sit down and discuss with your vet. From the literature I've read the Felv shots are 85% effective. Of course there are probably many variables which come into play for those cats for whom the shots are effective and for those for whom the shots were not effective. It will be difficult to determine whether your Felv- cats are within the 85% who will not contract Felv or whether they will be in the 15% who will. Having said that, you asked whether anyone had successfully placed felv- and felv+ cats together. I will share my experience with you. I adopted my only Felv+ cat (Zachie) in Sept. 1982 as a kitten roaming the streets early one morning. No owner was found and I kept him. In those days routine Felv testing and shots were not given. Within a year I had three additional cats (adopted as kittens from my neighbour) in my household (a small apartment). Cats shared food dishes, kittly litter, mutually groomed each other etc. I never had any suspicion that any of my cats harboured felv. At aged six (1988) Zachie came down with a skin ailment--the fur on his ears began flaking off in chunks. A quick run to the vet established that it was not a mite problem. A few months later it began to look like something terrible that would not go away and Zachie tested positive for felv. I brought my other cats in and they tested negative (twice, just to make sure). At that point my girls (2) had been with Zachie for just under six years. I did not isolate him, and they began their shots. Over the next six and a half years, Zachie developed many felv exacerbated conditions (chronic nail bet infections, FUS, a heart murmur, chronic skin condition). My girls remained healthy. During those six years, I also introduced two felv negative cats into the household (2 young males) and maintained them on yearly felv shots. Zachie was not isolated from them either. They too remained healthy. In 1994 Zachie passed away as a result of what was likely a massive coronary in his sleep. My girls who are currently fifteen years of age are felv negative. My boys who are now 4 and 6 are also felv negative. Since I no longer have a felv + cat there is no further danger. I think that I was very lucky that none of my cats contracted felv from Zachie. I have no idea whether Zachie was felv+ when I got him or whether he contracted it from other cats in the neighbourhood afterward. I do know that there was ample opportunity to have spread the disease and yet it somehow remained contained. If I knew then what I know now, I may have chosen another route to take. At the very least I probably would not have adopted the boys. I think you have to weigh the pros and cons, and decide for yourself what risk you are willing to take on behalf of your felv negative cats. It is not any easy decision to make, and I certainly don't envy you that. If you think about it very carefully and discuss it at nauseum with your vet, I'm sure you come to a decision that you and your cats can live with, no matter how painful. Sincerely Selena Walker swalker@rohcg.on.ca Stittsville (near Ottawa), Ontario, Canada in memory of Zachie, June 1982-Nov 1994 -------------------------------------- Date sent: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 11:26:08 -0600 (CST) From: "Nancy A. Schmall" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: FeLV+ Cat Hospice Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Judy, At this point I only have one thing to say . . . my personal opinion. I believe that many, not all, but many people who love and care for animals, like you and your husband and daughter, bring more to humanity because of your caring for non-human animals. At least that's what I think. I believe I can be more empathic to humans because I see a connection of life, not a separation, to all creatures. I think what you're doing is WONDERFUL! And if other people don't see that, thaat's their problem. Nancy -------------------------------------- Date sent: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 11:37:09 -0600 (CST) From: "Nancy A. Schmall" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Welcome Judy!! Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Judy, That's almost exactly how I found my Jake (FELV+). I saw this tiny kitten in the middle of the highway trying to make his way through the heavy traffic in the a.m. No one stopped. I immediately pulled over, praying I could get to him before he got hit. When I started toward him, the traffic was gone and he looked as though he was hanging unto the highway with his life! I snatched him up, put him into the front seat and made my way to the vet's. Fortunately, he was not wild and just snuggled onto my sweater laying on the seat. The vet said he had been hit in the lip and from that day on she refers to him as "the lip guy." She tested him for FELV, but he was only about 6-8 weeks old and I have a feeling he may have been positive when he tested negative. I didn't know at the time that that could happen. I have lost 3 to FELV and have two now that are positive--Jake and Panther. They are doing extremely well--Jake on Interferon, Immunoregulin and a tiny dwindling dose of prednisone plus Pet Tinnic and vit. C.; Panther on just Interferon, an iron pill and vit. c. While I brought this disease into my house unknowingly I still do not regret jake--he has brought a lot of happy and funny moments to our lives! Thank you for all you do! Nancy -------------------------------------- END