Monday March 30, 1998 Part 2 15 Messages ====================================== From: Newtanator Date sent: Mon, 30 Mar 1998 20:16:09 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Rissa-Tai Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net marylyn, Unfortunately, I have given catnip a good sniff and found it does nothing for us. I have even heard of some desparate potheads trying to smoke it...nothing. So what ever is in there, only cats can reap the benefits. Barb -------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date sent: Mon, 30 Mar 1998 20:18:37 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Loss Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Judy, I will second that. Every living thing is unique unto itself, distinct and irreplacable. barb -------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date sent: Mon, 30 Mar 1998 20:21:23 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Nancy Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Ann, I'm not sure that you would want to put a negative cat on interferon. What is the rational for that? Where did you hear that some vets are doing that? Maybe this is one we can run past Dr. Myers. barb -------------------------------------- Date sent: Mon, 30 Mar 1998 19:23:15 -0700 From: Natalie Kupferberg Subject: formal introduction of Shadow and Zeus Long) To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Organization: Arizona State University West Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net My e-mail has not been working but now I am back in business. About three and a half years ago I adapted the most beautiful cat in the world from the Human Society in Grand Rapids, MI. Shadow was the first cat I have ever known and is smart, friendly , affectionate. Her only problem is that she love to run outside. I started to take her out for walks on a leach and this partially satisfied her. I moved to Phoenix, AZ and the second most beautiful cat in the world Zeus adapted me. When I brought Zeus in to be spaded the vet found he was feline leukemia positive. The vet said I must either have Zeus killed (I do not mess words with put to sleep) or take Zeus in with Shadow who is not feline leukemia positive. For a while I let Zeus roam outside not telling the vet. Then one weekend I went away and EL Nino hit. When I came home Zeus had a terrible cold. If I did not take Zeus in Zeus would have died. Shadow has been vaccinated against feline leukemia but I know the vaccines are only 40-85 % effective depending on what study you read. Well what I did may have been cruel to Shadow but I did take Zeus in. So far there have been no health problems. My vet who I do like was supportive of my decision and said that by keeping Shadow vaccinated each year I was doing all I could. I tried and tried to find another home for Zeus but no one would take in a sick kitty. I also contacted many organizations for feline leukemia positive cats but none would help me. Zeus and Shadow get along but they will never be the best of friends.. Shadow is an active curious cats who does not eat much while Zeus basically just likes to eat and sleep all day. I do all I can to scrub their food bowls and change their litter boxes but there is only so much you can do to prevent the spread of disease. I would love to hear from anyone else who has taken in a feline leukemia positive cat with they already have a feline leukemia negative one. I have heard from two people in Phoenix but since my e-mail was acting up the messages got deleted. Finally does anyone know of any homes in Arizona (I will even travel to Utah or New Mexico if need be) where Zeus can have a happy home with other feline leukemia cats. Although Zeus is quite overweight (about 14 1/2 pounds) she is in perfect health at the present and is a beautiful lovely affectionate cat. Her nickname is Snuggles since she snuggles up with me when I sleep. I do not regret taking her in. It is just that I feel what i Have done is at best unfair and at worse cruel to Shadow because I am exposing her to another disease. i would appreciate any help. meanwhile i just enjoy the two most wonderful cats in the world. natalie. -------------------------------------- Date sent: Mon, 30 Mar 1998 22:31:51 +0100 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: BILL BEAMISH Subject: Re: formal introduction of Shadow and Zeus Long) Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Natalie, We have a home for Felv+ cats but we live in Buffalo, New York. I have put negative cats in with my positive cats on occasion - when it is a matter of life & death - when its a choice of two things for the cat, come and live with my positive cats or be euthanized. I think you're doing all you can to keep Shadow from catching Felv. I've had, in 14 years and over a hundred cats, less than 5 vaccine failures. So I believe the vaccine is over 85% effective in my house and I think its being put to a pretty good test here. I retest a negative cat every so often just for my own satisfaction. Last week, my 13 year old cat, Fluffy, went in for teeth cleaning and extractions and I had her retested. She was still negative after 12 years of exposure. She has also been exposed to Fiv, since I have a few Fiv+ cats and I've had them for about 6 years. Fluffy tested negative for Fiv, too. None of the Fiv cats, although their immune systems are already compromised, have ever caught Felv. They do get their yearly Felv boosters, as do all the negative cats. I wouldn't worry about it now. What's done is done. You have already exposed Shadow to Zeus, so if she was going to catch Felv, she would have by now, I would think. In all of the vaccine failures I've had, the cats have become positive and gotten sick within a year of being exposed. You didn't mention how long Shadow & Zeus have lived together. My vet told me that it takes at least two weeks of very close contact between the cats - same food & water bowls, litter pan and grooming each other - for the virus to spread. The virus is fragile and can't live long at all outside the cat's body. It's killed easily with household cleaners and bleach. It doesn't live on clothing or shoes or anything. So if Shadow & Zeus don't spend a lot of time with each other, there's even less of a chance of Shadow catching it. Don't worry about it. Just keep getting the Felv booster for Shadow every year and enjoy your cats! Judy -------------------------------------- From: "Claude Horstmann" To: Subject: the great catnip debate Date sent: Mon, 30 Mar 1998 20:54:54 -0500 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Catnip ? Sure I tried it...... but I didn't inhale !!!!!! Barb, I couldn't resist.. I'll be good for awhile...... .marilyn. -------------------------------------- Date sent: Mon, 30 Mar 1998 22:42:57 +0100 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: BILL BEAMISH Subject: Re: Combined cats Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Ann, Just wanted to tell you I'm so glad you put everyone together and I'm sure things will get better day by day. I'm working on those pictures of our shelter. I'd really love to do a web page. I'm going to work on that, too! Did your vet get you, or at least order you the Interferon? Judy -------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date sent: Mon, 30 Mar 1998 21:44:28 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: the great catnip debate Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Marilyn, I should have seen that one coming. barb -------------------------------------- Date sent: Mon, 30 Mar 1998 20:34:14 -0700 From: Natalie Kupferberg Subject: Re: formal introduction of Shadow and Zeus Long) To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Organization: Arizona State University West Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net judy what a lovely note. thanks, -------------------------------------- From: "Lynn Stickels" To: "felvtalk" Subject: Stinker Date: Mon, 30 Mar 1998 19:23:12 -0800 Reply-to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Well, I took Stinker to the vet this morning. His regular vet wasn't there so I took him to another vet familiar with leukemia. By the way, my vet has been just as good or better with my Stinker.:) I did feel better though getting a second opinion. Anyway, Stinker's mouth was very red and swollen which was causing the pain. She gave him a shot of steroids and B vitamins that would last 24 hours. When I got him home he perked up some and ate some turkey baby food, alot. He was so hungry.:) While at the vets, she went to weigh him. I told her he weighed 7 lbs. Well, he weighed a little over 8 1/2 lbs.! He must have gained the weight when he was feeling so well. She also said I could give the interferon one day on, one day off. Tonight, Stinker is sleeping. He isn't feeling that great right now but tomorrow is another day. I want to thank all of you who told me to keep fighting and not give up. I do know from great experience when to let go and I have many, many times. It's just this time I just needed someone to tell me to keep fighting cause I knew that Stinker wasn't ready yet. Thanks for your great support!...........................Lynn(Stinker) -------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date sent: Mon, 30 Mar 1998 22:36:02 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Stinker Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Lynn, You have no idea what good news that is about Stinker. Keep it up! barb -------------------------------------- To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Date sent: Mon, 30 Mar 1998 23:33:55 -0500 Subject: Re: Rissa-Tai, latest update From: naohalloran@juno.com (Naomi J O'Halloran) Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Pam, Sorry to hear that Rissa-Tai lost more weight, but the fact that she has been a bit more social and is eating is encouraging. I wish I knew more and could offer you some advice, but all I can say is that I will be praying for and thinking of you and Rissa-Tai. I hope she enjoys the sardines! Naomi -------------------------------------- To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Date sent: Mon, 30 Mar 1998 23:35:08 -0500 Subject: Re: Combined cats From: naohalloran@juno.com (Naomi J O'Halloran) Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Ann, I'm glad to hear that you put Gretchen with your other cats. She really found a great mom. They'll get over all the introductions soon. I can just picture Honey sitting on top of the fridge with those huge eyes! You've been really been great to Gretchen. Keep up the good work! Naomi -------------------------------------- From: "Claude Horstmann" To: Subject: Re: Stinker Date sent: Mon, 30 Mar 1998 23:36:57 -0500 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net FANTASTIC ! I am so happy for YOU, and also for the 8 1/2 LB Stinker :) Could the irritation in the mouth have been caused by the Clavamox ABT ? You rest too, Stinker hopefully is healing and as you said, tomorrow IS another day. Take care ! .marilyn. -------------------------------------- Date sent: Tue, 31 Mar 1998 00:03:19 -0500 From: Uncle Junky To: "felvtalk@MailingList.net" Subject: Re: Catnip Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Ahoy! Catnip or catmint (Nepeta cataria), grows as a weed, and can be grown in garden and planter. Weeds are considered herbs. Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) Has similar effects. The effects of catnip have been observed in a wide variety of wild cats as well as domestic. Tom cats tend to get more excited than females. Not all cats respond to catnip, however the capacity to detect it is inherited, but 50% or more that do respond seem to enter a trance of "intense pleasure" lasting for 5 to 15 minutes. It seems that a true psychedelic state is induced by molecules of nepetalactone reaching the brain. The same effects are affected by the smell of catnip as by marijuana or LSD, the effect is short-lived, nonaddictive and quite harmless. -The Book of the Cat Catnip is one of the oldest household remedies. Medicinal properties: Anodyne, antispasmodic, carminative, aromatic, diaphoretic, nervine. Very useful for pain, and numerous ailments in babies and children. A teaspoon in a pint of hot water makes a tea. It is a harmless remedy. -Back to Eden by Jethro Kloss Note. Catnip capsules is available in the herb section of Wal-Mart. Uncle Junky "The more people I meet, the more I love my cats." -------------------------------------- END