Saturday April 11, 1998 Part 1 20 Messages ====================================== From: "Claude Horstmann" To: Subject: Re: Questions Date sent: Sat, 11 Apr 1998 01:05:20 -0400 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi Cheri- I just found the note that I had scribbled: Liver- rich in Vit A- poisonous to cats in high doses. Too much liver can damage a cat's bones and cause mouth problems. Limit to 2 ounces per week. Still can't remember the name of the book that I copied this from, but I thought it relevant and was probably researching ANEMIA as the source for this material. We're always researching anemia it seems........ have a good holiday. .marilyn. -------------------------------------- From: AskforArt Date sent: Sat, 11 Apr 1998 01:08:34 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Questions Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi all---Liver should be limited to once per week, tuna infrequently, no pork-- chicken, turkey, lamb or beef, and lightly cooked egg yolks can all be used as a protein sources. Linda P -------------------------------------- From: AskforArt Date sent: Sat, 11 Apr 1998 02:10:18 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Questions Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Marilyn-- the same info on the Vit A in liver is in "Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats" by Richard H. Pitcairn. Linda P -------------------------------------- From: WORKPARK Date sent: Sat, 11 Apr 1998 03:14:02 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Rissa-Tai's Friday progress report Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi all, Well, we went to the vet again today, the first time in a week. She had been doing much better, eating a lot and generally being much more energetic and happy. She weighed 6.40 pounds, a 2 oz. or so gain from last Friday, and the tech told me she seemed to have more energy fighting them off when they gave her the Immunoregulin IV. They were very happy when I said she seemed to be doing better, but seemed a little surprised. They drew blood for a cbc. The vet called us here at about 6:00. Her RBC was up to 17%, which made thrilled us. She had been at 11% for the last two Fridays, so this was a vast improvement. The Hemobart finally came back negative again. If anyone has any problems with getting rid of the Hemobart, the Oncologist we confer with suggested the following, which worked for us: Start with the Tetracycline (it's a yellow yucky-tasting liquid) . If that doesn't work, switch to Doxycycline (in pill form, 1/4 pill) and if that doesn't do the trick, add Baytrill (also a 1/4 pill), in conjunction with the Doxycycline. The 17% was even an improvement over the 15% she had before. This explained her increased activity and purr levels. I'm sure the Ambrotose may have helped as well, but since the vet didn't give that to us, and it's harder to judge how much we can actually get into her, we're not sure if that made a huge difference as well - but we hope so. The one problem we came up with today is that her wbc was down to 3100, which is below normal (normal range is 5,000 - 16,000). The vet would like to see her at at least 5,500. So, at this p[oint, we're discontinuing the chemo, or at least until I speak with the Oncologist on Monday and find out what else we can do. We're continuing with the Doxycycline and the Baytrill, as we don't want the Hemobart to come back while we're trying to get a hold on this. Anyway, she acts like she is much happier, has a lot more energy, and is full of lovey purrs. Just shows you gotta keep the faith. We weren't ready to let her go yet, and I got the feeling the vet's receptionist thought we should just stop trying. I like her, but just loved proving her wrong this time :) Our Rissa-Tai is worth everything we've done for her, and we have no intention of stopping our efforts until she makes it clear that she doesn't want to try anymore. She's a spunky little thing. Will let you know what the Oncologist says on Monday. Pam -------------------------------------- From: WORKPARK Date sent: Sat, 11 Apr 1998 03:19:11 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: willows@enid.com Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Jim, I don't know about anyone else, but I'm unable to even access the text part of her messages. I'd hate for Deborah to miss out on anything we could help her with if we're unable to read her mail. Is there anything else we can do? Pam -------------------------------------- From: WORKPARK Date sent: Sat, 11 Apr 1998 03:25:17 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: ICQ chat room Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Nina and Jim, This is a great idea! Let us know how this works, the times, etc. and I'll check in when I can. Pam -------------------------------------- From: WORKPARK Date sent: Sat, 11 Apr 1998 03:30:12 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Cheri Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Cheri, I am so sorry that the baby didn't make it. I know it's hard, we become attached so fast. He's in a place where he isn't sick anymore, and chasing butterflies. He'll be able to enjoy his kittenhood there without pain and suffering. He knows he had you to look out for him at the end, that's so important. Pam -------------------------------------- Date sent: Sat, 11 Apr 1998 07:18:36 +0200 From: Nina Organization: N/A To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: ICQ chat room Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi honey The chat room will be open during a specific time every day ...I will still have to decide which time suits everyone...remember thatI am in South Africa lol....thanks for your enthusiasm... Nina -------------------------------------- From: PUFFERINO Date sent: Sat, 11 Apr 1998 08:28:37 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Chloe Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Steve, I am so sorry for your loss. I have been following Chole's life for many,many months and have passed on your wonderful recipe for the elixir in the mailings I have sent. Words fail to really express my heartfelt sympathy at your loss. Chloe's life was enhanced by find you--and yours was in finding her. Take care, Joan -------------------------------------- From: Willows To: "felvtalk@MailingList.net" Subject: RE: willows@enid.com Date sent: Sat, 11 Apr 1998 04:52:57 -0500 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi List, I just returned home, and caught up on the email, :-(, I have no idea what happened, as i did not add an attachment of any kind, to the note i sent out. and i'm sorry that it was recieved as such, often i recieve email with an attachment that just relays over to the same message ,under a different program, but i haven't sent an attachment ever. again sorry for the bother. agape, Deborah a blessed holy week to all . -------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date sent: Sat, 11 Apr 1998 10:02:40 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Chloe Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Joan, Glen is looking for a good vet in the NYC area. Can you help him out? barb -------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date sent: Sat, 11 Apr 1998 10:05:33 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Rissa-Tai's Friday progress report Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Pam, Great news about Rissa-Tai. maybe a weekly shot of the Neupogen would keep the wbc up. This can be a problem. It the wbc's producing cells are damaged by the chemo, they may need that extra boost to keep them up. barb -------------------------------------- Date sent: Sat, 11 Apr 1998 07:31:42 -0400 From: Andrew Sherrod To: "felvtalk@MailingList.net" Subject: Re: New Yorker Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Sorry, Marilyn! When I wrote that I was remembering a time when I asked her about the dosage of Pred and she went OFF about non-vet people giving "bad" info on the web. I was just remembering that her New York accent gets REALLY strong when she's ticked! (I love New Yorkers, really! :) ) After that incident, I didn't want to ask her to be on the page....she can be scary! But, she's an awesome vet-I was really saddened to find out that some vets don't seem to care very much. I know it is a tough job (especially dealing with the "parents" sometimes) and maybe some are burned out but there is no excuse for vets not even TRYING to help (Bubbles and George were sent home from another vet, after Salomon died, with a death sentence ("Nothing to be done"). Maybe I will have my husband ask my vet if she'll have her name on the list. She will make house calls too! Take care! Paula -------------------------------------- From: "Jean Wells" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: latest from Arnie Date sent: Sat, 11 Apr 1998 11:38:40 PDT Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Arnie came home from the hospital today, but only for the weekend unless he actually eats something on his own by Monday (he's been on IV's since Thursday). His temp was normal this morning, so the vet let me have him for a few days to see if he'd eat at home when he won't there. He does have to stay in a cage so as to not get picked on by his pushy sisters. (He doesn't like that part, but judging from their reaction when I brought him in, it's a good idea!) New labs showed more likely autoimmune hemolytic anemia (which seems to be responding to prednisone (yeah, yeah, I know, but I trust my vet))than hemobart, but vet wants to keep treating empirically for that as well. She switched him from Tetracycline to Doxcycline in case Tet was upsetting his stomach. He's also on Carafate for his tummy and Baytrill (for luck, I think!). I'm really pretty concerned, if he doesn't start eating she says we have a real problem, she's concerned about his liver and kidneys shutting down. I fear we're moving toward a 'quality of life' issue and I'm not sure I'm ready to handle that. I've missed him so much these past few days...how can a small house seem empty with 4 cats and 2 large dogs bouncing around?.. but I can't torture him just to keep him with me. When I lost TiKi last year, it was sudden and absolute within a matter of days, he was well on Friday and dead on Wednesday. But this has been building for almost 3 weeks and now the vet is talking not just IV's but nasogastric tubes, and that stuff has to be done there, not at home. The meds I can deal with, even the force feeding if he is holding his own, but I'm afraid he's slipping away. Sorry. This is just really hard for me. And there aren't many I can talk to around here. They're not unsympathetic, they just don't really understand. Jean Wells wellsj@winthrop.edu Rock Hill, SC maryjean77@hotmail.com http://www.shack.org/wellsj/mostcats.htm I want Cheesecake, and I want it NOW! -------------------------------------- From: AskforArt Date sent: Sat, 11 Apr 1998 11:38:00 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Chloe Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Barb---Went to altvetmed.com and found a NYC vet with his own website. The vet's name is Steven Kasanofsky, phone is 212-865-2224, and his website is located at: http://www.Holisticvets.com/ Linda P -------------------------------------- From: "James G. Wilson" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Date sent: Sat, 11 Apr 1998 11:52:28 +0000 Subject: (Fwd) Re: Rissa-Tai's Friday progress report Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net ------- Forwarded Message Follows ------- From: Boonedagel Date: Sat, 11 Apr 1998 06:56:41 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Rissa-Tai's Friday progress report In a message dated 98-04-11 03:15:21 EDT, WORKPARK wrote: << Her RBC was up to 17%, which made thrilled us. She had been at 11% for the last two Fridays, so this was a vast improvement. >> <> Hi Pam, Happy you are happy with Rissa Tai's latest report. Bless her heart. Questions about rbc & wbc: Rissa's rbc is 17%. What does this mean? ...Pooters II's rbc was 7.0. Normals were 6.5 to 10.5, measured in units of 1000000/UL, according to the lab my vet uses. Rissa's wbc was 3100, with normal being 5,000 to 16,000. What does this mean? ...Pooters' wbc was 7.4. Normals were 5.5 to 19.5, measured in units of 1000/UL, according to the lab my vet uses. Confused, greg -------------------------------------- Date sent: Sat, 11 Apr 1998 12:15:45 -0400 From: Glen Zipper To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Immunoregulin & Prednisone Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net James, I noticed on your webpage something about combining Pred and Immunoregulin in treating severe anemia, and then, in the same paragraph, it says that you should take your cat off steroids for a week prior to using Immunoregulin? Am I just confused? Might you clarify a bit for me? Thanks. Glen & Tucker -------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date sent: Sat, 11 Apr 1998 13:34:07 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Immunoregulin & Prednisone Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Glenn, The manufacturer recommends taking the cat off any steroids prior to using ImmunoRegulin because the two are in direct conflict with each other. ImmunoRegulin stimulates the immune system and the steroids suppress it. But, apparently, some folks have had some luck using steroids in very small doses IF the cat has severe anemia. Personally, I don't think I would use the two together. There are other ways available to try and treat the anemia. But that is a personal opinion. barb -------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date sent: Sat, 11 Apr 1998 13:40:30 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: (Fwd) Re: Rissa-Tai's Friday progress report Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Glenn, Different labs use different standards for norms. You have to go with what ever is listed as WNL or within normal limits, that your lab uses. It should be universal, but for some reason it isn't, even with human labs. So what is listed as normal for Rissa from her lab may not be normal for whatever system your lab uses. Also, with humans anyway, the norms for males is slightly higher than that for females in many tests like RBC's and hematicrit. I think they just like to make in confusing so non medical people can't figure it out. They can charge higher fees that way!! barb -------------------------------------- From: "James G. Wilson" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Date sent: Sat, 11 Apr 1998 13:41:25 +0000 Subject: Re: Immunoregulin & Prednisone Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hey Glen, As Barb can also tell you, research into FeLV treatments is both scarce and incomplete. That is just one of the reasons we felt it necessary to create this mailing list. Feedback from folks here, though anecdotal, gives us great insight into what combinations of treatments seem to work best. The company literature suggested that cats be taken off of steroids before using the Immunoregulin. However, reports are steadily coming in showing that low doses of prednisone can work wonders in conjunction with the Immunoregulin. My guess is that, when studies were done (the ones the company uses), steroid therapy was pretty much all there was- pre-1995. At that time, high dose steroid injections "did the trick" in the short-term but hindered Immunoregulin's effectiveness. So, they recommended cutting the steroids all together. Now, steroids such as prednisone have shown to combat severe anemia with good success, and at low doses, it doesn't seem to interfere with Immunoregulin's effects on enhancing the immune system. The moral of the story is: We are still learning, so the more feedback we receive from folks about which combinations of treatments work effectively, the better chance we have to help others with similar circumstances. Take care, and I hope this long-winded explanation helps :) Please let me know if it doesn't. 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 -------------------------------------- END