Wednesday April 15, 1998 Part 1 20 Messages ====================================== From: Boonedagel Date sent: Wed, 15 Apr 1998 03:21:11 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Copies to: ccmyers1@erols.com Subject: Cat's esophagus & Type of Vit. C, and Toxoplasmosis. Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi all, Within the last few days, someone posted a piece about the best type of Vitamin C to use for our kitties, because of potential problems to a cat's esophagus with certain types of C. The piece also mentioned the amount of C to use each day, and possibly even addressed Ambrotose with the C. I seem to have lost the post, or cannot find it. Would that someone please repost that info? I have been using Ester-C (calcium ascorbate), with bioflavinoids. One tsp of this brand is 3,000mgs. Each day I have been giving Pooters mostly a 1/16tsp, (about 187.5mgs), and recently about an 1/8 tsp (about 375mgs). I want to make sure to give her the right kind of C in the right amounts. Also, she tested positive for Toxoplasmosis a week ago, and, because of the titers the lab noted it to be a recent infection of the parameceum, which can apparently cause seizures. Pooters has been on Clyndamyacin, 1cc 2x a day since then. She has had no more seizures until yesterday, but it was a much milder and shorter one. So, perhaps the Toxoplasmosis is the cause of the seizures, as opposed to epilepsy or brain lesion, and the Clyndamyacin is working. Too soon to be sure, though. The Clyndamyacin has given her diarrhea, of course. Any suggestions on how to ease or stop her diarrhea while she is on the Clyndamyacin (and Vit C for that matter)? It also seems that in the last 3 days, she has lost a lot of her appetite for the Nutro canned the she has loved for two months, as well as the dry. She is eating, but substantially less. Worried. greg & pooters II -------------------------------------- From: Boonedagel Date sent: Wed, 15 Apr 1998 03:26:18 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: George is gone :( Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Paula, I am sorry about George. Bless you for saving her from Baltimore's mean streets and loving her as long as you could. You did a good thing no matter what. greg & pooters II -------------------------------------- From: WORKPARK Date sent: Wed, 15 Apr 1998 04:51:12 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: George is gone :( Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Paula and Andrew, My heart goes out to you both. We all know how hard you and George fought. Please know that she is in a place without pain where she can chase all the butterflies she wants. And that your little furangel is watching over you, and will do a great job since she had you as an example. Pam -------------------------------------- From: WORKPARK Date sent: Wed, 15 Apr 1998 04:58:32 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Chloe Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Steve, That's a great idea for a site. I'm not literate enough on-line to put one together, but does anyone need help doing a project like this? I'll do what I can. Pam -------------------------------------- Date sent: Wed, 15 Apr 1998 00:24:19 -0500 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: Ann M Blais Subject: George Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Paula, What a beautiful cat! My thoughts are with you and your hubby, you made a decision you knew would hurt, but had the strength to carry through. What a wonderful relationship you must have had with George that she was able to convey her feelings so well to you. Ann M -------------------------------------- Date sent: Wed, 15 Apr 1998 07:42:05 +0200 From: Nina Organization: N/A To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: George is gone :( Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Paula So very very sorry about your loss. Your baby is at peace now - that is the biggest gift you could have given her. Nina -------------------------------------- From: WORKPARK Date sent: Wed, 15 Apr 1998 05:44:17 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Rissa-Tai Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Rissa-Tai only started vomiting her pills up yesterday or the day before. Funny, she only seems to do it when my husband gives her her meds, not when I do it. We talked about how he was giving them to her and realized that he may be giving her too much too fast and it may be stressing her out too much. He tried it my way tonight and she kept everything down. She's eating ok. We now pretty much have food in all the rooms she hangs out in (mainly just two) since if it's not readily available, she doesn't eat as much. If it's close by, she eats more, especially if we ask her to. (She has gotten very spoiled :) but we don't mind at all, and Lai-Tai likes this as well). Litter box is pretty normal, bowel movements are what I'd expect with all the meds she's on - I'm sure we all know at this point what antibiotics do to their stools. Phew!!! Also, she purrs a lot, and isn't hiding under a chair like she did for a litle over a week, when her rbc was so low. Her new favorite spot (she always changes this about every four days or so) is stretched out on our bed (this is unusual, she never hung out there). Very lounge-like, and relaxed - not begging for attention, just comfortable. And she still comes running if she even thinks we're going into the cabinet with the Trader Joe cat cookies!! This cat isn't ready to go yet, not by a long shot - and we won't quit trying until she tells us it's time. I'll be calling up this other somewhat homeopathic vet I've heard about to see what they say about treating FeLV+ cats, as well as lighting a fire under the Oncologist. Will post what comes up as soon as I know. Pam P. S. About the Interferon - when using the every third day dose, is it one cc or three ccs? Steve - aren't you the one who did this? P. -------------------------------------- From: "Jean Wells" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Arnie--Wednesday update Date sent: Wed, 15 Apr 1998 11:21:14 PDT Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net All your good wishes seem to be working! Arnie seems better every day! He's eating on his own..still not as much as he did before he got sick, but I haven't had to force-feed since Monday morning. Don't know if anyone else had tried canned mackeral, but a friend suggested it and the vet approved with a "WHAT-EVER he will eat is good for him at this point!" and he loves it! I'm also giving him A/D and he's eating that as well. So I think we've turned a big corner. On Monday, the vet was very concerned because he had spiked another temp, so she gave him more fluids subqu. By Tuesday morning his nose was cool and moist and he was noticibly cooler to the touch so I think temp is normal again. He's reached the point that the cage is unsatisfactory to him and I've been letting him out into the bedroom, tho the door is closed so the others can't get at him.. they're still pretty hostile toward him. We go back to see the vet tomorrow and I know she's going to be delighted with the turnaround. I'm trying to not get my hopes up too much, I know this is temporary, but I'm going to get to enjoy my little guy a while longer and I'M HAPPY! jean 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: WORKPARK Date sent: Wed, 15 Apr 1998 12:52:44 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Rissa-Tai's Dr. situation Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi all, Just a quick update - I got a call from the vet office this morning. The receptionist had spoken with the Oncologist and they thought it would be a good idea to suspend all Rissa-Tai's meds for a week, and just give her a steroid injection instead of the pills. I don't know how they planned for her to get the rest of the stuff that she needs that she's been taking. I AM NOT IN FAVOR OF THIS IDEA. It feels like they are trying to make the decision for us as to tapering off what we're trying to do for her, and both Chuck and I resent that, especially since she has been doing better. I also left a message for the Oncologist to call Chuck later today (I'm going to be out) so hopefully he can make it clear to her what the situation is. Also, I'm going to be calling to find out about another vet today or tomorrow. This is ridiculous, I can't figure out now why we've gone down to the receptionist - not even a tech - talking with the Oncologist and not one of the vets themselves. Needless to say, I will be continuing to take Rissa-Tai to them unless or until I find someone who is willing to work with us here in Tucson. She's being more curious today, still ok we think for now. Pam -------------------------------------- From: WORKPARK Date sent: Wed, 15 Apr 1998 13:00:46 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Copies to: Boonedagel@aol.com Subject: PCV vs. RBC vs. WBC Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi all, I think I got an better explanation of these three. I'm sure one of the nurses here, Jim or even Dr. Myers can fix this if I have it wrong. PCV - packed cell volume. Measures the packed cells within a certain amount of space. In a healthy cat, normal ranges are 27% - 45%. This is the percentage I had mistakenly thought was her red blood cell count, Rissa-Tai was at 17% last Friday. RBC - red blood cells. Just counts the amount of cells within a screen. In a healthy cat, normal ranges are from 6.5 - 10.5 per 1,000,000 units. Rissa-Tai was at 2.2 this last Friday. WBC - white blood cells. Measured the same as the rbc. In a healthy cat, normal ranges are 5.5 - 19.5 in 1000ths of a unit (or 5500 - 19500, depending on if they give it to you with a decimal or not) Rissa-Tai was at 3100 last Friday. If someone with better knowledge could explain further, I'd appreciate it. Pam -------------------------------------- Date sent: Wed, 15 Apr 1998 08:35:42 -0500 (CDT) From: "Nancy A. Schmall" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Copies to: ccmyers1@erols.com Subject: Re: Cat's esophagus & Type of Vit. C, and Toxoplasmosis. Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Greg, I'm sorry to hear Pooters II is not eating too well. A plain yogurt--you just have to give a little a few times a day will help the diarrhea. I certainly am pulling for you and Pooters and hope she will soon be eating again. Nancy -------------------------------------- From: WORKPARK Date sent: Wed, 15 Apr 1998 13:06:01 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Cat's esophagus & Type of Vit. C, and Toxoplasmosis. Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Nancy, I thought that dairy products (like yogurt) could make diarrhea worse??? Pam -------------------------------------- Date sent: Wed, 15 Apr 1998 08:25:11 -0500 (CDT) From: "Nancy A. Schmall" To: "felvtalk@MailingList.net" Copies to: "James G. Wilson" Subject: Re: George is gone :( Paula and Andrew, My heart goes out to you. I am so sorry about George; I had hoped so much that she would turn around. It is always so sad to see that another beloved friend has died. Each time I see a post like this, I feel like it's one of mine and I wonder how much longer I will be lucky. Please know that I am thinking of you both and sending warm thoughts your way. Nancy -------------------------------------- Date sent: Wed, 15 Apr 1998 08:28:17 -0500 (CDT) From: "Nancy A. Schmall" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: George is gone :( Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Susan, What a lovely poem! Nancy -------------------------------------- Date sent: Wed, 15 Apr 1998 14:29:07 +0100 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: BILL BEAMISH Subject: Re: Arnie--Wednesday update Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Jean, I'm so happy about Arnie! Here's hoping he keeps going strong! Judy -------------------------------------- Date sent: Wed, 15 Apr 1998 08:30:32 -0500 (CDT) From: "Nancy A. Schmall" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: ImmunoReg Protocols? Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Barb, Thanks for the tip--I will do just that! Nancy -------------------------------------- Date sent: Wed, 15 Apr 1998 08:32:16 -0500 (CDT) From: "Nancy A. Schmall" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Copies to: Andrew and Paula Sherrod Subject: Re: George is gone :( Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Irene, I'm so for your loss of Angelina. nancy -------------------------------------- Date sent: Wed, 15 Apr 1998 08:38:41 -0500 (CDT) From: "Nancy A. Schmall" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Rissa-Tai Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Pam, It sounds like you and hubby may have found exactly the right problem and solution! Glad to hear Rissa is at least holding her own. A little plain yogurt will help the diarrhea from the antibiotics. Let us know. Warm thoughts, Nancy -------------------------------------- Date sent: Wed, 15 Apr 1998 09:47:40 -0400 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: "Michele R. Brooks" Subject: To: Paula and Andrew (from Michele in PA) Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Paula & Andrew (in loving memory of George): George is now at the Peaceful Rainbow Bridge with My boy Benny, our many other now healthy friends too (whose parents are on our list) Vyvyan, Sasha, Copley, Russian, Buddy, Storm, Beast, Chloe,Topaz, Comet, Mickey, Sasha, Merlin and the list goes on and on..... they are one big happy, healthy feline family now thanks to Jim and this list we all know about that wonderful Rainbow Bridge and know how wonderful it's going to be when we all reunite that glorius day. If you don't know about the place where George & our babies are...this will help you. http://www.petloss.com (Rainbow Bridge is at the beginning) Paula & Andrew: Benny did great after his first transfusion, too...for a week I was on top of the world when I thought he wouldn't be alive that day when I went to the vet clinic---to everyone's surprise, my boy was full of life, new blood, he was beautiful and happy. They told me it was expected he'd get worse. I guess it can go either way, you just don't know. We do all we can do and sometimes God just needs our babies at the Rainbow Bridge. Benny had a purple tongue for so long when he got felv and ulcers down his throat--he had all the sx full blown ...god love his heart. I KNOW what you went through .......I am HERE if you need me. You can see Benny at: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Estates/7122 ( click on Three Boys lost to felv) and Benny is at the end of the page....also...my friend Belinda also made Benny's photo a choice for a greeting card when you click on " send an internet greeting card" you can see my boy there, too. My thoughts are with you both--I know how attatched we are to our babies, now God is taking care of them at the rainbow Bridge and my grandma is taking care of them ,too...they will LOVE her!!!!!!! Michele from PA Michele R. Brooks mrb2@psu.edu 814-865-6557 University Health Services Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA 16802 In loving memory of my precious Benny......My precious little angel.. Until we're together again...... Love an animal today....they depend on you.... unconditional love guaranteed.............. -------------------------------------- Date sent: Wed, 15 Apr 1998 10:56:28 -0500 (CDT) From: "Nancy A. Schmall" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: To Jim--addition to vet's list Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi Jim, Finally got an audience with the head of my vet clinic to ask him if I could have his name listed on the list for vets using modern methods. He said yes. Animal Medical Clinic 3045 Market Avenue Fayetteville, AR 72703 (501)571-1288 Drs. Michael Moehler, Tammy Smith, and Barbara Larsen I have used this clinic for 14 years. One thing that has impressed me is if any of the vets is basically at their wit's end, they consult with each other so information sharing is utilized. I use Dr. Larsen for many reasons: she is nice, good with the animals and most importantly will either read anything I give her to ascertain her opinion and/or will research anything I ask her to (and rapidly). All these vets use interferon and Dr. Larsen, at my request, is using Immunoregulin. I don't know about Acemannan, but I do know if she(they) doesn't, if I give her the info, my guess would be (unless she knows something I don't) she would be happy to. I am thankful for her. Nancy -------------------------------------- END