Thursday April 16, 1998 Part 1 20 Messages ====================================== To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Date sent: Thu, 16 Apr 1998 02:47:15 -0400 Subject: Re: Our FeLv household: Rubin's story From: naohalloran@juno.com (Naomi J O'Halloran) Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Dear Gina and JoAnn, Welcome to the list! Your message has been such an encouragement to me. Every once in a while I get in a mood when I can't stop thinking about how much I miss Moira, and what I'm going to do for Keigan, and it keeps me up half the night. I end up sitting here at the computer searching the internet for some miracle that's going to destroy this horrible thing and end my worries that Keigan will never get a chance to grow up. So here I am at 2:00 in the morning checking my email because I couldn't sleep, and sweet little Rubin and Sophia come along. Your story has given me the biggest dose of HOPE that I've had in a while. You and your wonderful vet are doing great things for Rubin. I am sorry to hear that he's not feeling his best. Be sure that I will be thinking of him when I try to go back to sleep tonight. :-) This list will be a wonderful help to you. A lot of the people are very informed and can help you with the medical side of things, and the rest of us do our best to encourage and help each other through the difficult times and rejoice together in the happy times. Just wait till you hear about the cheesecake! :-) Keep fighting with Rubin. He's been through a lot and needs all the help you can give him. We'll all do our best to help him too. And thanks for helping me through the night. :-) Naomi P.S. I love all your kitties' names! Especially Patrick-that's my favorite name. Almost named Keigan that, actually. Goodnight! (Or good morning by the time you read this whatever!) -------------------------------------- From: WORKPARK Date sent: Thu, 16 Apr 1998 05:14:43 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Rissa-Tai's upset tummy Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi all, Rissa-Tai's tummy is really upset. She's been vomiting off and on all day, just stomach acid, it looks like, not food - she has eaten some, but not much (we think more because she doesn't feel well rather than she's stopping eating). She's drinking lots of water, which seems to help some. The vet suggested that we continue to try to get the antibiotics in her through Friday morning when the regimen ends, but if she vomits them, to not force it into her. We cut the prednisone down to one pill a day, and they have also suggested that on Friday, if she is still nauseaus, that we try the steroid injection (we can't quit the pred cold turkey) and give her a break from the pills for a bit. Any opinions out there on the steroid pills vs. injections? Other than looking like she doesn't feel well, she is alert and responsive, and her tongue looks fairly pink, not too bad. We're not forcing the pill issue. Does anyone have any suggestions to make her feel better? She seems at times like she's fighting heaving, and looks like she's tired of feeling nauseated. It's heartbreaking to watch her go through this, but we know she'll pull through it once she's off these antibiotics. The Oncologist said it could be from any of the meds we've been giving her, so we're not forcing it with her right now until this subsides. Hopefully, her rbc will look good on Friday, and she won't have to take the antibiotics anymore, and the Oncologist is checking on a weaker chemo if her wbc has improved. Will check back in later. Pam -------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date sent: Thu, 16 Apr 1998 07:07:27 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Rissa-Tai's upset tummy Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Pam, The only thing I can think of is that if she is given an injection, she can't throw it up. They might be afraid if she is throwing up the pred, that's like going cold turkey without it. Her poor tummy. Try some meat flavored oatmeal, always helps my tummy when it's upset, (minus the meat flavoring) barb -------------------------------------- From: "James G. Wilson" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Date sent: Thu, 16 Apr 1998 11:58:15 +0000 Subject: (Fwd) Re: Our FeLv household: Rubin's story Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net ------- Forwarded Message Follows ------- From: "Steve Lackow" To: Subject: Re: (Fwd) Re: Our FeLv household: Rubin's story Date: Thu, 16 Apr 1998 09:53:44 -0700 Absolutely Barb, are these your surviving FeLV cats? Are they already at the House Of Many Cats where I can point to them from Chloe's site? BTW, there's a link to your page already from http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Ranch/6167/tributes.html , referencing Merlin. -- Steve -------------------------------------- From: "James G. Wilson" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Date sent: Thu, 16 Apr 1998 11:59:54 +0000 Subject: (Fwd) Re: Cat's esophagus & Type of Vit. C, and Toxoplasmosis. Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net ------- Forwarded Message Follows ------- From: "Steve Lackow" To: Subject: Re: Cat's esophagus & Type of Vit. C, and Toxoplasmosis. Date: Thu, 16 Apr 1998 09:57:12 -0700 Greg, Pooters II will absorb Sodium Ascorbate C better as will all cats. Ask your vet for it, as you're not likely to find it in health food stores. Any ascorbate or Ester C will do in a pinch. It's the acidic Vitamin C to avoid. -- Steve -------------------------------------- Date sent: Thu, 16 Apr 1998 13:18:46 +0100 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: BILL BEAMISH Subject: Re: Our FeLv household: Rubin's story Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Welcome to the list, Gina and JoAnn! Rubin sounds like a real fighter. I also have a 12 year old positive cat, Abby, who has amazingly never been sick. I feel very lucky with him. I am using Interferon, Immunoregulin and now Ambrotose but I've never used chemo on any of my positives. I've printed up your letter for my vet for future reference. I'm not sure he's ever done chemo. I think he sends the cat to an oncology vet for treatment. I love this list because there is such a wealth of information we can share with each other for the better health and treatment of our cats. There is also a lot of support when a cat is lost. Again, welcome! Judy -------------------------------------- Date sent: Thu, 16 Apr 1998 13:29:40 -0500 (CDT) From: "Nancy A. Schmall" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Copies to: phaedrus@ctnet.net Subject: Re: Our FeLv household: Rubin's story Gina and JoAnn, Thank you for sharing your story! I am certainly pulling for Reuben. Have you considered using Ambrotose for the cancer? nancy -------------------------------------- Date sent: Thu, 16 Apr 1998 13:36:13 -0500 (CDT) From: "Nancy A. Schmall" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Rissa-Tai's upset tummy Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Pam, Maybe some warm baby food or chicken soup might ease her tummy a little. Positive thoughts, Nancy. -------------------------------------- Date sent: Thu, 16 Apr 1998 13:45:44 -0500 (CDT) From: "Nancy A. Schmall" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Vet list Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net James. Thanks for the tip on accessing the vet directory--it worked! I checked the name of my vet, etc. and it's alright except it should be entered under "Arkansas," not Arizona. Many people mistake the "AR" for Arizona. Thanks, Nancy -------------------------------------- From: "James G. Wilson" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Date sent: Thu, 16 Apr 1998 14:17:00 +0000 Subject: Re: Vet list- DOH!!! Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hey Nancy, Sorry about that. For some reason, I thought you were in Arizona- there are at least three folks on the list from there. The problem has been fixed, so folks in Arizona need not run all the way to Arkansas for help :) Still, there is no listing for AZ- any volunteers? 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 -------------------------------------- From: WORKPARK Date sent: Thu, 16 Apr 1998 15:42:58 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Rissa-Tai's upset tummy Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Thanks for the suggestion Barb! We're spacing her pills at least an hour apart. That seems to be helping some, she hasn't thrown up yet this morning (it's actually 12:40 our time) and she has eaten some. She will be done with the antibiotics tomorrow morning, so that's three less pills a day for her to take. And I think we will try the prednisone injection, it'll give her some time off pills for awhile. Pam -------------------------------------- From: WORKPARK Date sent: Thu, 16 Apr 1998 15:54:07 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Rissa-Tai's upset tummy Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Nina, good point. We're anxiously awaiting tomorrow for the antibiotics to hopefully stop. We're going to try to give her a break from the pills if we can. Pam P. S. Thank you to everyone else for all your suggestions! -------------------------------------- Date sent: Thu, 16 Apr 1998 21:49:44 +0200 From: Nina van Reenen To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Rissa-Tai's upset tummy Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Pam.... been wondering - this may sound silly, but her throat may be sore from your giving her the tablets........ Nina -------------------------------------- From: "Mandy Crerar" To: Subject: FeLV in South Africa Date sent: Thu, 16 Apr 1998 22:18:57 +0200 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Barb Thank you for your kind words about Precious. I still cannot believe we lost her in spite of all the efforts, particularly on her side. I know she is playing at Rainbow Bridge now - boy, is there ever a crowd waiting there for me!!! Glad to hear that One-Eyed Jack is doing okay. Once these abused little animals realise that they have actually encountered a Caring Human (said to be as rare as rocking horse s**t, if you know what I mean!!) they respond with such an outpouring of love as if to make up for lost time. Every day of good life that you give Jack is a gift to him, as his love and trust is a gift for you. It is what makes this work worthwhile. I am currently struggling with a diarrhea virus that has swept thru my household like a tornado. I had 9 down with it week before last, all have recovered but 3 are still struggling. I have just bathed them all - they were in such a state. Sorry, I know this has nothing to do with FeLV but it helps to whinge to someone who cares!!!!!!!!!!! I also have a little rescue tabby called Ashley who spent 4 of his 7 weeks of like confined in a tiny cage in a dingey pet shop. I took him in the Thursday before Easter. It took him two days of being terrified of everything to come out of his shell and he has spent the last week running everywhere, climbing everything, investigating anything and everything of interest (including the dogs) and just plain celebrating his new-found freedom. It is a wonderful thing to see. Titch is still doing well, I am delighted to report, almost back to the Titch of old. Steve knows this could just be a temporary state but considers every good day to be a Gift from Heaven. It is interesting to hear to say that you feel our vet is expensive. In fact she is the cheapest of all the vets that we use! She doesnt charge a consult fee for any of our "rescues" and all of the drugs, etc. that she has used for Titch have been charged at cost price. She confessed to Steve yesterday that she has never tried to treat a FeLV+ cat before - just followed the standard practise of euthenasing immediately. It is an indictment (huh -that word again!) against our vet community that no-one knows how to treat FeLV. I have printed out all the posts that contain relevant medical/veterinary information and our vet is compiling a dossier. It is our furvent hope that this lead to a more affordable, proactive approach by vets in South Africa so that many more FeLV+ children can be saved. Steve will be comparing notes with Nina over the phone soon and hopefully things for FeLV+ cats in South AFrica will begin to improve. The drugs are so incredibly expensive - just the Interferon cost R700! Hugs and kittens to James Wilson for putting this incredibly valuable list together. Bet you didn't guess when you started that you would be helping to save lives here in South AFrica? Thank goodness for the CyberHiway and for caring people like all of you. All the best MANDY -------------------------------------- From: WORKPARK Date sent: Thu, 16 Apr 1998 16:27:12 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: FeLV in South Africa Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Mandy, Good luck getting rid of that virus! sounds like you have quite the crew! Here's wishing you and all of yours (and especially that curious rambunctious new baby ) warm furry thoughts!! Pam -------------------------------------- From: "James G. Wilson" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Date sent: Thu, 16 Apr 1998 15:48:26 +0000 Subject: Re: FeLV in South Africa Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi Mandy, It sounds as though you certainly have your hands full- please keep up the great work you're doing on behalf of our precious little ones. Your Ashley sounds alot like my LG- he was scared of everything (except Moxy who was growling and hissing at him- go figure) for the first few days after I brought him home from the shelter. Now, I woke up this morning to find a whole roll of toilet paper shredded from one end of the apartment to the other! He's now contently sleeping on top of the pile of papers that he has pushed off of the table onto the floor :) Anyway, I'd had contact with a few folks from South Africa while these projects were in the planning stages, so I was glad to see that you and a few others have joined in to trade information here. Perhaps my biggest surprise was helping a woman in Santiago, Chile through the customs process for obtaining some Immunoregulin. Your post reminded me of this, and I was wondering if maybe we could help you and Nina and others in South Africa import it to your country- we went through legal channels between Neogen (the manufacturer), Chilean customs, and her doctor to get it there, so I'm sure we could work out something for y'all. Please let me know. Take care, and best wishes to everyone and their little furries. 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 -------------------------------------- Date sent: Thu, 16 Apr 1998 23:05:56 +0200 From: Nina van Reenen To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: FeLV in South Africa Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Mandy....would be lovely to talk to you and Steve.......looking forward to it....(btw have found out that Hypoxin has been withdrawn from the market but that Moducare is still available - and it is quite a few rands cheaper than Hypoxin....) Regards Nina -------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date sent: Thu, 16 Apr 1998 17:58:09 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: FeLV in South Africa Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Mandy, A good med for that diarrhea is Flagyl. But I don't know if it is there or not. It should be, it's really a human drug but my vet uses it for diarrhea that lasts more than a day or two. Can't stay on to long, storms in the area. Supposed to be gone by 8pm. All you folks in Arkansas and Tenn, sound off so we know you are ok. For those of you in S. Africa, this is tornado season in the States and they have really been active this spring. It's my understanding this is pretty much a North American Continent weather phenomenon. See you all when the weather clears. Don't want to fry my computer, or me for that fact. barb -------------------------------------- From: GinaTex Date sent: Thu, 16 Apr 1998 18:44:21 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Re: Our FeLv household: Rubin's story Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Barb Thankyou for the helpful info, I know that my vet contacted 3 other vets about Rubin before she went with this new treatment, Saturday will be his 2nd treatment, We hope it works Gina -------------------------------------- From: GinaTex Date sent: Thu, 16 Apr 1998 18:49:56 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Rubin's meds Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Thanks for all the helpful info from everyone, I will be asking our vet about the other meds for our other cat Sophia, she is much smaller and more delicate that Rubin and we are aware that she is at that crucial age. Gina -------------------------------------- END