Sunday April 19, 1998 Part 1 20 Messages ====================================== From: WORKPARK Date sent: Sun, 19 Apr 1998 04:37:29 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Rissa-Tai Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Thanks Dana! I know it's hard, but when it comes to my fur-babies, I'm going to continue to speak up to receive the best care possible. I know that all of us will co the same as well. Here's to us pushy cat and animal lovers :-) Pam -------------------------------------- From: WORKPARK Date sent: Sun, 19 Apr 1998 05:01:03 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Nina Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi Nina, Have you taken the baby to the vet? Is the entire litter looking poorly, or just the one kitten? How is the mother cat interacting with the kitten? Cats instinctually know if there is a problem with a kitten. I know that when my family's first cat had kittens, there was one of a litter of 8 that she didn't even clean off, didn't encourage to nurse, nothing. It was obviously smaller and weaker than the rest. Even with our efforts to save it, it died within two-three days after birth. If the mother cat is ignoring it, it could be a sign of bigger problems. I can't remember, did you say the mother cat hasn't been tested? I hope this is just a temporary thing, but if not, that it is not something that is effecting the entire litter. Please keep us posted. Pam -------------------------------------- Date sent: Sun, 19 Apr 1998 10:07:07 +0200 From: Nina van Reenen To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: new kitten and problems........ Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Could any of you please help? My cats who were so ill have either been put down or have survived....but problems loom... I have a litter of 6 week old kittens which have been kept separate (with their mom of course) since birth. I have been hoping against hope that their mom is not a carrier (she is a bit wilder than the rest, hardly ever came home before having her kittens, and she has never been ill or tested..) Yesterday while doing my "kitten rounds" I noticed one of the the babies not looking too well..kinda quiet. I decided to wait until this morning: I found the little one vomiting and looking decidedly NOT ok, refusing food as well... OK I have to use a different approach here I guess, as all the previous victims were bigger kittens (about 2/3 months old) plus their 2 mothers. THIS little one is very much younger... I immediately gave her a dose of Doxycycline (we have it in syrup form here in SA, called Doxysyrup.) I have managed to locate Moducare which my chemist has ordered for me and I will probably be able to start using that in the coming week.What to do? I do not want to overreact as this could simply be a passing thing, but it looks ominous and it FEELS like big trouble.... Please help.... Nina -------------------------------------- From: "Mandy Crerar" To: Subject: Chicken broth Date sent: Sun, 19 Apr 1998 10:07:38 +0200 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi all Recently I read a post from someone who gave the recipe for a chicken broth and I am thinking that this might be something that my diarrhea -suffering kittens would willingly drink and would act as a rehydration therapy plus of course some nutrient content. Unfortunately after I printed this out for Steve, I deleted the message. Steve then gave the printout to his vet who is compiling a dossier of her own on FeLV treatment so I now do not have access to the chicken broth recipe. Please could the chicken broth person mail the recipe for me. Many thanks PS Titch is still doing well - I fully endorse the view expressed (I think by Stinker) that constant love and attention is essential for FeLV+ cats. This has contributed enormously to Titch's current state of wellness. Regards MANDY -------------------------------------- From: "Mandy Crerar" To: Subject: Rainbow Bridge Date sent: Sun, 19 Apr 1998 10:15:25 +0200 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net I fully endorse Larry the Lurker's explanation of Rainbow Bridge. It doesnt matter what beliefs we each have or the "format" of the Supreme Being. The sentiment is the same for us all who care for the Precious Children who are waiting for us at Rainbow Bridge so we can cross over (to wherever it is - the name doesnt matter) together. Personally if my Precious Children cannot come with me to the Other Side, I dont particularly want to go there. A place without my animals would certainly be hell, not heaven. MANDY -------------------------------------- Date sent: Sun, 19 Apr 1998 10:43:29 +0200 From: Nina van Reenen To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Rissa-Tai Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Ditto to that!!! Nina :))) -------------------------------------- From: "Mandy Crerar" To: Subject: Larry Date sent: Sun, 19 Apr 1998 10:16:54 +0200 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net PS Larry, what does the collection of slashes, exclamation points, etc at the end of your post mean? I am intrigued and obviously missed something along the way! MANDY -------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date sent: Sun, 19 Apr 1998 09:14:36 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: new kitten and problems........ Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Nina, The best thing to do is have Mama cat tested as soon as you can. If she is positive, you can go from there. Treat the little one, of course, but I think being able to rule out Felv or some other disease might be a good place to start. Also, little one's (or any cat) will throw up if they have worms badly also. Good luck and keeps us informed how the babies are doing. barb -------------------------------------- Date sent: Sun, 19 Apr 1998 11:25:58 +0200 From: Nina van Reenen To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Nina Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Pam.. thanks for your quick response... Actually, this mother cat is the best mom I have ever seen..the whole litter is beautiful, furry and fat :) The rest of the litter is fine up to now but I had the same vomiting as early sign when my whole nightmare started a few months ago. Antibiotics usually seemed to halt the process for a week or so but the affected animal usually carries on backsliding, eventually developing severe anemia and bad diarrhea, dehydrating (despite efforts to rehydrate and forcefeed), and becoming thinner and thinner. Death is usually sudden, unless I have the cat put to sleep myself. My vet at that time refused to test the cats, saying it was a waste of my money - and advocating immediate euthanasia of all affected cats ( 9 at that time.) Needless to say I simply ignored him and carried on, and found myself another vet - of course.He is currently on leave: we were so busy trying to save what could be saved on symptomatic diagnosis, that we have not tested for anything yet.Obviously this has become imperative (he did say though that it looked like classic FeLV). The survivors of the first wave of illness (only 10% of those affected survived) are doing ok: the adult female is on a low dosage of Prednisone, digestive enzymes, and homeopathic medication. She is eating well and is in a very good condition although still thin and has semi diarrhea on a constant basis: unless I start the Moducare soon (which may be too late in her case) I have the feeling we may be fighting a lost battle. The two kittens are also eating well, playful, and actually growing (only one of them, the more puny one, is on Prednisone at the moment.) They also receive digestive enzymes (without which no proper digestion takes place), and homeopathic remedies. I will be watching the new patient carefully but am very much afraid we are in for another rough ride, made worse by our imminent winter : out overnight temps can fall to below freezing point (our houses are not heated like yours: we have to use heaters which are very bad for the cats..) Nina -------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date sent: Sun, 19 Apr 1998 10:18:15 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: (Fwd) RE: Tessie & anemia Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Saliha, January would have been the ideal time to start the Epogen of course. Sometimes it's difficult to convience our vets that early action is the best action. They are used to waiting until there is a crisis of some kind. These sudden downward turns is classic FeLV. That's why blood work every month or two is vital. Even tho they say, why, the cat's not sick..Our answer is that is exacty why we must be ever alert. I lost Merlin suddenly, after I thought the worst was over and Duncan's was a total shock as well. But Dunc's blood work was totally normal. What took him is not precipitated by anemia or some other warning sign. It just happens. So we never know. Sometimes our cats are tougher than we give them credit for and if the transfusion is the only thing that will give her some time, that may be the only way to go. There aren't to many options. All of us here will be thinking about you. barb -------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date sent: Sun, 19 Apr 1998 10:19:55 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: (Fwd) RE: Tessie & anemia Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Saliha, I should read all your posts before answering! Epogen is injection only. IV, right in the blood stream. If you need all the particulars, let me know, I will post it for you. barb -------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date sent: Sun, 19 Apr 1998 10:21:54 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Dopey the rabbit lives on Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Dana, I sure am glad I prefaced my note with I don't know if penicillin is safe for rabbits. I never had a rabbit and know zero about them. Glad it looks like Bunny will be ok. barb -------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date sent: Sun, 19 Apr 1998 10:25:12 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Nina Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Nina, You are in S. Africa aren't you? I guess I didn't realize you even had a winter there. All the shows I see it always seems to be so hot. Geography was never my best subject anyway. I thought Australia was the only spot going into winter. Well, learn something new everyday. barb -------------------------------------- Date sent: Sun, 19 Apr 1998 10:02:47 -0400 From: Andrew Sherrod To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: (Fwd) RE: Tessie & anemia Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Please don't blame yourself! (I noticed the words STUPIDITY, IGNORANCE, etc). Believe me, I felt that way for a while too! All of my cats were tested before I brought them home but somehow FELV infected 3 of my cats (now all at the Rainbow Bridge). I think that most of us rely on the vets and the tests, etc. to be accurate and when they aren't we blame ourselves-we always blame ourselves when we see with that 20/20 hindsight vision! I just get so sad when wonderful people beat up on themselves. What makes me even more sad is that not many people go through what we go through to try to save our animals. Some people put their cats to sleep because they simply don't want them anymore! Anemia is what took my 3 cats. The first one-we didn't know and it was too late. The second cat didn't get any treatment because I believed my (old) vet when he said there was nothing I could do. Then I found the webpage. George lived 5 more months -happy and healthy- with immunoregulin/interferon/pred treatments. I want them all with me forever but I can honestly say that I am grateful that her life was prolonged. Without us, she would have died on the streets of Baltimore 3 years ago. I think that all of our experiences will lead to a cure. Looking at patterns, etc. Keep the faith! All we can do is try! Just wanted to tell you that the course of treatment we gave George really helped fight the anemia for quite a long time. I forgot to mention something, though, which may point to other complications that we didn't know about. The very last day, George's spine was sore......we were thinking that maybe something else was developing? Any ideas? Paula -------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date sent: Sun, 19 Apr 1998 10:28:09 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: (Fwd) RE: Tessie & anemia Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Paula, Only a total guess here, but I have found that cancers of all types hit our felv cats. It is possible that cancer of the spine may have been getting hold of George. Pure speculation but a possiblitiy I suppose. barb -------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date sent: Sun, 19 Apr 1998 10:36:47 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Nutri-Cal - ? Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net If I have time tomorrow, I will stop by my vets and get the manufactures name and address. I will write them and ask about the additives in Nutrical. I know my vet sells it. We need to clear this up once and for all. I know that a book says it's poison, but we take poisons all the time. Many of the homeopathic med are poisonous in certain amounts, example, arsenic. A human med, Lanoxin, used my millions, is a deadly poison even if they go a little over recommended amounts. But it also keeps millions with heart problems alive. Potassium, also deadly, is vital for life. Even simple things like Vit A, taken in large amounts will destroy your liver. I think we need to get it from the horses mouth. Who knows, if it turns out the Fraser book is right, maybe they will remove it from the Nutrical. So I will contact them and ask them about it. barb -------------------------------------- From: Rdmacaulay Date sent: Sun, 19 Apr 1998 11:03:41 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Holistic NJ vets Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Naomi, Yes, there's a doctor @ Edgebrook VCA who's a holistic vet. (I know his name, but I don't know if it's proper protocol here to name names, even in a good way). He's been out of the office for two weeks with bronchitis. I'm still interested in seeing him, but I'm afraid I won't be able to get past the receptionist guard dogs after my lovely last visit. If you go, let me know how it goes. And maybe you could mention that there's another kitty out there that needs him! --Rachel P.S. We're moving to the Mews in two weeks. It will be great fun emailing you from 500 yards away!! P.S.S. Haven't signed the lease yet (Monday--we put down our "hold" money), but when we looked at the apartment, we heard definite cat sounds coming from the apartment across the hall!) -------------------------------------- From: "James G. Wilson" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Date sent: Sun, 19 Apr 1998 12:06:31 +0000 Subject: (Fwd) Fitz the Cat Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net ------- Forwarded Message Follows ------- From: Rdmacaulay Date: Sun, 19 Apr 1998 11:50:15 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Fitz the Cat Marilyn & All, Yes, I got your posting. I've been waiting for good news before I responded, but there's nothing new. Thanks so much (again) for your help. Fitz had two good days, courtesty of the cortisone shot probably. His tail was still not erect, but he followed me around (this is usual), looked at me to be picked up, purred when he was near me, ate like a horse, and played just a tiny bit with his brother. I knew he wasn't better, but I was hoping that, with the Interferon, he was well on his way. Luckily, I didn't cancel the appointment I had this morning with the vet, originally for the Neupogene injection, which is still on hold at the moment. I knew when I woke up and he wasn't at my feet, that he wasn't feeling well. He goes underground when he doesn't feel well ( you know--under chairs, under the bed, behind the toilet, etc.). I took him back just an hour ago. She took another x-ray and it shows absolutely nothing wrong with his spine. She changed the Prednisone and Cefadoxil to clyndimisine (spelling?) and dexamethasone. I mentioned Toxoplasmosis, and she said though it's rare, she can't rule it out, especially since I brought it up, so the new antibiotic is more focused for that. I have an appointment with a very good oncologist for next Saturday. He's expensive, but she says he knows amazing stuff. Short of an MRI, I'm at an impasse unless something works. I'm looking into the ambrotose and my vet's trying to get immunoregulin. Could someone send me the chicken broth recipe? I'm not sure if it's something different than what I've been making, but since everyone keeps mentioning it, I though I'd check it out. Fitz doesn't seem to want to give up. He keeps looking at me and holding my hand with his paw (I love that); I hope I'd recognize a different kind of look if it was time. There might be a cancer in his spinal cord. They've ruled out injuries, disk problems, muscle problems. He's still pink as always. I'd love to post a picture of him--James, can you let me know the protocol? He and his brother, Armstrong, would love to meet y'all. As for those suggestions of a film about it, I think I'm too close to it right now. I'd have to stop crying when someone asks how he is first. Thanks again, for your kind words and your "expert" advice. They are equally important to me. I don't know how much more of this I can put us both through. --Rachel (Doug, Armstrong and Fitzgerald--my two Irish kitties) -------------------------------------- Date sent: Sun, 19 Apr 1998 09:48:55 -0400 From: Andrew Sherrod To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Leukemia stress! Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Dear Lynn, I understand what you mean! The guilt of leaving an ill cat for even a second. During the 2 weeks that Georgie was really sick we , of course, had to go to work every day. On the evening that she died I thought to myself,"I would have given anything to spend the day with her rather than at work." We felt REALLY bad! I am fortunate to have a boss that let me have time off to take George to the vet, etc. but couldn't miss work entirely. I know how you feel.......unfortunately, the world won't stop when we want it to. Good luck with your kitty!!! Paula -------------------------------------- Date sent: Sun, 19 Apr 1998 16:03:42 +0200 From: Nina van Reenen To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: new kitten and problems........ Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Thanks barb....will do :)) Nina -------------------------------------- END