Thursday May 21, 1998 Part 2 21 Messages ====================================== From: Newtanator Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 17:19:17 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Update:Rubin Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Gina, How I envy your seven years, but overjoyed for you at the same time that you had so much time with Rubin. He has already beaten the odds of <2 years. He will tell you if it time for him to leave you. They talk to us all the time, we just need to listen more carefully. Thinking of you, barb -------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 17:20:01 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Kelly, Wishing you the best, but know we will be here for you no matter what happens. barb -------------------------------------- From: Kelly To: "'felvtalk@mailinglist.net'" Date: Thu, 21 May 1998 14:39:19 -0700 Reply-to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Bad news, Paige is going to be put down. When I came home he looked seriously close to death. I picked him up and he started yelping then when I put him down he sounded like he was suffocating. The vet said it could be either he caught FeLV from Jade or It was FIP. His lungs are full of fluid, his mouth is in bad shape. He went on to say that I could try doing bloodwork, treatment etc but he told me its really too late and that it basically wouldn't do him much good. The last two months have been very financially difficult with Jade already. So ive decided to take the vets advice. He does look seriously sick, and he reminds me of my mom's cat before he was put down. All this in the span of 2 days. Soon as Jade looks like he's doing excellent now Paige, I'm really stressing out. The appointment is for tomorrow at 3pm. Kelly & Jade & Paige. -------------------------------------- From: "Moermond, Barbara" To: "'felvtalk@MailingList.net'" Subject: RE: another bridge kitty Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 16:43:49 -0500 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net I am so sorry Kelly. At least it has been quick and Paige won't be suffering anymore. We can only do what we can with what we're given. You've been a good mommy and Paige knows that. Our thoughts are with you all. Barb+Ninja -------------------------------------- Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 17:58:58 -0400 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: Angela Holderby Subject: RE: another bridge kitty Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net I am sorry, too, Kelly. Sorry seems so small for such pain, but you are in our thoughts. Paige knows how much you love him. Angela. (and Poncho & Lefty) -------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 18:15:58 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Kelly, I am very sorry. Sometimes that is how it happens. Duncan was fine one day and sufficating the next. I don't think I could stand waiting until tomorrow tho. Paige will not suffer any more. barb -------------------------------------- Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 18:31:14 -0400 From: Andrew Sherrod To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net I'm so very sorry about Paige. I know how hard the decision to euthanize can be. I had to make that decision as well.........good luck and we are all here for you (and Paige). Paula -------------------------------------- Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 18:18:12 -0500 (CDT) From: "Nancy A. Schmall" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: RE: another bridge kitty Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Kelly, I'm so sorry about Paige. I know how awful it is to go through this. At least Paige hasn't suffered for long. This damn disease! Why can't somebody find a cure? Please know that you have taken good care of him, know that in your heart--sometimes there's just nothing we can do. You are in my thoughts. Nancy -------------------------------------- From: meowmama@bellsouth.net Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 20:07:57 -0400 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Paige Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Kelly, My heart goes out to you. You will know what's best for your precious baby! I know you don't want him to suffer! We're all sending you calming vibes! Keep us informed and don't hesitate to talk when and if you need to! Hugs, -- Kathy G and the 3 furries in Daytona Beach =^.^= Rusty =^.^= Smokey =^.^= Money see us at: http://cgi.gambitsys.com/homey/webdoc5.htm The Cat: Mother Nature's Masterpiece -------------------------------------- Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 19:31:34 -0500 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: Melanie Moore Subject: Re: Introductions... Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Thanks, Judy....I certainly hope that Max' pupil size fluctuation is not an indication of a tumor or some such, but realize that every day is a gift with him. Although this week he's not back to his usual thunder kitty self since his eye swelled up and became inflamed on Sunday, he usually storms around the place and is gradually returning to normal. Hopefully, his pupil dilation/constriction problem will be similar to that of your cats. As for Machka, is her eye not swollen or painful with the constricted pupil? It seems when Maxwell's pupil constricts, his eye swells. Melanie -------------------------------------- Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 19:54:07 -0500 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: Melanie Moore Subject: Re: Melanie & Maxwell Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net At 9:08 AM -0500 on 5/21/98, katseven@pcsia.com wrote: > Melanie, > > Thank you for your kind thoughts concerning Ernie. > > Did you read Greg Sherrows' post on unequal dilation (just posted re > Barb & Ninja before your intro). As you might have gathered by now, > many > cats w/ late-stage felv have this symptom; however, Greg is using some > holistic > treatments which may improve quality of life. Yes, I did read that and will watch Maxwell very closely for any other signs that his problem may be more serious than just pupil size fluctuation. At this point, there seem to be no other symptoms. > > That roller coaster you spoke of is also something we're all > familiar with. Try to enjoy those good times and not dwell on > what could happen tomorrow... > Yes, I'm having to get to that point. Maxwell was so well from the time I found him as a little kitten, I guess I found his illness in November to be a rude awakening. > It sounds like your vet is doing some good things for Maxwell; > Is he off the appetite stimulant (a steroid also?) now? Has your vet > considered using any of the newer treatments for felv? > The appetite stimulant was actually a narcotic....something to give him the "munchies". Even with that, it took much coaxing and lots of tuna juice to get him to eat. Maxwell's been off the appetite stimulant since mid December and has been eating fine. In fact, he's the biggest eater of the household...just doesn't gain weight....mainly because he's so busy running it all off and because he's a big (long and tall) cat to begin with so there's lots to fill. We've not really pursued the newer treatments for FeLV, and they are still mostly unfamiliar to me. I will be reading up on them, though, and talking with my vet about those which seem appropriate for Max. Although I've not discussed those treatments with my vet, I believe he'll work with me as long as he believes no harm will come to Max and some good may result. > I'm sure others will give you more info on this topic. Let me know if > you'd like me to forward > Greg's post. Since it's a very long post, I'll send it to your private > e-mail address (please include that address; my from line doesn't give > me that info). > Thanks for the offer, but I did receive the post. > Best, > Susan > katseven@pcsia.com Melanie msmoore@slacker.azalea.net -- http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/8675 -------------------------------------- Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 19:56:39 -0500 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: Melanie Moore Subject: Re: Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Kelly, Although I'm very new to this list, please let me offer my sympathy and comforting thoughts to you in this very difficult and wrenching time for you. Melanie -------------------------------------- From: "Cheri Gardiner" To: Subject: Re: Feline Leukemia IS Treatable Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 20:44:07 -0600 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Need some help finding a home for a FeLV+ grey tabby in Little Rock,. Ark. She's about 1-2 years old and in good shape. No health problems. A friend works with the humane society there trying to foster kittens out rather than having them put to sleep. She needs help with this one. Let me know if you can help her. Cheri G., Kitty & Chaz -------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 22 May 1998 04:23:09 From: Jennifer Pelland To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: [Re: [Re: Welcome Jennifer - Names]] Reply-to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Since we got three littermates that were all girls, we wanted a good trio of names for them, so we went to Greek mythology. Tisiphone, Alecto, and Megaera are the three Furies. Other people wanted us to name them after the Brady sisters, but there was no way in hell that was going to happen. We'd only been planning on getting two cats, so we had plenty of good pairs of names, but then we fell in love with this litter. As much as I hate the fact that they all ended up with FeLV, I'm extremely glad to have had the time I did with them, and I'm glad they ended up with us and not with someone who would have put them to sleep the moment they heard the diagnosis. -Jennifer -------------------------------------- Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 22:25:54 -0700 From: Robert Frank Organization: A.R.F., Inc. To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Address Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hey Larry: Old soldiers are the backbone of the army. They are the only ones who know where to go to get the lowdown on any subject or get any project done. Thank goodness for old soldiers. Salute! Arlene and Howling Kitty -------------------------------------- Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 22:29:31 -0700 From: Robert Frank Organization: A.R.F., Inc. To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Update on Rissa-Tai Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Dear Pam: Please know Howling Kitty and I are pulling for you guys! I'll send good thoughts your way. May peace be with you both. Arlene and Howling Kitty -------------------------------------- From: katseven@pcsia.com Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 21:43:02 -0600 Subject: Paige To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Kelly, I'm so sorry about Paige. Hold him tonight. Let us know how you are doing. Susan -------------------------------------- From: katseven@pcsia.com Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 21:50:18 -0600 Subject: Re: Update:Rubin To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Gina and Joann, Rubin has been so fortunate to have you in his life. You have been wonderful companions. I keep comparing my Ernie (who died last month) to your Sophia because he was so healthy until he became symptomatic and he was also the same age as Sophia. I wish I had tried interferon when he wasn't showing symptoms and started the immunoregulin sooner, as well as ambrotose and vitamins. I am hoping your dear Rubin is peaceful. I am glad you have the guidance of a good vet--that's invaluable. Best, Susan -------------------------------------- Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 22:52:22 +0100 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: BILL BEAMISH Subject: Re: Introductions... Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Melanie, I just went to your web page and saw your cats. They are beautiful! Max's tail is gorgeous! I pray his eye problem will be a benign thing. Machka's eye is not swollen at all and she doesn't act like it's painful. The only problem we've had with Machka is she gets recurring upper respiratory infections and even the Interferon doesn't seem to boost her immune system to fight them off for good. But she acts as close to normal as expected, I guess. She's older, maybe 8, so she doesn't run and play like a kitten anymore but she will play with a string or toy on occasion. Most importantly, I think, is she doesn't miss a meal, no matter how bad her respiratory infection seems to be. Once in a while her eyes will run but that's from the respiratory. Then I give her eye drops for a week or so and it clears up. She's long haired and she doesn't groom herself as she used to but she fights like a demon if I brush her! She hates it and I have many scratches to prove it! I feel lucky to have had her as long as I have. I got her 6 years ago and she was a few years old then. She tested positive right from the start. Melanie, are your other cats negative? Is Max the only positive? I was wondering if you keep Max separate from the others if they are negative. I have some negative cats with my positives and over the years I've had some vaccine failures, not very many, but some. Most of the time my negative cats do fine and never catch Felv. I also find that if a vaccinated cat's immune system is so weak that he catches Felv, then he comes down with symptoms almost right away and doesn't survive long, no matter what treatments I use. I wish the best for you, Max, Chloe, Dexter and Callie! Judy -------------------------------------- Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 22:29:23 -0500 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: Melanie Moore Subject: Re: Introductions... Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Thanks! Glad you enjoyed their pictures. I'm glad Machka hasn't had any problems with her eye swelling as it seems to be quite painful. I'm sorry she's had the respiratory infections, but glad that's it. Yes, my other cats are negative, and I'm aware there's some increased risk with exposing them to him, even though I religiously keep them vaccinated. Except for Callie, they were all rescues and I guess I feel like they're still getting a better chance in the house with Max than they would outside as strays. I also realize, just from reading a few posts from this list, that many of you have dealt with several cats with this disease, and this is my first experience, so I've much to learn. Still.....I'm not sure Maxwell would survive long if he didn't have access to the other cats, Dexter and Chloe, anyway. He *loves* other cats, and will be friends with any of them. Being separated from them would definitely be a stressor for him. Also, Callie is currently mostly separated from the others due to behavior problems and I just can't do any other separations, given my house's layout. (I've already constructed screen door barriers in the hallway to give Callie more than one room.) Dexter recently had a urinary infection and crystals that didn't seem to get better, and he was tested for FeLV again at that time, and was negative. Turns out it was due to Callie's aggression (hence, the reason she's separated). For those of your negative cats who did manage to come down with FeLV, do you have an idea of the means of transmission? Biting? grooming? or just sharing food and litterboxes? Melanie -- http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/8675 -------------------------------------- From: "Steve Lackow" To: Subject: Re: Address Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 20:44:03 -0700 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Especially on Memorial Day, everybody. -- Steve -------------------------------------- END