Saturday June 27, 1998 Part 1 15 Messages ======================================== From: WORKPARK@aol.com Date sent: Sat, 27 Jun 1998 03:16:41 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Update on Rissa-Tai Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi all, More great news! Rissa-Tai weighed 11 ounces more than two weeks ago this morning at the vet for qa grand total of 7 pounds 12 ounces. They're calling her a tank! Her blood work was also fantastic - Her Hermatocrit was up to 41%, her rbc was up to 9.1, and her wbc was up to 7200! The vet is amazed, and is thinking "Journal Article"! She's very excited, as are we over here. The only thing that was slightly down was her lymphocytes - they were a little low, which Dr. Bolser thinks may have been because since she has more energy, she is fighting going to the vet more now (20 minute chase around the apartment this morning - she knew from the moment I got out of bed that today was going to be a vet day) and that's made her crabbier. She didn't have the energy to be crabby before. So, the additional stress could have done it. The other factor here is because of the heat. We had a scare about that, I'll post it under a different subject because it deserves it. Anyway, we're all amazed - neither we or the vet thought she would make it this far. I owe that in part to this mailing list. Thank you all, and especially a big thank you to Jim! Without you doing this, we wouldn't have known about half of the newer treatments. Pam ---------------------------------------- From: WORKPARK@aol.com Date sent: Sat, 27 Jun 1998 03:38:59 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Beware of the heat! Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Here's the second post that I thought deserved it's own subject. The vet was running a little behind this morning, so we waited a little while before they took Rissa-Tai in to get her injections and cbc done. Afterwards, the friends that had recommended us to this vet happened to walk in, and the wife was in the car. I took Rissa-Tai outside with me (she was already stressed because of the visit, and since she fights more now, they had put a bandage on her after the IV that I was going to take off when we got home) and started talking to his wife. I thought we only stayed talking for a couple of minutes, but apparently it was at least five, if not a little longer. I should also say that it went up to 106 degrees here in Tucson today. Anyway, I then took Rissa-Tai into the car, turned on the A/C, and we left. Within two minutes, she started panting heavily. I know that she had done this before, but not to that extent. Within another minute, she was not only panting, but also breathing very hard and her entire body was quivering. Since we were only about 3 or 4 minutes away from the vet's and it's normally a 25 minute or so drive home for us, I called them on my cell phone and turned around. They were waiting for me at the door. Her temp had gone up to over 103 degrees, and she had gotten overheated. They gave her water, sprayed her down, and put alcohol in her ears and on her tummy (it's still looking pretty shaved from the ultrasound done in January) to cool her off. They also put an ice pack under her towel in the carrier. The end result was that she is just fine, we made it home safely, but because of an error in judgement on my part, I could have seriously hurt her. I had thought the breeze and the shade from the car were enough for only a few minutes. Trust me, I've beaten myself up with guilt about this enough. Thank god, she is doing wonderfully now. I also know that even the best parents make mistakes sometimes. :( The vet gave me some tips for future trips and to deal with the heat. I know other parts of the country and world aren't 106 degrees right now, but there's humidity, and maybe somebody else won't have to go through my experiences of today because I'm posting this. It is even more of a problem, because when cats get stressed (like from a trip to the vet's), their body temperature rises. Anyway, here are the suggestions: -Make sure the cat is kept cool. That means air conditioning or swamp cooling, all the time, even when you're not home, so the animal is comfortable. -It's best not to have the animals outside in this heat. If you must, make sure there is shade and plenty of cool water available. -When travelling, cool down the temp in the car with the A/C before transporting the animal. (This also feels better for us instead of going into a hot car) -Under the towels in the carrier, place ice packs whenever you are going outside or travelling in the car. It gives them a cooler place to lie down on, and will help if the car isn't completely cool. I hope this helps. Again, she is fine because I quickly turned around and brought her back to the vet. When Dr. Bolser called tonight to give me the results of her cbc, she told me that they had gotten two other animals (one cat) who had gotten over-heated today after we left, and they see this a lot during this time of year. We go through so much with our furbabies on this list, this is one more thing we can avoid having to deal with. Pam ---------------------------------------- From: WORKPARK@aol.com Date sent: Sat, 27 Jun 1998 04:00:38 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Grey's Introduction Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Fuguee, I am in Tucson, AZ! If you are here as well, let me know, or please email me privately - I can give you lots of info and my vet's info, as they have been wonderful. Please let me know. Pam ---------------------------------------- From: WORKPARK@aol.com Date sent: Sat, 27 Jun 1998 04:22:17 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Sick Benito Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Paula, I echo Nancy's idea, I was thinking that maybe he had overeaten or is still adjusting to being in an actual home. And, the food is probably much richer than what he ate as a street kitty, he may just be reacting to that. Anyway, I hope he feels better. Let us know how he is doing, and have a nice holiday! Pam ---------------------------------------- Date sent: Sat, 27 Jun 1998 08:44:56 +0100 From: CatWoman To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Grey's Introduction Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net > honest opinion..if my other cats had their shots..could he still > co-exsist with them? (ie play with them)? I hate the idea that he has to > be separate from the cats' he's been playing with since we got him.. My modus operandi only here... I have my "positively positive" cat isolated. Not just to keep her from transmitting the virus to the others - but since they go outside in a large cage, they have "access" to other things, and I am keeping *her* from getting sick from an opportunistic infection. However, she's hopefully going to find a new home soon (I know, it's kitten season - but I'm hopeful that someone who discovers they have a positive will discover they need a companion cat). When she leaves, I will wait the three months and retest the rest of the group. At that time, if any are positive, I will not isolate them. This "configuration" has been living together for over a year, and I figure any who aren't positive probably won't ever be - or are just not showing the virus yet. In fact - the only reason I will bother to retest is that I'd like to bring the kitten's mother in this winter, and she is negative at last test (a year ago). If she's still negative and I have other positives, then I don't think it's fair to expose her - or to bring her in and leave her isolated forever in my bathroom if she's healthy. BTW - if she turns out to be *positve* at the time of testing, I'll bring her in anyway - the others are as exposed as they can get, and she would be better off in my bathroom... Diana ---------------------------------------- From: "Lynn or Josiah Stickels" To: "felvtalk" Subject: Rissa-Tia Date sent: Sat, 27 Jun 1998 03:21:26 -0700 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Pam, I haven't written to you before but I have kept up with the progress with your kitty, Rissa -Tia. I couldn't sleep tonight so thought I'd play around on the computer and I read your messages. Where are your children? Well, mine (18 yrs) is still not home so I am kind of waiting up for him. I was so happy to hear about your kitty! It does my heart good that he is doing so well. I know you are just thrilled to death!:O) He must me a very special kitty in God's eyes.:O) Keep him cool and keep up your very special love for him!......................Lynn(Stinker) ---------------------------------------- From: meowmama@bellsouth.net Date sent: Sat, 27 Jun 1998 09:33:48 -0400 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Update on Rissa-Tai Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Pam, What wonderful news about Rissa-Tai. Way to go! It's looking like you're going to have a lot more time together! VERY exciting and an inspiration to all. Hugs to you both, -- 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: Sat, 27 Jun 1998 08:37:31 -0500 (CDT) From: "Nancy A. Schmall" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Update on Rissa-Tai Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Pam, I am so happy to about Rissa-Tai. It is truly a miracle! Wow, 20 minutes around the bed and I think I have problems with Jake! Both of you, keep up the good work! Nancy ---------------------------------------- Date sent: Sat, 27 Jun 1998 08:40:47 -0500 (CDT) From: "Nancy A. Schmall" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Beware of the heat! Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Pam, Thanks for sharing! I too would not have thought a few minutes in a warm car could make such a difference! I'm glad you had the forethought to turn around and go back to the vet. I'm glad too that she's alright. We've been having it very warm here to in Northwest Arkansas for this time of year and with the heat index, it's gotten to 115 degrees. Nancy ---------------------------------------- From: katseven@pcsia.com Date sent: Sat, 27 Jun 1998 09:05:12 -0600 Subject: Re: Update on Rissa-Tai To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Yahoo!!!! Keep up the good work. I'm so happy for you, Pam. Susan ---------------------------------------- Date sent: Sat, 27 Jun 1998 12:58:07 -0400 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: three ring circuits Subject: Re: Debby: Echinacea dosage Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net At 11:33 PM 6/26/98 -0500, you wrote: >Debby, >Somehow I don't have your original post. I don't know If I erased it in my >middle=aged stupidity or just didn't get it so . . . if I ask REALLY stupid >questions, I apologize. Anyway, WELCOME to the list. ____________________________________ THANK YOU! Umm..... How about if I just attach below here my orginal intro. to the list so you'll know my *situation* here.Hope nobody minds me doing it again ?: ************************************************* I figured no time is as good as the present... so I wanted to introduce myself and a big thank you to Kathy G. for telling me about this list! I'm currently owned by 4 cats - 2 -11yr. old Birmans ( brother and sister ) and 2 -2 1/2yr. old Ragdolls ( sisters ). What's brought me to this list is as follows: Last Sept. I adopted from our local shelter an adorable 4 mos old.red &white longhaired male kitty who very quickly settled in as if he'd always been here and became the love of everyone here - hoomins that is! To be honest, NONE of my other cats ever accepted him! All was going along smoothly and at 6 mos. old he was neutered. Then... about 6 wks. later I noticed a change... he was suddenly MUCH less playful, ate MUCH less( really just picked at his food ) and spent most of the day in one spot sleeping. At first I brushed it off, thinking it was just due to him maturing and recently being neutered but my nerves got the best of me and I took him into our vet's "just to be sure" -never really dreaming there was anything seriously wrong with him. Well, he had a temp. of 104 and his tummy was FILLED with fluid. Many tests later and a liver biopsy as well, it was determined he had FIP and we helped him tearfully to the Bridge in early Feb. I then got to work scrubbing out all the litterboxes with boiling hot water and clorox, threw out his scratching post and toys and locked up the room he'd been isolated in the last few weeks after scrubbing it too with disinfectant and washing the carpeting twice with clorox as well.This room was off limits to all other cats for a full 3 mos. Five months have passed and all my other four remaining kitties appear fine and so I decided it was time to get another kitten. However, my vet suggested I have the new FIP Elisa test done JUST TO MAKE SURE that everyone here was in fact negative. We just got the results back and much to my SHOCK..... one of my cats ( the male Birman ) tested positive whereas everyone else was negative! Hershey is now isolated and I have to wait another month and then re-test him and all the others. If the others are still negative, I've been told I can assume they're fine. Of course, I'm hoping Hershey's numbers will have come down by then or at best, he'll be negative as well. I'm still in shock and wondering if anyone else out there has run into a similar situation having just had their cats tested with this new FIP Elisa test. Also....... I'm wondering how accurate the test it... does this really mean I should hold off getting another cat until hopefully ALL test negative , etc. I've been told that JUST because Hershey tested positive ( and his test was on the low side at 1:80 ) it doesnt' mean he'll ever get sick or develop FIP... but... I'm still a nervous wreck. Thanks to anyone who can give me some advice and I'm sorry for making this such a l-o-n-g introduction! :-) ****************************************** One thing I >wanted to comment on is I have an article that advises against the use of >Echinacea except where there is a healthy immune system. This article >advises against its use in FELV, FIV, and FIP cats. I think I got the >article from Joan Doljan (sp.?) PUFFERINO as part of her packet before I >subscribed *********************** IS there a way I could see this article? As of yet.. I haven't given Hershey any Echinachea.... still mulling it over in my head so I found your comment MOST interesting! _______________________ >to this list. Now I have to tell you I use it for my FIV cat and I have >used it for an FELV cat. I can't tell you if it helped or hinders. All I >can tell you is what this article said and let you decide. I know that >lets you in a uncertain place, but I thought I better give my input. __________ No really... I DO appreciate it..... I'm just betwixed and between myself.. wondering what's the right thing to do. Meanwhile.. Hershey is still locked up by himself in our family room.. seems to be doing fine I suppose... _____________________ >Again, WELCOME to this wonderful list. The people here truly got me >through a horrible ordeal with the sickness and death of my wonderful, >big, beautiful black Panther (died May 18th). It was hard, but without >their suggestions and unfaltering support, it would have been impossible! >They are truly wonderful! Nancy _____________ Oh... I"M SO sorry! how did YOU come to find this list? was your black Panther your only sick kitty? Yes.. I AM finding everyone on the list VERY helpful and sweet and SUPPORTIVE. thanks again for the welcome...:-) > > > > Debby, & the HBG (the HairballGang) ---------------------------------------- From: Newtanator@aol.com Date sent: Sat, 27 Jun 1998 17:02:34 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Grey's Introduction Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Fuguee, I don't think Grey got the cold from you. Our cold viruses don't jump species, so don't have any guilt feelings about that. I'm glad Mama cat tested negative, but your vet tested the 3 wk old kittens to? My vet won't even test a kitten until they are about 10wks, at the earliest. He says you get false results from the mothers antibodies and such. Of course, if she is negative, it stands to reason they will be to. It sounds as tho everybody else is vaccinated so I don't think you have much to worry about. I would have a retest of the ELISA or and IFA before a bone marrow test. They have to knock them out for that, but your vet sounds like a good one. He didn't suggest putting him to sleep right away like so many of them do. Well, we have had storms running thru here all day off and on, so better go. Keep us informed. barb ---------------------------------------- From: GinaTex@aol.com Date sent: Sat, 27 Jun 1998 18:46:37 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Re: Re: Grey's Introduction Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Fuguee Hi I know that animals cannot catch colds from us, but as far as enviroment, I feel that that has a big part on them getting ill. Maybe not so much in Arizona but here in Rhode Island esp with the ever changing weather the cold and damp weather is certainly not good for them. Our Zachary and Sophia where very sick with URI when they where babies. Before we rescued them They lived outdoors their first 6 months of life and when we finally brought them in it was in Oct, at which time the weather was raw. I am surprised that the kitten got tested so young, I understand your reasons. I am glad all went well with the others Gina ---------------------------------------- From: GinaTex@aol.com Date sent: Sat, 27 Jun 1998 18:51:21 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Update on Rissa-Tai Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Pam Wonderful news about Rissa-Tai. She is the perfect example of why we should not give up on our babies. Glad to hear she is better with the heat incidence. Thanks for the good advie Gina ---------------------------------------- Date sent: Sat, 27 Jun 1998 14:09:20 -0700 (PDT) From: The Drunken Celt Subject: Re: Grey's Introduction To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net ---Newtanator@aol.com wrote: > > Fuguee, > I don't think Grey got the cold from you. Our cold viruses don't jump > species, so don't have any guilt feelings about that. *whew* that's good..my niece picks Grey up all the time, and of course with a runny nose, it gets all over him..:> > I'm glad Mama cat tested negative, but your vet tested the 3 wk old > > > kittens to? My vet won't even test a kitten until they are about 10wks, > at the earliest. He says you get false results from the mothers > > antibodies and such. yes he did test them. Well what he did ws told us to bring in one of the kittens. We asked if he could test them cause we weren't sure if Grey was the father of them.. > Of course, if she is negative, it stands to reason they will be to. That's what he said..but we wanted to be sure..:> > It sounds as tho everybody else is vaccinated so I don't think you have > much to worry about. I would have a retest of the ELISA or and IFA > > before a bone marrow test. They have to knock them out for that, but > > your vet sounds like a good one. He didn't suggest putting him to sleep > right away like so many of them do. > I know. When he called and told us, what he had said was that there were a few options to deal with.. It was implied that we could, if we wanted, have him put to sleep. When we got out to the vets he actually said that he didn't want to have to put Grey down cause he is so healthy it seemed quite a shame. And we didn't want to lose him yet either! In two weeks he's getting rechecked..and we are getting shots done to out other 4 cats (there is one more, but she just had her shot in december) today. Here's hopin! --Fuguee ---------------------------------------- END