Wednesday July 22, 1998 Part 1 20 Messages ======================================== Date sent: Wed, 22 Jul 1998 00:11:59 +0000 From: LawBet Subject: Re: Vet Update To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Organization: Home for Wayward Felines Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Randall, I have a totally blind cat named Kaelyn. If I can help you in anyway dealing with Tails' blindness, don't hesitate to ask. The Lurker ---------------------------------------- From: EchoSynch@aol.com Date sent: Wed, 22 Jul 1998 09:52:16 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Vet Update Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Thank you so much for your generous offer. So far, Tails has been adapting rather well. I understand that cats have a remarkable compensating factor, that they depend much more on their smell and hearing than on their sight. In any event, I will be sure and ask if the situation arises. Thanks again! Randall ---------------------------------------- Date sent: Wed, 22 Jul 1998 07:52:59 -0400 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: Carole Jacobi Subject: Re: Vet Update Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Randell, I'm so sorry that the vet thinks Tails may have FIP. I'm curious about the blindness though, has Tails always been blind or is it one of the symptoms of the FIP? I know my 14 month old Cosmo had serious eye involvement during the week before we received a diagnosis of FIP (the wet form) from the analysis of tissue and fluid samples taken during exploratory surgery. I am following your vet's treatment with great interest. I certainly hope Tails continues to gain weight and stays with you for as long as possible. Hugs, Carole, Jeep and Angel Cosmo ---------------------------------------- From: EchoSynch@aol.com Date sent: Wed, 22 Jul 1998 09:55:57 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Vet Update Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Carole, Thanks for your message. No, Tails had no eye problems previously. In fact, he was in perfect health up until about a month ago. His problems first began with uveitis in both eyes and now the vet believes that was the first stage of FIP. Tails is also 14 months old. I am documenting everything we are doing for him, and I will make sure that I keep the group informed of what and how. Meanwhile, our best to you and Cosmo.... Randall ---------------------------------------- Date sent: Wed, 22 Jul 1998 08:42:46 -0500 (CDT) From: "Nancy A. Schmall" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Vet Update Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Randall, That's good to hear. I'm glad the vet is starting Tails on Interferon. You might want to think about Immunoregulin as well depending on finances, Tail's feelings about going to the vet, etc. I'm glad Tails gained weight also. That's always a good sign. The dry form of FIP is not as dramatic as the wet and cats can live longer. Good thoughts, Nancy ---------------------------------------- From: EchoSynch@aol.com Date sent: Wed, 22 Jul 1998 09:59:19 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Vet Update Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Nancy, Thanks for your message. I had been thinking about Immunoregulin also, but I understand those injections can be stressful for the cat. Have you any experience with it? Tails isn't really fond of going to the vet, but he's not terrified. But I understand that Rescue Remedy can help out there. I hear ya on the dry form of FIP...it just took us awhile to get everyone to agree on what we were really talking about regarding what Tails had... Thanks again, Randall ---------------------------------------- From: Newtanator@aol.com Date sent: Wed, 22 Jul 1998 10:58:02 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Howling Kitty Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Arlene, How is Howling Kitty? I haven't seen a post from you lately. Thinking of you and your furbaby. barb ---------------------------------------- From: "Jean Wells" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Jodi FREAKED! Date sent: Wed, 22 Jul 1998 11:16:20 PDT Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net You betcha they remember! They also remember the people they love and who loved them. When I lived in NY many years ago I had two cats who were crazy about the man I was dating there. He and I parted ways about the same time I moved back south. I didn't see him for nearly 10 years. When circumstances brought us back together and he came for a visit, both cats crawled all over him all weekend! He visited several times during their remaining years and each time they would get in his suitcase as soon as he arrived and have to be chased out of it so he could leave! Neither cat had cared particularly for any man I dated in the meantime, generally ignoring any of them, occasionally showing dislike(...got rid of those men fast!) Hoping the scratches heal fast! jean Jean Wells wellsj@winthrop.edu Rock Hill, SC maryjean77@hotmail.com http://www.birdnest.org/wellsj/mostcats.htm I want cheesecake and I want it NOW! ---------------------------------------- From: meowmama@bellsouth.net Date sent: Wed, 22 Jul 1998 13:36:06 -0400 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Vet Update Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Randall, Just wanted to add my welcome and lots of good luck for you and Tails. I'm sure he realizes how much you love him and are trying to help him. And having a vet that understands and is willing to work with you means a great deal. Hugs for 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 ---------------------------------------- From: EchoSynch@aol.com Date sent: Wed, 22 Jul 1998 14:03:21 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Vet Update Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Kathy, Thanks for the warm welcome and your kind words. Best Thoughts, Randall & Tails P.S. I have a Smokey too :) ---------------------------------------- Date sent: Wed, 22 Jul 1998 10:32:51 -0400 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: Carole Jacobi Subject: Re: Vet Update Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Randall, I can't say that I know very much about the difference between the wet and dry forms of FIP other than what I have read in the Cornell FIP information site and on other vet sites. Our Cosmo had been sick with URIs from the day we brought him home at five months but it wasn't until he began to run a very high fever 9 months later, unresponsive to antibiotics, that my vet began to believe it was FIP. Within one week, Cosmo's system was completely overwhelmed with the wet form and we had to let him go on February 20th. Now Jeep has tested positive with a high score on the ELISA FIP specific test, but he seems to be doing well five months later. We have already discussed interferon with our vet and will use it if Jeep begins to show any signs of not feeling well. He is not on any medication now and I wonder about using vitamins or other natural things to help strengthen his immune system. He is and has always been a VERY fussy eater but is maintaining his weight at 11 pounds. At the moment he is plopped down in front of the airconditioner, he's no dummy! Hugs to you and Tails, Carole, Jeep and Angel Cosmo ---------------------------------------- From: EchoSynch@aol.com Date sent: Wed, 22 Jul 1998 14:09:43 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Vet Update Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Carole, I'm sure that the good people on the list here can advise you on helping the immune system. I've seen lots of great suggestions, but I'm still new to this and haven't really finished figuring stuff out. Ambrotose seems to be a winner, for sure, and I am going to begin giving that to Tails. I liked what the scientific info had to say, with its ability to restore the body to homeostasis. Meanwhile, I don't think you can ever go wrong by supplementing your kitty's diet with vitamins. I just started giving Tails PetTinic, which he doesn't mind at all. Also, right now, I'm giving him Vitamin C, Vitamin E, milk thistle and dandelion root (for his liver). Others have suggested a liquid Vitamin B, which I'm also going to do. And I've seen praise on DMG. Lots to think about, for sure. Best thoughts to you, Randall & Tails ---------------------------------------- Date sent: Wed, 22 Jul 1998 21:47:20 +0100 From: "Sonja Lnders" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Vet Update Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hello, Randall, from an Austrian living in Portugal, with one FeLV+ boy who d o e s mind taking Pet-Tinic, so I am very interested how you give it to him!? (Schurli gets it by syringe, diluted, but tries to avoid it, whereas he takes Ambrotose and VitC in liquids very well).. Love and best wishes to you and Tails, Sonja ---------------------------------------- From: EchoSynch@aol.com Date sent: Wed, 22 Jul 1998 18:23:17 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Vet Update Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net In a message dated 98-07-22 17:21:00 EDT, you write: Hiya Sonja, Hmmm, interesting. I give Tails 1/2 dropper of nondiluted PetTinic twice a day with a syringe, squirting diagonally across the tongue. Does not mind at all, but maybe that's in comparison to everything else I'm giving him? Is it possible that the PetTinic you get in Portugal has a different taste? Randall ---------------------------------------- From: Newtanator@aol.com Date sent: Wed, 22 Jul 1998 19:09:22 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: PetTinic and Immunoregulin Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Gabby, You can give ImmunoRegulin at home. You can give it under the skin. There is some question as to "is it as effective as IV" Probably not, but instead of giving twice a week, you can give it three, or give a little more than one half cc. Maybe 0.8cc. I have given that way a lot. My vet orders the bottles for me, and I buy the whole bottle. $30, but there is 5cc in it, so about 10 doses. It's worked quiet well for me that way. I use an insulin syringe, which has a very small needle, and they barely notice. barb ---------------------------------------- From: EchoSynch@aol.com Date sent: Wed, 22 Jul 1998 20:38:56 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Vet update & Immunoregulin Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Angela, Thank you for your message. I agree with you on the vet. He's outstanding as a person and as a professional. I feel really fortunate to have found him, after searching for over a week. Appreciate the info on Immunoregulin. That may still be a route I need to take, I'm not sure yet. I am sorry about your losing Lefty. My thoughts are with you there. I know you are right about deciding for self, but sometimes it just seems the more I read, the more confused I get. But I know the answers will come. Angela, I know what you mean with spending your time. I have been working day and night with my kitty to get him better. But yes, it is nice to know that the people here understand. Feels like home here. Thank you all. Randall & Tails ( & Sylvester & Smokey Bear & Midnight) ---------------------------------------- From: EchoSynch@aol.com Date sent: Wed, 22 Jul 1998 20:47:42 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Holistic? Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hello Friends-- I have a question for you. As you may know, I've been researching considerably as to the course of treatment for my Tails. Yesterday the vet started him on interferon alpha, some antibiotics, eye drops, and Pet-Tinic. Now I am trying to figure out the next step. I've gathered lots of information from the internet and last night I purchased three books: The New Natural Cat by Anitra Frazier, Super-Nutrition For Animals by Nina Anderson, and Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats. Do I have enough info there to do the rest of this on my own? Or is there still major benefit in seeing a holistic vet who can approach things from the whole picture? By the way, I found an excellent site which offers a success story using a "sports drink" to treat FeLV+. The site is http://www.blackgiraffe.com/jmight/fiv/homeo.html Thank you, Randall & Tails (& Sylvester & Smokey Bear & Midnight) ---------------------------------------- From: EchoSynch@aol.com Date sent: Wed, 22 Jul 1998 20:50:33 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Vet Update Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Sonja, Oh my! By all means, then the best of luck! Randall ---------------------------------------- From: EchoSynch@aol.com Date sent: Wed, 22 Jul 1998 20:54:24 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: PetTinic and Immunoregulin Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Gabby, Thank you. Yes, I would say that Tails deals with the Pet-Tinic in the same way as your gatos . So, is the Immunoregulin used in conjunction with interferon? How frequent are the injections? I understand this could be financially involved, as well. Although my new vet charges about 1/2 what my old one did. Go figure. Today was Tails' first day on interferon. Not a big difference, but he is out on the patio now breathing in some fresh air. Perhaps this is a good sign. I hope so. Best to you and your whisker loves, Randall ---------------------------------------- From: EchoSynch@aol.com Date sent: Wed, 22 Jul 1998 20:58:38 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Vet Update Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Angela, This sounds like a good idea. I haven't gotten my ambrotose yet, but I will remember about doing this. Thank you. Randall ---------------------------------------- END