Thursday July 23, 1998 Part 1 20 Messages ======================================== From: "James G. Wilson" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Date sent: Thu, 23 Jul 1998 00:47:07 +0000 Subject: Some announcements Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hey all, I just wanted to let everyone know that I've gotten the June archives updated. Now, I just need to sort out about 750 more messages, and I'll have July's archives updated :) I also wanted to announce that the list host subscription is paid up through January 1999. That means that we can continue using this address for list discussions without interuption. If anyone is having any technical difficulties or questions about the list, please let me know privately, and I'll see what I can do to help. In the meantime, enjoy! Take care, and best wishes to all. In loving memory of Vyvyan: March 20, 1988 - August 15, 1997 James G. Wilson- phaedrus@npwt.net http://www.angelfire.com/il/felv/ http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Spa/8025/ http://www.fortunecity.com//skyscraper/sterling/20/niu.html ---------------------------------------- Date sent: Thu, 23 Jul 1998 01:04:41 -0500 From: "Brenda K. Smith" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Howling Kitty Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Arlene.... I am so glad that it was not any more serious than the abscesses. That's bad enough, but when caught early responds to treatment fine. My kitty, Suzy Q, with the abscessed tooth is doing just fine after her emergency vet visit and tooth extraction last Saturday. Howling Kitty is going to feel so much better now. Better put those toliet paper rolls away somewhere. lol Brenda..... ---------------------------------------- From: "zimmerman" To: "felvtalk" Subject: ImmunoRegulin & interferon Date sent: Thu, 23 Jul 1998 02:17:35 -0400 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Randall, I'm using ImmunoRegulin & interferon on 1 of my FeLV+'s. There are reports that the combination has better results, both for FeLV & FIP, but the stress needs to be considered too. My vet is only a few minutes away & once we're there my cat is pretty relaxed (last time he was so lovey he head butted the vet). Starting at the end of March he's had 1/2cc IV twice weekly for 2 weeks, once weekly for 3 weeks, & every 4 weeks since. The only side effect I've noticed is after the 4th IV he had chills for about 10 minutes. I did see positive results with the Ireg. My vet charges $11. per IV, but I guess that's on the low side. In the readers forum of the Aug. issue of "Cats" magazine there are letters from Dr. Richards from Cornell & Dr. Hampshire, a research vet, where they discuss resent FIP research. In Dr. Hampshire's letter she mentions research at Auburn U. that found Ireg. combined with interferon improved survival over using interferon alone. But, she adds there haven't been tests in natural FIP outbreaks. So, some more +'s & -'s for you to consider, then you & your vet can decide what's best for Tails. Let me know if you have questions. Beth PS: I think Pet-Tinic smells like molasses ---------------------------------------- Date sent: Thu, 23 Jul 1998 08:50:14 +0100 From: "Sonja Lnders" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Holistic? Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Yes, please, Randall, I for one could not hear t o o many success stories on FeLV, FIV and FIP!!! Sonja ---------------------------------------- Date sent: Thu, 23 Jul 1998 08:54:22 +0100 From: "Sonja Lnders" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Vet Update Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Angela, I second this and shall try it with Schurli. Thanks, Sonja ---------------------------------------- From: viper102@uswest.net Date sent: Thu, 23 Jul 1998 01:42:39 -0700 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: FeLV Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net I would like to know if anyone on this mailinglist uses Epogen on their FeLV+ cat? Also if someone knows what I have to do to start treatment on my cat, Ringo. Also my cat has to take Felobits, a vitamin pill that is huge (about 1/2 inch in diameter). I have been giving it to him in small peices, but I wanted to know what would happen if I crushed it and put it in a small amount of food. Also my cat takes Pet Tinic twice a day and he loves the taste. All I have to do is hold up the syringe and he comes to me. I don't hold him or anything he just licks it off the syringe. My cat is FeLV+ so the doc says. The vet did a FeLV elisa test and it came out positive. At the moment he is a little anemic that is the only problem with him now. He has been eating pretty good. We had him weighed on Friday and on Sunday. He gained half a pound between the visits to the vet. Last week he was really bad. He slept almost all day, woke up just to go to the bathroom. Then he would go to his spot on our desk and go back to sleep. He would not eat or drink water. We had the vet give him a blood transfusion which was on Monday the 13th last week. The cat seems almost normal now, he began washing himself like he used to. He eats 2 to 3 3oz (Science Diet) cans of food a day, plus a hand full of tartar control treats. The cat is awake and running around at the moment. Last night he tore down my moms curtains. This is a good sign I think, she did not even care about the curtains because the cat was feeling better. He also scratches the end of the couch like he used to now. Maybe the elisa test was wrong, it is very possible. I hope it was. We love our cat so much and we don't want to lose him. ---------------------------------------- From: EchoSynch@aol.com Date sent: Thu, 23 Jul 1998 10:26:58 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Immunoregulin and Interferon Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Gabby, You are so right. It was a beautiful day to see my kitty out there on the patio, taking in the birds as he used to do. Looks like some people are recommending the combo treatment, so I will have to give this some serious thought. Meanwhile, thanks for being there.... Our best to you and your whisker friends, Randall & Tails ---------------------------------------- From: EchoSynch@aol.com Date sent: Thu, 23 Jul 1998 10:31:56 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Vet Update Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Nancy, Thank you. I'm beginning to know what you mean by trusting self and knowing when to push. At this point, about 10 days after the original FIP death sentence given by my vet, I am so glad that I persevered and found hope in another vet and in great people like you. Regarding my new vet, I truly couldn't be more blessed (unless he could just wave his magic wand and say ok, this is over now). He has agreed to try anything I am wanting to do to help Tails. So it's just a matter of me trying to clearly figure out what that is. It would help if Tails could talk. Sometimes I think he can . As far as the immunity-boosting of Immunoregulin and FIP, as far as I can tell, it's anyone's guess. Thank you for your words. Happy whisker thoughts to you, Randall & Tails ---------------------------------------- From: EchoSynch@aol.com Date sent: Thu, 23 Jul 1998 10:51:57 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Super Nutrition Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Nancy, Be glad to. The book does not specifically address FIV, but it does have several mentions regarding the immune system, over 40 pages. This might be a book worth looking into. Specifically, the book mentions the following as helpful: "Cat's Claw (Una de Gato) active constituents, oindole alkaloids, have been proven to increase the ability of the white blood cells and macrophages to attack and digest abnormal cells, harmful microorganisms and toxic matter. The inner bark contains the medicinal properties. Cat's Claw contains numerous plant substances that have tremendous antioxidant properties more powrful than vitamin E and C. Recommended dosages for animals should not exceed 50-100 mg. per ten pounds of body weight, without consulting a practitioner. "My main area of interest is in treating cats. I have used Cat's Claw quite a bit and it is a really useful all around treament for boosting their immune systems, especially during times of illness. The main advantage is that it is so well tolerated by cats who often vomit up other herbal products. For very young kittens, I open the capsules and sprinkle it on their food and rather than putting them off, they seem to like the taste. "Spirulina: This planktonic blue-green algae has a sixty-two percent amino acid content, is the world's richest source of vitamin B-12 and is different from most algae in that it is easily digested. Scientific studies show that spirulina strengthens the immune system, causes regression and inhibition of cancers as well as inhibiting viral replication. When the cell membrane is attacked by a virus it normally penetrates it, causing illness. Spirulina prevents this penetration, therby making the virus unable to reproduce. It is then rendered harmless by the body's defense system. " There are many more suggestions in the book, and success stories, including minerals, enzymes, natural remedies, immune system basics, etc. My question is this. What part does nutrition/diet play in your pets' health? Has this been discussed previously on the list? Almost all of the books that I've read so far indicate that a good diet is paramount to the pet's health. And I'm convinced, now, after seeing everything that is put into commercial pet foods. I'm about to start Tails on a home-cooked diet, but my initial problem is that he is eating very little. I am having to force feed 1.5 cans of Hills A/D a day and I'd like to switch him over to unprocessed foods but I'm having trouble getting his appetite up. The vet says this is because of his liver condition. So far I've tried tuna, smelly cat food, shredded chicken, cheese, chicken broth. Today I'm going to try some raw chicken livers and see how that goes. Randall & Tails ---------------------------------------- From: EchoSynch@aol.com Date sent: Thu, 23 Jul 1998 10:58:26 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: ImmunoRegulin & interferon Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Beth, Thank you. I appreciate what you've said. Randall ---------------------------------------- From: EchoSynch@aol.com Date sent: Thu, 23 Jul 1998 11:07:16 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Super Nutrition For Animals Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Sonja, Ok, here's one of them regarding FeLV: "I love cats and there was a litter of kittens born on my farm to a family of "barn" cats. As soon as they were weaned, I took one home and fed her regular cat food along with a supplement, NUPRO. Although Pepper wasn't a "barn" cat anymore, she sitll traveled with me everyday to watch me work at the stables. She became noticeably bigger than her litter-mates and never got any colds or runny eyes like the others. The only vet she ever saw was the barn vet who gave her a rabies shot. "When she was about two years old, I decided to adopt another "barn" kitten. Before I took him home, I thought it wise to have him tested for feline leukemia because some of the "barn" cats all of a sudden started dying from the disease. Ironically, the new kitten was negative and my Pepper, was positive! I had her tested three more times with identical results. She showed no ill effects and still played like a kitten, but alas, she was positive and my vet told me that she was probably born that way. Pepper Puss is now eight years old, still has a beautiful thick, soft, slate gray coat and continues to amaze myself and the vets that she is still alive and active. I can only attest to the fact that because I'm giving her the live enzymes and amino acids that are found in the NUPRO, she is alive and thriving." Another: "Super Antioxidants For Pets. Everyday your pet battles with highly reactive Free Radical oxygen molecules that continuously damage their physical health and reduce their life span. BIOVET has combined the world's most potent antioxidant precursors, pro-vitamins, IsoSproutPlex, natural flavorings and an organic liver supplement in their Biovet Antioxidant Pet Wafer. Vet studies have shown that this important pet supplement can reduce inflammation caused by canine hip dysplesia and its associated canine arthritis. In addition, the key active enzyme ingredient, IsoSproutPlex was originally developed to combat the devastating effects of feline leukemia." Anyone ever hear of IsoSproutPlex? Best, Randall ---------------------------------------- From: EchoSynch@aol.com Date sent: Thu, 23 Jul 1998 11:08:29 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: FeLV Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Sending Good Thoughts to you, Randall & Tails ---------------------------------------- Date sent: Thu, 23 Jul 1998 13:46:33 +0100 From: "Sonja Lnders" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: FeLV Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi, I don't know Felobits vitamin tablets, but I am pretty sure it works just as well if you give it crushed with food, or diluted in a syringe! Its the best method to give awkward or nasty tasting medicines. Lucky you he loves Pet-Tinic, mine gooes the other way on seeing the syringe! Can't answer your other questions, but am sure other list members can! Best wishes for you Ringo! Sonja ---------------------------------------- Date sent: Thu, 23 Jul 1998 08:13:52 -0500 (CDT) From: "Nancy A. Schmall" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: FeLV Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hello, I know there are some folks or used to be who used Epogen;; you might want to check our archives. The transfusion and pet tinnic may have helped Ringer "perk up"; however, it sounds like being that he needed to be transfused he most likely has FELV. You might consider Interferon for his anemia. It has helped my cats tremendously and it is easy to administer and very cheap. Good luck with your cat. Nancy ---------------------------------------- From: AskforArt@aol.com Date sent: Thu, 23 Jul 1998 13:26:55 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Super Nutrition Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Randall--a word of caution on the raw chicken livers. The "grocery store" chicken livers are loaded with antibiotics and growth hormones used in the commercial feed. Free range or organically grown meats are best for Tails (and you!) Linda P ---------------------------------------- Date sent: Thu, 23 Jul 1998 12:27:22 -0400 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: three ring circuits Subject: RE: Hershey's retest update - NOT good news.... Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net I'm sitting here crying.... I'm in shock, honestly , but still wanted to post something as I know SO many of you are anxious to hear the results of Hershey's FIP ELISA re-test. My vet just called me. You may recall his FIRST test came back 1 :80 which was considered a "low" positive... He's been cooped up in here for a month. well, actually 5 weeks tomorrow. Anyhow.... his results this time came back ( Carole, do you BELIEVE this?!?! ) 1 :320!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm absolutely NUMB and I was TRYING to follow my vet's explanation but I was short -circuiting. His numbers have jumped WAAAaaaaay up which means that "his body is really trying to fight this off and mounting a response " as best as I can understand it. Of course, I immediately went and looked at all the info. I had directly from Antech who makes this test. According to them, any cat that has such a high titer like this ( 1 :320 ) has a 50% chance of coming down with FIP within 3 mos. Oh God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! To be honest, I may not be posting much in the next few days as I try to digest all this info. and my vet PROMISED me he'd call ANTECH on Monday when the researchers are in, and talk to them directly to see if he can learn anything else. In the meanwhile, he said ABSOLUTELY under NO CONDITIONS can I let Hershey out of this room. And.... I probably need to retest all my others again in a month to MAKE SURE they're still negative and of course I'm going to retest Hershey also in another month to see what's going on. My vet DID say it's possible that he'll just "fight this off" and this is as high as his numbers will get and then they'll start to come down. Or.... he'll come down with FIP.. He doubts though if he'll ever test NEGATIVE again...... I can't remember being so depressed in a long time and again, PLEASE nobody be offended if I don't write back directly to you or post for a while. I'm just sitting here in shock but HAD promised I'd post as soon as I learned anything.. Stay tuned.......... Debby, & the HBG (the HairballGang) ---------------------------------------- From: "zimmerman" To: "felvtalk" Subject: Re: FeLV Date sent: Thu, 23 Jul 1998 13:53:35 -0400 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi, Epogen I believe is just for anemia. There is info. on it in the mailing list archives & you can get to it from the treatment page www.angelfire.com/il/felv where you'll also find the treatments & protocols to strenghen your cats immune system. I crush vit.s & give them in food - just be sure it's something he likes so he licks the bowl clean. FeLV probably caused the anemia if your vet thinks so, but with the treatments FeLV+'s can live longer. It's good the trans. & Pet-Tinic helped perk him up. Beth ---------------------------------------- From: "zimmerman" To: "felvtalk" Subject: Hershey Date sent: Thu, 23 Jul 1998 14:05:46 -0400 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Debby, I'm very sorry, I know how much you love your cats & want them to be together. Hope you have some good news in the future. Beth ---------------------------------------- From: GinaTex@aol.com Date sent: Thu, 23 Jul 1998 16:04:01 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Re: Howling Kitty Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Arlene So glad to hear that Howiling Kitty is feeling much better. And it sounds he must be by playing with the toilet paper :-) Gina ---------------------------------------- From: GinaTex@aol.com Date sent: Thu, 23 Jul 1998 16:09:58 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: RE: Hershey's retest update - NOT good news.... Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Debby I am so sorry to hear that you such bad news. I hope that you will get some good news soon from the vet. Our thoughts are with you Gina ---------------------------------------- END