Monday August 31, 1998 Part 1 20 Messages ======================================== Date sent: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 07:46:52 -0400 (EDT) From: Kat To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: anorexic cat Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Candy, Essiac Tea would be ok to give Samson - I've given it to several of my cats. You can give it to him either in a dish (if he will lap it up) or by syringe (no needle, of course). It will help keep him from dehydrating too. Kat (New Jersey) ---------------------------------------- From: katseven@pcsia.com Date sent: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 05:56:50 -0600 Subject: Monday Candle Service: 8/31/98 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net To be performed at 10 pm EST time, if possible (to correspond w/ http://www.petloss.com/ ). CANDLE CEREMONY Written by Lisa Singer (lsinger@aol.com) The candles being lit tonight; Cast a soft and welcome flame. And draw our loved ones to the light, As we call to them by name. Imagine spirits taking flight, For a moment our souls entwine. Say not Good Night, but in some Brighter Time Bid them all- Good Morning. WE GATHER TOGETHER TO HONOR AND REMEMBER OUR PETS Tonight, Monday, we join hands, hearts and souls across the land as one large extended family to pray for our sick and dying pets and to pay tribute to our furbabies who have gone ahead to Rainbow Bridge. Someday, we will meet them again, with hugs, tears and kisses, as we walk together, in eternity, to our new home. Until that blessed day, we honor these precious souls and remember them with the warm glow of flickering candles, sending a message of love, light and healing, and the faith to believe in miracles. PRAYER: God, Creator of all living things, we ask that as we light our candles, the healing warmth of love will flow into the brokenhearted who are tending their ailing pets. Give to them Your strength and comfort. We also pray that the soft glow of light will part the clouds of grief and sorrow to surround our furbabies at the Bridge. May excitement REIGN SUPREME as wagging tails and ecstatic purrs feel our gentle touch once again. May they know the gratitude we hold in our hearts for their faithfulness and gift of unconditional love as they are forever remembered. We are temporarily separated for only a short while. The silver cord that connects us through time and space can never be broken. AMEN. CANDLE 1: BRIDGE FUR CHILDREN Read the names of those who have gone on before us as a tribute to them and their loving parents. As we all meet here, our Bridgekids will be meeting all newcomers, easing their way. Ashley Rose (8/25/98) Judy & Jim Kitty (8/25/98) Kim Sullivan Mouse (8/26/98) Cheri G. Kelsey aka "Kroger" (8/29/98) Tara I will not look back for there is sorrow. I will not look for today for there is longing. I will look forward for there is OUR tomorrow. CANDLE 2: SPECIAL NEEDS FUR CHILDREN Read the names of all those who are sick, injured, or have special circumstances. Tails (that the treatment to boost his immune system is successful) Randall George (that the treatment is successful) Susan EPC Beatrice (that she remains in good health until there is a cure) Saliha Schurli (that the treatment may really help) Sonja Ninja (for continued success in treatment of meningioma and FeLV) Barb Sophia (for continued good health) Gina & JoAnn Luke four-year-old male (for continued success of treatment for felv and for a good home) Gina & Joann Rissa-Tai (for continued improvement) Pam & Chuck Grey Tabby in Little Rock, Arkansas (felv+, needs home) Cheri G. Misha Chere Together we unite to give thanks for the special pets who have improved in health and strength. We also, being of one heart, pray for the Mommies, Daddies, and little ones who struggle together against serious illness. We remember in quiet reverence the special ones who left us and we pray for the grieving families left behind. And we can never forget all who work to save the homeless and abused animals. Their burden is never light. With one heart, all are remembered and forever cherished by this family of love. CANDLE 3: FOR ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND PEACE In honor of all the homeless, forgotten, abandoned, abused animals. For the nameless little ones who gave their lives for others, for research and as a result of humankind's inhumanity. May the Higher Powers that be forgive the cruelty. We light this candle for them. As our lights shine brightly through the galaxy, may the angels smile upon us, and know that for a brief moment, we have put aside worldly differences to bond as ONE. CLOSING: I have sent you on a journey to a land free from pain, not because I did not love you, but because I loved you too much to force you to stay. MOMENT OF SILENCE. "Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted." Love, light and healing to all. Amen. ---------------------------------------- From: katseven@pcsia.com Date sent: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 05:56:58 -0600 Subject: No Candle Service Next Monday To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi Everybody, Well, I'm going to CA in a few days (parents' 50th anniv.), so I'll be unable to do the service next week. Could someone keep track of which kitties need to be added to the Bridge List? (I hope none!) I will check my mail when I get back, but I'd like to have a back-up in case something happens to the email. Anyone who would like to add his/her kitty to the Special Needs list should make a request directly to me. I'll be around until Weds. As always, I'm sending healing thoughts for our dear kits. Susan katseven@pcsia.com ---------------------------------------- From: "Isinofre Wyrm-bane" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Monday Candle Service: 8/31/98 Date sent: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 08:27:41 PDT Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Please add Smokina to your list for prayer. She's going into an episode and, from the looks of things, it will be a bad one. I hate to see her hurting so. Thank you, Deborah ---------------------------------------- From: "Moermond, Barbara" To: "'felvtalk@mailinglist.net'" Subject: Bach's Rescue Remedy Date sent: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 08:50:20 -0500 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net I have a dosage/timing question. I'm not waiting until the 12th to take Ninja in for re-testing; I'm taking her in this afternoon. She's been pretty subdued and off her feed. She weighs between 8 and 8.5 pounds. Do I use one drop or two? And how long does it take to kick in? TIA Barb+Ninja ---------------------------------------- Date sent: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 10:13:45 -0400 From: Kathy Giddings To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Bach's Rescue Remedy Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Barb, I would space the drops out - give her one about an hour before you are going to leave and another one when you are ready to leave. If you've never used it, I hope it works. It does on some and not on others. Good luck and let us know how things go!!! > I 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: "Moermond, Barbara" To: "'felvtalk@MailingList.net'" Subject: RE: Bach's Rescue Remedy Date sent: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 09:29:51 -0500 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Thanks Kathy! That timing is going to be very difficult - her appointment is at 5:20 and I normally work until 5 so I'm leaving early (4:30) so I can get home and meet our ride in time to get to the clinic. ....I just asked a co-worker and she'll be here (for phone coverage) so I will leave in time for Ninja to get her drugs and hopefully they will work for her. She HATES travelling. She gets so scared. She'll look me in the eye and meow with this terrified expression on her little face. Anyway, here's hoping that Bach's works for her...... Barb+Ninja ---------------------------------------- Date sent: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 14:23:52 -0400 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: Angela Holderby Subject: Worried about Poncho Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hello all: I am beginning to get worried about my little Poncho. She has never shown symptoms of the felv although she has tested + twice. But, I noticed today as she was napping that her extra eyelid is getting very white and her gums aren't quite as pink as before. I have started her back on the Pet-tinic and she is on interferon. (I had run out of Pet-tinic and had been waiting to get more until I had to go to the vet. I have had car problems--for weeks--and it hasn't been easy to get there.) I am very depressed. In addition to my car problems, I have also had health problems (a lot of them) and ended up with Salmonilla when I went camping this weekend. The last thing I need right now is to watch another little baby kitty die. Poncho is a year old this month and I am not ready to go through this again. She isn't showing any other symptoms of anemia. She isn't licking her litter or the floor yet. She is laying around a little bit more than usual, but she is still playing a lot. I just hope this is a little tiny set-back and that she will get it together again soon. I am just not ready for this again. I NEED MORE TIME TO RECOVER FROM THE LAST ONE!!!!!!! I just needed to vent. I feel better now. Keep us in your thoughts.... I am making an appointment for both cats at the vet this week. Jodi (negative kitty) has a bald spot on her back and I think she has worms. She is due for her felv and rabies shots now anyway so I am just going to take them both in. Poor kitty, she has become very attached to me since she came here in July. I was gone over the weekend and she wouldn't eat while I was gone. She is huge and it didn't hurt her any, but I hate to see her depressed. She is doing fine now that I am back home. I have come to the conclusion that I will never have another good vacation. I had a friend take care of the cats and she did a great job, but they make me feel like crap if I leave for a day or two. I have a family that needs time with me also. This disease is bad enough and now I have guilt, too, when I leave. Good grief. Angela (and Poncho & Jodi) ---------------------------------------- From: GinaTex@aol.com Date sent: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 15:44:53 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Worried about Poncho Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Angela I hope that Poncho is feeling better. WE are sending good vibes your way that your car gets repaired and that little Poncho feels better. The hair loss on Jodi maybe she has a fungal infection that is causing the loss. That is easliy treated with drops. Our thoughts and prayers are with you! Gina ---------------------------------------- From: GinaTex@aol.com Date sent: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 15:45:37 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Worried about Poncho Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Angela P.S. I hope you feel better yourself, Samonela, that is not fun at all. Gina ---------------------------------------- Date sent: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 12:39:31 -0400 From: Judy Farinas To: Felv Subject: To All - Oops Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Oops, I hit the wrong key so please disregard the last message because it is incomplete. Dud! I will apologize up front for not keeping tabs on all of your predicaments. Unfortunately, I just came on line a short while ago & I had over 200 messages to read: To the family in Scandinavia that just had the wonderful success story (I'm sorry I forgot to write down your names)--CONGRATULATIONS!!!! That is such wonderful news, all three kitties. I wish you nothing but the best & hope for a future in staying NEGATIVE! I'll send you happy vibes. To all of you who have recently lost a loved one: My thoughts and prayers go out to you. I know how you feel. If any of you would like to reminisce about happy times with your babies I would be glad to do so. I find that it helps me to talk to somebody who cares about the happy times I had with Mama & Ashley Rose. My email address is: jfarinas@ix.netcom.com To those of you who have sick kitties - I am keeping you in my prayers for a speedy recovery and to the hopes of finding a cure for this disease. All I can say is love them as much as you can, keep them stress free and trust your heart when it's time to let go. I'll keep you in my thoughts. To all - It has helped me immensely to be on this list it is helping me through this rough time with Ashley especially since it will probably be another year until I get another kitty. Not like I'm looking for a replacement for her. The reason why we need to wait is because my husband and I are going to make some changes to our house, major changes. We are going to convert it from what it is now a two-family and make it into a one-family and we feel that having a little furbaby around might just not be a good idea with all the dust that will be flying around and having exposed walls and beams for them to climb in and be lost forever. Besides, if we have to stay in a hotel a couple of weeks it would be easier if we didn't have to board our baby as well. It helps to know of all of your kitties and how much you love them and by listening to your stories and lending you support I feel a certain closeness to you and your kitties so my time without one won't be so long after all. Hugs & kisses to all, Judy PS-I'm also in New Jersey. In loving memory of Katarina Marie "Mama" - 1990 - July 9, 1997 In loving memory of Ashley Rose - September 1995 - August 25, 1998 ---------------------------------------- Date sent: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 12:23:20 -0400 From: "Kathleen A. Smolenski" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Torbugesic Oral Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net lynn - where can one find this stuff? - kathleen for the love of dexter pittsburgh, pa ---------------------------------------- From: "Lynn or Josiah Stickels" To: Subject: Re: Torbugesic Oral Date sent: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 09:47:25 -0700 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Kathleen, I got the Torbugesic from my new vet. Do you have a kitty in pain? It worked wonders for Stinker!.........................Lynn(Stinker) ---------------------------------------- Date sent: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 12:49:59 -0400 From: "Kathleen A. Smolenski" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Torbugesic Oral Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Lynn - Dexter has that classic FeLV red line on his gums. He still eats like a pig, but it looks tender. I'll check it out. Thanks. - kathleen for the love of dexter ---------------------------------------- From: "Equinox Corp." To: "'felvtalk@MailingList.net'" Subject: RE: anorexic cat Date sent: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 12:41:12 -0700 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi Candy, You might want to try PDG by Vysong to put some flesh on Samson's poor bones. I seem to have lost Vysong's Web address, tho you shd be able to get PDG ($12.00 for 8 oz package) @ any natural pet supplies store. It's available @ my pet store & I'd be gald to send it to you if you can't get it where you're. My Beatrice gained almost 2 lbs. since she's been on it. Take Care & let me know if I can help in any way. Saliha ---------------------------------------- From: WORKPARK@aol.com Date sent: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 19:48:19 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Worried about Poncho Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Angela, Hopefully, what you are seeing in Poncho is in response to the heat. It's wearing to us, I'm sure it is to them too. Plus, it's always a little stressful when the family members leave for a few days. I think it's a good idea to take her to the vet, though, get the bloodwork done, and if there is a problem, you have a better chance of gaining control the earlier you know. As for Jodi, the bald spot may just have been from the stress of the family being gone. She probably has some abandonment issues (if she didn't, I'd be surprised) and it might just be that she's pulling it out from stress. As for you, kick that Almonella in it's butt and send it packing! Pam ---------------------------------------- From: WORKPARK@aol.com Date sent: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 19:48:44 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Worried about Poncho Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Angela, I meant Salmonella, of course! Pam ---------------------------------------- From: WORKPARK@aol.com Date sent: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 19:52:24 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Catching up Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Mandy, I always feel and say don't fix it if it ain't broke. If the Interferon has worked, I'd say why take the chance on discontinuing it? The only thing I would suggest is that maybe go for one cc every third day, that works for lots of us as well. Pam ---------------------------------------- From: "Mandy Crerar" To: Subject: Catching up Date sent: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 23:30:23 +0200 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi all I have been off-line for some 3 weeks - due to a financial crisis and my inability to pay my telephone account (these telephone companies are SO unreasonable!!!) with the result that I had 1200 messages to catch up on today. YIKES. My heartfelt sympathies to all who have lost Precious Angels these last few weeks, and particularly to you, Jim, on your Sad Anniversary. I just know that Vyvyan must be so proud of you, turning your heart break and sadness into something that has created so much good for so many. On behalf of all those Fur Angels who had many more months (and years) of life because of your efforts, and those many more who will be helped in the future, thank you so much. As some of the "oldies" on the list may remember, I joined on behalf of a friend (Steve) whose Fur Angel (Titch) was diagnosed FeLV+ in March this year. The only "treatment" that any vet offered Steve was immediate euthanasia. Titch is far too precious for that and so I sought help via the Internet and found my way onto the FeLV Mailing List. Thanks to the advice received from the special people on this list, Titch started treatment with Interferon mid/end March and has been on this treatment - 7 days on, 7 days off, ever since then (ie 5 months). The dosage is 1/100th ml mixed in saline. When Titch was diagnosed, his RBC was a horrific 9 (normal is 30), his gums were white and his blood looked like pink water. He was lethargic and was hardly eating anything at all. Steve struggled to find something that would appeal to his non-existant appetite, trying all the things offered by the MailingList subscribers. Eventually after trial and error which included everything imaginable (raw and cooked!!!) he discovered that Titch liked raw diet mince. It must be DIET not topside or steak mince - he simply will not eat anything other than diet mince, with some Iams to nibble on the side. He was also eating clay pellets from the litter tray and licking sand in the garden. Also -and I cannot stress this enough - he received constant love and attention from his humans. Today, 5 months later, Titch has picked up weight (is almost chubby, in fact) and is as full of energy, life and character as he was before he became ill. The Interferon did not make him depressed and he does not eat clay or lick sand any more. THE QUESTION NOW (and the reason for this long story - sorry everyone) is ..... should Steve continue with the Interferon on a 7 days on / 7 days off regimen, give it a break for a while (how long?), switch to something else (what?) or discontinue the medication altogether and hope for the best? Steve isgoing to ask his vet to come by the house and take blood to re-test Titch to see if the disease is in remission or (holding thumbs) disappeared altogether. Titch is one of those cats who gets utterly traumatised by a trip of even 500 metres in a car so going to the vet for the test is out of the question. The Interferon costs R900 for a batch which lasts 5 months (of course, most of it gets thrown away because such a small amount is used on a cat before the batch is past its sell-by date). This is not really a consideration (Steve had to take an overdraft to pay for Titch's medical costs - so what, it's only money!!!) but the important question is to continue or not???? The current 7 day cycle finishes on Friday so he will have to decide by then. Thank you for your patience in reading this long saga but I hope that as well as seeking your good advice re Titch's ongoing treatment (or not) it will serve as encouragement for others, particularly those new to the list, who are desperate to save their Fur Angels from this hideous disease. If you could see Titch today, you would not believe that he was at death's door just 5 months ago. Your advice and experience, once again, is eagerly awaited. Hugs and kittens MANDY PS I'm glad I missed all the squabbling! ---------------------------------------- From: GinaTex@aol.com Date sent: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 21:14:02 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Catching up Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Mandy That is wonderful news about Titch. And all the love and attention he is getting is definetly helping in his recovery. Stress is the thing that brings down our babies. Good Luck Gina ---------------------------------------- END