First, it is not as contagious as they are leading you to believe.
Secondly, Dixie Louise was tested in June 2005 as an adult cat, and is the
picture of perfect health over a year later. My vets believe it is
contagious and urged me to use a lot of caution since I had a cat who had
been diagnosed with cancer. We certainly did not need to add to her
problems. They have told me that the virus dies in a matter of minutes
after exposure to air--it dries up. No need, according to my people, to
worry about changing clothes or anything like that.
Re his condition--try Apple Pectin, pysllium, and/or Fastrack or other
probiotics for the diarrhea. I know the Apple Pectin and pysllium are used
to relieve constipation but my vets and I have had wonderful luck with it in
relieving severe diarrhea in both cats and dogs--including those with bowel
disease. The probiotics will help restore bacteria killed by the
antibiotics.
Good luck. Hang in there. You are doing a really good thing.
If you have men who will
exclude any of God's creatures
from the shelter of
compassion and pity, you will have men who
will deal likewise with
their fellow man.
St.
Francis
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dee & Evan" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org>
Sent: Saturday, August 05, 2006 11:47 AM
Subject: Smokey
I am the guardian from Western Pennsylvania with 10+ cats (oldest ages
17-female & 13-male), with a newly diagnosed FeLV+ stray, now named Smokey.
I want to thank everyone for your comments of support. I am very grateful.
I am still on my quest to find a new home or foster parent for him (if we
can get him stabilized) . My support where I live is very poor & limited.
Both vets I have talked to have given the 1st option of euthanasia because
I will "just be throwing money down the tubes" to treat him as put by one
of the vets. I even had to make the suggestion of Pet-Tenic for him (6
days after the vet visit) after reading the Feline Leukemia website. I am
freaking out about exposure to my other 10 cats since the vets keep telling
me he is highly contageous! The boosters on my other 10 cats are due here
in August so I have a vet coming out on Wednesday, 08/09/06 to administer
the boosters. I don't even wear the same clothes around my other cats (I
place them in a plastic bag to use again, high enough for my other cats not
to reach). I use Lysol spray, Clorox wipes, Germ-X hand sanitzier, etc. I
even go to the extreme of taking a shower after visiting Smokey. Sometimes
I have to hold the tears back at work & break down & cry when I finally get
home. I am panic stricken over this whole situation & not sure what the
right thing to do is. Smokey has a right to a chance for life ~ I cannot
chose to euthanize him just becuase he is sick, it is not his fault.
Although I do understand there will probably be a time where there is
nothing more I can do. I have limited finances, I am not a Rockefellar,
but I am not ready to give up yet. Help! Can anyone give me some more
words of wisdom & experience? Thank you.
*_Smokey's Situation_:*
We have only "known" Smokey for less than 4 weeks.
I do not know how old he is.
As far as I can tell he is not neutured. He is too weak to even vacinate
for rabies,etc.
He is only 4 1/2 pounds. He has diarrhea (although it is somewhat better
but not anywhere close to where his stool should be). He seems to be
running a slight fever.
His appetite is very good. I wish he would drink more water so I am going
to make him homemade chicken broth. I Sub-Q 1/2 to 1 unit of IV every
other day, every day if he lets me. He is wormed ~ I will need to worm him
again in 8 days.
He is on three antibiotics (two oral liquids & one for his ears). He had
a bacterial ear infection. He is a very loving, warm soul.
I have him isolated in a bedroom from the other 10 cats. I have a laundry
basket in front of the door & a towel w/a 2x4 piece of wood at the bottom
so there is no contact with the other cats. We live in an old farm house.
So I cannot install a window air conditioner because the electrical
outlets are only two-prong, ungrounded. There is a fan in his room.
~Dee
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