Re: Bailey is anemic

2006-01-04 Thread Belinda Sauro

 Thank you Nina.

--
Belinda
Happiness is being owned by cats ...

Be-Mi-Kitties ...
http://www.bemikitties.com

Post Adoptable FeLV/FIV/FIP Cats/Kittens
http://adopt.bemikitties.com

FeLV Candle Light Service
http://www.bemikitties.com/cls

HostDesign4U.com  (affordable hosting & web design)
http://HostDesign4U.com

---

BMK Designs (non-profit web sites)
http://bmk.bemikitties.com




Re: Bailey is anemic

2006-01-04 Thread Belinda Sauro

   Thank yo Patti.

--
Belinda
Happiness is being owned by cats ...

Be-Mi-Kitties ...
http://www.bemikitties.com

Post Adoptable FeLV/FIV/FIP Cats/Kittens
http://adopt.bemikitties.com

FeLV Candle Light Service
http://www.bemikitties.com/cls

HostDesign4U.com  (affordable hosting & web design)
http://HostDesign4U.com

---

BMK Designs (non-profit web sites)
http://bmk.bemikitties.com




Re: anemia

2006-01-04 Thread Gloria Lane
Hmmm - I can't remember the source, I understood  Pettinic was good  
for the kidneys  (B vitamins)  - Of course it also has sugar in it,  
whatever that might do..   when Nicky was in kidney failure, I gave  
him lactulose and PetTinic, because it was supposed to be good for  
the kidneys.  Course  that wasn't anemia...


Gloria

On Jan 3, 2006, at 9:32 PM, catatonya wrote:


Probably it would be bad for the kidneys?

t

Gloria Lane <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Hmmm - I'm wondering why PetTinic would be a problem..

Gloria


On Jan 3, 2006, at 9:42 AM, BONNIE J KALMBACH wrote:

> I'm wondering what to do about my fragile 19 year-old Fu. He is so
> anemic he can barely walk. He is not felv positive. The vet said
> his red
> cell blood count is affected by the pred we give him to keep his
> intestinal cancer in remission and the fluids he need for  
hyperthyroid

> related/probably kidney disease.
>
> The vet worried about reactions or consequences of epogen or
> petinnic. I
> have given him some chicken liver.
>
> I am worried about him making it a few more daays.
>
> Bonnie
>
>








Re: Need your help with Stretch

2006-01-04 Thread wendy
Hey Nina,

I think it's a combination of both the vet being
mainly a routine care vet and that he knows how much
we spent on Cricket, because when I took Stretch in, I
didn't even say anything about money, and he told me
that what he was doing that day would be the most help
he could give Stretch while being the most cost
effective for me.  You are right though, he isn't as
good as some vets that I have visited in my life.  He
is very close to home though, open to suggestions for
alternative treatments, ie. the Immuno Regulin, which
he'd never used before, and a good guy, which is why I
still visit him.

This morning, Stretch was outside with her sister
instead of being in the garage lying down, so she must
be feeling better.  I am force feeding her A/D, so
maybe that is helping.  I am scared for her though. 
>From what I have read about FIP, if it is FIP symptoms
kicking in, then no matter what we do, she doesn't
have a lot of time.

Thank you for the encouragement; I could really use it
right now.
:)
Wendy



__ 
Yahoo! DSL – Something to write home about. 
Just $16.99/mo. or less. 
dsl.yahoo.com 




Marylyn

2006-01-04 Thread wendy
Marylyn,

Thank you for the advice.  I hadn't thought to ask
Stretch what she wants, and will do that tonight.  I
don't know how much I will understand from her (or her
me) without using a communicator, but maybe I will get
lucky.  She has been really good about taking the food
I have fed her twice now, although this morning she
wasn't as happy about it.  Maybe that is a good sign
though; maybe the food is making her feel better. 

You make a good point about treatments maybe not being
what an animal wants.  I have pondered this a lot
after I lost Cricket.  I often wonder how I would have
felt had I just taken him in to be pts, which was the
original plan.  Instead, after someone caringly
suggested that a feeding tube might help save him or
at least give him a little more time, which I thought
was a great idea, to have one inserted.  Part of why
he was going downhill so fast was that he wasn't
eating.  Also, I selfishly wasn't ready to let him go,
and I did want him to feel better and get some food on
his stomach; no one feels good when they are starving.
  I do and don't regret my decision to insert the
feeding tube.  I would probably do the same thing
given the same circumstances, yet I will never forget
the last time we looked at each other with him being
lucid, which was through the glass of the anesthesia
gas box.  He had that look like don't leave me and I
told him it would be ok, and it wasn't.  But you know,
had he come out of it and not died that night and
lived longer feeling better, I would have been elated
that he had gotten the feeding tube.  And that could
have been the sitution given a different cat or had
Cricket been in a little healthier place.  We can
never make all the right decisions, because we don't
know all the variables and can't see into the future. 
Living with those decisions that don't turn out the
way we would have liked can be hard.

Thank you for taking the time to write.  I will keep
everyone posted on Stretch.  Please keep us in your
prayers.
:)
Wendy





__ 
Yahoo! DSL – Something to write home about. 
Just $16.99/mo. or less. 
dsl.yahoo.com 




Re: Need your help with Stretch

2006-01-04 Thread wendy
Hey Michelle,

I can't imagine how you felt with them telling you to
pay up front while you're holding your sick cat!  That
just sounds bad!  I just started working a second job,
so as soon as we get any money at all, then I will
probably take Stretch in for the tests and if
affordable, to get X-rays, and the fluid drained.  Do
X-rays show cancer tumors and/or fluid?  Also, how
often do you give the dex/depo shot (if it is
lymphoma)?  I could not really tell if the dex shot
helped much.  Stretch isn't breathing as heavily as
she was, but her breathing is still somewhat labored. 
Also, where do you get the bags and needles to do
sub-Q fluids?  Is there anything else I need to do
sub-Q?  Do you just use water?

Thanks,
Wendy



__ 
Yahoo! DSL – Something to write home about. 
Just $16.99/mo. or less. 
dsl.yahoo.com 




Re: Bailey is anemic

2006-01-04 Thread wendy
Belinda,

Did you ever find out if Bailey's anemia was
regenerative or non-regenerative?  I think this is the
same as responsive vs. non-responsive, but if not,
someone please correct me.  Also, sending healing
vibes and prayers Bailey's way.  

:)
Wendy



__ 
Yahoo! DSL – Something to write home about. 
Just $16.99/mo. or less. 
dsl.yahoo.com 




Re: Need your help with Stretch

2006-01-04 Thread wendy
Thank you Patti.  Your prayers and hugs are greatly
appreciated.

:)
Wendy et. all

--- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

> Wendy~
> My thoughts and prayers are with you and Stretch.
> I am so sorry that you and your nephew are faced
> with this.
> And, I understand about the financial situation...
> Years ago, I never had to worry.  I "cashed out" my
> entire 401K plan  when my 
> first Rottie was diagnosed with AIHA.
> I've been fortunate to have worked at vets and have
> connections with the  
> shelter...
> But, now I am "retired" and living on SSDI, and I
> understand all too  well.
> I too am praying for a miracle for dear Stretch...
> Hugs,
> Patti
> 
> 




__ 
Yahoo! DSL – Something to write home about. 
Just $16.99/mo. or less. 
dsl.yahoo.com 




Re: Need your help with Stretch

2006-01-04 Thread wendy
Thank you Tonya for the kind words and for identifying
with me.  It makes me feel like less of a Scrooge,
which I do kind of feel like.  Although I do know you
can't pull money out of a hat, right?

Thanks again,
Wendy

--- catatonya <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> Wendy,
>
>   I am so sorry to hear about Stretch.  Most of the
> time I have heard people discuss these kinds of
> symptoms it has not been good news.  You do what you
> can, and that's all you can do.  It is hard to
> accept, but most of us have been where you are. 
> Sometimes you spend thousands and are able to buy
> some more time, sometimes you spend thousands and
> can't.  And the problem is you can never 'know' for
> sure if treatments are going to help or not. 
> Especially if you're talking about lymphoma. 
>
>   I have been in situations that I truly felt I was
> putting my cat through too much to try to save him
> when it was beyond hope, and had them turn around. 
> One of my cats my vet insisted was at death's door
> lived for many years after his illness.  Others who
> had a good prognosis I have lost.  You just never
> know.  You just have to do the best you can, and
> it's very hard not knowing what to do and it's hard
> to feel like money is governing your decisions.  But
> money is a part of it.  There's no way around that.
>
>I am so sorry you are going through all of this. 
> I will keep you, your nephew and Stretch in my
> thoughts and prayers.
>
>   tonya
> 
> wendy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>   Hi Michelle,
> 
> Thank you for the info. I am going to give another
> day or two to see how things go before taking
> Stretch
> back to the doc. Frankly, we are tapped out on
> money.
> We are not wealthy by any stretch of the
> imagination,
> and after spending hundreds of dollars trying to
> save
> Cricket, and with Christmas just passed, we are a
> bit
> broke. I had to put the $85 visit to the vet
> yesterday on a credit card that didn't have $85
> dollars on it. I will do all I can for Stretch, but
> if it's cancer, I am not going to draw it out. We
> just can't afford the treatments. I feel so
> frustrated right now. I don't want Stretch to go
> through this. I don't want my nephew to go through
> losing his cat; he's been through so much as it is. 
> And my attitude isn't it's normal hopeful self after
> losing Cricket. I feel it's too soon after Cricket;
> I
> don't think I can go through this again. I am
> praying
> for a miracle right now. If Stretch can just pull
> through this, and give us a little time, we will be
> better able to afford treatments in six months. I
> hope that some of you understand being in this
> place. 
> How do you guys afford expensive treatments when you
> just don't have the money?
> 
> Thanks,
> Wendy
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> __ 
> Yahoo! DSL – Something to write home about. 
> Just $16.99/mo. or less. 
> dsl.yahoo.com 
> 
> 
> 
> 




__ 
Yahoo! DSL – Something to write home about. 
Just $16.99/mo. or less. 
dsl.yahoo.com 




Re: Need your help with Stretch

2006-01-04 Thread jenmeyer
Hi Wendy!

I'm trying to catch up on posts (I read everything I can...just haven't
had much time to post!)...I just wanted to drop you a quick note and let
you know that I hear ya about the financial situation!!  I've already
broken down and used those damn checks that credit card companies send
you (they've obviously become savvy to the fact that I've cut up a few
cards after paying them off!  :) ) to help pay for Ewok's chemo
treatments...but I agree very much with Michelle...steroids are an
inexpensive way to help shrink the tumor (one dex shot that lasted about
a week for Ewok was $17).

Stretch, you and your nephew will certainly be in my thoughts!  I know
how it feels to lose two babies so close together (as many on this list
do)...We had to say goodbye to two of Ewok's brothers within a week of
each other (one to mediastinal lymphoma and one to anemia) a few years
ago.  I'm sure Stretch knows that you are doing everything you can (it's
all any of us truly know what to do when it comes to this damn virus). 
Perhaps sit quietly with Stretch for awhile and ask him what he wishes
to do...I know how frustrated you probably feel...it absolutely sucks
that we have to make these kinds of decisions based on money (our
Sleepypants--Ewok's brother--hasn't been feeling well these past few
days...he's been throwing up his food with *alot* of hair...fortunately,
he's been able to keep his food down for the past 24 hours...so I'm
hoping he's just passing a "hair clog"...but with abdominal cancer in
the back of my mind, I had to think ahead and wonder what I would do if
we found out that he did have cancer...and the thought was grim...we
just can't possibly afford to treat two cats with cancer...I guess I
just have to keep the faith that everything will work out as it should
and that I can avoid therapy, if at all possible... :)  ).

Anyhoo, this has turned into my own rant!  :)  My long way of letting
you know I'm there with ya!  Take care and keep us posted!

Jen



"But if you tame me, then we shall need each other. To me, you will be
unique in all the world. To you, I shall be unique in all the world; You
become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed..." --Antoine de
Saint-Exupéry

"If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know
each other.  If you do not talk to them you will not know them, and what
you do not know you will fear. What one fears one destroys." --Chief Dan
George

- Original Message -
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: Tuesday, January 3, 2006 10:49 pm
Subject: Re: Need your help with Stretch

> I know.  When Simon needed to go into the hospital, they would not 
> admit him 
> without me paying half the estimate, and there was not enough room 
> on our 
> credit card for it.  Luckily my mom was able and willing to give me 
> her credit 
> card number for it.  It was  very scary feeling, though, until she 
> did.  I wanted 
> to shoot the damn receptionist in the head, me standing there with 
> my sick 
> baby and her saying if I did not have a credit card to put it on 
> they would not 
> even see him.  What about someone who had no relative with a 
> working credit 
> card they were willing to lend?
> 
> If it is lymphoma, I am not sure there is anything that can make 
> him go 6 
> months without chemo.  But the vet who told me about the steroid 
> combo I am 
> always recommending (1/2 cc dexamethasone and 1/2 depomedrol, given 
> periodically 
> when they go downhill) said that she had some cats with lymphoma go 
> 6 months on 
> these shots alone, with good quality of life.  If nothing else 
> seems to help, 
> you might want to try this.  Did the dex shot help at all? If it 
> did, you 
> might want to try the combo shot. It is not expensive, though you 
> will probably 
> need to go to the vet to get it. The shots can be given sub-q, but 
> most vets 
> will not give clients the shots to take home.
> 
> But it might not be lymphoma.
> 
> Michelle
> 
> 
> In a message dated 1/3/2006 10:58:15 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> 
> >Hi Michelle,
> >
> >Thank you for the info.  I am going to give another
> >day or two to see how things go before taking Stretch
> >back to the doc.  Frankly, we are tapped out on money.
> > We are not wealthy by any stretch of the imagination,
> >and after spending hundreds of dollars trying to save
> >Cricket, and with Christmas just passed, we are a bit
> >broke.  I had to put the $85 visit to the vet
> >yesterday on a credit card that didn't have $85
> >dollars on it.  I will do all I can for Stretch, but
> >if it's cancer, I am not going to draw it out.  We
> >just can't afford the treatments.  I feel so
> >frustrated right now.  I don't want Stretch to go
> >through this.  I don't want my nephew to go through
> >losing his cat; he's been through so much as it is. 
> >And my attitude isn't it's normal hopeful self after
> >losing Cricket.  I feel it's too

Re: Bailey is anemic - Wendy

2006-01-04 Thread Belinda Sauro

 Wendy,
My vet feels it is non-regenerative, he had very few imature cells, his 
bone marrow is trying to make them but not succeeding in making enough.  
So hopefully the epogen will either kick start him or make enough to 
sustain him, I'm really not that clear on how it works, just praying it 
does.


--
Belinda
Happiness is being owned by cats ...

Be-Mi-Kitties ...
http://www.bemikitties.com

Post Adoptable FeLV/FIV/FIP Cats/Kittens
http://adopt.bemikitties.com

FeLV Candle Light Service
http://www.bemikitties.com/cls

HostDesign4U.com  (affordable hosting & web design)
http://HostDesign4U.com

---

BMK Designs (non-profit web sites)
http://bmk.bemikitties.com




Re: Need your help with Stretch

2006-01-04 Thread Belinda Sauro
 Prayers for Stretch to pull out of this also, it's good that you are 
able to get food into her.  This is the most difficult thing with 
bailey, he hates syringing, and I really suck at it.  We keep plugging 
along thoug.


--
Belinda
Happiness is being owned by cats ...

Be-Mi-Kitties ...
http://www.bemikitties.com

Post Adoptable FeLV/FIV/FIP Cats/Kittens
http://adopt.bemikitties.com

FeLV Candle Light Service
http://www.bemikitties.com/cls

HostDesign4U.com  (affordable hosting & web design)
http://HostDesign4U.com

---

BMK Designs (non-profit web sites)
http://bmk.bemikitties.com




Re: Need your help with Stretch

2006-01-04 Thread catatonya
Wendy,     The fluid is already in the bags you buy.  You don't fill them yourselves.  I don't know what all is in them.  I suppose electrolytes, fluids, maybe potassium?  If you've got a decent vet a bag of fluid and the set up for sub q should be less than $10.     t     twendy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:  Hey Michelle,I can't imagine how you felt with them telling you topay up front while you're holding your sick cat! Thatjust sounds bad! I just started working a second job,so as soon as we get any money at all, then I willprobably take Stretch in for the tests and ifaffordable, to get X-rays, and the fluid drained. DoX-rays show cancer tumors and/or fluid? Also, howoften do you give the dex/depo shot (if it
 islymphoma)? I could not really tell if the dex shothelped much. Stretch isn't breathing as heavily asshe was, but her breathing is still somewhat labored. Also, where do you get the bags and needles to dosub-Q fluids? Is there anything else I need to dosub-Q? Do you just use water?Thanks,Wendy__ Yahoo! DSL – Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less. dsl.yahoo.com 

Re: anemia

2006-01-04 Thread catatonya
Gloria,     I was just thinking the iron itself.  If the kidneys are shutting down.     tGloria Lane <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:  Hmmm - I can't remember the source, I understood Pettinic was good for the kidneys (B vitamins) - Of course it also has sugar in it, whatever that might do.. when Nicky was in kidney failure, I gave him lactulose and PetTinic, because it was supposed to be good for the kidneys. Course that wasn't anemia...GloriaOn Jan 3, 2006, at 9:32 PM, catatonya wrote:> Probably it would be bad for the kidneys?>> t>> Gloria Lane <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote:> Hmmm - I'm wondering why PetTinic would be a problem..>> Gloria>>> On Jan 3, 2006, at 9:42 AM, BONNIE J
 KALMBACH wrote:>> > I'm wondering what to do about my fragile 19 year-old Fu. He is so> > anemic he can barely walk. He is not felv positive. The vet said> > his red> > cell blood count is affected by the pred we give him to keep his> > intestinal cancer in remission and the fluids he need for > hyperthyroid> > related/probably kidney disease.> >> > The vet worried about reactions or consequences of epogen or> > petinnic. I> > have given him some chicken liver.> >> > I am worried about him making it a few more daays.> >> > Bonnie> >> 

Re: Need your help with Stretch

2006-01-04 Thread wendy
Thanks Tonya.  I think I will go that route if I don't
see an improvement in eating/drinking very soon.  It's
a little scary though.  I've never stuck a needle into
another living being, unless you count getting
splinters out, so I am a bit nervous about trying
this.  Do you give the cat the whole bag?  And where
and how do you stick the needle?

Thanks,
Wendy

--- catatonya <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> Wendy,
>
>   The fluid is already in the bags you buy.  You
> don't fill them yourselves.  I don't know what all
> is in them.  I suppose electrolytes, fluids, maybe
> potassium?  If you've got a decent vet a bag of
> fluid and the set up for sub q should be less than
> $10.
>
>   t
>
>   t
> 
> wendy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>   Hey Michelle,
> 
> I can't imagine how you felt with them telling you
> to
> pay up front while you're holding your sick cat!
> That
> just sounds bad! I just started working a second
> job,
> so as soon as we get any money at all, then I will
> probably take Stretch in for the tests and if
> affordable, to get X-rays, and the fluid drained. Do
> X-rays show cancer tumors and/or fluid? Also, how
> often do you give the dex/depo shot (if it is
> lymphoma)? I could not really tell if the dex shot
> helped much. Stretch isn't breathing as heavily as
> she was, but her breathing is still somewhat
> labored. 
> Also, where do you get the bags and needles to do
> sub-Q fluids? Is there anything else I need to do
> sub-Q? Do you just use water?
> 
> Thanks,
> Wendy
> 
> 
> 
> __ 
> Yahoo! DSL – Something to write home about. 
> Just $16.99/mo. or less. 
> dsl.yahoo.com 
> 
> 
> 
> 




__ 
Yahoo! DSL – Something to write home about. 
Just $16.99/mo. or less. 
dsl.yahoo.com 




Re: Need your help with Stretch-fluids

2006-01-04 Thread Gloria Lane
It's really easy, and no you definitely don't use the whole bag.   
There are some web sites that show pictures of how to do it, I'll  
have to look them up.  Most people use a tube set with a needle on  
the end from the bag to the kitty, and watch how the fluids go down.   
In particular, a sick kitty doesn't mind.


I use a 60cc syringe, that I load up and then stick.  i also have a  
flexible tube that goes from the syringe to the needle and kitty.   
But think that flexible tube is hard to find.  Vets charge different  
amounts for fluids too.  My regular vet charges $20.  We've found  
other vets here who charge $5 (yeaa!).  I use Lactacted Ringers.   
Gotta watch and make sure you have the right fluids that your vet  
wants you to use, also.


I'm sure you'll get good advice from others on the list too.

Best of luck,

Gloria


On Jan 4, 2006, at 11:54 AM, wendy wrote:


Thanks Tonya.  I think I will go that route if I don't
see an improvement in eating/drinking very soon.  It's
a little scary though.  I've never stuck a needle into
another living being, unless you count getting
splinters out, so I am a bit nervous about trying
this.  Do you give the cat the whole bag?  And where
and how do you stick the needle?

Thanks,
Wendy

--- catatonya <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


Wendy,

  The fluid is already in the bags you buy.  You
don't fill them yourselves.  I don't know what all
is in them.  I suppose electrolytes, fluids, maybe
potassium?  If you've got a decent vet a bag of
fluid and the set up for sub q should be less than
$10.

  t

  t

wendy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
  Hey Michelle,

I can't imagine how you felt with them telling you
to
pay up front while you're holding your sick cat!
That
just sounds bad! I just started working a second
job,
so as soon as we get any money at all, then I will
probably take Stretch in for the tests and if
affordable, to get X-rays, and the fluid drained. Do
X-rays show cancer tumors and/or fluid? Also, how
often do you give the dex/depo shot (if it is
lymphoma)? I could not really tell if the dex shot
helped much. Stretch isn't breathing as heavily as
she was, but her breathing is still somewhat
labored.
Also, where do you get the bags and needles to do
sub-Q fluids? Is there anything else I need to do
sub-Q? Do you just use water?

Thanks,
Wendy



__
Yahoo! DSL – Something to write home about.
Just $16.99/mo. or less.
dsl.yahoo.com









__
Yahoo! DSL – Something to write home about.
Just $16.99/mo. or less.
dsl.yahoo.com








Re: Need your help with Stretch

2006-01-04 Thread PEC2851



Wendy~
Have a vet tech demonstrate..
It sounds rather frightening, but in fact it isn't bad.
You pull up a "flap" of skin & put the needle in the "tent".  The 
amount of fluids administered depends on weight of cat, and how often it is 
done, Ix Day or 2X day.
Fluids can be lactated ringers, which is basically sterile saline with 
electrolytes. Then there's Nacl, some with dextrose Vet will advise.
Often, lactated ringers is used for re-hydration.
Also, the cost should be very minimal. (A bag of fluids is usually 1000 
ml.)
Good Luck,
Hugs,
Patti



Re: Need your help with Stretch-fluids

2006-01-04 Thread PEC2851




In a message dated 1/4/06 1:02:29 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
My 
  regular vet charges $20.  We've found  other vets here who 
  charge $5 (yeaa!). 

Yes, that's because vets purchase a CASE of lactated ringers for under 
$20.00.
It's a damn shame some vets have to "mark up" such necessary 
products..


Re: Need your help with Stretch

2006-01-04 Thread Belinda Sauro

 Wendy,
  Bailey is currently getting fluids it is fairly easy.  It seems to 
make it less uncomfortable for the cat if you heat it to room 
temperature.  I usually take my bag and lay it in the sink in fairly 
warm water for about 10 or so minutes.  You can feel the water after you 
give the bag a few minutes to cool off, it should be tepid.  I pinch the 
skin right behind Bailey shoulder blades, by pinch I mean pull it up 
kind of like when you are checking for dehydration, and put the needle 
in about half way.  Bailey just lays there and purrs.  You will feel a 
bulge build up in the area, that is the fluid going in.  Bailey was 
initially getting 150cc's (the bag is divided into 10 sections of 
100cc's each)  he now gets anywhere from 50 to 100cc's depending on how 
well he seems to be feeling.  He will usually eat a bit afterwards.


There is a white wheel thing, not sure waht it is called but when you 
roll it up to the bigger end the fluids are stopped, once you have your 
needle in roll it down towards the smaller end and the fluids will start 
to flow, then just roll it back up when you have put in the amount you 
decide to give.  I hope that isn't too confusing.


--
Belinda
Happiness is being owned by cats ...

Be-Mi-Kitties ...
http://www.bemikitties.com

Post Adoptable FeLV/FIV/FIP Cats/Kittens
http://adopt.bemikitties.com

FeLV Candle Light Service
http://www.bemikitties.com/cls

HostDesign4U.com  (affordable hosting & web design)
http://HostDesign4U.com

---

BMK Designs (non-profit web sites)
http://bmk.bemikitties.com




Re: Need your help with Stretch

2006-01-04 Thread Lernermichelle




Hi.  X-rays can often show tumors, though not always.  
Ultrasound can when x-rays can't, but is way more expensive.  The dex/depo 
shot is given as needed.  Depending on how early in the cancer you start, 
they can sometimes go a month in-between shots at first. It gets less and and 
less time in-between shots as they progress, and in the end is every few days, 
at least with the dex.  Dex is out of the system within 24 hours, so she 
probably does not have any dex in her now, but may still be benefitting if she 
has a tumor and it shrank the tumor some.
 
Prayers,
Michelle
 
In a message dated 1/4/2006 11:00:47 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Hey 
  Michelle,I can't imagine how you felt with them telling you topay 
  up front while you're holding your sick cat!  Thatjust sounds 
  bad!  I just started working a second job,so as soon as we get any 
  money at all, then I willprobably take Stretch in for the tests and 
  ifaffordable, to get X-rays, and the fluid drained.  DoX-rays 
  show cancer tumors and/or fluid?  Also, howoften do you give the 
  dex/depo shot (if it islymphoma)?  I could not really tell if the dex 
  shothelped much.  Stretch isn't breathing as heavily asshe was, 
  but her breathing is still somewhat labored. Also, where do you get the 
  bags and needles to dosub-Q fluids?  Is there anything else I need to 
  dosub-Q?  Do you just use 
water?Thanks,Wendy

 


Re: Bailey is anemic - Wendy-- how epogen works

2006-01-04 Thread Lernermichelle




My understanding is that it is a synthetic version of a hormone that the 
kidneys normally excrete which tells the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. 
If the hormone is low, the bone marrow stops producing.  The epogen 
replaces the hormone and sends a signal to the bone marrow to start making cells 
again, and if it works they do.
Michelle
 
In a message dated 1/4/2006 11:28:23 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
So 
  hopefully the epogen will either kick start him or make enough to sustain 
  him, I'm really not that clear on how it works, just praying it 
  does.

 


RE: Need your help with Stretch

2006-01-04 Thread MacKenzie, Kerry N.
Dear Wendy 
I am sorry you are having to go through this pain, and so soon after
losing your darling Cricket. Try to remind yourself Stretch knows that
he is loved by you, that you have nothing but his welfare and best
interests at heart, and that you will do whatever is within your means
and power to help him and minimize his suffering. That's what I've
always forced myself to remember when I've been in a similar situation
(which sadly most of us on the list have been). 
>>How do you guys afford expensive treatments when you
just don't have the money?<<<
We can only do what we can do, and it's a sad fact of life that the cost
of the treatment is often what determines the next step. Over the last
couple of years I've racked up my credit cards, used one of those credit
card checks you get in the mail, and then last summer Flavia's
treatment, and the subsequent euthanization and individual cremation
costs for Flavia and Snowball, forced me to take a chunk of money from
my paltry "retirement" fund. I can still hear the unspoken thoughts of
the broker when I explained it was for vet fees...this woman is a total
nut/loser. I told only one friend, and he was clearly shocked -- told me
not to do "anything stupid". I know I can't do it again, anyway, tho,
because I won't be in a position to help any cat if I wind up destitute
in my old age (which is not that far away!).
Only you guys understand. 
And we surely understand the anguish you feel, Wendy, in not having a
limitless budget for treatment. I would think most us are in much the
same boat; and beating ourselves up because of it. That's what's so
wonderful about this group--we realize we're not alone; everyone faces
the same problems and heartache at one time or another. And everyone
does whatever they can to help one another cope and do the best for
their furbabies.
Sending zillions of positive, healing vibes, Wendy, for sweet Stretch's
recovery. 
love and hugs to you both
Kerry



-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of wendy
Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2006 9:31 PM
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Subject: Re: Need your help with Stretch


Hi Michelle,

Thank you for the info.  I am going to give another
day or two to see how things go before taking Stretch
back to the doc.  Frankly, we are tapped out on money.
 We are not wealthy by any stretch of the imagination,
and after spending hundreds of dollars trying to save
Cricket, and with Christmas just passed, we are a bit
broke.  I had to put the $85 visit to the vet
yesterday on a credit card that didn't have $85
dollars on it.  I will do all I can for Stretch, but
if it's cancer, I am not going to draw it out.  We
just can't afford the treatments.  I feel so
frustrated right now.  I don't want Stretch to go
through this.  I don't want my nephew to go through
losing his cat; he's been through so much as it is. 
And my attitude isn't it's normal hopeful self after
losing Cricket.  I feel it's too soon after Cricket; I
don't think I can go through this again.  I am praying
for a miracle right now.  If Stretch can just pull
through this, and give us a little time, we will be
better able to afford treatments in six months.  I
hope that some of you understand being in this place. 
How do you guys afford expensive treatments when you
just don't have the money?

Thanks,
Wendy





__ 
Yahoo! DSL - Something to write home about. 
Just $16.99/mo. or less. 
dsl.yahoo.com 




IRS CIRCULAR 230 NOTICE. Any advice expressed above as to tax matters was 
neither written nor intended by the sender or Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP to 
be used and cannot be used by any taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding tax 
penalties that may be imposed under U.S. tax law. If any person uses or refers 
to any such tax advice in promoting, marketing or recommending a partnership or 
other entity, investment plan or arrangement to any taxpayer, then (i) the 
advice was written to support the promotion or marketing (by a person other 
than Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP) of that transaction or matter, and (ii) such 
taxpayer should seek advice based on the taxpayers particular circumstances 
from an independent tax advisor



This email and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for the use of 
the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this 
email in error please notify the system manager. If you are not the named 
addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. 



Re: OT: I Stole Your Dog Today

2006-01-04 Thread TatorBunz


Wasn't Jim a rescuer and also had a fire breakout that took his rescue pets and home?
 
 Terrie MohrTAZZY'S ANIMAL TRANSPORTSSIAMESE & COLLIE RESCUEOwner/DriverCheck sites for available Siameses for adoption!http://www.tazzys-siameses-collies.petfinder.org/Click Here to Join WASHINGTON SIAMESE RESCUE Yahoo Group!http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wasiameserescuehttp://hometown.aol.com/tatorbunz/index.htmlhttp://hometown.aol.com/tatorbunz/myhomepage/petmemorial.htmlPetfinder.comAdopt a Homeless Pet!http://www.petfinder.com/http://www.felineleukemia.org/http://www.petloss.com/TAZZY'S ANIMAL TRANSPORTShttps://www.paypal.com/http://www.frappr.com/wasiameserescue


Re: Need your help with Stretch

2006-01-04 Thread Gloria Lane
I just noticed your reference to the expensive treatments.  I really  
think that sometimes the home treatments, not so expensive, are as  
useful and effective as the "expensive" ones.  Learning to do fluids,  
for example,  is so helpful.


Gloria


On Jan 4, 2006, at 12:28 PM, MacKenzie, Kerry N. wrote:


...



How do you guys afford expensive treatments when you

just don't have the money?<<<
We can only do what we can do, and it's a sad fact of life that the  
cost

of the treatment is often what determines the next step. Over the last
couple of years I've racked up my credit cards, used one of those  
credit

card checks you get in the mail, and then last summer Flavia's
treatment, and the subsequent euthanization and individual cremation
costs for Flavia and Snowball, forced me to take a chunk of money from
my paltry "retirement" fund. I can still hear the unspoken thoughts of
the broker when I explained it was for vet fees...this woman is a  
total
nut/loser. I told only one friend, and he was clearly shocked --  
told me

not to do "anything stupid". I know I can't do it again, anyway, tho,
because I won't be in a position to help any cat if I wind up  
destitute

in my old age (which is not that far away!).
Only you guys understand.
And we surely understand the anguish you feel, Wendy, in not having a
limitless budget for treatment. I would think most us are in much the
same boat; and beating ourselves up because of it. That's what's so
wonderful about this group--we realize we're not alone; everyone faces
the same problems and heartache at one time or another. And everyone
does whatever they can to help one another cope and do the best for
their furbabies.
Sending zillions of positive, healing vibes, Wendy, for sweet  
Stretch's

recovery.
love and hugs to you both
Kerry



-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of wendy
Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2006 9:31 PM
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Subject: Re: Need your help with Stretch


Hi Michelle,

Thank you for the info.  I am going to give another
day or two to see how things go before taking Stretch
back to the doc.  Frankly, we are tapped out on money.
 We are not wealthy by any stretch of the imagination,
and after spending hundreds of dollars trying to save
Cricket, and with Christmas just passed, we are a bit
broke.  I had to put the $85 visit to the vet
yesterday on a credit card that didn't have $85
dollars on it.  I will do all I can for Stretch, but
if it's cancer, I am not going to draw it out.  We
just can't afford the treatments.  I feel so
frustrated right now.  I don't want Stretch to go
through this.  I don't want my nephew to go through
losing his cat; he's been through so much as it is.
And my attitude isn't it's normal hopeful self after
losing Cricket.  I feel it's too soon after Cricket; I
don't think I can go through this again.  I am praying
for a miracle right now.  If Stretch can just pull
through this, and give us a little time, we will be
better able to afford treatments in six months.  I
hope that some of you understand being in this place.
How do you guys afford expensive treatments when you
just don't have the money?

Thanks,
Wendy





__
Yahoo! DSL - Something to write home about.
Just $16.99/mo. or less.
dsl.yahoo.com




IRS CIRCULAR 230 NOTICE. Any advice expressed above as to tax  
matters was neither written nor intended by the sender or Mayer,  
Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP to be used and cannot be used by any taxpayer  
for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties that may be imposed under  
U.S. tax law. If any person uses or refers to any such tax advice  
in promoting, marketing or recommending a partnership or other  
entity, investment plan or arrangement to any taxpayer, then (i)  
the advice was written to support the promotion or marketing (by a  
person other than Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP) of that transaction  
or matter, and (ii) such taxpayer should seek advice based on the  
taxpayers particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor




This email and any files transmitted with it are intended solely  
for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed.  
If you have received this email in error please notify the system  
manager. If you are not the named addressee you should not  
disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail.








RE: Need your help with Stretch

2006-01-04 Thread wendy
Kerry,

It does make me feel so much better to know that many
here have stressed over the financial aspect of caring
for their furbabies.  It doesn't seem fair to have to
choose.  I guess this just fuels the fire more for me
to get out of debt.  My husband and I just started
doing Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover (it's a
book), and hopefully will be debt free except for our
house by the end of this year.  I highly recommend his
plan, btw, especially for those of you who are like
me, broke.  lol.  I guess we'll just have to sit tight
until then.  I didn't even tell my husband that we
spent $85 at the vet when he asked (not part of the
plan, btw, lol).  I said $50, which he freaked out on
anyway.  I can't blame him.  He doesn't feel the same
about the kitties as I do.  Thanks for the kind words
and encouragement Kerry.  We'll do the best we can for
Stretch, and I guess that's all we can do.  I'll keep
you posted.

:)
Wendy









__ 
Yahoo! DSL – Something to write home about. 
Just $16.99/mo. or less. 
dsl.yahoo.com 




Re: Need your help with Stretch

2006-01-04 Thread wendy
Thank you to everyone who is helping me learn about
sub-Q fluids.  All the information is invaluable.  I
shudder to think that I would have had to learn about
the procedure from a book!

--- Gloria Lane <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> I just noticed your reference to the expensive
> treatments.  I really  
> think that sometimes the home treatments, not so
> expensive, are as  
> useful and effective as the "expensive" ones. 
> Learning to do fluids,  
> for example,  is so helpful.
> 
> Gloria
> 
> 
> On Jan 4, 2006, at 12:28 PM, MacKenzie, Kerry N.
> wrote:
> 
> > ...
> 
> >>> How do you guys afford expensive treatments when
> you
> > just don't have the money?<<<
> > We can only do what we can do, and it's a sad fact
> of life that the  
> > cost
> > of the treatment is often what determines the next
> step. Over the last
> > couple of years I've racked up my credit cards,
> used one of those  
> > credit
> > card checks you get in the mail, and then last
> summer Flavia's
> > treatment, and the subsequent euthanization and
> individual cremation
> > costs for Flavia and Snowball, forced me to take a
> chunk of money from
> > my paltry "retirement" fund. I can still hear the
> unspoken thoughts of
> > the broker when I explained it was for vet
> fees...this woman is a  
> > total
> > nut/loser. I told only one friend, and he was
> clearly shocked --  
> > told me
> > not to do "anything stupid". I know I can't do it
> again, anyway, tho,
> > because I won't be in a position to help any cat
> if I wind up  
> > destitute
> > in my old age (which is not that far away!).
> > Only you guys understand.
> > And we surely understand the anguish you feel,
> Wendy, in not having a
> > limitless budget for treatment. I would think most
> us are in much the
> > same boat; and beating ourselves up because of it.
> That's what's so
> > wonderful about this group--we realize we're not
> alone; everyone faces
> > the same problems and heartache at one time or
> another. And everyone
> > does whatever they can to help one another cope
> and do the best for
> > their furbabies.
> > Sending zillions of positive, healing vibes,
> Wendy, for sweet  
> > Stretch's
> > recovery.
> > love and hugs to you both
> > Kerry
> >
> >
> >
> > -Original Message-
> > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On
> Behalf Of wendy
> > Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2006 9:31 PM
> > To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
> > Subject: Re: Need your help with Stretch
> >
> >
> > Hi Michelle,
> >
> > Thank you for the info.  I am going to give
> another
> > day or two to see how things go before taking
> Stretch
> > back to the doc.  Frankly, we are tapped out on
> money.
> >  We are not wealthy by any stretch of the
> imagination,
> > and after spending hundreds of dollars trying to
> save
> > Cricket, and with Christmas just passed, we are a
> bit
> > broke.  I had to put the $85 visit to the vet
> > yesterday on a credit card that didn't have $85
> > dollars on it.  I will do all I can for Stretch,
> but
> > if it's cancer, I am not going to draw it out.  We
> > just can't afford the treatments.  I feel so
> > frustrated right now.  I don't want Stretch to go
> > through this.  I don't want my nephew to go
> through
> > losing his cat; he's been through so much as it
> is.
> > And my attitude isn't it's normal hopeful self
> after
> > losing Cricket.  I feel it's too soon after
> Cricket; I
> > don't think I can go through this again.  I am
> praying
> > for a miracle right now.  If Stretch can just pull
> > through this, and give us a little time, we will
> be
> > better able to afford treatments in six months.  I
> > hope that some of you understand being in this
> place.
> > How do you guys afford expensive treatments when
> you
> > just don't have the money?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Wendy
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > 
> > __
> > Yahoo! DSL - Something to write home about.
> > Just $16.99/mo. or less.
> > dsl.yahoo.com
> >
> >
> > 
> >
> > IRS CIRCULAR 230 NOTICE. Any advice expressed
> above as to tax  
> > matters was neither written nor intended by the
> sender or Mayer,  
> > Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP to be used and cannot be
> used by any taxpayer  
> > for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties that may
> be imposed under  
> > U.S. tax law. If any person uses or refers to any
> such tax advice  
> > in promoting, marketing or recommending a
> partnership or other  
> > entity, investment plan or arrangement to any
> taxpayer, then (i)  
> > the advice was written to support the promotion or
> marketing (by a  
> > person other than Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP) of
> that transaction  
> > or matter, and (ii) such taxpayer should seek
> advice based on the  
> > taxpayers particular circumstances from an
> independent tax advisor
> >
> > 
> >
> > This email and any files transmitted with it are
> intended solely  
> > for the use of the individual or entity to whom
> they are addressed.  
>

Please wish Patches good luck! and Lucy too!

2006-01-04 Thread Lernermichelle



I was already fretting about Patches because she has been having a little 
trouble eating and the gums above her two broken canines are really swollen, so 
I made an appointment with a dentist for her tomorrow and was pretty sure he was 
going to say they have to come out. She is FeLV+ and at least 5 years old, so 
surgery freaks me out. But today she was running around the house meowing and 
sqatting and peeing little drops of bloody urine, so I scooped her up and took 
her to the vet. She has crystals again, they think (second time) and was given 
antibiotics and pain killer.  They also did an FeLV test to confirm her 
status, and guess what-- yes, she has FeLV, but she also has FIV.  I had 
not known this. AND he could not get blood from her because she had such a 
stress reaction to him trying that she started panting and almost collapsed. I 
have never had blood drawn from her before.  He insisted the only way to 
get the blood (necessary for pre-surgery workup anyway, but I wanted to see if 
anything else is going on with her) was to give her isoflourine gas (i.e. 
anesthesia) for 5 minutes and get the blood that way.  This was a new vet 
to me, and I never heard of such a thing, and did not want to do it. Gray 
convinced me to do it because she needs blood drawn, is going to have to get 
anesthesia to get the teeth out anyway next week, and she had been so stressed 
by the attempt to get blood from her that he thought such stress could do as 
much damage as the 5 minutes of gas. So I did it, and she was ok, but I was 
really upset about it.  This is already the 2nd vet office I am trying in 
the area since moving her in August.  I thought I would like them because 
they carry Purevax vaccines, unlike most places, and because the vet I saw there 
when I took Quincy for his Purevax FeLV vaccine was really great. But this was 
the other vet there.
 
And of course vet started quoting the statistic to me that 80% of cats with 
FeLV die within 3 years of contracting it, and my remaining three have all had 
it at least 4 years or so and probably longer, so although I know these stats 
are skewed from so many positives being euthanized on testing positive, I 
started feeling really depressed about their prospects for having much more 
time.
 
ANYWAY, having had anesthesia gas and some painkiller and dex, Patches is 
quite calm and happy now and basking in the sun on the bed, but I probably need 
anti-anxiety meds now.  
 
Please say a prayer for her to get through all of this, the urinary tract 
problems and the dental surgery, without problems.  Also please pray for 
Lucy, who seems to have IBD now and is on steroids (she is also FeLV+).  I 
am going to start making home-made diets for them to see if that helps.  I 
want to try raw but am worried because some people say that immune-compromised 
cats can have problems with the increased bacteria load in raw, so I think I may 
try a lightly cooked version of a raw diet.
 
Michelle


Re: Please wish Patches good luck! and Lucy too!

2006-01-04 Thread Gloria Lane
Hi Michelle,  prayers coming for Patches and Lucy!  I know you have a  
lot os stress trying to keep them well.  In my opinion, different  
vets will say  a lot if different, diverse things about FELV - much  
just based on their feelings, not necessarily based on research or  
solid evidence. My friend Susan has several FELV cats that just last  
and last and last - going to be old age kitties.  Hope yours live  
long too!


Gloria


On Jan 4, 2006, at 1:14 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

I was already fretting about Patches because she has been having a  
little trouble eating and the gums above her two broken canines are  
really swollen, so I made an appointment with a dentist for her  
tomorrow and was pretty sure he was going to say they have to come  
out. She is FeLV+ and at least 5 years old, so surgery freaks me  
out. But today she was running around the house meowing and  
sqatting and peeing little drops of bloody urine, so I scooped her  
up and took her to the vet. She has crystals again, they think  
(second time) and was given antibiotics and pain killer.  They also  
did an FeLV test to confirm her status, and guess what-- yes, she  
has FeLV, but she also has FIV.  I had not known this. AND he could  
not get blood from her because she had such a stress reaction to  
him trying that she started panting and almost collapsed. I have  
never had blood drawn from her before.  He insisted the only way to  
get the blood (necessary for pre-surgery workup anyway, but I  
wanted to see if anything else is going on with her) was to give  
her isoflourine gas (i.e. anesthesia) for 5 minutes and get the  
blood that way.  This was a new vet to me, and I never heard of  
such a thing, and did not want to do it. Gray convinced me to do it  
because she needs blood drawn, is going to have to get anesthesia  
to get the teeth out anyway next week, and she had been so stressed  
by the attempt to get blood from her that he thought such stress  
could do as much damage as the 5 minutes of gas. So I did it, and  
she was ok, but I was really upset about it.  This is already the  
2nd vet office I am trying in the area since moving her in August.   
I thought I would like them because they carry Purevax vaccines,  
unlike most places, and because the vet I saw there when I took  
Quincy for his Purevax FeLV vaccine was really great. But this was  
the other vet there.


And of course vet started quoting the statistic to me that 80% of  
cats with FeLV die within 3 years of contracting it, and my  
remaining three have all had it at least 4 years or so and probably  
longer, so although I know these stats are skewed from so many  
positives being euthanized on testing positive, I started feeling  
really depressed about their prospects for having much more time.


ANYWAY, having had anesthesia gas and some painkiller and dex,  
Patches is quite calm and happy now and basking in the sun on the  
bed, but I probably need anti-anxiety meds now.


Please say a prayer for her to get through all of this, the urinary  
tract problems and the dental surgery, without problems.  Also  
please pray for Lucy, who seems to have IBD now and is on steroids  
(she is also FeLV+).  I am going to start making home-made diets  
for them to see if that helps.  I want to try raw but am worried  
because some people say that immune-compromised cats can have  
problems with the increased bacteria load in raw, so I think I may  
try a lightly cooked version of a raw diet.


Michelle





Re: Please wish Patches good luck! and Lucy too!

2006-01-04 Thread Lernermichelle




Thanks, Gloria.  That really does help.  I just have become so 
paranoid and fatalistic from losing so many animals in the last few years, that 
statistics like the one the vet cited just put me over the edge a little 
bit.
 
But Gray showed me that the vet also has a chart in the office, put out by 
Hills, saying that a 17 year old cat is equivalent to a 100 year-old 
human.  Now I know 17 is old for a cat, but that would make our cat Percy, 
who lived to a month short of 20, about 120 in human years!  Which is a bit 
ridiculous.  It also had dogs over 55 pounds being equivalent to 100 human 
years at age 11. This made Gray feel better because we lost our three large dogs 
at 9, 10, and 11 and felt like they were young when they died.  But we have 
also known a few large dogs who lived to 15, which would make them 140 in human 
terms according to the chart!  So all of these numbers are a bit bizarre 
when you sit down to think about them.
 
Sorry if I seem so anxious when I write.  The vet told me that he 
thought Patches was anemic, before the HCT results were done, and I almost 
passed out. But her HCT was 37, thank god.  I am just always so sure the 
other shoe will drop.  Everyone tells me I am completely the wrong type of 
person to have adopted 6 FeLV+ cats.  I know they are right.  But I 
also love them so much I can't imagine not having done it.
 
Michelle
 
In a message dated 1/4/2006 2:23:10 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Hi 
  Michelle,  prayers coming for Patches and Lucy!  I know you have 
  a  lot os stress trying to keep them well.  In my opinion, 
  different  vets will say  a lot if different, diverse things 
  about FELV - much  just based on their feelings, not necessarily 
  based on research or  solid evidence. My friend Susan has several 
  FELV cats that just last  and last and last - going to be old age 
  kitties.  Hope yours live  long 
too!Gloria

 


Re: Please wish Patches good luck! and Lucy too!

2006-01-04 Thread Marissa
Best wishes for Patches and Lucy! 
 
I am new to the FELV world, and hearing that FELV is not an automatic death sentence w/in 2 years (what I was told before) is inspiring to me!
 
Marissa 
On 1/4/06, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:



Thanks, Gloria.  That really does help.  I just have become so paranoid and fatalistic from losing so many animals in the last few years, that statistics like the one the vet cited just put me over the edge a little bit.

 
But Gray showed me that the vet also has a chart in the office, put out by Hills, saying that a 17 year old cat is equivalent to a 100 year-old human.  Now I know 17 is old for a cat, but that would make our cat Percy, who lived to a month short of 20, about 120 in human years!  Which is a bit ridiculous.  It also had dogs over 55 pounds being equivalent to 100 human years at age 11. This made Gray feel better because we lost our three large dogs at 9, 10, and 11 and felt like they were young when they died.  But we have also known a few large dogs who lived to 15, which would make them 140 in human terms according to the chart!  So all of these numbers are a bit bizarre when you sit down to think about them.

 
Sorry if I seem so anxious when I write.  The vet told me that he thought Patches was anemic, before the HCT results were done, and I almost passed out. But her HCT was 37, thank god.  I am just always so sure the other shoe will drop.  Everyone tells me I am completely the wrong type of person to have adopted 6 FeLV+ cats.  I know they are right.  But I also love them so much I can't imagine not having done it.

 
Michelle
 
In a message dated 1/4/2006 2:23:10 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Hi Michelle,  prayers coming for Patches and Lucy!  I know you have a  
lot os stress trying to keep them well.  In my opinion, different  vets will say  a lot if different, diverse things about FELV - much  just based on their feelings, not necessarily based on research or  solid evidence. My friend Susan has several FELV cats that just last  
and last and last - going to be old age kitties.  Hope yours live  long too!Gloria

 


Re: Please wish Patches good luck! and Lucy too!

2006-01-04 Thread Gloria Lane
Well, I don't know what the right kind of person is (or wrong), but  
you have great respect and dedication and intent, so sounds good to me.


I have 5 FELV cats - have lost 3 in the last 2 years, along with  
several non-FELV cats.  Of the 5 FELV  cats I have now, 2 are between  
2 and 3 years old (fingers crossed), and 3 are over three years (like  
5 or 6, I'll have to check).  I just picked up these three within the  
last year, from someone who had to rehome them.  All are on  
interferon, all doing great.


It does make one paranoid, losing them.  I've lost two non-FELV  
fosters in the last month, plus one that someone adopted from me was  
euthanized (not for a good reason). IT hurts.   But when you try to  
do what's best for them, and give them a good life, and make things  
better than they were, what more can you ask for.  It's a great gift.


Gloria


On Jan 4, 2006, at 1:29 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Thanks, Gloria.  That really does help.  I just have become so  
paranoid and fatalistic from losing so many animals in the last few  
years, that statistics like the one the vet cited just put me over  
the edge a little bit.


But Gray showed me that the vet also has a chart in the office, put  
out by Hills, saying that a 17 year old cat is equivalent to a 100  
year-old human.  Now I know 17 is old for a cat, but that would  
make our cat Percy, who lived to a month short of 20, about 120 in  
human years!  Which is a bit ridiculous.  It also had dogs over 55  
pounds being equivalent to 100 human years at age 11. This made  
Gray feel better because we lost our three large dogs at 9, 10, and  
11 and felt like they were young when they died.  But we have also  
known a few large dogs who lived to 15, which would make them 140  
in human terms according to the chart!  So all of these numbers are  
a bit bizarre when you sit down to think about them.


Sorry if I seem so anxious when I write.  The vet told me that he  
thought Patches was anemic, before the HCT results were done, and I  
almost passed out. But her HCT was 37, thank god.  I am just always  
so sure the other shoe will drop.  Everyone tells me I am  
completely the wrong type of person to have adopted 6 FeLV+ cats.   
I know they are right.  But I also love them so much I can't  
imagine not having done it.


Michelle

In a message dated 1/4/2006 2:23:10 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

Hi Michelle,  prayers coming for Patches and Lucy!  I know you have a
lot os stress trying to keep them well.  In my opinion, different
vets will say  a lot if different, diverse things about FELV - much
just based on their feelings, not necessarily based on research or
solid evidence. My friend Susan has several FELV cats that just last
and last and last - going to be old age kitties.  Hope yours live
long too!

Gloria






RE: Please wish Patches good luck! and Lucy too!

2006-01-04 Thread Hideyo Yamamoto








Hi, Michelle – I can completely
relate to your worry.  Having tons of feral kitties at my house, I often
have to put them on iso gas just to draw a blood – I think they call it “plain
anesthesia” – just enough to draw a blood and they are not
completely sleep and already awake when they are done with drawing blood –
I hate to do it for the same reason as you are concerned.. but it’s still
safer than having them go through a long surgery without checking their blood
work first, I guess.

 

I had to have the dental done for Hannibal
a couple of weeks ago, and was so freaking worried about it because of his CRF
condition, and him being so older.. and the vet thought that he had FIP and
stuff – but he came out ok --- Tsubomi, my felK also had to go through
spaying surgery, and it went ok, too  so, I am sure that your baby Patches
will be just fine!!!  

 

Michelle, I will be praying very hard for
both Patches and Lucy and will be sending lots of healing energy  –
please ask your vet not to use any sedatives or injectable prior or during or
after the surgery, but only to use ISO gas – they recover much faster
without injectables and injectables can cause complications.. my vets had
suggested and we never use any injectables on my kitties any more – and its
amazing how much sooner they recover without it so, just to avoid any
risks, I would recommend that they only use ISO gas on Patches – (also,
because I think, my Suzi had a reaction from injectables from pain killer during
the spaying surgery and she died from it and I decided not to use it on any of
my cats anymore) ---

 

Hideyo

 

 

 









From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On
Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2006
12:14 PM
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Subject: Please wish Patches good
luck! and Lucy too!



 



I was already fretting about Patches
because she has been having a little trouble eating and the gums above her two
broken canines are really swollen, so I made an appointment with a dentist for
her tomorrow and was pretty sure he was going to say they have to come out. She
is FeLV+ and at least 5 years old, so surgery freaks me out. But today she was
running around the house meowing and sqatting and peeing little drops of bloody
urine, so I scooped her up and took her to the vet. She has crystals again,
they think (second time) and was given antibiotics and pain killer.  They
also did an FeLV test to confirm her status, and guess what-- yes, she has
FeLV, but she also has FIV.  I had not known this. AND he could not get
blood from her because she had such a stress reaction to him trying that she
started panting and almost collapsed. I have never had blood drawn from her
before.  He insisted the only way to get the blood (necessary for pre-surgery
workup anyway, but I wanted to see if anything else is going on with her) was
to give her isoflourine gas (i.e. anesthesia) for 5 minutes and get the blood
that way.  This was a new vet to me, and I never heard of such a thing,
and did not want to do it. Gray convinced me to do it because she needs blood
drawn, is going to have to get anesthesia to get the teeth out anyway next
week, and she had been so stressed by the attempt to get blood from her that he
thought such stress could do as much damage as the 5 minutes of gas. So I did
it, and she was ok, but I was really upset about it.  This is already the
2nd vet office I am trying in the area since moving her in August.  I
thought I would like them because they carry Purevax vaccines, unlike most
places, and because the vet I saw there when I took Quincy for his Purevax FeLV vaccine was
really great. But this was the other vet there.





 





And of course vet started quoting the
statistic to me that 80% of cats with FeLV die within 3 years of contracting
it, and my remaining three have all had it at least 4 years or so and probably
longer, so although I know these stats are skewed from so many positives being
euthanized on testing positive, I started feeling really depressed about their
prospects for having much more time.





 





ANYWAY, having had anesthesia gas and
some painkiller and dex, Patches is quite calm and happy now and basking in the
sun on the bed, but I probably need anti-anxiety meds now.  





 





Please say a prayer for her to get
through all of this, the urinary tract problems and the dental surgery, without
problems.  Also please pray for Lucy, who seems to have IBD now and is on
steroids (she is also FeLV+).  I am going to start making home-made diets
for them to see if that helps.  I want to try raw but am worried because
some people say that immune-compromised cats can have problems with the
increased bacteria load in raw, so I think I may try a lightly cooked version
of a raw diet.





 





Michelle










Re: Please wish Patches good luck! and Lucy too!

2006-01-04 Thread wendy
Hey Michelle,

I am sending warm fuzzies your way.  Hopefully, they
will rub off on Patches and Lucy.  My Siamese is a
LuLu, named after her mom Lucy, who was named after I
Love Lucy (my best friend's daughter loves I Love
Lucy).  lol.  Don't let the vet (or statistics) get
you down Michelle.  Your kitties could live a long
life with FeLV, just like some here have.  Worrying is
only going to take energy from you, so try not to (I
am one to talk, huh?)  I bet Patches will sail right
through getting the teeth removed, just like Hideyo's
(I think) kitty did recently.  Let me know how the
cooked diet goes.  I am going to boil some chicken
tonight for Stretch and see if that doesn't peak her
interest.  And I will keep Patches and Lucy in my
prayers.  Keep us posted.

:)
Wendy



__ 
Yahoo! DSL – Something to write home about. 
Just $16.99/mo. or less. 
dsl.yahoo.com 




Re: Please wish Patches good luck! and Lucy too!

2006-01-04 Thread Lernermichelle




Wendy, I can't believe you have the energy to send prayers and try to talk 
me out of anxiety when you are going through what you are going through with 
Stretch. Thank you.  
Michelle
 
In a message dated 1/4/2006 3:14:10 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Hey 
  Michelle,I am sending warm fuzzies your way.  Hopefully, 
  theywill rub off on Patches and Lucy.  My Siamese is aLuLu, named 
  after her mom Lucy, who was named after ILove Lucy (my best friend's 
  daughter loves I LoveLucy).  lol.  Don't let the vet (or 
  statistics) getyou down Michelle.  Your kitties could live a 
  longlife with FeLV, just like some here have.  Worrying isonly 
  going to take energy from you, so try not to (Iam one to talk, huh?)  
  I bet Patches will sail rightthrough getting the teeth removed, just like 
  Hideyo's(I think) kitty did recently.  Let me know how thecooked 
  diet goes.  I am going to boil some chickentonight for Stretch and 
  see if that doesn't peak herinterest.  And I will keep Patches and 
  Lucy in myprayers.  Keep us 
posted.:)Wendy

 


Re: Please wish Patches good luck! and Lucy too!

2006-01-04 Thread wendy
I'm with you.  I saw that same Hill's chart and I
don't think those charts are very accurate.  We have a
16.5 year old kitty that is doing great.  She's
considered geriatric, but I never saw a geriatric
human race around the house like she does.  LOLOLOL. 
Never been sick a day in her life.  Her name is Julie.
 I got my dog when I was 17, and she died when I was
33, so she lived 16/17 years.  She was part grey wolf,
part german shepherd or something else, not sure.  I
think she would have lived a lot longer had an elderly
friend of ours not run over her and her leg had to be
amputated, which led to her not being able to get
around as well when she got older.  There is just no
good set of rules for things like age.  I mean look at
Sean Connery, for goodness sakes.  

Maybe you aren't the wrong person to adopt these
kitties.  Maybe they are teaching you something you
need to know, whatever it may be.  I know I'm learning
from mine that I can't control everything!  And to
enjoy life as it finds us, as much as we can.

:)
Wendy




__ 
Yahoo! DSL – Something to write home about. 
Just $16.99/mo. or less. 
dsl.yahoo.com 




RE: Please wish Patches good luck! and Lucy too!

2006-01-04 Thread Hideyo Yamamoto
I say "hell with the statistics if it does not work on your favor" - I
had decided a long time ago to believe in statistic information only
when it work on my favor, if it does not, I completely ignore it -

I have tons high corona titer cats - and according to statistics,
considering how multi-cat house hold my house is, I am supposed to have
lost about 20 cats to FIP - and have not - actually lost "O" -

I think there are so many variables and you can't just simply put in one
statistical information --- 

-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Gloria Lane
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2006 12:44 PM
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Subject: Re: Please wish Patches good luck! and Lucy too!

Well, I don't know what the right kind of person is (or wrong), but  
you have great respect and dedication and intent, so sounds good to me.

I have 5 FELV cats - have lost 3 in the last 2 years, along with  
several non-FELV cats.  Of the 5 FELV  cats I have now, 2 are between  
2 and 3 years old (fingers crossed), and 3 are over three years (like  
5 or 6, I'll have to check).  I just picked up these three within the  
last year, from someone who had to rehome them.  All are on  
interferon, all doing great.

It does make one paranoid, losing them.  I've lost two non-FELV  
fosters in the last month, plus one that someone adopted from me was  
euthanized (not for a good reason). IT hurts.   But when you try to  
do what's best for them, and give them a good life, and make things  
better than they were, what more can you ask for.  It's a great gift.

Gloria


On Jan 4, 2006, at 1:29 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

> Thanks, Gloria.  That really does help.  I just have become so  
> paranoid and fatalistic from losing so many animals in the last few  
> years, that statistics like the one the vet cited just put me over  
> the edge a little bit.
>
> But Gray showed me that the vet also has a chart in the office, put  
> out by Hills, saying that a 17 year old cat is equivalent to a 100  
> year-old human.  Now I know 17 is old for a cat, but that would  
> make our cat Percy, who lived to a month short of 20, about 120 in  
> human years!  Which is a bit ridiculous.  It also had dogs over 55  
> pounds being equivalent to 100 human years at age 11. This made  
> Gray feel better because we lost our three large dogs at 9, 10, and  
> 11 and felt like they were young when they died.  But we have also  
> known a few large dogs who lived to 15, which would make them 140  
> in human terms according to the chart!  So all of these numbers are  
> a bit bizarre when you sit down to think about them.
>
> Sorry if I seem so anxious when I write.  The vet told me that he  
> thought Patches was anemic, before the HCT results were done, and I  
> almost passed out. But her HCT was 37, thank god.  I am just always  
> so sure the other shoe will drop.  Everyone tells me I am  
> completely the wrong type of person to have adopted 6 FeLV+ cats.   
> I know they are right.  But I also love them so much I can't  
> imagine not having done it.
>
> Michelle
>
> In a message dated 1/4/2006 2:23:10 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> Hi Michelle,  prayers coming for Patches and Lucy!  I know you have a
> lot os stress trying to keep them well.  In my opinion, different
> vets will say  a lot if different, diverse things about FELV - much
> just based on their feelings, not necessarily based on research or
> solid evidence. My friend Susan has several FELV cats that just last
> and last and last - going to be old age kitties.  Hope yours live
> long too!
>
> Gloria
>






Fu's severe anemia and folic acid

2006-01-04 Thread BONNIE J KALMBACH
I bought some folic acid for Fu; I called the the vet who said just give
a little bit. I didn't think to ask how much is a little bit - how much
should I give him. I'm thinking of putting it in his a/d which I am
syringe feeding him.

The vet has also called the vet school about epogen. They asked that
Fu's records be faxed to them. So I'll know more later.

Thanks everyone,
Bonnie and the Foozer

 www.elephants.com



Re: Fu's severe anemia and folic acid

2006-01-04 Thread Lernermichelle




Look at the email about Bandy. I think she said she gives him 800 
micrograms (smaller than miligrams) but am not sure.
 
Michelle
 
In a message dated 1/4/2006 3:27:27 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
I bought 
  some folic acid for Fu; I called the the vet who said just givea little 
  bit. I didn't think to ask how much is a little bit - how muchshould I 
  give him. I'm thinking of putting it in his a/d which I amsyringe feeding 
  him.The vet has also called the vet school about epogen. They asked 
  thatFu's records be faxed to them. So I'll know more later.Thanks 
  everyone,Bonnie and the Foozer

 


RE: Please wish Patches good luck! and Lucy too!

2006-01-04 Thread Hideyo Yamamoto








Michelle – also don’t put too
much weight on FIV result – it’s probably false positive – I took
one of my older boy, OB for a blood work and I accidentally found out that he
was tested for FIV positive, which did not make sense to me (he had always been
negative and never been around of positives) – anyway, I had sent it out
for WB for confirmation, and it came back negatives - - FIV false positives happened
to 3 out of  7 of my cats in the past.

 









From: Hideyo Yamamoto 
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2006
12:49 PM
To: 'felvtalk@felineleukemia.org'
Subject: RE: Please wish Patches
good luck! and Lucy too!



 

Hi, Michelle – I can completely
relate to your worry.  Having tons of feral kitties at my house, I often
have to put them on iso gas just to draw a blood – I think they call it
“plain anesthesia” – just enough to draw a blood and they are
not completely sleep and already awake when they are done with drawing blood
– I hate to do it for the same reason as you are concerned.. but
it’s still safer than having them go through a long surgery without
checking their blood work first, I guess.

 

I had to have the dental done for Hannibal
a couple of weeks ago, and was so freaking worried about it because of his CRF
condition, and him being so older.. and the vet thought that he had FIP and
stuff – but he came out ok --- Tsubomi, my felK also had to go through
spaying surgery, and it went ok, too  so, I am sure that your baby Patches
will be just fine!!!  

 

Michelle, I will be praying very hard for
both Patches and Lucy and will be sending lots of healing energy  –
please ask your vet not to use any sedatives or injectable prior or during or
after the surgery, but only to use ISO gas – they recover much faster
without injectables and injectables can cause complications.. my vets had
suggested and we never use any injectables on my kitties any more – and
its amazing how much sooner they recover without it so, just to avoid any
risks, I would recommend that they only use ISO gas on Patches – (also,
because I think, my Suzi had a reaction from injectables from pain killer
during the spaying surgery and she died from it and I decided not to use it on
any of my cats anymore) ---

 

Hideyo

 

 

 









From:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On
Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2006
12:14 PM
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Subject: Please wish Patches good
luck! and Lucy too!



 



I was already fretting about Patches
because she has been having a little trouble eating and the gums above her two
broken canines are really swollen, so I made an appointment with a dentist for
her tomorrow and was pretty sure he was going to say they have to come out. She
is FeLV+ and at least 5 years old, so surgery freaks me out. But today she was
running around the house meowing and sqatting and peeing little drops of bloody
urine, so I scooped her up and took her to the vet. She has crystals again,
they think (second time) and was given antibiotics and pain killer.  They
also did an FeLV test to confirm her status, and guess what-- yes, she has
FeLV, but she also has FIV.  I had not known this. AND he could not get
blood from her because she had such a stress reaction to him trying that she
started panting and almost collapsed. I have never had blood drawn from her
before.  He insisted the only way to get the blood (necessary for
pre-surgery workup anyway, but I wanted to see if anything else is going on
with her) was to give her isoflourine gas (i.e. anesthesia) for 5 minutes and
get the blood that way.  This was a new vet to me, and I never heard of
such a thing, and did not want to do it. Gray convinced me to do it because she
needs blood drawn, is going to have to get anesthesia to get the teeth out
anyway next week, and she had been so stressed by the attempt to get blood from
her that he thought such stress could do as much damage as the 5 minutes of gas.
So I did it, and she was ok, but I was really upset about it.  This is
already the 2nd vet office I am trying in the area since moving her in
August.  I thought I would like them because they carry Purevax vaccines,
unlike most places, and because the vet I saw there when I took Quincy for his Purevax
FeLV vaccine was really great. But this was the other vet there.





 





And of course vet started quoting the
statistic to me that 80% of cats with FeLV die within 3 years of contracting
it, and my remaining three have all had it at least 4 years or so and probably
longer, so although I know these stats are skewed from so many positives being
euthanized on testing positive, I started feeling really depressed about their
prospects for having much more time.





 





ANYWAY, having had anesthesia gas and
some painkiller and dex, Patches is quite calm and happy now and basking in the
sun on the bed, but I probably need anti-anxiety meds now.  





 





Please say a prayer for her to get
through all o

Re: Please wish Patches good luck! and Lucy too!

2006-01-04 Thread wendy
Michelle,

You've been so good about helping all of us, I
wouldn't dream of passing up the opportunity to help
you out.  Besides, I am sitting at my desk at work
trying to get myself fired by being on the computer
all day.  Maybe then I will be forced to find a job I
actually like!  lol.  Seriously though, if I sit and
worry over Stretch, I will drive myself crazy, like I
did with Cricket, so I try to keep myself busy.  I
hope you are finding something to take your mind off
Patches as well.

:)
Wendy

--- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

>  
> Wendy, I can't believe you have the energy to send
> prayers and try to talk  
> me out of anxiety when you are going through what
> you are going through with  
> Stretch. Thank you.  
> Michelle
>  
> In a message dated 1/4/2006 3:14:10 P.M. Eastern
> Standard Time,  
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> 
> Hey  Michelle,
> 
> I am sending warm fuzzies your way.  Hopefully, 
> they
> will rub off on Patches and Lucy.  My Siamese is a
> LuLu, named  after her mom Lucy, who was named after
> I
> Love Lucy (my best friend's  daughter loves I Love
> Lucy).  lol.  Don't let the vet (or  statistics) get
> you down Michelle.  Your kitties could live a  long
> life with FeLV, just like some here have.  Worrying
> is
> only  going to take energy from you, so try not to
> (I
> am one to talk, huh?)   I bet Patches will sail
> right
> through getting the teeth removed, just like 
> Hideyo's
> (I think) kitty did recently.  Let me know how the
> cooked  diet goes.  I am going to boil some chicken
> tonight for Stretch and  see if that doesn't peak
> her
> interest.  And I will keep Patches and  Lucy in my
> prayers.  Keep us  posted.
> 
> :)
> Wendy
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 




__ 
Yahoo! DSL – Something to write home about. 
Just $16.99/mo. or less. 
dsl.yahoo.com 




Re: Fu's severe anemia and folic acid

2006-01-04 Thread Gloria Lane

Great elephant link... thanks -


On Jan 4, 2006, at 2:27 PM, BONNIE J KALMBACH wrote:

I bought some folic acid for Fu; I called the the vet who said just  
give
a little bit. I didn't think to ask how much is a little bit - how  
much

should I give him. I'm thinking of putting it in his a/d which I am
syringe feeding him.

The vet has also called the vet school about epogen. They asked that
Fu's records be faxed to them. So I'll know more later.

Thanks everyone,
Bonnie and the Foozer

 www.elephants.com







Re: Please wish Patches good luck! and Lucy too!

2006-01-04 Thread Sherry DeHaan
Michelle,my thoughts and prayers are with your Patches and lucy  Sherry[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:  I was already fretting about Patches because she has been having a little trouble eating and the gums above her two broken canines are really swollen, so I made an appointment with a dentist for her tomorrow and was pretty sure he was going to say they have to come out. She is FeLV+ and at least 5 years old, so surgery freaks me out. But today she was running around the house meowing and sqatting and peeing little drops of bloody urine, so I scooped her up and took her to the vet. She has crystals again, they think (second time) and was given antibiotics and pain killer.  They also did an FeLV test to confirm her status,
 and guess what-- yes, she has FeLV, but she also has FIV.  I had not known this. AND he could not get blood from her because she had such a stress reaction to him trying that she started panting and almost collapsed. I have never had blood drawn from her before.  He insisted the only way to get the blood (necessary for pre-surgery workup anyway, but I wanted to see if anything else is going on with her) was to give her isoflourine gas (i.e. anesthesia) for 5 minutes and get the blood that way.  This was a new vet to me, and I never heard of such a thing, and did not want to do it. Gray convinced me to do it because she needs blood drawn, is going to have to get anesthesia to get the teeth out anyway next week, and she had been so stressed by the attempt to get blood from her that he thought such stress could do as much damage as the 5 minutes of gas. So I did it, and she was ok, but I was really upset about it.  This is already the 2nd vet office I am trying in
 the area since moving her in August.  I thought I would like them because they carry Purevax vaccines, unlike most places, and because the vet I saw there when I took Quincy for his Purevax FeLV vaccine was really great. But this was the other vet there.     And of course vet started quoting the statistic to me that 80% of cats with FeLV die within 3 years of contracting it, and my remaining three have all had it at least 4 years or so and probably longer, so although I know these stats are skewed from so many positives being euthanized on testing positive, I started feeling really depressed about their prospects for having much more time.     ANYWAY, having had anesthesia gas and some painkiller and dex, Patches is quite calm and happy now and basking in the sun on the bed, but I probably need anti-anxiety meds now.       Please say a prayer for her to get through all of this, the urinary
 tract problems and the dental surgery, without problems.  Also please pray for Lucy, who seems to have IBD now and is on steroids (she is also FeLV+).  I am going to start making home-made diets for them to see if that helps.  I want to try raw but am worried because some people say that immune-compromised cats can have problems with the increased bacteria load in raw, so I think I may try a lightly cooked version of a raw diet.     Michelle  
	
		Yahoo! Photos 
Ring in the New Year with Photo Calendars. Add photos, events, holidays, whatever.

Hardy

2006-01-04 Thread Sherry DeHaan
I just wanted to thank you all for your kind words.It is hard losing such precious babies,but I am happy to have been one of the last people to say tha I loved him.  Sherry
		 Yahoo! DSL Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less

Re: Marylyn

2006-01-04 Thread Marylyn
Just because you chose not to take certain steps does not mean you put the 
animal down.  Allow the cat/dog/elephant to tell you if and when she needs 
help leaving this world.  Put aside your own feelings and sit very quietly 
with your friend, talk to her as though she was a person and ask her help. 
Ask what she wants and needs (unfortunately they may not be the same thing). 
Allow her to guide you.  Know the difference between discomfort and true 
lasting pain.  And allow your nephew to be a part of this.  Do not exclude 
him because you want to save him the "hurt."  You will prevent him from 
giving and receiving true love, the love an animal gives us unconditionally.


Have no regrets about Cricket.  We all question ourselves but act with true 
love for the critter entrusted to your care and not to make things easier 
for yourself.  I promise you, it would have been a lot easier for me to have 
done what the specialists wanted with Kitty but it would not have been an 
act of love.  Luckily, I have a set of vets that understand the value of 
life as well as quality of life (I wish a lot of physicians understood this) 
and we talked about what each of us would want in the situation.  Perhaps 
that is what you need to do, ask Stretch to help you understand what you 
would truly want.  Maybe that is her special job on earth.


My prayers are with you and I am asking my angels to help you, your nephew 
and your four legged friends who have been, are, and will be.


- Original Message - 
From: "wendy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: 
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2006 9:52 AM
Subject: Marylyn



Marylyn,

Thank you for the advice.  I hadn't thought to ask
Stretch what she wants, and will do that tonight.  I
don't know how much I will understand from her (or her
me) without using a communicator, but maybe I will get
lucky.  She has been really good about taking the food
I have fed her twice now, although this morning she
wasn't as happy about it.  Maybe that is a good sign
though; maybe the food is making her feel better.

You make a good point about treatments maybe not being
what an animal wants.  I have pondered this a lot
after I lost Cricket.  I often wonder how I would have
felt had I just taken him in to be pts, which was the
original plan.  Instead, after someone caringly
suggested that a feeding tube might help save him or
at least give him a little more time, which I thought
was a great idea, to have one inserted.  Part of why
he was going downhill so fast was that he wasn't
eating.  Also, I selfishly wasn't ready to let him go,
and I did want him to feel better and get some food on
his stomach; no one feels good when they are starving.
 I do and don't regret my decision to insert the
feeding tube.  I would probably do the same thing
given the same circumstances, yet I will never forget
the last time we looked at each other with him being
lucid, which was through the glass of the anesthesia
gas box.  He had that look like don't leave me and I
told him it would be ok, and it wasn't.  But you know,
had he come out of it and not died that night and
lived longer feeling better, I would have been elated
that he had gotten the feeding tube.  And that could
have been the sitution given a different cat or had
Cricket been in a little healthier place.  We can
never make all the right decisions, because we don't
know all the variables and can't see into the future.
Living with those decisions that don't turn out the
way we would have liked can be hard.

Thank you for taking the time to write.  I will keep
everyone posted on Stretch.  Please keep us in your
prayers.
:)
Wendy





__
Yahoo! DSL - Something to write home about.
Just $16.99/mo. or less.
dsl.yahoo.com










Re: Please wish Patches good luck! and Lucy too!

2006-01-04 Thread Belinda Sauro

   Michelle,
  I'm sorry you are having problems too, I hope the furkids start 
feeling better.  I just wanted to tell you Bailey has been eating raw 
(homemade) for about 6 months or so and he really thrived until this 
anemia hit, he went up to 11 pounds, he was always eating, I was in 
heaven.  As part of trying to find out what is going on now he was 
tested for parasites and is clean so the raw didn't cause any problems 
for us.


--
Belinda
Happiness is being owned by cats ...

Be-Mi-Kitties ...
http://www.bemikitties.com

Post Adoptable FeLV/FIV/FIP Cats/Kittens
http://adopt.bemikitties.com

FeLV Candle Light Service
http://www.bemikitties.com/cls

HostDesign4U.com  (affordable hosting & web design)
http://HostDesign4U.com

---

BMK Designs (non-profit web sites)
http://bmk.bemikitties.com




Re: Need your help with Stretch

2006-01-04 Thread Marylyn
Kitty's x-rays showed the cancer.  They maybe less expensive than some of 
the tests.  Level with your vet re money.  He knows you are a caring person.
- Original Message - 
From: "wendy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: 
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2006 10:00 AM
Subject: Re: Need your help with Stretch



Hey Michelle,

I can't imagine how you felt with them telling you to
pay up front while you're holding your sick cat!  That
just sounds bad!  I just started working a second job,
so as soon as we get any money at all, then I will
probably take Stretch in for the tests and if
affordable, to get X-rays, and the fluid drained.  Do
X-rays show cancer tumors and/or fluid?  Also, how
often do you give the dex/depo shot (if it is
lymphoma)?  I could not really tell if the dex shot
helped much.  Stretch isn't breathing as heavily as
she was, but her breathing is still somewhat labored.
Also, where do you get the bags and needles to do
sub-Q fluids?  Is there anything else I need to do
sub-Q?  Do you just use water?

Thanks,
Wendy



__
Yahoo! DSL - Something to write home about.
Just $16.99/mo. or less.
dsl.yahoo.com










Re: Need your help with Stretch

2006-01-04 Thread Marylyn
It is very easy to do the sub q's but get your vet to show you.  And they do 
not appear to feel a thing (honest).
- Original Message - 
From: "wendy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: 
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2006 11:54 AM
Subject: Re: Need your help with Stretch



Thanks Tonya.  I think I will go that route if I don't
see an improvement in eating/drinking very soon.  It's
a little scary though.  I've never stuck a needle into
another living being, unless you count getting
splinters out, so I am a bit nervous about trying
this.  Do you give the cat the whole bag?  And where
and how do you stick the needle?

Thanks,
Wendy

--- catatonya <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


Wendy,

  The fluid is already in the bags you buy.  You
don't fill them yourselves.  I don't know what all
is in them.  I suppose electrolytes, fluids, maybe
potassium?  If you've got a decent vet a bag of
fluid and the set up for sub q should be less than
$10.

  t

  t

wendy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
  Hey Michelle,

I can't imagine how you felt with them telling you
to
pay up front while you're holding your sick cat!
That
just sounds bad! I just started working a second
job,
so as soon as we get any money at all, then I will
probably take Stretch in for the tests and if
affordable, to get X-rays, and the fluid drained. Do
X-rays show cancer tumors and/or fluid? Also, how
often do you give the dex/depo shot (if it is
lymphoma)? I could not really tell if the dex shot
helped much. Stretch isn't breathing as heavily as
she was, but her breathing is still somewhat
labored.
Also, where do you get the bags and needles to do
sub-Q fluids? Is there anything else I need to do
sub-Q? Do you just use water?

Thanks,
Wendy



__
Yahoo! DSL - Something to write home about.
Just $16.99/mo. or less.
dsl.yahoo.com









__
Yahoo! DSL - Something to write home about.
Just $16.99/mo. or less.
dsl.yahoo.com










Re: Fu's red cell blood count

2006-01-04 Thread BONNIE J KALMBACH
Fu's been on it for 3 1/2 years.

Bonnie

 www.elephants.com

- Original Message -
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: Tuesday, January 3, 2006 10:39 pm
Subject: Re: Fu's red cell blood count
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org

> Bonnie~
> The anemia may be a result of the methimazole. (Check out 
> _www.vetinfo.com/cthyroidtreat.html_ 
> (http://www.vetinfo.com/cthyroidtreat.html) ).
> How long has Fu been on the methimazole?
> I agree, 19 is a risky age for the surgery.
> Another side effect from methimazole use is damage to the kidneys...
> It's so hard when our babies get on in years. Your damned if you 
> do, and  
> damned if you don't.
> My Felix, who suffered IBD was diagnosed with CRF at 17. After 
> "fighting"  
> with him with meds and special "prescription diet", I decided to 
> just give him  
> subq fluids and homeopathic supplements, and let him eat what ever 
> he  
> wanted
> Dear boy, lived another 2 and 1/2 years.
> Best wishes for Fu and you.
> Patti
> 
> 



Re: Bailey is anemic

2006-01-04 Thread FORGETMENOTPETS



Belinda 
I am behind on my emailsmy prayers are with you and Bailey.
I feel like I know the furkid since you posted about him for 
years..
Bless you for all you do 
 
see our 
available orphans at:http://members.petfinder.org/~TX418/index.htmlKaren 
817-453-4888


OT: A Dog Named Lucky!

2006-01-04 Thread Terri Brown




A beautiful story:
 
Click here: A Dog Named 
Lucky! - Best Inspiration from the Net from Dobhran's Inspire! 
 
 
=^..^= Terri, Siggie the Tomato Vampire, 
Guinevere, Sammi, Travis, and 6 furangels: RuthieGirl, Samantha, Arielle, 
Gareth, Alec & Salome' =^..^=
 
Furkid Photos! http://mysite.verizon.net/vze7sgqa/My Personal Page: http://www.geocities.com/ruthiegirl1/terrispage.html?1083970447350


Re: Need your help with Stretch

2006-01-04 Thread may c webb
I will keep Stretch in my prayers. Yes, keep me posted.

may



Re: anemia

2006-01-04 Thread Kerry Roach
Hi,  I have been trying to catch up on reading some posts..so I think this is for Bonnie and Belinda...I am going to list what I give Bandy or some of it...the most recent things anyway..I do think Bandy has non-regenerative anemia...But something is working for now..It is hard to tell what I guess because I rotate his supplements..If he turns his nose up, then I go get some food just to make sure he eats that meal then add the supplements to the next meal..  Liqui-tinic 4X vitamin and iron supplement  similiar to pet tinic  Co Q 10 sprinkled on 2 meals a day  Extra strength immune and antioxidant support by CAS options..which has the following in it...Reishi, Shiitake and Maitake mushrooms, green tea powder, vit C Co Q 10, selenium and Vit E once a day  Oxazepam transdermal for appetite stimulant...( we haven't used this in about 3 months though)  good to have around though  Folic acid
 800mcg. which I sprinkle on every meal...so the capsule usually lasts for 3 meals...I am giving it to all of the ones with Bandy as they do get into each others food..Lil Rascal my heart kitty needs some too...My natural book says give 0.8mg.kg on food daily for cats..But also says when a kitty is sick to up the doses of most things by 6 to 10 times..It is good for pets on pred and tetracycline antibiotics...So this is why I went ahead and added it to Bandy's supps as he has had both.He still gets dex for his fever so I am hoping this is helping his anemia...  Bugleweed is something I am going to give Little RAscal as it is good for heart conditions and hyper thyroidism...I couldn't remember if one of you said your kitty was hyper-t, too...  I feed Bandy science diet kitten food along with some fancy feast salmon.  They also have Sci diet k/d available and oral care..  I did forget to list bovine colostum...Someone on the FIV group told me
 to add this awhile back so that goes on every meal, too..I sprinkle it on the food..The lady that told me about it has given her FIV kitty up to 6000mg of it in a day...I use about 1200 or so...  Bandy did take epogen shots for about 4 or 5 wks..I think...3x the first week then 2x a week..After he had the bone marrow biopsy, we stopped them just to make sure he didn't develope antibodies to it so we might be able to use it again if his anemia gets worse...  Hope this helps some...anything else I think of I will post...or email me directly if you want...  Best of luck to you and your kitties...  We will be thinking of you,  Kerry, Bandy and Lil Rascal and the rest of the crew..
	
		Yahoo! Photos 
Ring in the New Year with Photo Calendars. Add photos, events, holidays, whatever.

Re: Bailey is anemic

2006-01-04 Thread Kerry Roach
  Hi Belinda,  I haven't posted Bandy's anemia problems at the yahoo group yet, but I have read alot of things at that group..They have some really good info on anemia just in case you haven't checked it out yet...They have alot of posts and info on epogen...  I hope this will help...  You 2 are in our prayers,  Kerry and Bandy
		 Yahoo! DSL Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less