Re: For Gary---Determing the stages of FeLV
Hi Gary, Kerry hit the nail on the head. I would only add that keeping their environment as stress free as possible would also be beneficial. I am currently FeLV free. I just lost my last one (and my oldest) a week ago. She was 9-1/2, diagnosed at the age of 3-1/2. She lived 6 extremely healthy years until about 2 weeks ago when she stopped eating. Her liver failed. Living with FeLV cats can be rewarding -- they have taught me so much, and I feel blessed to have been able to care for them -- and they have taught me so much. On the other end, it can be emotionally taxing. It takes a very special meowmy and/or fafur to take care of FeLV+ babies. Bless you for caring for them. May they thrive in your care and bring you much joy! =^..^= 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 FeLV Site: http://pages.ivillage.com/ruthiegirl1/MyFeLVinformationSite/My Personal Page: http://www.geocities.com/ruthiegirl1/terrispage.html?1083970447350 - Original Message - From: Kerry MacKenzie To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2005 12:13 AM Subject: For Gary---Determing the stages of FeLV Hello Gary Bless you for fostering the kitties, and for wanting to do the best for them since they tested FeLV positive. FeLV isn't like cancer where the more advanced the stage, the less likelihood of recovery. Rather, FeLV depresses the immune system, so the most important goal is to do as much as possible to boost the immune system. Buying the highest quality of food you can afford--eg with no additives or preservatives--and using filtered water are an excellent start. Many members on the list use supplements. Many members have, or have had, FeLv cats that lived to a ripe old age. Others--including myself--have loved and cared for FeLV kitties that died way before their time, but nonetheless enjoyed life until succumbing. Here's an excerpt from The New Natural Cat--A Complete Guide for Finicky Owners, by Anitra Frazier-- if you come across the book, it's in the Feline Leukemia section on pages 326/327)--that you may find useful in regard to your question. "When a positive cat---one carrying the virus--comes into contact with a negative cat--one not carrying the virus--the negative, but exposed cat may: *not become affected in any way; *become infected (positive), develop immunity, and revert again to being negative; *become positive, but not become ill and remain positive--thus becoming a new carrier of the virus; *become positive and develop lymphosarcoma, leukemia, or other cancer; or *become positive and be ill from the virus infection, much like flu; and then recover and remain positive or become negative. "A positive cat who has not developed cancer can be tested again in three months. If he has been treated by an experienced veterinary homeopath and put on a high-quality diet designed to build general health and strengthen the immune system, chances are good that he will have reverted to negative. "(my emphasis--unfortunately mine did not revert) Please feel free to ask as many Qs as you need to---I'm sorry you've had to find us, but this is without doubt the best source of information you will find anywhere, including a vet clinic (I'm relatively inexperienced, and it's been a godsend to me). You won't find a more supportive, generous, informed group of people anywhere. Weekends can be slow, but you'll find many more people will respond to any further questions you have. (There's also an archive, with every past question and response posted there.) Hope this is of some help. Again, bless you for caring enough. Kerry - Original Message - From: Chris To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Saturday, September 24, 2005 10:11 PM Subject: RE: Determing the stages of FeLV Im not sure what you mean by stages .. Chris [EMAIL PROTECTED] -Original Message-From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of garySent: Saturday, September 24, 2005 4:12 PMTo: felvtalk@felineleukemia.orgSubject: Determing the stages of FeLV Hello All, First, my heart goes out to those whose little ones recently passed. I am new to the list and new to dealing with FeLV, I now have 3 fosters that have tested positive. Fortunately, no are sick at this time. I was wondering how you determine what stage of FeLV they are in? Gary
Re: Skin Problem
Hi Cherie, I don't really have any experience with this. What are you feeding her? Maybe she has a food allergy. Or maybe there isn't enough fat in her diet. Just a thought. Perhaps someone with more experience than I will get back to you. Hugs, =^..^= 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 FeLV Site: http://pages.ivillage.com/ruthiegirl1/MyFeLVinformationSite/My Personal Page: http://www.geocities.com/ruthiegirl1/terrispage.html?1083970447350 - Original Message - From: Cherie A Gabbert To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2005 2:42 AM Subject: Skin Problem Hi all, I have a question my FeLV+ Amber has a skin problem, she has formed two spots with no hair loss and some scaling.Does not glow so I do not suspect ringworm, any thoughts? Thanks Cherie Have a purrfect day Cherie
Re: For Gary---Determing the stages of FeLV
Gary, I don't know the specifics about the "stages" either, but as for the life of the virus itself, it is very fragile outside the body. "When it dries, it dies". The virus cannot live in a dry environment. It is not airborne. Prolonged exposure is necessary to spread the virus. Infrequent casual contact should not cause a negative cat to become infected, as long as the negative cat has been confirmed negative and kept up to date on the vaccinations. When the kittens are free from the URI, and when they test negative, once they are vaccinated and are given a couple of weeks for the vaccs to take, you should be good to go. Keep separate litter and water for the infected cats in the meantime. How old are your fosters? When they were tested, was it an office ELISA (snap) test, or was the bone marrow tested? In any event, I would retest in about 3 months just to see where they are. Terri in NJ =^..^= 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 FeLV Site: http://pages.ivillage.com/ruthiegirl1/MyFeLVinformationSite/My Personal Page: http://www.geocities.com/ruthiegirl1/terrispage.html?1083970447350 - Original Message - From: gary To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2005 2:28 AM Subject: Re: For Gary---Determing the stages of FeLV Kerry, Thanks for your response, didn't see it before I sent my last message. I still don't have any idea how you determine what stage a cat is in and exactly what that means. I read something somewhere that suggest you should wait until a cat is stage 2 before starting Interferon therapy because there is a chance they could develop some resistance to it if started too early and that they would need it more in stage 2. I am also a little concerned as I have 15 of my own who are not positive. The FeLV kitties are in a separate room but I am still a bit worried about going back and forth. Most of my 15 have had the FeLV shot but I have 2 kittens that are just getting over a long term URI and have not had their shots yet. I have read in one place that says the virus lives for a few hours outside the body and in another place where it was said it only lives a few seconds. So much to learn. Gary - Original Message - From: Kerry MacKenzie To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2005 12:13 AM Subject: For Gary---Determing the stages of FeLV Hello Gary Bless you for fostering the kitties, and for wanting to do the best for them since they tested FeLV positive. FeLV isn't like cancer where the more advanced the stage, the less likelihood of recovery. Rather, FeLV depresses the immune system, so the most important goal is to do as much as possible to boost the immune system. Buying the highest quality of food you can afford--eg with no additives or preservatives--and using filtered water are an excellent start. Many members on the list use supplements. Many members have, or have had, FeLv cats that lived to a ripe old age. Others--including myself--have loved and cared for FeLV kitties that died way before their time, but nonetheless enjoyed life until succumbing. Here's an excerpt from The New Natural Cat--A Complete Guide for Finicky Owners, by Anitra Frazier-- if you come across the book, it's in the Feline Leukemia section on pages 326/327)--that you may find useful in regard to your question.
Re: Skin Problem
Thanks Terri, but no new foods or any changes in her diet at all, thanks for the input though. CherieTerri Brown <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Hi Cherie, I don't really have any experience with this. What are you feeding her? Maybe she has a food allergy. Or maybe there isn't enough fat in her diet. Just a thought. Perhaps someone with more experience than I will get back to you. Hugs, =^..^= 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 FeLV Site: http://pages.ivillage.com/ruthiegirl1/MyFeLVinformationSite/My Personal Page: http://www.geocities.com/ruthiegirl1/terrispage.html?1083970447350 - Original Message - From: Cherie A Gabbert To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2005 2:42 AM Subject: Skin Problem Hi all, I have a question my FeLV+ Amber has a skin problem, she has formed two spots with no hair loss and some scaling.Does not glow so I do not suspect ringworm, any thoughts? Thanks Cherie Have a purrfect day Cherie Have a purrfect day Cherie
Re: Skin Problem
I use lysine for skin problems along with the omega 3 fatty acids. its worth a try. Karen
for Gary: Determing the stages of FeLV
Yes, I remember this now, Gary! Re how you tell what stage they're at, I personally don't know anything other that what Sally has told us (Sally's been off-list for a while because of computer problems) and I have not yet studied Dr Pitcairn's book (tho I keep meaning to). He may or may not explain how you determine the stage. Others more knowledgeable than me may also weigh in. I know that a number of members have ELISA-tested individual cats several times and in some cases a cat has reverted to negative. (I tested mine twice--they were positive each time.) (If a cat tests positive with the IFA test, then it's very unlikely he or she will revert to negative.) I am not an expert on this topic so I will stop there but there is a wealth of information in the archives. (Sally, for one, has researched and written extensively on the topic.) >I am also a little concerned as I have 15 of my own who are not positive. The FeLV kitties are in a separate room but I am still a bit worried about going back and forth. Most of my 15 have had the FeLV shot but I have 2 kittens that are just getting over a long term URI and have not had their shots yet. < I do what you do Gary--keep my FELV cats separate. I used to be paranoid about cross-infection as i went back and forth (changing clothes etc.) Since joining the list I've learned a lot and I don't wory about that any more. I still keep my guys separate, as i don't give my negs shots, but many--most, I would say--more experienced members than me give their negs shots and have successfully mixed their negs and positives for years. I'm one of the few holdouts. In your present set-up, I don't think you are endangering any of your negative cats, including the non-vaccinated kittens with URIs. And, as kittens, especially sick ones, are one of the most vulnerable categories for contracting FeLV from a positive cat, you're doing exactly the right thing in keeping separate groups. Oh and yes, Terri is right--I should have added that--keeping the environment as stress-free as possible is so very important for positives. Kerry - Original Message - From: gary To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2005 1:07 AM Subject: Re: Determing the stages of FeLV I'm not exactly sure myself but, a few days ago Kerry quoted and email from Sally that stated in part -- So if Pilgrim tested ELISA positive, but IFA negative, that is good news in that she is still in stage 1-3 of the infectious process and there is a chance she can clear the virus and revert to negative status. And, according to Dr. Pitcairn in his book Natural Health for Dogs and Cats, cats do not begin shedding the virus and become infections to other cats until they have reached stage 5. - Original Message - From: Chris To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Saturday, September 24, 2005 11:11 PM Subject: RE: Determing the stages of FeLV I’m not sure what you mean by ‘stages’….. Chris [EMAIL PROTECTED] -Original Message-From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of garySent: Saturday, September 24, 2005 4:12 PMTo: felvtalk@felineleukemia.orgSubject: Determing the stages of FeLV Hello All, First, my heart goes out to those whose little ones recently passed. I am new to the list and new to dealing with FeLV, I now have 3 fosters that have tested positive. Fortunately, no are sick at this time. I was wondering how you determine what stage of FeLV they are in? Gary
DR. Pitcairn's book
I am sorry I just recently got back on the list. is this a book about Felv? What is the name of it I would like to purchase it. Regards, Karen see our available orphans at:http://members.petfinder.org/~TX418/index.htmlKaren 817-453-4888
Home Testing
Have you guys heard anything good or bad about the snap tests you can do at home? Karen
Re: Skin Problem
What do you know about Apple Cidar vinegar?.I also heard that might work[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I use lysine for skin problems along with the omega 3 fatty acids. its worth a try. KarenHave a purrfect day Cherie
Re: Skin Problem
hmmm apple cidar? Never heard of it sorry
Re: Skin Problem
I know people who use it for various skin problems including fungus infections. It is soothing. I have no idea about using it on cats. - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2005 1:58 PM Subject: Re: Skin Problem hmmm apple cidar? Never heard of it sorry
Re: Home Testing
Unless there is one they claim can be done without a blood draw I would think it is the same as the vet uses and all you need for that is the snap test kit and a blood draw. The snap tests aren't by Rx so I believe you can buy them from a vet supply place. The needles for blood draw might have to be by Rx, and then there is that part about being able to do a blood draw. Gsry - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2005 12:04 PM Subject: Home Testing Have you guys heard anything good or bad about the snap tests you can do at home? Karen
FeLV diet
Does anyone have any recommandations for a commercially available food? Gary
Re: Home Testing
I am gonna give it a trythe vet charges way too much
Re: DR. Pitcairn's book
forget it I found both books on ebay and bid on them
Re: FeLV diet
If your only options are places like Petsmart and Petco type places, then I would recommend either Nutro or Royal Canin. I use Eagle Pack, and it is only available in certain places. Check out www.eaglepack.com and see if there's a vendor near you. Also, you could check out Precise foods. The link isn't working for me at the moment, but it is supposed to be www.precisepet.com. Or try California Natural, Innova, HealthWise, or Karma Organic at www.naturapet.com. There's also Wellness. It's available at a variety of on line stores. You could do a websearch to find that one. I tried different foods, and Eagle Pack works best for my gang. If I can't get to the specialty store near me to buy it, they like Royal Canin and Nutro Indoor formula best. Good luck! Terri in NJ =^..^= 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 FeLV Site: http://pages.ivillage.com/ruthiegirl1/MyFeLVinformationSite/My Personal Page: http://www.geocities.com/ruthiegirl1/terrispage.html?1083970447350 - Original Message - From: gary To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2005 2:48 PM Subject: FeLV diet Does anyone have any recommandations for a commercially available food? Gary
Re: playing at the bridge
I'm so sorry to hear about your loss and that of Paulie. I am out of town and behind on my email, so I apologize for not responding individually. We have had way too many losses on the list lately. :( tonyaTenHouseCats <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: between grace's passing, and learning of paulie's journey, i lay on mycouch while a six-week-old ocikitten lay under my shirt, taking hislast breathsi hope that grace and paulie will take him under their wings and teachhim all about being a cat, since he really never had a chance to beone this time around. i wonder if there is such a need right now, atthe bridge, for wonderful cats, because of all the people who weresent flying home with these mighty storms? GLOW to all the critters,of all species, who have and may soon find their way home--MaryChristineAIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCatsMSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED]ICQ: 289856892
Re: Paulie
I found this Julie. I'm so sorry. I hope everything was peaceful for Paulie. Now he won't be afraid anymore. tonyaJulie Johnson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Dear Friends, Please keep Paulie in your thoughts. He is my feral who is CRF. He's been eating less and starting last night began to vocalize. It's not an agonal scream, but it's very unusual for him. He never meows or makes any other sound. He did it again this morning (he was in the bathroom where he never ventures). He at first let me pick him up, but then got scared and jumped so I had to towel him and get him set up in the mudroom. He's so very thin. I've made arrangements to pick up a tranquilizer for him and then take him in this afternoon to be euthanized. My beautiful boy with his soft, smoky grey stripes; my heart is just breaking. He went through so much with his eye only to have this happen at only 7 years of age. I hope that he will cross peacefully. Love, Julie "I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it isto protection by man from the cruelty of man. " "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948)Paws Come WITH Claws!!!If you're thinking about de-clawing your cat, you need to re-think your decision to acquire a pet. __Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
Re: FeLV diet
EVO cat food is now available and highly recommended by a couple of alternative vets I know. Really high in protein. Available at all the health food stores here and some of the vets. - Original Message - From: Terri Brown To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Monday, September 26, 2005 3:02 PM Subject: Re: FeLV diet If your only options are places like Petsmart and Petco type places, then I would recommend either Nutro or Royal Canin. I use Eagle Pack, and it is only available in certain places. Check out www.eaglepack.com and see if there's a vendor near you. Also, you could check out Precise foods. The link isn't working for me at the moment, but it is supposed to be www.precisepet.com. Or try California Natural, Innova, HealthWise, or Karma Organic at www.naturapet.com. There's also Wellness. It's available at a variety of on line stores. You could do a websearch to find that one. I tried different foods, and Eagle Pack works best for my gang. If I can't get to the specialty store near me to buy it, they like Royal Canin and Nutro Indoor formula best. Good luck! Terri in NJ =^..^= 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 FeLV Site: http://pages.ivillage.com/ruthiegirl1/MyFeLVinformationSite/My Personal Page: http://www.geocities.com/ruthiegirl1/terrispage.html?1083970447350 - Original Message - From: gary To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2005 2:48 PM Subject: FeLV diet Does anyone have any recommandations for a commercially available food? Gary
Re: DR. Pitcairn's book
If that doesn't work try www.amazon.com - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2005 2:54 PM Subject: Re: DR. Pitcairn's book forget it I found both books on ebay and bid on them
Re: DR. Pitcairn's book
Thank you so much. I love reading. karen
RE: FeLV diet
I switched to canned Wellness recently and my cats really like it. I reduced the amount of dry food I give them as a couple had really put on too much weight. I order it online… the cheapest I found it was a site called the Hungry Puppy in NJ…. Chris [EMAIL PROTECTED] -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of gary Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2005 2:48 PM To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Subject: FeLV diet Does anyone have any recommandations for a commercially available food? Gary
Re: Skin Problem
Charlie, an FIV+ cat at the shelter, developed this and it kept getting worse. He got two steroid shots (I can not remember the name of the steroid but it started with a T) and then was on prednisone for a few weeks. I also removed him from the feral cat yard and put him in the shelter, and he got treatment for ear mites and had his ears cleaned out. He got better. I found him a home and he completely recovered, from having lost about 1/2 his fur and having lots of red patches, to being fine. To this day we do not know what caused it-- him scratching because his ears itched, him having an allergy to something in his surroundings, stress, or none of the above. Michelle
Re: home needed - reply to Kerry
Kristi Thanks so much for your speedy response--- I'm thrilled that you found homes so quickly! Here's the situation: because my FeLV space is an approx 10 x 11 bedroom-turned-cat playroom, ie they don't have the run of the house or outside space, I only feel comfortable taking an FeLV kitty that has come from a worse situation, or has no better option, or whose alternative is euthanization.(Mine came from the street, one brutally cold night in winter, so I feel they are better off--tho they may not agree.) So if you can find a better space for the 4 month old boy--one where they have run of the house/bigger room/outside space, that wd be better. (It sounds like you're having good luck at the moment.) If not, then yes, please let me know. I will definitely take the little soul if there is a threat of euthanization. Thanks for all you and Linda do! Kerry - Original Message - From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Sent: Friday, September 23, 2005 4:43 PM Subject: home needed - reply to Kerry > Kerry- i just called Linda and someone is taking one of the four month old boys and the 7 wk old torti this week. She did say if you were interested in the boys and for future reference that ransport to Chicago is not a problem, Thank you for your quick response, and Yeah !!! we have a new leuk household in Mass (where they tend to be few and far between). We have never placed a positive so fast here (at least in my little circle). Thankx again Kristi >
