Re: Felvtalk Digest, Vol 9, Issue 60-Chris
I am rather new to FeLV but Cornell University has good sites for information on this illness. If the anemia is from FeLV it has to be in the bone marrow which according to what I have read, means the FeLV has been with the cat for a long time. Our vet has our Stinky cat on Interferon and amoxicillin. Yesterday she had a red blood count of about 13 than a retest showed a count of 18 which they feel is too high for a transfusion but, that will probably be low enoughby Monday for another transfusion. However, the anemia may not be from FeLV at all. There are other things lurking out there that cause it like FIA which is hard to detect but, the doxycycline should handle that if that is what your cat has. And, as Michelle has pointed out, and my vet has pointed out, it may be cancer that is at the bottom of anemia so, don't despair, it may not be FeLV. Even as sick as my Stinky cat is, I am still holding out hopes that ELISA was wrong and the IFA test was right! Best of luck and all our prayers! Stinky's Mom and Dad
Re: Felvtalk Digest, Vol 9, Issue 57-Michelle
Yes, Michelle the Interferon message was from Stinky's Mom and I will go to the site you sentfor Revival. The vets are of a notion that if it isn't FeLV than it is most likely cancer. I will go to this site and order some for Stinky. I did tell my vet aboutImmuno-regulin use in catsand he was interested so I think he will use it for her. You'vesent a wealth of information tous andwe thank you so much! Stinky's Mom and Dad
Re: Felvtalk Digest, Vol 9, Issue 55-Lisa Ward
Lisa: Please, take your cat in if you can. As I am sure you know, the anemia sets in it seems overnight. Our Stinky cat is back in hospital. Her red cell count is down to 13 and that happened from Saturday (Saturday her count was 27) until today. Monday and Tuesday she was eating and rolling in her cat nip and yesterday no food and no energy and today they want to put her down. I have requested a blood transfusion and am waiting to see if that is possible. I know though that the end is here and I cannot seem to get myself to let her go. Stinky was healthy for 14 years. Stinky was tested for four years. Stinky was a house cat 99% of the time and what little time she was out she was only out during the warm months and no more than an hour a week with no food or water outside. You just never know, the three cats that have lived with her for 14 years are fine. But, I'd take your cat in ASAP if you can. Best wishes and our prayers are with you. Stinky's Mom and Dad
Re: Felvtalk Digest, Vol 9, Issue 56-Lisa Ward
Our vets have Stinky on Interferon everyday, once a day, 1 Ml doses. I don't know if that is best or not however.
Re: Felvtalk Digest, Vol 9, Issue 42-Skunk
Try dogs.about.com for recipes for shampoo (they have four I think). Vets also sell Skunk Off shampoo that is supposed to work well (so I have been told). Try a water/Clorox mix on anything that can be bleached if the odor is in the house on your rugs and things. The vets tell me the same things I encountered with my dog however, in that once thestrong smell goes away, any time the dog gets wet you will smell the faint smell of skunk until those hair shafts are shed. Musk from a skunk apparently soaks into the hair shaft and it is oily too therefore hard to remove. Good luck- it is a nasty odor to get rid of.
Re: Felvtalk Digest, Vol 9, Issue 14-Buddy!
Way to go Buddy- I am so glad the tests are negative! Yes!
Re: Felvtalk Digest, Vol 8, Issue 161-Info from Belinda Robin
Belinda and Robin: Thank you both for the information. Belinda you have been a wealth of suggestions- and support- thanks ever so much. Robin, it is good to hear that your other cats are fine- I sure hope the same of our cats if the second round of testing does show FeLV. Thanks so much to you both and to everyone on this site! Your information and support has really helped out a lot! Stinky's Mom and Dad
Re: Felvtalk Digest, Vol 8, Issue 164-Tonya
Thanks so much Tonya. It helps a lot to know there other people out there cheering on Stinky! She is a fighter and if any cat can, I think it will be Stinky. Torti's are like that! They're tough little cats!
Re: Felvtalk Digest, Vol 8, Issue 147-Skunk
Our dog was sprayed two years ago right in the chest- and I was told the smell could linger on him especially when wet, for several weeks. We tried tomato juice, shampoo, etc., but, nothing worked very well. He did getsprayed though, square in the chest, eyes watering, drooling, etc. "Dogs About.com" has four recipes for shampoo mixtures you can try. I tried the first recipe but, it was true, every time he got wet for weeks he smelled a little skunky! Good luck though- it really stinks!
Re: Felvtalk Digest, Vol 8, Issue 150 Wink
So very glad your Wink is home- I hope the test results will be good news! It is so hard to wait for results and our thoughts and prayers are with you!
Re: Felvtalk Digest, Vol 8, Issue 151-Ceaser
A prayer for Caesar and good thoughts too!And, to update you all, our Stinky is coming home this afternoon but, this morning she didn't look very well to me. Stinky is stronger but, I fear for her deeply. I know the uphill battle she faces so, I understand if she is too tired to go on but, I also want to give her every opportunity I can to live if she wants to. So, if you'll say a prayer or have a good thought for our Stinky girl we'd really appreciate it! And, to all-prayers and good thoughts for all your babies! We will update you further after our meeting with her vet.
Re: Felvtalk Digest, Vol 8, Issue 151-IDEX-SNAP
I am new to FeLV but, as far as testing goes, I do not trust testing for more reasons than one, namely, false negatives. I do not know SNAP tests but, I think tests can throw false results and should never be trusted 100% of the time. Speaking from personal experience, I would test and retest if you can. Our Stinky girl is a house cat and she along with three other cats tested negative for FeLV, but, now I have a 14 year old cat with FeLV who has lived in "close, intimate contact" with three other cats for 14 years INSIDE! So much for testing, huh? And, personally, Icould not go to nor could I ever trust, a veterinarian that just hands down execution orders without even knowing the animal. FeLV cats can live for 2 or 3 years at least so, I could not personally go to that veterinarian. There are drugs that can help, transfusions to prolong lives, and TLC always helps a lot! We may not be able to keep Stinky from going "into that good night," but we are going to give her every opportunity to fight if she wants to for as long as she wants to. I hope you can find a place for your kitty and I wish you the best and will say a prayer for him and for you. Many good thoughts and I'd say if you feel like the vetsare closed to all the options out there than don't go there! But, I'm kind of funny that way!
Re: Felvtalk Digest, Vol 8, Issue 153-Gemma
Bless your hearts and our hearts go out to you. I am so sorry about Gemma- so very sorry!
Re: Felvtalk Digest, Vol 8, Issue 154
Thanks and you're right, Stinky isn't fearful of anything, she goes toe to toe with our 100 plus Lb dog and she usually wins! You're right! We have tobe strong becausethey sure have been and, again, thanks a bunch!
Re: Felvtalk Digest, Vol 8, Issue 155
Thanks so much Julie and I think you're right, I think it is the not knowing that is hardest! Once we know more than we can plan for that and again, thanks and all our best to your babies!
Re: Felvtalk Digest, Vol 8, Issue 156-Stinky is home!
Dear Friends: Our Stinky cat is home, for now anyway! She seems to be a little better. She promptly gave the dog a swat as soon as he got within reach so, she seems her old self again in that respect. The IFA test ( 2nd test ) came back negative! Yes! Now as all of you probably know, we have to retest in 30-60 days and even if she does not have the FeLV she still has a very serious illness ( probably cancer ). The anemia is not good although, we did find out there has been a few red blood cells produced- not nearly enough but, a few! We have to take her back on Monday or Tuesday for another CBC and we will have to have another transfusion if she drops again like before but, they gave us antibiotics and Interferon ( I think I spelled that wrong ) but, they are also interested in taking a look at some of the other drugs I have been given information about through all of your kind emails! So, the news is not great but, hey, at this point we are grateful for what ever we can get! Thanks to you all for your prayers and good thoughts and for all the information and support you have given us! Stinky is still fighting the good fight at least for now! And, again, thanks for all your information and prayers and support! You guys are a great bunch of folks! Stinky's Mom and Dad
Re: Felvtalk Digest, Vol 8, Issue 134
Sounds good so far Julie! Wish the best to Wink!
Re: Felvtalk Digest, Vol 8, Issue 135
I cannot find anything in our city code with regard to having any certain number of animals. There are permits, etc., required of kennel owners and inspections regarding this but, nothing at all about the number of animals a person can have. There are of course codes surrounding the mistreatment of animals and about what your dog can or cannot do but, no limits on numbers that I could find.Cats have no real restrictionsat all that I can find.But, we also have a running horseranch right in the middle of town, on the street we live on as a matter of fact,so, things may be a little different here than in the average town or city. This ranch has race horses, cattle, deer and who knows what else you might see going by there- it is kind of neat though really! Also, a prayer for your kitty and all our very best with your kitty and with your battle with city hall! Stinky's Mom and Dad
Re: Felvtalk Digest, Vol 8, Issue 127
What is best? Two weeks ago our fourteen-year-old cat Stinky started to isolate herself and than began to lose weight and refuse most food offers. We took her into the veterinarian and he found she has anemia. The anemia is apparently very bad and the veterinarian ran a FeLV ELISE and the result was a "very faint positive." The veterinarian is sending out of his office a sample to confirm this very faint positive result. We are facing FeLV and are unsure how best to proceed. The veterinarian has recommended a blood transfusion for our cat but, little else was mentioned. What can we do and how long do these transfusions work, if they work at all? Where do we turn to find the best information and how do we know the best treatment options for her symptoms? We want her to be with us for as long as she can but, do not want her to be here if it is too painful for her. We love her and want her to stay with us but, only if she is happy and feeling better. Stinky's Mom and Dad
