[Felvtalk] Question about A/D
Just a quick question for future referrence, since all of my babies are eating fine at the moment. I'm considering just keeping some of the A/D on hand since my cats don't always get sick when the vet's open. How long is it generally good for? In addition to Tofu being positive, I've been cautioned to really keep a close eye on our 20-lbs- er. (He is fat, but he and his littermates all have huge frames as well, so 20lbs, while not being good, isn't quite as bad as it seems. He is losing weight slowly since I've taken most of the treats away from Mom!) -Emily Sent from my iPhone ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] To all who are grieving...
...most gentle thoughts. It is the nature of a list like this that there is constant loss to deal with, and the fiftieth one is no easier than the first. But with each story, I am struck by the remarkable people here, who did not choose the easy way out and put a cat to sleep simply because he or she tested positive. There is a lot of grief here, but a lot of love as well. The kitties waiting for us all at the Bridge were blessed to find human families who saw the value in them despite the dread diagnosis. -Emily Sent from my iPhone ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Zinc and anemia
Since anemia can be a persistent and deadly problem for felv+ cats, the recent recall of some of the Nutro foods is disturbing to me. The reason given for the recall is a problem with the amounts of zinc and potassium. Apparently too much zinc leads to copper deficiency and anemia, although this is not particularly common in cats. I started reading about this condition literally a few hours before Denzel died, because one of the symptoms of copper deficiency in black cats (he originally was solid black) is that their fur turns rust colored - by that time Denzel was almost looking like a tortie! I didn't follow up with the vet about what I'd been reading because all the docs who were treating Denzel were pretty sure his anemia had to be from hemobart. (Nothing was detected under the microscope, but I understand that's fairly common.) I'm definitely feeling guilty because I actually got him some of the Nutro soft food when he started to get sick that last time, because I liked the ingredient list. Logically I know that a couple of pouches wouldn't cause the whole problem, but now I wonder if some of his other food may have had a similar problem, or if he got ahold of one of the zinc pills my mom and I were both taking for cold season. Anyway, my reason for posting this is to let others fighting the dreaded anemia know that this is something to check with your vets about; maybe copper supplementation can help prolong some kitties' lives. (But do not supplement without a vet's guidance! Cats only need a trace amount of copper!) -Emily (I know, I read too much for my own good!) Sent from my iPhone ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Pixie
So sorry to hear about Pixie! It's obvious that she was much loved. -Emily Sent from my iPhone ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Probiotics?
I was looking up probiotics for a couple of my negatives who have chronic GI problems and read on the Winn Foundation blog that they may also be beneficial for the immune system in general. Has anyone had good results using these? I think I remember someone mentioning Fortiflora on here, any recs on this or other ones? Tofu is not having any problems, but if I put the others on this I am tempted to do so with her as well. It sounds like it couldn't hurt. -Emily Sent from my iPhone ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Houdini
Sharyl, my heart goes out to you to lose your little girl so suddenly. It's hard enough when they've been sick and you know the end is near. Warm thoughts headed your way. -Emily Sent from my iPhone ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Pluto
Sherry, Pluto was blessed to have you in his life. While your pain may linger, may it comfort you to know that he has been freed from his. Hugs! -Emily Sent from my iPhone ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Charlotte is positive...
Even if the others hadn't been vaccinated at all, they still could be fine. I'm almost positive our Denzel had felv when he joined our household (he was already sick), but the vet didn't test him until over a year later. Our other 5 all tested negative despite sharing dishes and mutual grooming. Um, I should mention we now use a different vet! -Emily Sent from my iPhone ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] supplements for Grr
When we are trying to provide extra calories for our feral cats (during cold weather) we supplement with kitten food. You might try giving him some as treats, to keep it away from the other cats. We have one kitty who is much more active than the others, so my mom fixes him a special treat of Whiskas dry food (all our cats love that brand for some reason) in one of those little plastic storage dishes. We put it down for Tommy when he is away from the other cats so they can't bulk up even more on his treat. -Emily Sent from my iPhone ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] feeling guilty
Thanks for the suggestions Chris! Unfortunately, the shelter from which Jack was adopted (earlier this year) is the same shelter where we took him to be checked, so they had the same info as the microchip service. We did get some good news, however. His "mange" turned out to be a fleabite allergy, so he is not contagious. I am hoping someone is able to take him home soon; he is a cuddler and loves people. -Emily Sent from my iPhone ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] feeling guilty
Sorry, sent this to the wrong address at first! I can sympathize - just a few days ago I had to leave a cat at the shelter for the first time ever. He was a stray who showed up at my friend's feral colony and I helped her take him in to be checked. The good news is that he turned out to be microchipped, but they had the wrong phone number for his owner. Neither of us had a place to foster him for the ten days it would take to try to contact the owner by mail. It kills me that we had to leave him, but I had to consider that his owner might not take him back if she found out he was exposed to a felv+/fiv+ cat. He also apparently has mange, and I especially didn't think I could afford to expose Tofu to something contagious. (Please send prayers/positive thoughts that "Jack's" person can be located!) Everyone has to find their own limit. Mine is 6, partially based on a new city ordinance that requires a liscense for 7 or more. All you can do is realize that if you exceed your own limit, ALL your babies could end up taken away. I cope by keeping an ear out for anyone I meet who may be looking for a cat, by helping educate people about treatable illnesses, and even donating food/medicine to people I know who are having a hard time paying for cats they want to keep. -Emily Sent from my iPhone ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] neurological disorders
Our Denzel was not really talkitive, but often he would yelp like you'd stepped on his tail if you just walked close to him - not even touching him. We and our vet chalked it up to the felv, but didn't try treating it since it was random (not constant) and he didn't seem to be in constant pain. So far, no such issues with Tofu :-) But I must share this. She's so healthy right now, with so much energy, that a couple of weeks ago (while the little scamp was running up and down the curtains) my mom looked over at me and said, "The next time you get a cat from someone, you need to find out the REAL reason they're giving it away." Yes, our new little girl is asymptomatic which I count as a daily blessing, the opposite of Denzel, who was sick so often from the moment he came to us. Thanks again to all on the list who showed concern for her; she's a real sweetie! -Emily Sent from my iPhone ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Further update on Tofu cont'd
Sorry, my mom was talking at me and I accidently hit "send" - anyway, I was going to say that from what I've read, it seems like the felv may be worse to deal with than the fiv, and that the precautions for both are about the same. If anyone knows anything different, please share! Thanks! -Emily Sent from my iPhone ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Further update on Tofu :-)
After our Denzel died, I wasn't sure that I wanted to stay subscribed to the list since he was our only positive. I decided to stay on because I felt like another positive would come into our lives. Well, I'm a spiritual person, and it really seemed like at least a nudge from God when Kelley was writing about Tofu in Austin which, by Texas standards, is pretty close to where I live. Anyway, last Thursday this beautiful little girl came home with me :-) We're still in the adjustment period, but so far she and the other kitties are cautiously getting to know each other. (One of our others is about the same age as Tofu and they've had some fun chasing each other.) We should be having a wellness visit with the vet soon, to decide what kind of preventive treatment to start her on; unlike Denzel, who was pretty symptomatic his whole life, she doesn't seem sick at all. So a question for those who have dealt with a combo positive - is there anything special I need to be looking out for with the added FIV? From Sent from my iPhone ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Anemia and copper?
Given the recent discussions about anemia and treatment, I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with abnormal copper levels inducing anemia? From what I've read, both too much and too little copper absorbed by the cat can lead to anemia. Copper deficiency on it's own is supposed to be rare in cats, but it can be caused by too much calcium or zinc. I only started researching this the day before Denzel died, mostly because I read somewhere that copper deficiency can also cause black fur to turn rust colored. Denzel was a black cat, but by the time he passed away, he was almost looking like a tortie in patches. Of course, I read somewhere else that maybe the anemia itself can also cause this. I never got the chance to ask my vet, but maybe this might be something else for some of y'all battling anemia now to look into. But I would definitely ask a vet before trying to supplement copper, because cats really only need a tiny amount of it in their diets and too much can also lead to anemia, apparently. -Emily Sent from my iPhone ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Benny
April, The pain and grief is horrible. We lost our Denzel 13 days ago, and I still choke up terribly when someone asks about him. I get through it in two ways. First, my five other housecats and my feral colony still need me, and they have been extra affectionate since Denzel passed. The other thing that comforts me is the knowledge that Denzel is happy now, playing in the bright fields of heaven. He loved being outside, but only got to go out for a short time each day since someone had to be with him to make sure he didn't come into contact with other cats. When I compare these two scenarios, I know that as much as I wanted more time with him, I still love Denzel too much to ever wish him back into the body that limited him so much on earth. Know that your Benny is happy and purring up there, free from sickness and pain. You did all any cat could ask for, helping to ease his suffering while he was still here, and I'm certain he loved you for it. -Emily Sent from my iPhone ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Benny and hemobart.
Regarding the doxycycline and ulcers, the vet (a fill in at my regular vet's office) who prescribed doxycycline for my positive said that specifically the pill form has a tendency to lodge in the cat's esophagus and lead to severe ulcers. We instead went with a compounded liquid version. Sadly even this apparently really irritated Denzel's stomach to the point that he couldn't keep any food or meds down. We were going to look into tube feeding/alternate nutrition, but his condition rapidly deteriorated right after the vomitting started and he passed away at the vet's office when they kept him to give him fluids/IV antibiotics and raise his temp. It seems like the doxycycline can be a difficult med to deal with, but it is to my knowledge still the best for treating hemobart. -Emily, list newbie, now with 5 negatives and no positives :-( and a colony of (TNR'd) ferals Sent from my iPhone ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
