Deirdre interferon - advice needed
I want to thank everyone who responded here. It appears that human interferon dies when it's hot and everyone charges $20-28 for special over night cold pack shipping. So I paid $50 for 60mls of interferon. The interferon itself only cost $28, but the shipping was $22. After 4 days on it, her lymph nodes under her chin have gotten much smaller. They've been enlarged since a month ago when she had a cold. I was amazed that there was an improvement so quickly. My vet and I are unsure whether to do the "7 days on 7 days off" routine with the interferon or just give her 1 ml a day forever. What are you folks doing? What do you think works best? And is everyone giving 1ml/daily? Kathy and Deirdre (we don't know what we'd do without this list)
Re:Adri is dead
I'm so sorry about Adri. I know how you feel. I lost my Simba last September, not to FELV+ but to another disease. They are with us only a short time, whatever their diagnosis and losing them is a killer. The pain lesses and you get to feeling better eventually. I know that's hard to picture right now, but it's still true Peace, Kathy and Deirdre
Re: Prayers for Buck (
Well, I still have hope. You have my prayers for Buck. kathy : On 7/21/05, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: : > : > Hi Guys, I hope you all will pray for my boy Buck who is at the Vets : > tonight in critical condition. Buck is brother to Spanky who I lost suddenly : > last week. He is suffering from another blockage and this time the Doctor : > doesn't give much hope for recovery. Buck and Spanky were both felv + since : > kittens, but you would never know it to look at them. He is a 20lb sweet : > baby. Monday he started to mope around and stopped eating. I thought he was : > missing his brother. They were always together playing or sleeping, just : > like twins one always seemed to know what the other was thinking. I didn't : > realize he was sick, he hid it well. The vets around here close all day Wed : > so I couldn't get him to a doc until this morning. So now he may die because : > I didn't get him to a doctor sooner. I haven't had the chance to get over : > losing Spanky and now I may lose him too. I think that is why I didn't spot : > his illness. I guess maybe he wants to be with his brother but if he leaves : > me it will break my heart. Thanks for listening and please send good : > thoughts his way. Sheila : >
Human interferon - Where can I purchase it?
Hi, I know that some of you use human interferon (orally administered) for your FELV+ cats. Although Deirdre, my FELV+ cat, is healthy, I do want to start her on interferon. I called Island Rx and they have it, but a 90 day supply costing some $23 also costs $28 more simply to ship it. That's because it must be shipped overnight in a cold pack. Do any of you get it from a local pharmacy. My vet gave me a prescription, but my local pharmacies don't seem to have it. Thanks, kathy and Deirdre
cats and pregnant women
Oh, I don't know - I just don't think eggs make a strong enough statementburning cat feces comes to mind Kathy From: Nina <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: cats and pregnant women Thanks Kathy for the article. I guess education is a better idea than egging the doctor's house :). Nina
cats and pregnant women
: From: "Hideyo Yamamoto" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> : Subject: RE: Pregnant women trying to get rid of her cats : To: Here's one article. If you do a search on "cats and pregnant woment", you'll come up with scads of information to give your friend. My suggestion is that she get a new doctor and give her husband valium. Kathy Gittel ___ "Congratulations!" says your doctor, "You're pregnant." It's happy news. But then the doctor asks if you have a cat, and tells you solemnly not to scoop the litter box. Doctors understandably like to play it safe, but it's not necessary to overreact, especially when it comes to your cat and your health during pregnancy. Cats and pregnant women can co-exist safely -- and have been doing so for thousands of years. The concern, small though it is, regards a parasite called toxoplasma gondii, which can cause an infection called toxoplasmosis. Cats are one of the hosts that can carry and pass this parasite to humans through infectious cysts shed in their stool. While toxoplasmosis generally causes mild flu-like symptoms in humans that resolve on their own in a few days, it is very dangerous to fetuses in the first trimester of pregnancy. However, that said, toxoplasmosis is only infectious under extremely particular -- and unlikely -- circumstances. "A lot of things have to happen," says Drew Weigner, DVM, a board-certified feline specialist. "A cat has to get a recent infection, it has to be shedding the cysts, the stool has to have been in the litter box for more than 24 hours, you'd have to get some of the stool in your mouth or eye, and you'd have to be in your first trimester -- all of those things would have to happen." Cats shed toxoplasma cysts (the egg stage) in their feces three to 10 days after eating infected tissues. They will shed the cysts for up to 14 days, and afterward it is unlikely that they will ever shed them again -- even after repeated exposure. So only a recent infection is contagious. In order to get a recent infection, your cat would have to have eaten an infected mouse, which can only happen if your cat hunts outdoors or if you have a current rodent infestation -- which, as Weigner points out, generally doesn't if there is indeed a cat living in your house. "Indoor cats that do not hunt have virtually no risk of infection," says Elaine Wexler-Mitchell, DVM, ABVP diplomate in feline practice at The Cat Care Clinic in Orange, California. No risk, that is, unless they are on a raw food diet. That's because the parasite is transmissible to both cats and humans through raw or undercooked meat. In fact, your chances of contracting toxoplasmosis are much, much greater by handling raw meat or gardening in infected soil than by getting it from your cat. Even if your cat does go outside or has caught a mouse recently, there's still no need to worry. The cysts do not become infectious to other animals and humans until one to four days have passed. So if you scoop the litter box promptly, you've avoided the problem. To be extra safe, Weigner suggests having someone else scoop and change the litter for you. He suggests single mothers wear gloves and use litter box liners -- that minimizes the risk of missing any stool hiding under the litter or on the side of the box. Wearing a mask while changing the litter isn't necessary, as the cyst is too heavy to stay airborne for long. During the first trimester, if there is no one else to take over litter box duties, "I wouldn't scoop the litter every 24 hours; I would change it every 24 hours," Weigner says. And remember, even if you get a microscopic cyst on your hand, you'd have to touch your mouth or your eye without washing your hands to become infected. Who doesn't wash their hands after scooping the litter box? "Really, the bottom line, if you have a cat, whether it goes outside or not, is get someone else to change the litter box, wash your hands after you pet your cat, and don't worry about it after the first few months anyway," says Weigner. "Cats and pregnant moms can peacefully co-exist," he says.. You always have to follow your obstetrician's advice -- unless they advise you to get rid of your cat. If they say that, then they don't know about toxoplasmosis and that means they're out of date." : I need a help - I have a colleague who is trying to get rid of her two : boy cats (declawed) sine she found out that she is pregnant - she wanted : to keep the cats since she has had them since they were babies (they are : now 4 years old), but her husband is panicking over what her doctor said : about danger of having cats around the pregnant woman, and trying to get : rid of the
The convent ferals - GOOD NEWS
I wrote to the neighborhoodcats group to ask how it was going with the ferals the nuns were starving and got this reply: ___ We have trapped 5 of what turns out to be 8 cats and have seen the remaining three. All are in good health and had a day to eat before we started trapping. Hopefully we'll get the rest soon. Thanks for being concerned, Bryan Kortis
re:Bronx Nuns Seek Extermination of 8 Year Old Cat
Thanks, Nina: I sent this email to both addresses and phoned the archdiocese. I spoke with a woman in Public Relations. Her sole desire was to find out how I got this informataion. She kept trying to brush me off, but I didn't let her. I was brought up Catholic and St. Francis is my favorite saint. I can hardly believe that nuns are capable of creating an Auschwitz for these poor little creatures of God. I refer to the starving of these little beings and then trapping and placing them in a shelter where they will be gassed. You must know that this is a sin. I will say a rosary for you in hopes that you repent and remember this: :Jesus Condemneth The Ill Treatment Of Animals Lection XXXVIII "6. And whatsoever ye do unto the Cast of these my children, ye do it unto me. For I am in them and they are in me, Yea, I am in all creatures and all creatures are in me. In all their joys I rejoice, in all their afflictions I am afflicted. Wherefore I say unto you: Be ye kind one to another, and to all the creatures of God. " Kathy (JMJ)
Finding a Lost Cat - attention FAYE
Hi, Faye, I belong to a forumn that discusses various topics. This month the topic of lost animals came up and so I'm sending this to you. Perhaps it'll help. Kathy (and Simba -RB) Finding a Lost Cat, available at http://www.bestfriends.com/nomorehomelesspets/weeklyforum/060605lostcat.pdf Introduction from Kat Albrecht: Bunky, a skittish indoor-only cat, pushed out a window screen and escaped outside. Bunky's owner posted hundreds of flyers, checked the local shelter every day for three weeks, placed ads in the local classified sections, talked to all of their neighbors (and asked them to call if they saw Bunky), and even hired an animal communicator. Tragically, Bunky was never recovered by his family because the methods they used are not the primary methods that should be used to recover a missing cat like Bunky! Sadly, Bunky could have been recovered if his family had known that a baited humane trap could be used to recover a displaced, panicked cat. Why would humane traps be better than posting a hundred LOST CAT flyers? Because displaced, panicked cats like Bunky will almost always look for the first place that will offer concealment and protection and they will remain silent. The instinctive response of any panicked, injured, or sick cat is to HIDE IN SILENCE -- a behavior called "The Silence Factor" that kills thousands of cats every year. No amount of posting flyers would help find Bunky because no one in the neighborhood would ever see him! That's because Bunky would be concealed and would only dart out of his hiding place to grab food and water. If neighbors ever caught a glimpse of Bunky, they would likely assume, based on his xenophobic behavior, that he was an untamed, feral cat.
short little lives, but full and loved
I found this quoted on another list and I find it of great comfort. I hope some of you can find some comfort too. "We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own live within a fragile circle, easily & often breached. Unable to accept its awful gaps, we still would live no other way. We cherish memory as the only certain immortality, never fully understanding the necessary plan..." It's a quote from Irving Townsend from Separate Life Times. Kathy and Deirdre
felv+, 3 yr old female Abyssinnian in Tenn
I just realized I need to re-send this with the FELV+ in the subject line. I belong to an Abyssinnian rescue group and I've just been told about a sweet Aby girl-cat who tested FELV+. I'm trying to get in touch with the veterinarian who has her in Tennessee, but the situation sounds rather grim. Apparently she's already anemic, and losing weight despite eating well. Besides Hemobartonella and Lymphoma, does anyone have any ideas or suggestions for me? I can't take her in if hre vet bills are going tosky rockjet because I have alarming vet bills already with 3 CRF cats and Deirdre who is FELV+. Kathy and Deirdre ps: Below is some of the information sent to me by the head of the Aby rescue group: She has been retested two times and both times came up positive. This cat isn't a kitten, she is 3 years old. The owner brought her in for being extremely thin, despite the fact that she eats very well. They tested her for hyperthyroidism and it was negative and that is when they found she was anemic as well as testing positive for FeLv. The cat lived with 3 other cats, some who went in and out of the house. The owner opted to euthanize her, but the veterinarian has stated repeatedly that this girl is extremely loving and affectionate and sweet and can't bring herself to do it. This kitty must really be a good one. As far as heroic measures to try to extend her life, I can't see anyone doing that, but certainly I would love to see her in a home situation with love and care until her quality of life starts to wane. I really don't know if the vet can solicit $$ help from the previous owner. The vet says she herself can't afford her veterinary costs, so I'm thinking that it might be a small or poor clinic.
3 yr old female Abyssinnian in Tenn
I belong to an Abyssinnian rescue group and I've just been told about a sweet Aby girl-cat who tested FELV+. I'm trying to get in touch with the veterinarian who has her in Tennessee, but the situation sounds rather grim. Apparently she's already anemic, and losing weight despite eating well. Besides Hemobartonella and Lymphoma, does anyone have any ideas or suggestions for me? I can't take her in if hre vet bills are going tosky rockjet because I have alarming vet bills already with 3 CRF cats and Deirdre who is FELV+. Kathy and Deirdre ps: Below is some of the information sent to me by the head of the Aby rescue group: She has been retested two times and both times came up positive. This cat isn't a kitten, she is 3 years old. The owner brought her in for being extremely thin, despite the fact that she eats very well. They tested her for hyperthyroidism and it was negative and that is when they found she was anemic as well as testing positive for FeLv. The cat lived with 3 other cats, some who went in and out of the house. The owner opted to euthanize her, but the veterinarian has stated repeatedly that this girl is extremely loving and affectionate and sweet and can't bring herself to do it. This kitty must really be a good one. As far as heroic measures to try to extend her life, I can't see anyone doing that, but certainly I would love to see her in a home situation with love and care until her quality of life starts to wane. I really don't know if the vet can solicit $$ help from the previous owner. The vet says she herself can't afford her veterinary costs, so I'm thinking that it might be a small or poor clinic.
OT cat-safe roach control
I'm from Rochester NY and in my opinion, it's just too danged cold for the roaches here. They seem to prefer and thrive in warmer climes. I'm told that they enjoy heat sooo much that if nuclear blasts kill most other forms of life on earth...the roaches will survive. eeeuuu Kathy and Deirdre From: TenHouseCats <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: OT cat-safe roach control i'd never seen roaches--they seem to avoid buffalo, for some reason!--but had a HORRID infestation in one of the houses we lived in here in mid-michigan. we were afraid they were gonna carry off one of the cats, they were so big and there were so many of them we got ALL new boxes when we moved, and lived in terror for a few months in the new place afraid they're packed themselves in our stuff, but they hadn't i'm glad i'd heard about the glue problem re: boxes in time, because we had lots and lots of great storage boxes we'd kept--losing them was worth it to be roach-free! something else you can do to help keep the population down is to put steel wool around all the pipes and other plumbing openings under sinks--actually, this works REALLY well for mice, not so well for roaches just because they can get through the smallest gaps. but if you pack it in REALLY well i think cockroaches just sit back and laugh at us, knowing that they were here millions of years before us, and will outlast us by at least that long (if you get a chance, tho, and the movie "joe's apartment" comes on, it's worth watching--single guy who gets romantic and other advice from all the roaches he shares his space with VERY funny) -- MaryChristine
Re: Deirdre has swollen glands under her jaw
Okay. Any ideas on how long she should remain on the meds? I understood that with an FELV+ cat, you should stay on meds for quite a while longer than - cats. After i had mono, the lymph nodes in my neck stayed enlarged for a long time and I can still feel one of them, 16 years later. So it might be that they are still enlarged from a prior infection. I think I would get her checked, though. Michelle In a message dated 4/13/05 4:59:27 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Deirdre was sneezing and coughing, infrequently for a few days and her neck was quite swollen. The 2 glands under her jaw were swollen. She's been on amoxicillin 50mg twice a day since I noticed this on April 2nd and she's always taken Lysine (500 mg. Presently her neck is back to normal size and she's no longer coughing or sneezing, but there's still some swelling under her jaw. It feels like 2 tiny peas, one on each side. She's only recently become tame, so I hate to stress her by taking her in, but I'm not sure what's going on and we have no base-line blood work for her. Any ideas? Kathy and Deirdre
Deirdre has swollen glands under her jaw
Deirdre was sneezing and coughing, infrequently for a few days and her neck was quite swollen. The 2 glands under her jaw were swollen. She's been on amoxicillin 50mg twice a day since I noticed this on April 2nd and she's always taken Lysine (500 mg. Presently her neck is back to normal size and she's no longer coughing or sneezing, but there's still some swelling under her jaw. It feels like 2 tiny peas, one on each side. She's only recently become tame, so I hate to stress her by taking her in, but I'm not sure what's going on and we have no base-line blood work for her. Any ideas? Kathy and Deirdre
RE: OT: need advise again
I had 4 corona virus+ cats. They all lived long and normal lives and never developed FIP, so I think you should stop worrying quite so much about all of that. Every once in a while, for no apparent reason, one of them would get far too quiet and stop eating. After trying many other treatments, I finally, on the advice of my Vet, simply gave prednisone for a week or two to whomever was behaving this way. The corona virus seems to cause inflammation and the prednisone gets rid of it. I also force fed when necessary. None of those cats ever got plump. From time to time one of them would get pretty skinny, but they made it through their lives happily and FIP-free. Kathy : One of my corona virus positive cats, Simon who is about 7 or 8 years stopped eating since last Friday night all of sudden and he started hiding all of sudden - with all of my corona virus positive cats with unknown cause of illness, the first place I go is usually "oh my gosh, it's FIP - and I freak out. : : Anyway, yesterday I took him to the vet, I was worried how we were going to diagnose him since he is sort of feral and never held him, but he did so well. He just wanted to hide in my jacket, but did very well. Anyway, he did not have a fever which is a good thing and there was no abnormality in tummy area as far as the vet could tell. His inside mouth looked pretty good, too. The blood work came back all normal except that he had a very high total bilirubin of 4.6 (the normal range is between 0.1 and 0.4) - any other liver/kidney measurement was normal. He did have higher protein level with higher globulin - but I also know that it can be caused by dehydration, too. But the vet was not sure what was causing him an illness. : After a shot of penicillin and I also gave him 100ml of fluid, he seems to be feeling a little bit better since he was not hiding this morning and even went outside for a while last night. He also tried to eat a bit. Any idea what's wrong with him? : Regardless, please pray that he will get better soon - he is already getting skinny (in his hip and hind leg area) and am worried.
I'm new and green.I've rescued and am caring for Deirdre (FELV+)
I'd be grateful for any and all suggestions you have for diet, vitamins, and care for Deirdre. I fed her outside and created a shelter for her in my shed for 1 year when she first appeared under my evergreen tree eating birdseed. She was about 6 months old then. I trapped her this January 1st and had her spayed, de-flead, de-wormed and got her all her shots. She was feral. During the last 3 weeks, she finally began to get friendly and is now a total mush melon. I love her. She has taken up residence in my living room, because I must isolate her from my other 6 cats to keep them free of FELV. She has 2 windows, lots of toys, a couch, a special bed and she eats Fancy Feast wet food and Adult Nutro dried food. I spend at least a third of my time home with her. She's extremely spunky, loving and playful. I'd like to keep her that way for as long as possible. I'd appreciate any and all suggestions you might have for me. Thank You Kathleen Gittel
