Re: [Felvtalk] Cat proof furniture
Someone actually surrendered a dog to the shelter where I used to work because they got new furniture, and the dog no longer matched. As for myself - I've given up. The sofa is covered with plaid furniture protectors with a waterproof vinyl backing that I got from Bass Pro Shops. I also use inexpensive plastic-backed canvas dropcloths from Home Depot. Eventually the plastic gets shredded, but they're easy to wash and cheap to replace. My mattress is covered with a mattress protector and a blue tarp over that. Sheets are changed daily, since I sleep with two dogs and a multitude of cats. Most of my friends have multiple cats and dogs, but those who don't and can't accept my pets are free not to visit. I saw a doormat somewhere that read: "For visitors who don't like my pets: They live here. You don't." I need to buy it. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] (no subject)
http://fsc.cesimpson.com/wp-content/plugins/extended-comment-options/fjgvkd.html";> http://fsc.cesimpson.com/wp-content/plugins/extended-comment-options/fjgvkd.html___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Off Topic - Does owning a cat make you sexier?
Yes, he wants to give baths to all 20 of my cats! From: "dlg...@windstream.net" To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Saturday, August 6, 2011 1:28 PM Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Off Topic - Does owning a cat make you sexier? He is willing to and can give a cat a bath. He is a keeper! Bonnie Hogue wrote: > Wow, Hang On to _that_ guy!!! > > -Original Message- > From: felvtalk-boun...@felineleukemia.org > [mailto:felvtalk-boun...@felineleukemia.org] On Behalf Of LauraM > Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2011 10:32 AM > To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Off Topic - Does owning a cat make you sexier? > > well, I don't know whether it makes me sexier but I do have a really cute > boyfriend who has four cats. When I met him he told me he was a cat person > and not too crazy about dogs. That certainly got my attention since most > men have felt threatened by my 4-legged family members. I would say it > definitely makes him sexier, especially since he's the only person I know > who can give a cat a bath. > > > From: Natalie > To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > Sent: Wednesday, August 3, 2011 9:46 AM > Subject: [Felvtalk] Off Topic - Does owning a cat make you sexier? > > http://www.catster.com/cats-101/does-owning-a-cat-make-you-sexier > > > > No, we're NOT a bunch of little old ladies in tennis shoes... > > ___ > Felvtalk mailing list > Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org > ___ > Felvtalk mailing list > Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org > > > ___ > Felvtalk mailing list > Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Off Topic - Does owning a cat make you sexier?
well, I don't know whether it makes me sexier but I do have a really cute boyfriend who has four cats. When I met him he told me he was a cat person and not too crazy about dogs. That certainly got my attention since most men have felt threatened by my 4-legged family members. I would say it definitely makes him sexier, especially since he's the only person I know who can give a cat a bath. From: Natalie To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Wednesday, August 3, 2011 9:46 AM Subject: [Felvtalk] Off Topic - Does owning a cat make you sexier? http://www.catster.com/cats-101/does-owning-a-cat-make-you-sexier No, we're NOT a bunch of little old ladies in tennis shoes... ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Plato Please add to the CLS :(
I am so sorry, I have lost Mimi, Holly and Roosevelt within the past month. I am at the point where I really don't want to take in any more positives, I have told people not to ask me anymore, I can't do it. --- On Mon, 6/27/11, Sherry DeHaan wrote: From: Sherry DeHaan Subject: [Felvtalk] Plato Please add to the CLS :( To: "Felvtalk" Date: Monday, June 27, 2011, 10:17 PM Another one of our wonderful Sids kids became an angel today. Plato was a laid back sweet gray striped boy who loved to be loved. We will miss you handsome boy :( Sherry "We who choose to surround ourselves with lives more temporary than our own, Live within a fragile circle,easily and often breached. Unable to accept its awful gaps. We still would have it no other way" ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Keep Cats Indoors
Maureen - I am in GA also, and analysis of coyote stomach contents showed that something like 60% of them contained cat remains. I suspect that's why we have such a coyote "problem," even in the suburbs - they are supplied with an endless number of cats as prey - somebody's cat goes missing and they just replace it with another one. --- On Wed, 3/23/11, Maureen Olvey wrote: From: Maureen Olvey Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Keep Cats Indoors To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Date: Wednesday, March 23, 2011, 3:58 AM You can also take it further and reiterate that humans are the #1 killers of birds because of the dummies that let their un-altered pet cats run around outside and breed and have kittens everywhere, not just because of the habitat destruction that we do. I think where I live in GA some of the rodents are getting a reprive because all the coyotes who would normally eat some of the rodents are getting full on my feral cats. It's so sad. I don't hate the coyotes for doing it (just like I don't hate or blame cats for killing other small prey) but it breaks my heart everytime a feral goes missing. All points always come back to the main topic of the importance of keeping the cats indoors (and getting them fixed). All we can do is spread the message and hope it makes a difference. And it my part of the world it has made a huge difference. When I was a kid, no one contemplated keeping a cat indoors it's whole life. But now, more and more people are. I can tell by the people I meet at our adoptions. Things are changing - we just have a long way to go still. “I am not interested to know whether vivisection produces results that are profitable to the human race or doesn’t….the pain which it inflicts upon unconsenting animals is the basis of my enmity toward it, and it is to me sufficient justification of the enmity without looking further.” – Mark Twain > Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2011 18:23:12 -0700 > From: sin...@sbcglobal.net > To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Keep Cats Indoors > > LOL Humans are a non-native, introduced and subsidized predators. > This is like expecting pet owners to spay or neuter their pets, interesting > idea, one which I would love to see, but seeing and knowing human nature is > not > going to happen in my lifetime. > > SomeWhere Sam > > > > > > From: LauraM > To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > Sent: Tue, March 22, 2011 6:42:23 PM > Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Keep Cats Indoors > > I've tried using those statistics on people who refuse to contain their cats, > thinking they MIGHT care about wildlife even though they clearly aren't > concerned with their cats' own safety. Hasn't worked. There are also people > out > there who want irresponsible owners of bird-killing cats to be held legally > liable, as it's a violation of federal law to kill most bird species & has > been > for decades. And in some areas cats have reduced the rodent population to > such > low numbers that migrating raptors - all federally protected - have nothing > to > eat. > > Cats, as non-native, introduced and subsidized predators, have no business > being > outside. > > > ___ > Felvtalk mailing list > Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org > ___ > Felvtalk mailing list > Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Keep Cats Indoors
Yes, the number one cause of bird extinction is habitat loss, but cats are #2. There's a well-known study that was conducted on a couple of adjacent beaches in California, one with a feral cat population and one without. The beach that is home to feral cats has no birds - remember that most shorebirds are ground nesters - while the cat-free beach supports a healthy bird population. Of course, our birds have natural predators - some raptors such as red-tailed hawks prey mostly on birds. Kingsnakes and rat snakes are known for feasting on eggs and hatchlings. But this is natural predation & so things are kept in balance. Throw in a highly efficient predator such as a cat and the balance changes. --- On Tue, 3/22/11, SomeWhere Sam wrote: From: SomeWhere Sam Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Keep Cats Indoors To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Date: Tuesday, March 22, 2011, 4:36 PM Sorry but that information is outdated or biased. The number one killer of birds is humans due to habitat loss or construction for same. Humans: The Number One Threat to Birds http://www.alleycat.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=325 SomeWhere Sam From: Bonnie Hogue To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Tue, March 22, 2011 2:37:38 PM Subject: [Felvtalk] Keep Cats Indoors In the newspaper today: House cats are the #1 predator of wild birds. The American Bird Conservancy estimates up to 500 million birds per year are killed by cats. About 400,000 are killed yearly by wind turbines (less than 20% of the number killed by cats). So now we have another reason to keep our cats indoors -- not only for their own health and safety, but for that of our BIRD population! Save the cats and the birds: Keep Your Cat Indoors! ~Bonnie ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Keep Cats Indoors
I've tried using those statistics on people who refuse to contain their cats, thinking they MIGHT care about wildlife even though they clearly aren't concerned with their cats' own safety. Hasn't worked. There are also people out there who want irresponsible owners of bird-killing cats to be held legally liable, as it's a violation of federal law to kill most bird species & has been for decades. And in some areas cats have reduced the rodent population to such low numbers that migrating raptors - all federally protected - have nothing to eat. Cats, as non-native, introduced and subsidized predators, have no business being outside. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Spanky is an angel
Sherry, Stacy and everyone elseI am so saddened by your losses. I've lost 2 in the past 2 months, Celery and Seymour. Now there are only 3 left, and I hate wondering when the next one will go. I've lost five positives in 2010 - let's hope 2011 will be a slightly happier year. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Cats not getting along
Yes, it's very difficult to deal with, for me and for the other cats. Funny though, Blizzard sometimes seems afraid of other cats. For example, yesterday several of the cats were clustered around the food bowl with 3 or 4 others close by. Bliz wanted to get into the living room, but these cats were in the way. He approached the group and was obviously uncomfortable passing through it, so instead he circled around the dog's crate and into the living room, giving the group of cats a wide berth. This has happened before; it almost appears as if he's intimidated by them, yet he'll walk through the house slapping everybody in his path. I remember my vet telling me about a professor of his in vet school. This professor had a client with 2 cats, one submissive and one very aggressive. She decided to give the aggressive cat an injection of estrogen, and the submissive cat an injection of testosterone. The aggressive cat approached the other one and attacked him as usual, even though he probably wasn't feeling quite like himself due to the estrogen. The submissive cat then beat the heck out of the attacker, and they never had a problem after that! --- On Sat, 12/25/10, dlg...@windstream.net wrote: From: dlg...@windstream.net Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Cats not getting along To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Date: Saturday, December 25, 2010, 5:58 PM Thank God we only have hissing, slapping type fights. So far. Lorrie wrote: > Laura, I feel for you I had one like that! He tore up all my > other cats, and it got so bad I had to keep him in one section of our > house. He was about two when we rescued him and we had to do this for > ten years until he finally got so old he decided he'd rather sleep > than fight! > > Lorrie > > > On 12-19, LauraM wrote: > > I can handle a few spats. I can no longer handle the aggression > > displayed by one of my cats towards several of the others. It's so > > bad that I'm seriously considering? rehoming him into a single-cat > > household. Blizzard will literally try to kill Jet, Percy, Charlie > > and Tiger. They have to be kept separate at all times - > > > > > > ___ > Felvtalk mailing list > Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Finding homes for cats upon death
I worry about that too. I also have turtles and tortoises that could easily live 50 years or more. I'm 43 so hopefully I have a few good years left, but what will happen when I'm 80 and can't lift a 60 pound tortoise? What if I die in a car accident on the way to Petsmart tonight? We sometimes get large groups of cats or dogs at the shelter who end up there because somebody died and relatives don't want them. One shelter visitor told me that she wants her dogs euthanized when she dies, and that's written into her will. --- On Tue, 12/21/10, Lorrie wrote: From: Lorrie Subject: [Felvtalk] Finding homes for cats upon death To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Date: Tuesday, December 21, 2010, 6:56 AM My parents left me enough money to comfortably provide for all my cats, BUT the question that concerns me is WHO will care for them? I have three grown kids and grown grandkids and all of them love cats, but they have a bunch of their own. I would like to find someone to move into our house and take care of them. I'd even give them the house, and it's a very nice house in a resort area on a lake in the eastern mountains of WV. So far in my will I've left 1,000 per cat to help them find good homes, but how do I know someone won't take the money and dump the cat? I worry about my fur babies constantly. They are my life. If anyone has any good ideas about what I can do please e-mail me personally. Lorrie On 12-20, MaiMaiPG wrote: > Consider providing for them in your will. I had a lawyer draw up one > leaving everything in trust for the care of my guys. > On Dec 20, 2010, at 2:55 PM, Lorrie wrote: > > >Wow, Natalie, that is impressive. You definitely have a lot > >more cats than we have. I'd take in more if my hubby and I > >weren't so ancient (77 and 88) but I'm afraid when we die > >we'll leave a bunch of orphans. It's a constant worry, and > >we have no rescue group to help.. We're it! > > ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Cats not getting along
Thank you, Dana, I will try this. I'm desperate and Blizzard is a good cat, I just can't understand why he is the way he is. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Cats not getting along
I can handle a few spats. I can no longer handle the aggression displayed by one of my cats towards several of the others. It's so bad that I'm seriously considering rehoming him into a single-cat household. Blizzard will literally try to kill Jet, Percy, Charlie and Tiger. They have to be kept separate at all times - Blizzard gets his time out and the other 4 have to be shut up in the bathroom. Bliz is fine with most everybody else, but in general dislikes other cats. Some nights I am woken up over and over again by fights and squabbling, and he is the instigator. I've had him for 2 years - I took him from somebody who was being evicted. It's always been a problem, but because he gets worked up and can attack people also (I have the scars to prove it) I've been reluctant to give him away. I'm afraid he'd tick somebody off and wind up in a shelter or thrown outside. If I can't find him a home I'll have to build him an outdoor enclosure. My house is small and he can't go into the spare room because I keep baby turtles there, and my positives are in the garage. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] What to do after they die?
I am so sorry about Chloe, Laura. I lost Celery 2 weeks ago. He went from healthy to dead in a week. I had made an appointment to have him euthanized on a Wednesday morning. Our appointment was at 3 PM. He went downhill in just those few hours. I put him in the car, got him to the vet's ten minutes away, filled out the paperwork, reached my hand down to pet him and he was already dead. In my case, I keep my FeLV cats in my heated garage away from my healthy cats. I have always wondered about the possibility of tracking the virus in on my feet or on the dogs' paws. --- On Sun, 11/7/10, Laura Svoboda wrote: From: Laura Svoboda Subject: [Felvtalk] What to do after they die? To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Date: Sunday, November 7, 2010, 1:25 PM Hello, I tried sending a post several days ago, but my membership had not gone through yet so my post was rejected. I was asking for suggestions on how to get my FLV cat, Chloe, to eat. Very sadly, she passed away early yesterday morning. I wish I had found this group earlier, but from the time she started feeling droopy to the time she passed away was just three weeks - way too fast. Anyway, can anyone tell me what I need to do, if anything, to her cat tree, cat tunnel, litter box, toys, etc. before I pass them on to another home? I have read that the virus does not live long outside of the body, but have also read that a person should wait 30 days before introducing another cat in the home - leaving me to believe that perhaps her things may still have enough of the virus on them to get other cats sick. That is the last thing I'd want. Does anyone have any suggestions? ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] I killed my kitten last night...
Oh, Kim, I have been through this so many times and so many times I've said "I killed my cat/tortoise/lizard/snake/whatever." You did not kill her. You did the best you could at the time with the information you had, and I am so sorry that you feel this way. It's normal to blame oneself but hindsight is 20/20; a cliche, I know, but so true. On St Patrick's Day my FeLV+ cat, Bridget, died at the vet. She was there to be spayed but never made it to the table - they put her under and she died. Horrible. But what was even more horrible was that I had a premonition that she would die during surgery, for weeks. A voice literally screamed in my head. DON'T DO IT, SHE WILL DIE. And yet I did it, and got that awful phone call from the vet. That night I posted on this forum - "it's my fault, I killed her." I was so grateful for the assurances from other members that no, I didn't kill her.I tried my best and something happened. I am sure that many other folks will have a similar story. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] My cat Cheshire crossing over
Tiger (non FeLV) also had an abcess on his throat. It was drained but came back so fast. And his white blood cell count dropped so dramatically in two weeks that my vet thought he had leukemia, also. They had never seen anything like it. I also kept asking myself if there was anything I could have done, or anything I should have noticed. Then I realized that his infection came on so very quickly and with such strength that there probably wasn't a thing that could be done about it. Still, I have felt guilty for a month. He died overnight at the vet. I wanted the best for him, but I wish I could have been with him so he didn't have to die alone. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] No way to treat a friend
If I didn't need my job, Beverly, if I only didn't need my job..the things I would say. When I win the lottery and start my old-cat rescue, I WILL open my mouth! --- On Tue, 9/7/10, POTT, BEVERLY wrote: From: POTT, BEVERLY Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] No way to treat a friend To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Date: Tuesday, September 7, 2010, 9:12 AM Laura, give me her contact information and I'll tell her what you couldn't. I have a vocabulary that would make a sailor blush! ____ From: LauraM [mailto:hingebacktorto...@yahoo.com] Sent: Sat 9/4/2010 8:05 PM To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Subject: [Felvtalk] No way to treat a friend OK, this doesn't have anything to do with FeLV, so I apologize.but a few incidents happened at the shelter today that really made me angry, and really made me sick of the way animals are treated in our society - as disposable property, with no feelings, no thoughts, no value. An inconvenience, to be tossed aside when necessary. First, a woman called and said that there was a cat lying in her carport that must have been hit by a car. She said, "We're afraid she's going to die there, and she can't seem to move her back legs." Stray, injured catI called our animal control officer and she headed on out to pick the cat up. Turns out, it was the woman's cat, and not a stray, she even saw the cat get hit! - same old story, the owner doesn't want to deal with the problem, doesn't want a vet bill, so she calls the county to handle it, forgets about it and goes about her day. My officer told her, "This is your responsibility, not mine - you get that cat to a vet." Later on, the caller once again rang up animal control: "If I have a cat that's been hit by a car, can I bring her to you?" NO, lady, what don't you understand - this is your animal, she is your responsibility, TAKE HER TO THE VET. Then, later, the door opened and a young woman came in with a cat in a crate. He has serious health problems; he's old and has some sort of issues with his teeth, he's in a lot of pain and needs steroid injections and some other stuff. I remember speaking with her two months ago about the cat, gave her some phone numbers of vets who might be willing to work with her on the cost of treatment. Anyway, she wanted to drop him off so we could euthanize him on Tuesday. I tried to get her to take the cat to her own vet, tried to get her to understand that it would be inhumane and cruel to leave him in a place with strangers, to sit in a cold metal cage, to die on a table and be tossed in a black trash bag and thrown into the dump like garbage. Naturally, she had no money - but if you're a good client, chances are your vet will euthanize for free or next to nothing; my vet has never charged me to euthanize an animal. And she had months to prepare for this, but she's moving in with her parents tomorrow and they're allergic, and of course, like the other person, she didn't want to deal with it. Finally she said to me, "I'm leaving. I don't like your attitude. Bitch." I wanted so badly to follow her out the door, slap her face & tell her what I thought of her, but I need my job. I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but still, it appears that this attitude has become more and more prevalent. Those of you who work in shelters or who are involved with rescue know exactly what I'm talking about. Someone will always be there to pick up the pieces and clean up after your mistakes, so why even try to do the responsible thing? One resident surrendered 4 kittens last week and called today to ask if they'd been adopted. They had all gone out to a rescue. After hollering, "Praise Jesus! They're safe!" she asked me, "So, the next time I have kittens, should I call this rescue directly or do I have to go through you?" Aaaargh! Don't let them be born! Come here on euthanasia day and then ask yourself if you should be producing more kittens! Thanks for letting me vent. -Inline Attachment Follows- ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] No way to treat a friend
especially after all I've been through in the past several weeks with Tiger. I don't have any money, either. But I could never imagine leaving my good friend at a kill shelter. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] No way to treat a friend
OK, this doesn't have anything to do with FeLV, so I apologize.but a few incidents happened at the shelter today that really made me angry, and really made me sick of the way animals are treated in our society - as disposable property, with no feelings, no thoughts, no value. An inconvenience, to be tossed aside when necessary. First, a woman called and said that there was a cat lying in her carport that must have been hit by a car. She said, "We're afraid she's going to die there, and she can't seem to move her back legs." Stray, injured catI called our animal control officer and she headed on out to pick the cat up. Turns out, it was the woman's cat, and not a stray, she even saw the cat get hit! - same old story, the owner doesn't want to deal with the problem, doesn't want a vet bill, so she calls the county to handle it, forgets about it and goes about her day. My officer told her, "This is your responsibility, not mine - you get that cat to a vet." Later on, the caller once again rang up animal control: "If I have a cat that's been hit by a car, can I bring her to you?" NO, lady, what don't you understand - this is your animal, she is your responsibility, TAKE HER TO THE VET. Then, later, the door opened and a young woman came in with a cat in a crate. He has serious health problems; he's old and has some sort of issues with his teeth, he's in a lot of pain and needs steroid injections and some other stuff. I remember speaking with her two months ago about the cat, gave her some phone numbers of vets who might be willing to work with her on the cost of treatment. Anyway, she wanted to drop him off so we could euthanize him on Tuesday. I tried to get her to take the cat to her own vet, tried to get her to understand that it would be inhumane and cruel to leave him in a place with strangers, to sit in a cold metal cage, to die on a table and be tossed in a black trash bag and thrown into the dump like garbage. Naturally, she had no money - but if you're a good client, chances are your vet will euthanize for free or next to nothing; my vet has never charged me to euthanize an animal. And she had months to prepare for this, but she's moving in with her parents tomorrow and they're allergic, and of course, like the other person, she didn't want to deal with it. Finally she said to me, "I'm leaving. I don't like your attitude. Bitch." I wanted so badly to follow her out the door, slap her face & tell her what I thought of her, but I need my job. I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but still, it appears that this attitude has become more and more prevalent. Those of you who work in shelters or who are involved with rescue know exactly what I'm talking about. Someone will always be there to pick up the pieces and clean up after your mistakes, so why even try to do the responsible thing? One resident surrendered 4 kittens last week and called today to ask if they'd been adopted. They had all gone out to a rescue. After hollering, "Praise Jesus! They're safe!" she asked me, "So, the next time I have kittens, should I call this rescue directly or do I have to go through you?" Aaaargh! Don't let them be born! Come here on euthanasia day and then ask yourself if you should be producing more kittens! Thanks for letting me vent. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] please add Tiger to the CLS
Tiger didn't have FeLV, but he passed away last night, much too soon. He was thirteen. I'd had him for three years. He was always a gentleman & a loving, sweet boy. Three weeks ago we went to the vet. Something was wrong; he was sluggish and not eating well. It turns out he had a large abcess in his throat. The abcess was lanced, a whole lot of dead tissue was removed, we were sent home with antibiotics and everyone thought things would be fine. They weren't - there was a second vet visit last Monday, the abcess was drained again & he was given more fluids. Tiger was hospitalized this Monday. The abcess wouldn't clear up, and even though he was given a stronger antibiotic he just couldn't fight the infection. I visited him yesterday and he ate for me and purred and purred. I didn't want to get my hopes up too high, but I still wasn't expecting my vet to call this morning & give me the news that he'd died. I thought maybe we had a little bit of a chance. It turns out that Tiger had a hole in his esophagus; he must have ingested something that cut him. I would give anything to have him back with me. I wish I had taken him in sooner. He'd been quiet this summer, and not sleeping with me at night like he normally did, but everybody was quiet this summer because the house was so warm. Nobody else was snuggling with me on the bed either. I didn't pick up on the little signs that he wasn't feeling well. If I had, he might still be alive today. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] False positives with snap test?
We had two cats test positive for FeLV at our shelter yesterday. Today we found out that the new snap tests (the ones that test for heartworm also) have been associated with a higher number of false positives. I'm wondering how many of you have had experience with this, since one of these cats is a five year old neutered 20-pounder who's never been around other cats and has never been outside, and so I was a little surprised at the positive result. We would like to retest them but can't find any tests of the older type. Desperation is setting in because if we can't find somewhere else for them to go, and we have only yesterday's results to rely on, both will go down on Tuesday. If any of you can give me more info, I'd really appreciate it; I can then relay that to my director and maybe buy them another week. Thanks!! ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Brown spider (loxosceles reclusa) bite leads to hemolytic anemia
I was bitten by one last November. My wound didn't become necrotic - but the swollen area was about 10" in diameter, it was tremendously painful and I have a discolored & noticeable concavity in my leg at the bite site which will probably be permanent. Since that time I have suffered from constant exhaustion along with muscle spasms in the affected leg that are sometimes non-stop. So, I am always on the lookout for them. Interesting - I would love to see the research if you would kindly email it to me. --- On Sat, 7/10/10, Ana Gutierrez wrote: From: Ana Gutierrez Subject: [Felvtalk] Brown spider (loxosceles reclusa) bite leads to hemolytic anemia To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Date: Saturday, July 10, 2010, 11:53 PM Dears, I keep thinking of how fast I lost Beltza, and hence I keep researching. Just to find out that is very weird*, but that the bite of a *Loxosceles reclusa* causes hemolytic anemia. *weird in adults, not that weird in children -- I would say, not that weird in our cats. I don't know if these spiders are common where you live, but please google a pic of them so you can recognize it --and kill it--- when you see one. Please don't expose your kitties to this bug. Best, Ana PS. If someone wants the original scientific papers I've read, let me know, so I can email them ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Dante has passed over the Rainbow Bridge
Beth, I am so sorry. I've had some of my FeLV positive cats for only a few months before they've passed, and others I've had for several years. Only one of my original group is still alive. We never know how much time we can give them, but the point is, we give them time. At least Dante didn't die at Animal Control, unwanted and unloved. You gave him the rest of his life. He knows that. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] GMA Weekend - Bill hates cats
You can be certain he wouldn't have said he hated dogs. But it's OK & acceptable to hate cats. It's funny, when people come to the shelter I usually ask them whether they're looking for a cat or a dog. I can't tell you how many times someone has responded, "Dogs. I hate cats." But I've never heard anyone say, "Cats. I hate dogs." --- On Sat, 5/1/10, Sharyl wrote: From: Sharyl Subject: [Felvtalk] GMA Weekend - Bill hates cats To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Date: Saturday, May 1, 2010, 9:20 AM Was watching GMA Weekend this AM. During a segment on stuff made out of cat food cans Bill Weir said he hated cats. Just had to respond to ABC News with the following post. Just wanted you to know I will no longer watch GMA Weekends after Bill's comment today that he hates cats. I don't need to waste my time watching anyone who hates a living creature. I do not like rats, mosquitoes or cockroaches but would never say on national TV that I hated them. I spend my free time involved in cat rescue and TNR of ferals/hard strays. I do not expect cat friendly stories but I sure did not expect to hear an anchor say he hated cats. You can be sure I will share Bill's comments with various on-line cat groups. Sharyl Cline Spay the Shore Eastern Shore of VA ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] on shelters and rescues
You have taken FeLV+ & elderly cats from us! Our diabetic cat went to rescue yesterday. --- On Tue, 4/13/10, Beth wrote: From: Beth Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] on shelters and rescues To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Date: Tuesday, April 13, 2010, 1:14 PM Thank you for all you do for Georgia, Laura. Our rescue pulls from many Animal Controls in GA. We don't euthanize for FIV or FeLV. In fact we have an entire house we rented to house all the FIV kitties. One of our volunteers nicknamed it "The House of Love". We have adopted some of them out. We do pull some "pretty" cats that we know will be easy adoptions, especially if they are already fixed. If a cat is going to be an easy adoption, & make us a few dollars it helps defer some of the costs for the animals who cost us a lot - and we have many of those. We certainly don't ask for vetting to be done. We also have many special needs cats & have taken elderly cats, abused cats, 3-legged cats, etc.. The one cat I have on My FeLV Cats Face Book page was pulled by our rescue from an AC. We think he was beaten with a baseball bat. We do take some owner surrenders. I guess we get them before they go to AC. We also try to help people as best we can to keep the cat they are trying to surrender if it is through no fault of their own. Beth Dont Litter, Fix Your Critter! www.Furkids.org --- On Sat, 4/10/10, LauraM wrote: From: LauraM Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] on shelters and rescues To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Date: Saturday, April 10, 2010, 8:15 PM I have actually had rescues ask me - or our shelter's volunteers - to pay (out of our own pockets) to alter and combo-test cats before they take them. Do they reimburse us? Of course not. We finally told one rescue that we were not wealthy people and we just couldn't do it. They will not pull from us unless we pay to have the cats vetted, then they sell those cats for $150 and pocket every dime. Now that's a crappy rescue. There are some bad shelters here in GA. I won't mention any names, but there are several I've heard of that IMMEDIATELY take owner surrendered animals to the back and put them down. Those pets never even get a chance to be adopted. It may be different in other areas of the country, but most GA shelters have high euthanasia rates relative to adoption rates. There are no no-kill county shelters in GA; to label a shelter as "bad" because they are forced to euthanize is just unfair. Nobody wants to do it; everyone is miserable and snippy and cranky on euthanasia day, even the ones who have to take antidepressants as a result. We only euthanize one day a week, our director puts down as few animals as possible, and some days we've been back at capacity by the end of the day, the turn-ins are so bad. Intakes are high - several times we've had 30 or so owner-surrendered animals come in within just a couple of hours. Adoptions are slow, nobody wants cats or larger dogs, only small dogs, puppies and sometimes kittens (mostly at Christmas). Just today we had 8 cats turned in - one is diabetic and was surrendered because the owner didn't want to pay for insulin shots. Pathetic. She just kept screaming at me, "I can't afford to take her to the vet! I can't pay for it!" I charged her a $40 euthanasia fee - we will try to get that cat out of there, but that owner needed to pay for something. One day somebody turned in 15 cats because they were moving. It's so discouraging, they keep coming in and coming in, and we've been getting pregnant cats and kittens like crazy over the past 2 months, and this kitten season will be a bloodbath. This is the time of year when I have to imagine a zipper over my mouth because I get so fed up with these people, nasty stuff just slips on out. Our director will not euthanize cats with FeLV and FIV. We adopt them out. He knows that I have cats with both and he knows that they can have a great quality of life. Sorry for venting, I just get tired of being told - from both the public and from people in rescue - that "you kill animals there." If they have a solution for dealing with all the so-called strays and owner surrenders and accidental litters, we would be happy to hear about it. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] on shelters and rescues
Just checked my email - there is a senior rescue in Vermont who may be interested! --- On Sat, 4/10/10, MaryChristine wrote: From: MaryChristine Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] on shelters and rescues To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Date: Saturday, April 10, 2010, 11:40 PM the info on the little diabetic kitty went out earlier today to a group that is incredibly active with placing them! saw the story on another list this afternoon. MC -- Spay & Neuter Your Neighbors! Maybe That'll Make The Difference MaryChristine Special-Needs Coordinator, Purebred Cat Breed Rescue (www.purebredcats.org) Member, SCAT (Special-Cat Action Team) ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] on shelters and rescues
I have actually had rescues ask me - or our shelter's volunteers - to pay (out of our own pockets) to alter and combo-test cats before they take them. Do they reimburse us? Of course not. We finally told one rescue that we were not wealthy people and we just couldn't do it. They will not pull from us unless we pay to have the cats vetted, then they sell those cats for $150 and pocket every dime. Now that's a crappy rescue. There are some bad shelters here in GA. I won't mention any names, but there are several I've heard of that IMMEDIATELY take owner surrendered animals to the back and put them down. Those pets never even get a chance to be adopted. It may be different in other areas of the country, but most GA shelters have high euthanasia rates relative to adoption rates. There are no no-kill county shelters in GA; to label a shelter as "bad" because they are forced to euthanize is just unfair. Nobody wants to do it; everyone is miserable and snippy and cranky on euthanasia day, even the ones who have to take antidepressants as a result. We only euthanize one day a week, our director puts down as few animals as possible, and some days we've been back at capacity by the end of the day, the turn-ins are so bad. Intakes are high - several times we've had 30 or so owner-surrendered animals come in within just a couple of hours. Adoptions are slow, nobody wants cats or larger dogs, only small dogs, puppies and sometimes kittens (mostly at Christmas). Just today we had 8 cats turned in - one is diabetic and was surrendered because the owner didn't want to pay for insulin shots. Pathetic. She just kept screaming at me, "I can't afford to take her to the vet! I can't pay for it!" I charged her a $40 euthanasia fee - we will try to get that cat out of there, but that owner needed to pay for something. One day somebody turned in 15 cats because they were moving. It's so discouraging, they keep coming in and coming in, and we've been getting pregnant cats and kittens like crazy over the past 2 months, and this kitten season will be a bloodbath. This is the time of year when I have to imagine a zipper over my mouth because I get so fed up with these people, nasty stuff just slips on out. Our director will not euthanize cats with FeLV and FIV. We adopt them out. He knows that I have cats with both and he knows that they can have a great quality of life. Sorry for venting, I just get tired of being told - from both the public and from people in rescue - that "you kill animals there." If they have a solution for dealing with all the so-called strays and owner surrenders and accidental litters, we would be happy to hear about it. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] i was wrong. it wasn't the ifa test the vet ran.
I would also like to add that the "picking and choosing" primarily occurs with dog rescues, not cat rescues. We've had cat rescues take FeLV+ cats from us, cats with one eye, cats with real problems, very senior cats. It's not all of them, by any means, but quite a few of the dog rescues who take animals from us seem to want only small, very adoptable dogs or purebreds. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] i was wrong. it wasn't the ifa test the vet ran.
Shelters don't kill cats. The public does. I work for a county shelter and yes, we do euthanize. As few animals as possible, but we do euthanize. It isn't the shelters' fault. They get incredible numbers of animals dumped on them every day. Most of our cats are friendly cats picked up as strays. So, if someone lets his or her cat roam outside, and the cat gets picked up by animal control, and no one bothers to reclaim the cat ("she always comes back in a few days" or "we just figured he ran away") or no one adopts the animal and the animal gets PTS, who's the killer? It's the irresponsible, lazy "owner" who didn't want to clean the litterbox or spend 50 cents worth of gas to drive to AC to check if the cat is there. Not the shelter workers, who have a miserable job to do & have to do it because animal welfare is on the bottom of most counties' financial priorities. Mandatory spay/neuter would help. Good luck with that out here in good ol' boy country. Most people at shelters work very, very hard to get animals adopted out and feel like absolute failures when they can't. "Rescues" come and pick the prettiest and the fanciest dogs and cats; for the most part, there's very little actual rescue going on there. Just my 2 cents. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Holmes Please add to the CLS :(
Maybe, some day, one of us will be able to post with some great news. Maybe someday there will be a cure for this terrible disease. I'm so sorry to hear about Holmes, Sherry. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Please add Percy to the Candlelight list
Beth, It's bad enough when your cat's death is expected, but when it comes out of the blue, it's even worse. I am so sorry for Roxane's loss. At least Percy had a month of loving care. So many never even get that. Laura --- On Thu, 4/1/10, Beth wrote: From: Beth Subject: [Felvtalk] Please add Percy to the Candlelight list To: "FeLV Talk" Date: Thursday, April 1, 2010, 9:53 AM A good friend of mine Roxane rescued a double positive kitty named Percy about a month ago. He passed away suddenly - vomited & collapsed & died. His foster mom was just getting ready to take him to the vet. He seemed healthy & was the sweetest love bug. Happily his last month was spent inside knowing what it was to be loved. Roxane is just devastated. Beth Dont Litter, Fix Your Critter! www.Furkids.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] The Heavens Cried for Max Today
Last night I had the most horrible dream - I suppose because I knew what would happen today. In my dream I reached out to touch a big purple glass ball - then it turned around and it was a grinning human skull on a dog's body. I just knew it was there to take all my cats so I threw a big candle at it. It said in a mocking voice, "You wouldn't hurt a dog, would you? Not a dog." Then I picked up a big stick and tried to hit it. It killed all my cats with the exception of a black and white one & I was very relieved that I'd managed to save one. Now that's what I call a stress dream. I don't even know if I'm going to go to work tomorrow. I just want to stay home and be quiet. Today it was Speckles. Not even 2 weeks ago it was Bridget, and 5 days before Bridget it was Baby Girl. A few weeks before that it was Frosty Paws. I'm just waiting for the next bit of bad news. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] The Heavens Cried for Max Today
Sharyl - I lost Speckles to dry FIP today. She'd been losing weight gradually and suddenly had wobbly rear legs. Last night she had two seizures and at the vet's today the decision was made to euthanize. She was eating and drinking today and even purring at the vet. Now I know she has a buddy to play with on the other side. I feel like I'm just being pummeled over and over. 4 cats gone in slightly over a month. I am starting to have nightmares. Laura --- On Mon, 3/29/10, Sharyl wrote: From: Sharyl Subject: [Felvtalk] The Heavens Cried for Max Today To: "felvtalk" Date: Monday, March 29, 2010, 4:50 PM I just mentioned my dear sweet Maxwell in a post. I had adopted him and his sister last yr from a rescue as FeLV+ kittens. I lost Molly Brown to wet FIP earlier this yr. Today I lost Max to wet FIP. I'm guessing their little immune suppressed bodies were more susceptible. It was raining as I drove Max to the vet this morning to have him PTS. He passed on the way. He is now at the crematory and his ashes will join Molly's and all my Angels. He was a real lover. Was happiest cuddled on my shoulder. He'd follow me around the house and always beat me to the kitchen where he begged for his favorite Temptation treats. Please add Max to the CLS. Sadly Sharyl ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] some comfort
For anyone who is interested, his name is Tim Link & his website is www.wagging-tales.com. He's located in Cumming, GA. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] some comfort
I think I mentioned a few days ago that I would be speaking with an animal communicator about Bridget. That happened tonight. I do feel better. I'd been so upset about my decision to have her spayed in spite of my apprehension, but he said he felt she had a weak immune system, perhaps liver problems, and the body she had wouldn't have lasted long. He said the vet did give her too much anesthesia - it was the standard amount for a cat her size, but it was just too much for her because she had some underlying problems. It was interesting. He said she'd been part of a litter with other cats who looked very much like her (very true) and who had the same problem (her brother died in September). He did say that he didn't see Chutney or the other cats around her, even though he knew that I had had other cats who had passed. This is where it gets strange. He said, "She's showing me a whole lot of other cats and says you just got two more cats." (yes, the FeLV+ cat from Smyrna and one from work who tested positive for FIV so I just kept him.) These cats came just a few days ago. He said, be prepared, she says more cats will be coming. He wanted to know if I worked in rescue, and I do work at a shelter. I asked him if she said anything about other animals, and he said she was talking about a medium sized, very noisy black dog (she kept saying "I heard the dog") who hadn't been around for very long (I just got that dog back in early January). That's a dog who would always jump up at her when I let the dogs into the house, and she's the noisiest damn dog ever. And he said she kept mentioning a farm and some other sort of animal, but he wasn't sure what. I don't have farm animals but I do have a ton of turtles who spend winters in the garage with the positive cats & summers outdoors. That might be what he was referring to. I asked him whether she liked where she was buried. He said, "She says it's a memorial garden with flowers and a big oak tree, and she's with others." Very true! And the strangest thing: I wondered if she was still around, and he said, "You have a very big, comfortable bed with a very soft burgundy or wine colored throw on it, and that's where she is." And yes - it's a thick, double fleece wine colored big blanket, and it's always on the bed, and the cats and the dogs love it as much as I do. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] RIP Brillo and Desmond
Crystal, I have lost 3 in a month, so I know how much you're hurting. Bridget's death a week ago was sort of the final straw for me. I don't know if I'll ever feel better but I'm trying. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Bridget has sent me another cat
And this will freak you out. I met someone on Saturday who has a friend who's a full-time psychic. I emailed him about Bridget and his response to me was this: "Bridget said she left to make room for someone else to come into your life - perhaps even a new child." I always referred to her as my baby. He knew nothing about the new cat. Weird, isn't it? I got chills when I read that. --- On Mon, 3/22/10, Belinda Sauro wrote: From: Belinda Sauro Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Bridget has sent me another cat To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Date: Monday, March 22, 2010, 12:45 PM That's great news, she knew you needed someone ... and they needed you!! -- Belinda happiness is being owned by cats ... http://bemikitties.com http://BelindaSauro.com ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Bridget has sent me another cat
First, thank you everyone for all your kindness and support over Bridget's passing. I appreciate it so much. But she's sent me another FeLV+ friend to help! On the evening of 3/17, the day she died, I checked the adoptable positives section of the website. Lo and behold, someone in GA had posted an available kitty just the day before. I never, ever check those postings, ever, but I figured the best way to honor Bridget, Baby Girl, Frosty Paws and the rest would be to take in another needy baby. These kind people had found this little girl in their neighborhood, but couldn't keep her due to the wife's allergies. They'd been boarding her at their vet's office for 5 weeks but hadn't been able to find her a home. Anyway, they brought me the cat yesterday, and she's just wonderful...still a little nervous around my big boys, but she'll be fine. Maybe this was meant to be. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Bridget is dead
This woman uses an animal communicator herself, so I'm going to look into doing that. I'm afraid I'll never reach closure on this one unless I make an extra effort. It's horrible when any of them die - but with Frosty Paws & Baby Girl, at least I understood WHY. Frosty had a lymphosarcoma and Baby Girl, well, Baby Girl finally failed after two good years like so many of them do. I just need to know what happened. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Bridget is dead
You might be right about that. I know a woman who's a medium, and when we spoke last night she said that Bridget was sent to me to give me two lessons: one, to learn to let go; and two, to trust my instincts more. Well, that's great, but if I'd trusted my instincts she'd still be alive! She also said that Bridget doesn't blame me and she is very happy on the other side, but will come back to me three days after her death (Saturday). --- On Fri, 3/19/10, MaryChristine wrote: From: MaryChristine Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Bridget is dead To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Date: Friday, March 19, 2010, 12:28 PM please, please remember that we do the very best we can at the moment, with the information at hand. you know, and bridget knows, that you would NEVER have done anything willingly to hurt her. you did what you thought was best, in her best interest. it may be true that you choose not to listen to an inner voice, but it may equally be true that that was the last lesson that bridget was here to teach you: to believe in that voice the next time. sometimes we only learn that sort of lesson this hardest way. i think that we try to take the blame for things because it's easier to think that we could have done something differently, changed outcomes, than to accept that we are, in many many situations, powerless. the healthiest cat can die from a simple surgery, or a undetected wound, or some genetic glitch we had no idea existed in its DNA soup. all we can do, for any of those in our lifes, regardless of species, is love them to the best of our ability, and know that every minute is a gift. GLOW to guide Bridget across the bridge, where she was met by many others who have gone before her. and as many others have said, she WILL come to you when the most intense pain has diminished a bit. MC -- Spay & Neuter Your Neighbors! Maybe That'll Make The Difference MaryChristine Special-Needs Coordinator, Purebred Cat Breed Rescue (www.purebredcats.org) Member, SCAT (Special-Cat Action Team) ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Bridget is dead
I never got to say goodbye. I handed her over and left her with strangers and left her to die without me. I don't know how long she'd been dead before the vet bothered calling - I left as soon as I got word & it only takes 15 minutes to get there, and she was stone cold and stiff as a board. This will haunt me for the rest of my life. --- On Thu, 3/18/10, Jeff Mills wrote: From: Jeff Mills Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Bridget is dead To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Date: Thursday, March 18, 2010, 6:39 PM I understand your pain. I took my 17-year old into the vet last June 15th because he was very old and fragile, and refused food that morning. He had separated himself from the pride, self-exiling to the living room weeks before. The technician detected a wheeze - he had been wheezing for years. He was 17, after all. So the technician told me that he would take Demon in back and put him on some oxygen until the doctor could look him over. He yowled as she took him away, and for once in my life, my cat senses failed me. Moments later, the doctor came into the room to tell me that Demon had arrested on the exam table, and there was nothing they could do. Before I had even had a chance to thank him for all the joy he had given me, to honor him by holding him as he passed - all of that was taken away from the two of us. It is hard to not think, "If I had only..." Blaming oneself seems natural, when the result is the loss of one of our close family members. And make no mistake, that's what the furbabies we take into our lives quickly become. (I am crying as I am writing this.) But do not let an unfortunate accident diminish the bond you had with your fur-daughter, however short it may have been. Cherish what time you had together, and what you learned from her. Take what she taught you into the future with you, for while it still hurts right now, eventually there will be another furry relationship, and the things you have learned with Bridget will provide you with invaluable lessons for the future. For the kitties, Jeffrey Mills ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Bridget is dead
I don't think she's fine, at all. When I went into my garage, where I keep my positives and my turtles, the air was so thick in there I couldn't stand it. I started hyperventilating and I felt sick. As you all know, I've lost a few cats to FeLV and this hasn't happened before. I'm telling you, this was either intentional or it was negligence, and Bridget knows this. I'll never be able to prove it, I'm aware of that, but I know it in my heart. I found out last night that the same vet nearly killed a friend's cat by giving too much anesthesia. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Bridget is dead
Remember the cat who I had PTS a little over a month ago, Frosty Paws? That cat had been neutered by the same vet, who'd wanted to euthanize him & very reluctantly did the surgery. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Bridget is dead
This really bothers me. For the past week I've had an awful premonition that I shouldn't spay her, that she would die during surgery. I had a bad, bad feeling. No reason behind it, the thought just kept intruding. I ignored it and figured I was just worrying too much. It reminds me of something that happened a few years back. I had a day off in the middle of the week, it was springtime, & I decided I would go to a nature preserve near my house to look for salamanders. Anyway, about a week before I planned to go, I began "seeing" a newspaper headline in my head: "Hiker finds body in woods." The feeling was very disturbing and very, very strong. The day of my little trip came, and I was so freaked out I didn't go. A few days later I opened up the paper and what did I see? "Hiker finds body in woods." At the nature preserve I planned to visit. In the very same spot I thought I'd find salamanders. It was a mentally ill man who had suffered from an apparent heart attack and died. This time I didn't trust my gut and look what happened. It is my fault. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Bridget is dead
It wasn't my regular vet - it was the spay/neuter vet who comes to the shelter where I work. He's altered many of my cats and they've all come through fine. But this vet also thinks all cats with FeLV should be euthanized. He's entitled to his opinion. But it was odd this morning when I dropped her off - he said "You know, this can stress out a cat with leukemia & bring on symptoms. I'm just letting you know so you don't blame me if something happens." Well, yeah, we all know you need to keep these cats away from stress. How many cats have I had spayed or neutered with FeLV & they've been OK? Does this sound suspicious or what? --- On Wed, 3/17/10, Elizabeth Malone wrote: From: Elizabeth Malone Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Bridget is dead To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Date: Wednesday, March 17, 2010, 4:52 PM I am so sorry for you loss. You did not kill your cat. You were being responsible to have her spayed. Your vet knew her history--please do not beat yourself up. I wish there were more words to help. Please know you are not to blame yourself. -Original Message- From: felvtalk-boun...@felineleukemia.org [mailto:felvtalk-boun...@felineleukemia.org] On Behalf Of LauraM Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 2:46 PM To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Subject: [Felvtalk] Bridget is dead Bridget is dead. I had her spayed today and apparently she died very quickly under anesthesia. She was my baby. I would have done anything for her and now she's dead. It has been a miserable few weeks with Frosty Paws and then Baby Girl but this has broken my heart. She was doing so well. Could it have been the LTCI? I have to know whether I'm responsible for killing her. Please, if anyone knows whether the LTCI could have had something to do with it, maybe made her more sensitive to being put under, please let me know, I have to know whether I killed my cat. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Bridget is dead
Bridget is dead. I had her spayed today and apparently she died very quickly under anesthesia. She was my baby. I would have done anything for her and now she's dead. It has been a miserable few weeks with Frosty Paws and then Baby Girl but this has broken my heart. She was doing so well. Could it have been the LTCI? I have to know whether I'm responsible for killing her. Please, if anyone knows whether the LTCI could have had something to do with it, maybe made her more sensitive to being put under, please let me know, I have to know whether I killed my cat. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] When should Bridget be re-tested?
Bridget is going back to the vet today for her 6th LTCI injection. My vet thought we could stop injections at a certain point and then retest, but when would be the best time? She is doing so well and has energy she's never had before. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Baby Girl has passed
Baby Girl died tonight around 7:30. It feels so strange to write that; I've had her for two years, she's been symptom-free for two yearsand then it happened. She declined quickly. I knew she was not going to make it, so we had a vet appointment for tomorrow morning for her to be PTS. Even a couple of days ago she was purring a bit and looking for chin scratches and head rubs, but by the time I left for work this morning I think she hardly knew I was there. When I arrived home this evening she was lying on her side, barely breathing. I held her on my lap for about 45 minutes, just waiting, then she shuddered, my lights flickered and she was gone. She will join Duncan, Charlotte, Chutney and Frosty Paws at the bridge. Now Celery is the last remaining cat of my original FeLV group. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Casper is positive
Oh crap. I remember how I felt a few months back when I found out that Bridget was positive - her brother Chutney suddenly crashed and died (he, too, was anemic) not even 5 weeks after testing negative on the snap test. I had both with my cats, and while I suspect they had contracted the virus before coming to my house, who knows? Maybe I have another healthy cat who's actually positive...I always think I should retest everybody to be on the safe side but in a way I don't want to knowthey're already together, already exposed to whatever the others might have. Charlotte, who passed away nearly a year ago, had tested negative when I adopted her but started having symptoms a year later. Again, did she have a latent infection or did she contract it here? I'll never know. --- On Thu, 3/4/10, Frank & Sue Koren wrote: From: Frank & Sue Koren Subject: [Felvtalk] Casper is positive To: "FeLV talk" Date: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 7:47 PM My poor sweet Casper is FeLV+. So by making the decision to mix I have condemned him. He is anemic and he is going on Doxycyclne and Prednosolone. Has anyone ever heard of a cat that has anemia living longer then a few months? ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Pennywise Please add to the CLS :(
I'm so sorry, Sherry. But you did all you could for him, and he knows that. --- On Sat, 2/27/10, Sherry DeHaan wrote: From: Sherry DeHaan Subject: [Felvtalk] Pennywise Please add to the CLS :( To: "Felvtalk" Date: Saturday, February 27, 2010, 10:10 PM Pennywise lost his fight today to this awful disease.He was a feisty little firecracker(as Dr. Jen called him.A beautiful orange fluffy baby.He will definitely be remembered and truly missed.He was also my monthly sponsor kitty.He will be terrorizing the kitties at the bridge. :) Sherry "We who choose to surround ourselves with lives more temporary than our own, Live within a fragile circle,easily and often breached. Unable to accept its awful gaps. We still would have it no other way" ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Frosty Paws has passed
I just wish I had known his history...it probably would have been too late anyway, but maybe we could have started him on something, anything, that would have given him a little more time. He was probably suffering for months - he was never taken to a vet until late last year, when he was neutered. Poor guy, he was the sweetest soul, so mellow, and he fit in so well with my others. I will miss him. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Frosty Paws has passed
I had Frosty Paws PTS this afternoon. I sat with him all day and several times thought he was nearly dead, but he stayed alive long enough to make it to the vet. My vet agreed that euthanasia was the best option. I had thought I felt a lump, and my vet said it was lymphosarcomaso I'm at peace with our decision. I'm just so angry at the person who gave him to me - apparently he had several episodes of sickness during the time she had him, yet I was never informed of this. He was presented to us as an asymptomatic cat who had just happened to test positive for the virus. If I had known this, I don't think I'd have taken on the heartbreak of another sick cat, especially so soon after Chutney's death. I'd only had Frosty for a little over a month, and he appeared to be healthy until a couple of days ago. My vet said he didn't blame me for being ticked off - what if he had had some other disease that could have been passed to my cats? I have 3 with FeLV and 2 with FIV, all healthy...she knew her cat would have been living with mine and yet she failed to fill me in completely on his condition. She'd wanted to be with him when he passed, and I was so angry, I called her this morning and told her Frosty hadn't made it through the night. Then I hung up on her. On a happier note - Bridget had her 4th LTCI injection today, and guess what? She has been steadily gaining weight and visibly growing since beginning treatment. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Frosty Paws will be PTS tomorrow
Well, I just got off the phone with the woman who rescued him, and she told me some things I hadn't known about. First of all, she said he'd frequently been sick: lethargic, lifeless, with labored breathing. She didn't know he was positive at the time. And I thought she'd had him for just a little while, but in fact he'd lived with her since last April. I'm not sure when he was tested. So this guy has been symptomatic for some time, now. I wish I'd known this. I would have still taken him in - but I'd have begun some sort of treatment a month ago. She's a reiki practicioner, and when he had these episodes of illness she'd work on him and he'd recover. She's driving an hour from Newnan tomorrow to meet me at the vet, and we'll take things from there. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Frosty Paws will be PTS tomorrow
More sad news to add to the rest of the sad news out there. Frosty Paws and I have an appointment for 4:30 tomorrow at our vet's. I think it is time to let him go, and I refuse to let him suffer needlessly. We all know how our FeLV kids can suffer at the end. So I believe I'm doing the right thing. We'll see what the vet says. I've only had him for about a month and a half. He was a stray who somebody took in. She had him neutered and combo tested, and the test came back positive. Since she'd never had a FeLV + cat before, she felt a little overwhelmed, and since I already had 3 of them, I agreed to take him on. Frosty has always been quiet - the woman who rescued him said he was the most quiet and non-confrontational cat she'd ever met - but I wonder if what we thought of as simply quiet (since she didn't have him for long, she didn't truly know his personality, either) was actually a sign of illness. He's looked a little down for the past week, and this morning his breathing was really labored, and was still labored when I returned home from work. Charlotte's breathing was the same way before she got a blood transfusion, and she died a month later in spite of everything. He also appears to have lost some weight, even though I've seen him eating. What do you all think? Is there anything else that can be done? Something we can try? I don't want to lose him if there's a possibility of saving him, but I don't want him to suffer, either. Thank you for all your concern and advice. Laura ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Bridget and LTCI
Bridget is about ten months old. Sadly, her brother Chutney passed a few months ago and so he never got the chance that this treatment - hopefully - will provide. Please let me know how your two are doing! ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Bridget and LTCI
My vet was finally able to get LTCI. Bridget had her first injection today! They are all very excited about it since they haven't used this treatment before. She still looks great - no symptoms - and she's gained a pound and a half since November. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Help - I can't get LTCI in Georgia!
My vet spoke with several people at whatever state department deals with drugs and so on, and apparently nobody can get LTCI, even the clinics who'd been previously using it. It is so, so frustrating (especially since I just refinanced and so - for once - I actually have some money!). Since I'm so close to Alabama, going out of state might be my best bet. In the meantime, the vitamin C therapy sounds interesting and so does acemannan. I'm still hopeful! ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Help - I can't get LTCI in Georgia!
I know, that's why I'm so shocked myself. I haven't spoken with my vet; he left me a voice mail yesterday while I was at work and I didn't have time to call him back, since we were swamped with folks desperate to surrender their pets before Christmas ("I need presents for my kids, so I can't afford to feed my dog!"). All he said was that it was related to some legal issue, and no one in the state is currently able to get it. Frustrating. The vitamin C thing is interesting; I'll have to run that by him. I'm not far from the GA-AL line...I wonder if I could bring her to Alabama if it's available there. I'm just desperate to do SOMETHING while she's still healthy. Her brother is gone and I just can't lose her. --- On Fri, 12/11/09, Alice Flowers wrote: From: Alice Flowers Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Help - I can't get LTCI in Georgia! To: "felvtalk@felineleukemia.org" Date: Friday, December 11, 2009, 1:28 PM I am shocked that your vet cannot order it. It's not even a "drug" per se. Perhaps your vet can contact another vet that can order it? My vet is the "Sacramento Cat Hospital" and if you google it, they have a website with all their contact info. As I type this, Rosie has Murphy in a headlock and is trying to bite his eyehe has these huge persian-like eyeballs and fluffy hair-she is a sleek tabby from a feral colony and loves to terrorize him these days even though she's half his size. I believe they'd both be dead if we hadn't begun the Imulan before they began crashing like Rosie's 4 brothers did. (The 4 brothers didn't see their 1st birthday.) These two have so much energy-galloping up and down the hall-one minute she's chasing him and then when they reverse directions-he's chasing her! I absolutely love it-not a sneeze or a sniffle since Sept, when they were constantly sick before the treatments. Rosie is 16 months old, Murphy just a few months more. I am only giving the subq injection every 6 weeks now. (It was once a week for 4 weeks in the beginning, then 2 weeks, 4 weeks etc). If I didn't have the Imulan, I have been reading alot of great things about the IV vitamin C therapy-I just read an article that said it cured a bad case of H1N1 in a human-but I didn't try to verify it-there is alot of information out there on the IV vitamin C-I do believe it is worth checking into. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Help - I can't get LTCI in Georgia!
As some of you may have read in my post from last week, my vet and I had planned to start Bridget on LTCI. Unfortunately, when my vet tried to order it, there was a problem. For some reason, the GA state vet isn't allowing the drug into the state at this time, for anybody - some legal issue. So.what are my options? I was excited & hopeful about the possibilities of this drug & now Bridget can't have it. What other therapies can you folks recommend? I've used interferon with two cats with no success. Bridget is currently asymptomatic, but I would like to try something, anything, to buy her as much time as possible. I'd appreciate any suggestions. Thanks. Laura ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Bridget will be started on LTCI
We are going to start Bridget on LTCI. Many thanks to all the members of this group - I would not have known about this drug without you. She's doing great. Very active and lively and not acting "sick" at all. She's a little unhappy because I've moved her into the garage with the other positive cats, but she does seem to enjoy the heat in there - I keep it real warm because of the tortoises and it's much more comfortable than the house. Bridget generally is not fond of other cats, and my FeLV guys and girl are all huge, so she's a little intimidated right now, but she'll adjust. I'll keep you all updated on her progress. Laura ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Nibbler Has Gone On - Please Add To CLS
Crystal, I'm so sorry about Nibbler. I lost Duncan last summer, Charlotte in April and Chutney a few weeks ago. Chutney's passing was a shock because we didn't know he was positive. He had tested negative just 6 weeks before he died, but then his sister Bridget tested positive, so I know that's what killed Chutney. I dropped off some info on LTCI at my vet's office today, and I'm hoping we can start Bridget on it soon. Maybe, just maybe, she'll have a chance at a somewhat normal life. I'm willing to try anything. Laura --- On Wed, 11/25/09, Crystal Proper wrote: From: Crystal Proper Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Nibbler Has Gone On - Please Add To CLS To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Date: Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 8:59 PM Thank you everyone. You all are truly very wonderful and caring people. Nibbler made it to 16 weeks. He took a turn for the worse a couple days ago. Fortunately, he was purring and happy and we got to hold him as he went. I know he is in a better place even though this is the worst broken heart I have ever had. Nibbler is now in Heaven. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Bridget - new positive kitten - questions about treatment
Thanks Jenny. A few questions: Bridget is currently asymptomatic. Could - should - these treatments be used on asymptomatic cats? Would they be detrimental or would they simply have no benefit? And could any of them be used simultaneously with each other? I found some info online on LTCI and immunoregulin and I've printed it out to take to my vet. I'd appreciate any links to studies, info etc. that he might find useful. As for the tortoises - let's just say it's a learning experience for the cats. They have discovered the hard way that not all turtles are slow, and not all have gentle dispositions. Everybody generally gets along well, though. I'll never forget the day that Duncan, my first FeLV cat (he has since passed) met my big Burmese brown tortoises, who'd never seen a cat before. He stood in the center of their pen and just stared as several of the big guys approached, just as curious about him as he was about them. They all touched noses for just a moment, then went their separate ways. I would frequently find Duncan curled up around Jack, my deformed ornate box turtle. And Baby Girl loves to sleep in my hingeback tortoise pen. Laura --- On Fri, 11/20/09, jbero tds.net wrote: From: jbero tds.net Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Bridget - new positive kitten - questions about treatment To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Date: Friday, November 20, 2009, 5:00 PM Laura, I am glad to hear your vet is willing to try something. It is so hard to watch these healthy young beautiful felv kittens and cats deteriorate so rapidly and die. The treatments I am aware of include interferon - an oral preparation most vets are familiar with and cheap, LTCI (an immunomodulator produced by Imulan, it is a subcutaneous injection - you can check their website and contact them or have your vet do so), Acemannan or ambotrose (either a intraperitoneal injection or oral supplement made by Mannetech I believe is their name you can google ambotrose). I have heard that early on in the disease high dose iv vitamin c can change viral status. Other holistic approaches/alternative meds include Wei Qi Booster (chinese herbal) and raw diet. There are other things out there, but I am not too familiar with them, a group A strep product (it's a bacterial derivative tried in the past with some success, but I haven't seen or heard much recently about it) You really have 50 pound tortoises, wow, that's something else. That is a world I am utterly unfamiliar with. Do they all get along? Well good luck and God bless. If you need any more specifics just let me know. Jenny ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Bridget - new positive kitten - questions about treatment
My Bridget - about 7 months old - has tested positive for FeLV. Someone a while back had mentioned a treatment she'd been using on a litter of positive kittens with good results. My vet, bless him, is willing to try new treatments - he sees a lot of FeLV in his practice - so I'd love to know what this is and where we can get it. Bridget's brother, Chutney, passed away suddenly after Halloween and he'd tested negative just 6 weeks previously. Poor Bridget will be joining the tough positive crowd (all asymptomatic) in my garage (I keep tortoises in it so it's heated and very comfortable): Sunbeam, Baby Girl, Celery and Majestic. Plus she'll meet a couple of 50 pound tortoises! Any help would be most appreciated! thanks! Laura and Bridget ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Felvtalk Digest, Vol 14, Issue 11
When Charlotte began to decline, one of my first clues that something was amiss was her heavy breathing. My vet said that this was a result of severe anemia. Even though she had a blood transfusion and seemed to become more alert and comfortable during her last month, the heavy breathing remained until the end. --- On Tue, 8/11/09, Claire Smith wrote: From: Claire Smith Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Felvtalk Digest, Vol 14, Issue 11 To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Date: Tuesday, August 11, 2009, 4:29 PM I have a question - not sure how to submit it. I have 2 cats who are feline leukemia positive. From outward appearances, they look and basically act healthy. One of them has started having a dilated pupil - it is not constant but it has been occuring a lot lately. She will also start panting and breathing heavy - I have central air and keep it on all the time.The last time she did this, it was actually very cool in her room. The other one had seizures one day several months ago - that was the one and only time that occured. But several months ago, his 3rd eyelid (on both eyes) started staying out. He can still see but not too well. Is there anything I need to do or is this just part of the disease? There are no other symptoms for either one of them at this time. Claire ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Baby Bella 3/4/09-7/9/09
I have two that have tested positive but are asymptomatic. They are both around 3-4 years old. Both big and fat. HoweverI have been through this before and know it could change at any time. I'm not doing anything special, just keeping them on a good diet and keeping a close eye on them. So sorry about Bella, I just lost Charlotte a couple of months back and she went from healthy to dead in a month. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Adopted an FIV+
I have 2 FIV who I keep with 2 FeLV+. Of course the FIVs are vaccinated for FeLV. They are the sweetest cats. I have always heard that transmission is through deep bites, so I've never been worried about the others catching it. They live in the garage away from my other cats, which some people think is horrible, but it's a heated garage (I keep tortoises in it in the winter and aquatic turtles in there year round) and it stays very cool in the summer thanks to big trees and a cement floor. There are 3 big windows and the cats love watching the turtles inside and the birds and frogs outside. Their newest source of entertainment is a large black rat snake who seems to have taken up residence in the garage. Every time I try to catch the snake, he slithers off under a turtle tank or something, but he sure keeps the kitties occupied! Laura ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] OT- Venting
I want to vent, too! I've had a bad, bad day! I work at a county shelter and we have just about had it with people. A woman called today and told me that she was getting ready to call Channel 2 news about us, because we were so very rude. Why was she ticked off? Because she surrendered her dog 2 weeks ago - she and her husband "couldn't tolerate" the dog's destructive behavior - and we were not "doing enough" to get her dog adopted. U..you weren't willing to spend any time and effort whatsoever on your dog, so why would anyone else? They decided to just reclaim the dog today, since they didn't want her to be euthanized. My colleague who handled the reclaim very nicely questioned the husband about his plans for the dog. Would they work with her, train her, try to find her another home? After all, we didn't want the dog to be reclaimed only to be dumped on us again. Not exactly fair to the dog, is it? The husband said he was ready to start cursing out my coworker, and apparently a nasty email is in the works. And someone else dumped his dog because she had a hot spot, and he didn't want to pay a vet, and when we told him that we had a low-cost vet we could refer him to, the excuse was, "She's too wild around the kids." We try to help them, and they counter with another BS excuse. I'm sick of it! And you guys will love this one. Last week a woman surrendered 5 kittens. It seems that THREE of her cats had litters of 7 at the same time, and she needs to round up all the kittens and bring them to us, because, of course, they all roam around outside! She then proceeded to blame the neighborhood tomcats for knocking up her females, when naturally it's her irresponsibility that got her into this mess. They are planning to bring us nearly 30 cats in all. We had to euthanize FIFTY cats and kittens last week, and just as many this week, and STILL people refuse to spay/neuter or keep their animals confined when they're in heat. This has to stop. It just has to stop. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Tigerlily Please add to the CLS :(
I am so sorry, Sherry. I just wish all this dying would stop. I lost Patrick (non-FeLV) Friday night. He was a 14 year old shelter dump ("we're moving and can't take our 14 year old cat") who I only had for a couple of months. He seemed to be adjusting really well at my house -- but he'd been a little off the day before, quiet and sitting in a corner. By Friday morning I knew he wasn't going to last. I buried him next to Charlotte in the fern garden. Losing 2 cats in less than a month is really hard. It just makes me appreciate the ones who are still with me even more. --- On Mon, 6/1/09, Sherry DeHaan wrote: From: Sherry DeHaan Subject: [Felvtalk] Tigerlily Please add to the CLS :( To: "Felvtalk" Date: Monday, June 1, 2009, 9:08 PM I am so sorry to say that Tigerlily lost her battle yesterday.She had quickly deteriorated overnight.She was one of those cats that won you over right away.She had a way of talking to you with littlr ppss.This has been a rough week for us volunteers,but even rougher for Dr. Jen. Yesterday I forwarded a few of your kind words to her and it really made her feel good.She said she really needed it. So thank you all for being there. Sherry "We who choose to surround ourselves with lives more temporary than our own, Live within a fragile circle,easily and often breached. Unable to accept its awful gaps. We still would have it no other way" ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org