Re: [Felvtalk] NEW and PROMISING Drug for FeLv+ and FIV+ Cats
folks, once again, go to the website and actually READ what it says, and be intelligent consumers. this is NOT a drug, it is a treatment aid. it has CONDITIONAL approval (which means that it shows promise of maybe doing something)--NOT from the FDA but from the Department of Agriculture. i'm getting really frustrated by folks who don't ask around and talk with people who have done some investigating of these new, improved, emperor's new supplement claims--scientists (and undergrad stat students) who look at the research done on this product laughs--the original study, upon which everything is based, was done on a sample size that isn't even statistically significant. and what they are calling, trials have been laughable, as well--perhaps they've cleaned up that part of their act, but til now no sanctuary or vet experienced with research would take part in them, as they were no more rigorous nor statistically valid than the original ones. whoever heard of a drug company CHARGING people to take part in clinical trials? yes, perhaps this product has some use, but the sleazy marketing techniques that have characterized the company since they bought out the people who actually DID the work, makes many of us question ANYTHING they say. and what's worse is that it's all there, on their website. i can't even comment upon the unlikelihood that a kitten who truly has FIP would live long enough to participate in trials of any sort. 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
Re: [Felvtalk] NEW and PROMISING Drug for FeLv+ and FIV+ Cats
I understand where you're coming from but t he negativity is really not necessary. I mentioned this in hopes it would help you and your cats. My family used to rescue ONLY feLv + cats for many many years and I know that we were desperate for any hope. This is a very new 'drug', no one is contesting that but my vet had knowledge of this and is actually the one that brought it up as an option and said that it seems to be showing real promise and improvement in cats with feLv and FIV and that it wouldn't hurt to try it on my cat that has FIP. You were right to not comment on my cat with FIP because there is no textbook answer on lifespan or symptoms of cats/kittens with FIP, each cat is different. My cat has been diagnosed for 3 weeks now (a PCR test was done using fluid he had in his abodmen) and he is still faring pretty well so I am hopeful even though I know what the statistics are. I am also on a yahoo group for people with FIP+ cats and they have had cats that have lived up to a year or so which is certainly plenty of time to see if a 'treatment' drug willl help. Gus got the initial treatment on Monday and I am hopeful that by week 3 he will be improving symptomatically. Plus, if you read the website it said some cats show improvement within the initial 3 weeks loading dose and the intial study is for 6 weeks. My vet did a CBC at dose 1 and will do one at dose 4 to see how the cells and particularly the lymphocytes are responding. Also, I did not pay one dime for this 'drug' for the FIP trial. The trial for felv and fiv is over since they have proven it (to whatever degree) to help increase white and red blood cells to the point where it helps combat the symptoms of the virus, which is why you have to pay for it now. No one is soliciting this as a miracle cure but it is a real option for increasing quality of life and potentially life span when there aren't any other right now. From what I read it seems like it's a version of stem cell repair which is what they're trying to do in humans. I personally feel that if the risks are very low and the benefits are potentially signifigant I want to do whatever I can to help my cat. I did say that everyone needs to do their own research on this but I really think you shouldn't bash it so much. I mean what do you really have to lose? Chances are your cats with felv will die...they usually always do and within a matter of years. I guess I'm just more proactive and hopeful and there are a lot of cynical people on this planet. I just want my cat to live. I did get FDA mixed up with USDA, I apologize for that. Just so you know, Prolabs is in the process if getting the permanant license for this 'drug'. There apparently is a lot of red tape when it comes to new product licensing which is why they got the conditional license. I also don't care about what happened with a buyout or politics behind the scenes. I just care about what they are providing and if it will help my cat. And in all my research for FIP I found this vet that you all should check out too. He has manufactured a vitamin complex which is basically a mega dose of vitamin c and other vitamins and minerals. He has been able to get (over a time span of 10 months to 3 years) positive NON-SYMPTOMATIC cats with FeLv, FIV and FIP to test negative. It does take time for it to help the immune system so it is not a quick fix but it will help. This Dr. is very respected in the veterinary community and helped develop the California Naturals brand pet foods. His website is below. Again, do your own research. http://www.belfield.com/pet_health_art2.php _ Lauren found her dream laptop. Find the PC that’s right for you. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/choosepc/?ocid=ftp_val_wl_290 ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] NEW and PROMISING Drug for FeLv+ and FIV+ Cats
Hi everyone, My feleuk kitties have all passed but I do get everyone's posts every day and wanted to let you know about a new and very promising drug that has just recently been approved by the FDA for treatment of Feline Leukemia and FIV. I am involved in a study with my 11 month kitten that sadly has FIP - hoping and praying that it will help him too. The drug is called LTCI - Lymphocite T-Cell Immunomodulator. Below is a link to the website for the drug. I would urge your vet to call and find out about this drug or for you to even research it on your own. Good luck and God Bless you and your kitties http://www.imulan.com/index.html http://www.imulan.com/felv-fiv-treatment.html _ Insert movie times and more without leaving Hotmail®. http://windowslive.com/Tutorial/Hotmail/QuickAdd?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_HM_Tutorial_QuickAdd_062009 ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org