From Kris - Questions

[Nina]

gwork wrote: Hey guys,      I have some questions. 1) Where can I find a good vit./min. supplement that is not also high in calories?  All I know of is that Hartz stuff at Wal-Mart, Target, etc. I add "Nu-Cat Liquid" made by Vetri-Science to the turkey mush recipe I just sent you off-list.  Vetri-Science has a website if you want to check out their products: http://www.vetriscience.com/index.php but you can order it from pretty much any of the online pet supply companies.  There is also something called Pet Tinic that is high in iron.  I can't remember where I bought mine, I think from a local vet. 2) In regards to feeding only canned food for a sensitive digestive system, what is something good to feed?  I've noticed that all the canned stuff is very low in protein - I thought cats needed a much higher protein (like in the dry foods), so is it healthy to feed only canned long-term? It is absolutely healthy to feed cats canned food long term.  It's actually much better for them than dry food and helps them maintain their kittenish figures, (dry food junkies are notoriously overweight).  Here's a cat nutrition website written by a vet that frequents the IBD list I was on: http://www.catinfo.org/   The folks on the IBD list are big believers in feeding a raw diet, (based on my experience with Gypsy, they have good reason), so the info is slanted that way, but she also has a list of quality canned foods and what to look for when reading labels.  Cats with GI problems do better on wet food and usually better on "one protein", meaning, just chicken, or just turkey.  Cat foods with only one type of protein in them are hard to find, but generally feeding the same type of food and not switching them to different foods works best, (at least not quickly).   3) What is your opinion about giving a rabies vacc. to a felv+ cat?  Originally, they gave Spaz the vacc. and she was fine.  Later, a different vet suggested not messing with the immune system, especially since she is indoors only.  This makes sense to me, and I tend to agree with it, but wanted some other input.  I do work with ferals where I work, but none has ever had rabies, I have never been bitten, and I always wash and disinfect my hands/arms before dealing with any of my own cats at home. I have to agree with your the vet that advised against giving unnecessary vaccines.  There is a ton of information out there, studies and opinions about this on the web, just Goggle the words "animal vaccines necessary" and you'll come up with stuff to read on the subject.  I don't remember the statistics on "pet" animals contracting/spreading rabies, but I know it's virtually non-existent in this country.  It's more of a safe-guard for the humans because it's one of the few transmittable diseases, (and a darn nasty one at that), that humans can get.  Washing your hands is always a good idea when you've been around homeless cats.  There are diseases that you can bring home if you're not careful.   4) Do you guys know of any seminars, etc., where we so-called "uneducated" people can speak and talk about our experiences? Ask around at your vet's office, or local rescues.  I think it's wonderful that you want to share your experiences and educate the public.  Lord knows they need it!  :)   5) Do you know of any felv research facilities? I don't know of any felv specific research facilities, but there are a lot of University and Veterinary Colleges that do research on everything feline.  The studies I came across when I was doing research on the disease were mostly involving the effectiveness of preventatives and vaccine effectiveness.  A lot of the grants and research come from huge pharmaceutical companies that have a vested interest in promoting vaccines.  At one point I was given the name of a vet at UC Davis that might be interested in conducting studies on treatment.  I can't remember it right now, but I posted it to the list so it should be in the archives.  One of the discouraging things about this disease is that so very few academics seem to be interested in finding treatments or cures.  It would be wonderful to get the veterinary community interested in that!