I need your advice on FLV+ cat. Help! (long)
Question:
>Augie’s death was not in vain though… It brought me a to higher awareness >regarding what it really takes to protect and care for our little furry friends.
It is hard to understand why not everyone feels that way. My neighbor had a cat a few years ago – knew she was FeLV+ shortly after getting her as a kitten, and just lived with the idea that they would enjoy her while they had her. She was in good health until about 2 yrs old when she (cat) got really sick over a period of a few days, so they took her to the vet who just put her to sleep. Right away they got another cat who at about 1 1/2 got treated for a UTI (I think it was). Shortly after that she got sick, decreased appetite and rapid breathing. The neighbor took her to the dr. who tapped her lungs which were full, told the owner that it looked like FIP, most likely the cat would have to come back in two weeks to get tapped again, but was so sick that she would still die anyway. So they put this cat – who was sitting on the windowsill like always when I went to work that morning – to sleep. I still can’t get over not even attempting to treat either of these cats, and I know that the owners really did love both of them. Sorry. Just venting because that has bothered me for a couple of years now. Teri
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I need all of your advice and thinking on this, especially people who have had > FeLV+ cats. > My white female cat was diagnosed with FLV on Sept. 5th. She had a fever of > 106f, wasn’t as active as usual, and slurped. The vet gave her doxycycline 2x a > day (1/4 pill) and suggested an IFA test. The cat did not improve. Her poop > was very dry for a while which suggested kidney stress and dehydration. On > Oct. 3rd I took the cat back to the vet because she was getting awfully thin. > The vet did another cbc (blood test), a centesis, and a cytosis (sent out to > lab). Prescribed Baytril this time and an appetite stimulant. The cytosis > came back with results saying something about irritated lymphs.
Enlarged lymph nodes and also be a sign of an infection in the area of the affected nodes and not necessarily systemic disease. So don’t think the worst. 
On Baytril her > white inner eyelids turned red and irritated/blood shot and "hung-up" over her > right eye.
The third eyelid can also protrude when a cat has lost weight and/or is dehydrated. She also started either vomiting or regurgitating. I stopped in > for a nausea remedy (reglan) at the vet. Her assistant suggested the IFA test > again.
Good idea. > Personally, I would have thought the vet would have gone to interferon or some > regimen like that. But, in looking over the pill’s spec.s, I can see why she > prescribed them. The vet has at least 10+ years experience, maybe more, has a > lot of "paper" hanging on her walls to show she is well educated and keeps up > with "new stuff", and is exclusively feline. Has lots of testimonials from > others saying "thanks for saving our cat when other vets said euthanise". Most > other vets would have told me to euthanise.
You’re right. Too many vets follow the "test and slaughter" program on the basis of a single ELISA postive – of which about half are false-positives…. ;((( – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The cat is a real fighter. She doesn’t jump up on the top of the china cabinet > anymore because she has lost too much muscle mass but she still walks around a > bit and uses the toe of my shoe for a scratching post. She is still very thin > and boney. She still barfs/regurgitates and then eats it again (eewww) but I > let her because some nutrients and fluids in any form are better than none. > She lays in barf sometimes and her fur is matted. She never liked being combed > and still doesn’t so it’s hard to make her pretty. The only thing she is > eating is the broth from Fancy Feast Flaked Fish and Shrimp. She eats 1 or 2 > tiny bites of any solid food. She barfs up any dry solid food (Purina O.N.E. > Salmon and Tuna). She drinks water with no problem.
She holds down liquids except milk? When she barfs up solid food, is it bile-stained or tubular, undigested food? She also drinks milk and > barfs it about 1/2 of the time (not a lactose problem). Her poop is moist > again and she urinates ok. I have a ton of different foods I’ve been trying. > I powder the pills, mix in liquids, and dose since she barfs dry solids. She > is still tough enough to put up a good fight against being medicated. > So, what do all of you think about this? > Any recommendations? Am I doing anything wrong? Could I be doing anything > more? Should I give up? I really would like to know.
First, I’d go for the IFA, if I were you — About half of the in-house ELISAs positives are false-positives – they’re screening tests *only – and not diagnostic for persistent veremia. Most cats reject their initial FeLV infection. Second, don’t automatically assume the symptoms/illness are a result of FeLV (even if is she’s persistently infected). I think more FeLV cats die from untreated diseases that could have been treated because the illnesses were automatically attributed to FeLV, than from FeLV itself. Remember, about half of FeLV-infected cats are infected with only FeLV-A — which is slow to cause disease by itself – These cats can live good-quality lives for *years*. Other than "irritated" (swollen?) lymph nodes, what were the CBC/chem screen results? If she holds down liquids, puree her Fancy Feast or better yet, canned kitten food, with water or Mixit (more nutritious). The most important issue is keeping her nourished while you search for a cause. If you can handle it, I’d go for x-rays – or ideally, ultrasounds to look for a possible gastrointestinal obstruction or disorder. Good luck. Phil. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> CPS.
Response:
> Hi Cheryl, > Thanks for the kindness. I still miss Augie terribly, he was so > special – he had tons of love to give <sigh> > Augie’s death was not in vain though… It brought me a to higher > awareness regarding what it really takes to protect and care for our > little furry friends.
I feel the same after the death of my beloved Marley. I just didn’t know about some of these things. 
> I hope shadow gets through her ordeal ok. To me there is something > quite fulfilling about helping a little critter in its time of need. > They are so innocent, and can be so helpless… > OB
He’ll be ok, he’s a fighter. One of the vet techs at our county clinic told me after I told her Shadow’s story, that if he becomes FeLV+, he’ll probably laugh in it’s "face" after all he’s been through.
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> I need all of your advice and thinking on this, especially people >> who have had FeLV+ cats. >> My white female cat was diagnosed with FLV on Sept. 5th. She had a >> fever of 106f, wasn’t as active as usual, and slurped. The vet gave >> her doxycycline 2x a day (1/4 pill) and suggested an IFA test. The >> cat did not improve. Her poop was very dry for a while which >> suggested kidney stress and dehydration. On Oct. 3rd I took the cat >> back to the vet because she was getting awfully thin. The vet did >> another cbc (blood test), a centesis, and a cytosis (sent out to >> lab). Prescribed Baytril this time and an appetite stimulant. The >> cytosis came back with results saying something about irritated >> lymphs. On Baytril her white inner eyelids turned red and >> irritated/blood shot and "hung-up" over her right eye. She also >> started either vomiting or regurgitating. I stopped in for a nausea >> remedy (reglan) at the vet. Her assistant suggested the IFA test >> again. >> Personally, I would have thought the vet would have gone to >> interferon or some regimen like that. But, in looking over the >> pill’s spec.s, I can see why she prescribed them. The vet has at >> least 10+ years experience, maybe more, has a lot of "paper" hanging >> on her walls to show she is well educated and keeps up with "new >> stuff", and is exclusively feline. Has lots of testimonials from >> others saying "thanks for saving our cat when other vets said >> euthanise". Most other vets would have told me to euthanise. >> The cat is a real fighter. She doesn’t jump up on the top of the >> china cabinet anymore because she has lost too much muscle mass but >> she still walks around a bit and uses the toe of my shoe for a >> scratching post. She is still very thin and boney. She still >> barfs/regurgitates and then eats it again (eewww) but I let her >> because some nutrients and fluids in any form are better than none. >> She lays in barf sometimes and her fur is matted. She never liked >> being combed and still doesn’t so it’s hard to make her pretty. The >> only thing she is eating is the broth from Fancy Feast Flaked Fish >> and Shrimp. She eats 1 or 2 tiny bites of any solid food. She >> barfs up any dry solid food (Purina O.N.E. Salmon and Tuna). She >> drinks water with no problem. She also drinks milk and barfs it >> about 1/2 of the time (not a lactose problem). Her poop is moist >> again and she urinates ok. I have a ton of different foods I’ve >> been trying. I powder the pills, mix in liquids, and dose since she >> barfs dry solids. She is still tough enough to put up a good fight >> against being medicated. >> So, what do all of you think about this? >> Any recommendations? Am I doing anything wrong? Could I be doing >> anything more? Should I give up? I really would like to know. >> CPS. > I hope it’s not too late. > Interferon (an orally taken liquid) as well as immunoregulin > (injection) are immune enhancers, but they only work if there is an > immune system left to stimulate. Ask your Vet about this right > away… in fact I would insist on one or other of these treatment – > perhaps both, as it may be your only hope considering all other > remedies have failed so far. > Also, give her Pedolyte (for infants with diarrhea) instead of water. > It has electrolytes that will help with dehydration. Ask your Vet > about a/d formula diet food and Pet tinic(r) vitamin and mineral > supplement to address the anemia. > My Butchie was worse off than you describe yours (the vet said there > was no hope) six months or so ago, and he now happy and healthy > looking… he’s gained all his weight and appetite back. > Incidentally, If the vet prescribes interferon with a once a day > treatment, I would insist on twice daily… from experience I know > this could be better, at least until some progress can be seen. > Here’s why I say that: > Butchie (who was near death) and his brother Augie, who was also > tested FeLV+ were both inadvertently "overprescribed" for twice a day > Interferon treatment, although Augie showed no symptoms at that time. > But later when both dosages were "corrected" – after Butchie was > greatly improved – Augie became sick, and Butchie became worse again, > Augie went downhill surprisingly fast and apparently died as a result > of the undermedication (once a day) as he did not improve at all when > the dosage was increased, but Butchie did improve – slowly but > steadily. Unfortunately I was not aware of immunoregulin at that time > or I would probably have insisted on both treatments. > I figure if Einstein could err, perhaps so can a well educated and > dedicated Vet. > Hope this helps. > OB > Archived. > I’m trying to read every possible thing to spare my Shadow from FeLV if he > turns out positive from the botched transfusion. If he is positive, it’s > early for him now. Thank you for posting that. I’m very sorry about > Augie.
Hi Cheryl, Thanks for the kindness. I still miss Augie terribly, he was so special – he had tons of love to give <sigh> Augie’s death was not in vain though… It brought me a to higher awareness regarding what it really takes to protect and care for our little furry friends. I hope shadow gets through her ordeal ok. To me there is something quite fulfilling about helping a little critter in its time of need. They are so innocent, and can be so helpless… OB
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I need all of your advice and thinking on this, especially people > who have had FeLV+ cats. > My white female cat was diagnosed with FLV on Sept. 5th. She had a > fever of 106f, wasn’t as active as usual, and slurped. The vet gave > her doxycycline 2x a day (1/4 pill) and suggested an IFA test. The > cat did not improve. Her poop was very dry for a while which > suggested kidney stress and dehydration. On Oct. 3rd I took the cat > back to the vet because she was getting awfully thin. The vet did > another cbc (blood test), a centesis, and a cytosis (sent out to > lab). Prescribed Baytril this time and an appetite stimulant. The > cytosis came back with results saying something about irritated > lymphs. On Baytril her white inner eyelids turned red and > irritated/blood shot and "hung-up" over her right eye. She also > started either vomiting or regurgitating. I stopped in for a nausea > remedy (reglan) at the vet. Her assistant suggested the IFA test > again. > Personally, I would have thought the vet would have gone to > interferon or some regimen like that. But, in looking over the > pill’s spec.s, I can see why she prescribed them. The vet has at > least 10+ years experience, maybe more, has a lot of "paper" hanging > on her walls to show she is well educated and keeps up with "new > stuff", and is exclusively feline. Has lots of testimonials from > others saying "thanks for saving our cat when other vets said > euthanise". Most other vets would have told me to euthanise. > The cat is a real fighter. She doesn’t jump up on the top of the > china cabinet anymore because she has lost too much muscle mass but > she still walks around a bit and uses the toe of my shoe for a > scratching post. She is still very thin and boney. She still > barfs/regurgitates and then eats it again (eewww) but I let her > because some nutrients and fluids in any form are better than none. > She lays in barf sometimes and her fur is matted. She never liked > being combed and still doesn’t so it’s hard to make her pretty. The > only thing she is eating is the broth from Fancy Feast Flaked Fish > and Shrimp. She eats 1 or 2 tiny bites of any solid food. She > barfs up any dry solid food (Purina O.N.E. Salmon and Tuna). She > drinks water with no problem. She also drinks milk and barfs it > about 1/2 of the time (not a lactose problem). Her poop is moist > again and she urinates ok. I have a ton of different foods I’ve > been trying. I powder the pills, mix in liquids, and dose since she > barfs dry solids. She is still tough enough to put up a good fight > against being medicated. > So, what do all of you think about this? > Any recommendations? Am I doing anything wrong? Could I be doing > anything more? Should I give up? I really would like to know. > CPS. > I hope it’s not too late. > Interferon (an orally taken liquid) as well as immunoregulin > (injection) are immune enhancers, but they only work if there is an > immune system left to stimulate. Ask your Vet about this right > away… in fact I would insist on one or other of these treatment – > perhaps both, as it may be your only hope considering all other > remedies have failed so far. > Also, give her Pedolyte (for infants with diarrhea) instead of water. > It has electrolytes that will help with dehydration. Ask your Vet > about a/d formula diet food and Pet tinic(r) vitamin and mineral > supplement to address the anemia. > My Butchie was worse off than you describe yours (the vet said there > was no hope) six months or so ago, and he now happy and healthy > looking… he’s gained all his weight and appetite back. > Incidentally, If the vet prescribes interferon with a once a day > treatment, I would insist on twice daily… from experience I know > this could be better, at least until some progress can be seen. > Here’s why I say that: > Butchie (who was near death) and his brother Augie, who was also > tested FeLV+ were both inadvertently "overprescribed" for twice a day > Interferon treatment, although Augie showed no symptoms at that time. > But later when both dosages were "corrected" – after Butchie was > greatly improved – Augie became sick, and Butchie became worse again, > Augie went downhill surprisingly fast and apparently died as a result > of the undermedication (once a day) as he did not improve at all when > the dosage was increased, but Butchie did improve – slowly but > steadily. Unfortunately I was not aware of immunoregulin at that time > or I would probably have insisted on both treatments. > I figure if Einstein could err, perhaps so can a well educated and > dedicated Vet. > Hope this helps. > OB
Archived. I’m trying to read every possible thing to spare my Shadow from FeLV if he turns out positive from the botched transfusion. If he is positive, it’s early for him now. Thank you for posting that. I’m very sorry about Augie.
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I need all of your advice and thinking on this, especially people who have had > FeLV+ cats. > My white female cat was diagnosed with FLV on Sept. 5th. She had a fever of > 106f, wasn’t as active as usual, and slurped. The vet gave her doxycycline 2x a > day (1/4 pill) and suggested an IFA test. The cat did not improve. Her poop > was very dry for a while which suggested kidney stress and dehydration. On > Oct. 3rd I took the cat back to the vet because she was getting awfully thin. > The vet did another cbc (blood test), a centesis, and a cytosis (sent out to > lab). Prescribed Baytril this time and an appetite stimulant. The cytosis > came back with results saying something about irritated lymphs. On Baytril her > white inner eyelids turned red and irritated/blood shot and "hung-up" over her > right eye. She also started either vomiting or regurgitating. I stopped in > for a nausea remedy (reglan) at the vet. Her assistant suggested the IFA test > again. > Personally, I would have thought the vet would have gone to interferon or some > regimen like that. But, in looking over the pill’s spec.s, I can see why she > prescribed them. The vet has at least 10+ years experience, maybe more, has a > lot of "paper" hanging on her walls to show she is well educated and keeps up > with "new stuff", and is exclusively feline. Has lots of testimonials from > others saying "thanks for saving our cat when other vets said euthanise". Most > other vets would have told me to euthanise. > The cat is a real fighter. She doesn’t jump up on the top of the china cabinet > anymore because she has lost too much muscle mass but she still walks around a > bit and uses the toe of my shoe for a scratching post. She is still very thin > and boney. She still barfs/regurgitates and then eats it again (eewww) but I > let her because some nutrients and fluids in any form are better than none. > She lays in barf sometimes and her fur is matted. She never liked being combed > and still doesn’t so it’s hard to make her pretty. The only thing she is > eating is the broth from Fancy Feast Flaked Fish and Shrimp. She eats 1 or 2 > tiny bites of any solid food. She barfs up any dry solid food (Purina O.N.E. > Salmon and Tuna). She drinks water with no problem. She also drinks milk and > barfs it about 1/2 of the time (not a lactose problem). Her poop is moist > again and she urinates ok. I have a ton of different foods I’ve been trying. > I powder the pills, mix in liquids, and dose since she barfs dry solids. She > is still tough enough to put up a good fight against being medicated. > So, what do all of you think about this? > Any recommendations? Am I doing anything wrong? Could I be doing anything > more? Should I give up? I really would like to know. > CPS.
I hope it’s not too late. Interferon (an orally taken liquid) as well as immunoregulin (injection) are immune enhancers, but they only work if there is an immune system left to stimulate. Ask your Vet about this right away… in fact I would insist on one or other of these treatment – perhaps both, as it may be your only hope considering all other remedies have failed so far. Also, give her Pedolyte (for infants with diarrhea) instead of water. It has electrolytes that will help with dehydration. Ask your Vet about a/d formula diet food and Pet tinic(r) vitamin and mineral supplement to address the anemia. My Butchie was worse off than you describe yours (the vet said there was no hope) six months or so ago, and he now happy and healthy looking… he’s gained all his weight and appetite back. Incidentally, If the vet prescribes interferon with a once a day treatment, I would insist on twice daily… from experience I know this could be better, at least until some progress can be seen. Here’s why I say that: Butchie (who was near death) and his brother Augie, who was also tested FeLV+ were both inadvertently "overprescribed" for twice a day Interferon treatment, although Augie showed no symptoms at that time. But later when both dosages were "corrected" – after Butchie was greatly improved – Augie became sick, and Butchie became worse again, Augie went downhill surprisingly fast and apparently died as a result of the undermedication (once a day) as he did not improve at all when the dosage was increased, but Butchie did improve – slowly but steadily. Unfortunately I was not aware of immunoregulin at that time or I would probably have insisted on both treatments. I figure if Einstein could err, perhaps so can a well educated and dedicated Vet. Hope this helps. OB
Response:
>So, what do all of you think about this?
I would try to keep her food very plain and consistent. Don’t keep changing it. Just give her the one thing that she’ll eat. If she won’t eat that, I’d try that energel they give to sick kittens and mom cats. My cat is/was FLV+ and when she was real sick that was all she ate. I’d put some on my finger and she’d lick it off. They told me it was almost time to put her to sleep, she had a fever, swollen glands, so thin, URI…but she just sat in a chair for a week or so then she was better. I gave her the energel and used a syringe to get water in her mouth. She never puked. They didn’t even prescribe any medication for her. They just told me to wait til she was ready to go to sleep. She’s fine now and even tested negative for FLV on one test.
Response:
I need all of your advice and thinking on this, especially people who have had FeLV+ cats. My white female cat was diagnosed with FLV on Sept. 5th. She had a fever of 106f, wasn’t as active as usual, and slurped. The vet gave her doxycycline 2x a day (1/4 pill) and suggested an IFA test. The cat did not improve. Her poop was very dry for a while which suggested kidney stress and dehydration. On Oct. 3rd I took the cat back to the vet because she was getting awfully thin. The vet did another cbc (blood test), a centesis, and a cytosis (sent out to lab). Prescribed Baytril this time and an appetite stimulant. The cytosis came back with results saying something about irritated lymphs. On Baytril her white inner eyelids turned red and irritated/blood shot and "hung-up" over her right eye. She also started either vomiting or regurgitating. I stopped in for a nausea remedy (reglan) at the vet. Her assistant suggested the IFA test again. Personally, I would have thought the vet would have gone to interferon or some regimen like that. But, in looking over the pill’s spec.s, I can see why she prescribed them. The vet has at least 10+ years experience, maybe more, has a lot of "paper" hanging on her walls to show she is well educated and keeps up with "new stuff", and is exclusively feline. Has lots of testimonials from others saying "thanks for saving our cat when other vets said euthanise". Most other vets would have told me to euthanise. The cat is a real fighter. She doesn’t jump up on the top of the china cabinet anymore because she has lost too much muscle mass but she still walks around a bit and uses the toe of my shoe for a scratching post. She is still very thin and boney. She still barfs/regurgitates and then eats it again (eewww) but I let her because some nutrients and fluids in any form are better than none. She lays in barf sometimes and her fur is matted. She never liked being combed and still doesn’t so it’s hard to make her pretty. The only thing she is eating is the broth from Fancy Feast Flaked Fish and Shrimp. She eats 1 or 2 tiny bites of any solid food. She barfs up any dry solid food (Purina O.N.E. Salmon and Tuna). She drinks water with no problem. She also drinks milk and barfs it about 1/2 of the time (not a lactose problem). Her poop is moist again and she urinates ok. I have a ton of different foods I’ve been trying. I powder the pills, mix in liquids, and dose since she barfs dry solids. She is still tough enough to put up a good fight against being medicated. So, what do all of you think about this? Any recommendations? Am I doing anything wrong? Could I be doing anything more? Should I give up? I really would like to know. CPS.
Response:
>Augie’s death was not in vain though… It brought me a to higher awareness >regarding what it really takes to protect and care for our little furry friends.
It is hard to understand why not everyone feels that way. My neighbor had a cat a few years ago – knew she was FeLV+ shortly after getting her as a kitten, and just lived with the idea that they would enjoy her while they had her. She was in good health until about 2 yrs old when she (cat) got really sick over a period of a few days, so they took her to the vet who just put her to sleep. Right away they got another cat who at about 1 1/2 got treated for a UTI (I think it was). Shortly after that she got sick, decreased appetite and rapid breathing. The neighbor took her to the dr. who tapped her lungs which were full, told the owner that it looked like FIP, most likely the cat would have to come back in two weeks to get tapped again, but was so sick that she would still die anyway. So they put this cat – who was sitting on the windowsill like always when I went to work that morning – to sleep. I still can’t get over not even attempting to treat either of these cats, and I know that the owners really did love both of them. Sorry. Just venting because that has bothered me for a couple of years now. Teri
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I need all of your advice and thinking on this, especially people who have had > FeLV+ cats. > My white female cat was diagnosed with FLV on Sept. 5th. She had a fever of > 106f, wasn’t as active as usual, and slurped. The vet gave her doxycycline 2x a > day (1/4 pill) and suggested an IFA test. The cat did not improve. Her poop > was very dry for a while which suggested kidney stress and dehydration. On > Oct. 3rd I took the cat back to the vet because she was getting awfully thin. > The vet did another cbc (blood test), a centesis, and a cytosis (sent out to > lab). Prescribed Baytril this time and an appetite stimulant. The cytosis > came back with results saying something about irritated lymphs.
Enlarged lymph nodes and also be a sign of an infection in the area of the affected nodes and not necessarily systemic disease. So don’t think the worst. On Baytril her > white inner eyelids turned red and irritated/blood shot and "hung-up" over her > right eye.
The third eyelid can also protrude when a cat has lost weight and/or is dehydrated. She also started either vomiting or regurgitating. I stopped in > for a nausea remedy (reglan) at the vet. Her assistant suggested the IFA test > again.
Good idea. > Personally, I would have thought the vet would have gone to interferon or some > regimen like that. But, in looking over the pill’s spec.s, I can see why she > prescribed them. The vet has at least 10+ years experience, maybe more, has a > lot of "paper" hanging on her walls to show she is well educated and keeps up > with "new stuff", and is exclusively feline. Has lots of testimonials from > others saying "thanks for saving our cat when other vets said euthanise". Most > other vets would have told me to euthanise.
You’re right. Too many vets follow the "test and slaughter" program on the basis of a single ELISA postive – of which about half are false-positives…. ;((( – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The cat is a real fighter. She doesn’t jump up on the top of the china cabinet > anymore because she has lost too much muscle mass but she still walks around a > bit and uses the toe of my shoe for a scratching post. She is still very thin > and boney. She still barfs/regurgitates and then eats it again (eewww) but I > let her because some nutrients and fluids in any form are better than none. > She lays in barf sometimes and her fur is matted. She never liked being combed > and still doesn’t so it’s hard to make her pretty. The only thing she is > eating is the broth from Fancy Feast Flaked Fish and Shrimp. She eats 1 or 2 > tiny bites of any solid food. She barfs up any dry solid food (Purina O.N.E. > Salmon and Tuna). She drinks water with no problem.
She holds down liquids except milk? When she barfs up solid food, is it bile-stained or tubular, undigested food? She also drinks milk and > barfs it about 1/2 of the time (not a lactose problem). Her poop is moist > again and she urinates ok. I have a ton of different foods I’ve been trying. > I powder the pills, mix in liquids, and dose since she barfs dry solids. She > is still tough enough to put up a good fight against being medicated. > So, what do all of you think about this? > Any recommendations? Am I doing anything wrong? Could I be doing anything > more? Should I give up? I really would like to know.
First, I’d go for the IFA, if I were you — About half of the in-house ELISAs positives are false-positives – they’re screening tests *only – and not diagnostic for persistent veremia. Most cats reject their initial FeLV infection. Second, don’t automatically assume the symptoms/illness are a result of FeLV (even if is she’s persistently infected). I think more FeLV cats die from untreated diseases that could have been treated because the illnesses were automatically attributed to FeLV, than from FeLV itself. Remember, about half of FeLV-infected cats are infected with only FeLV-A — which is slow to cause disease by itself – These cats can live good-quality lives for *years*. Other than "irritated" (swollen?) lymph nodes, what were the CBC/chem screen results? If she holds down liquids, puree her Fancy Feast or better yet, canned kitten food, with water or Mixit (more nutritious). The most important issue is keeping her nourished while you search for a cause. If you can handle it, I’d go for x-rays – or ideally, ultrasounds to look for a possible gastrointestinal obstruction or disorder. Good luck. Phil. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> CPS.
Response:
> Hi Cheryl, > Thanks for the kindness. I still miss Augie terribly, he was so > special – he had tons of love to give <sigh> > Augie’s death was not in vain though… It brought me a to higher > awareness regarding what it really takes to protect and care for our > little furry friends.
I feel the same after the death of my beloved Marley. I just didn’t know about some of these things. > I hope shadow gets through her ordeal ok. To me there is something > quite fulfilling about helping a little critter in its time of need. > They are so innocent, and can be so helpless… > OB
He’ll be ok, he’s a fighter. One of the vet techs at our county clinic told me after I told her Shadow’s story, that if he becomes FeLV+, he’ll probably laugh in it’s "face" after all he’s been through.
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> I need all of your advice and thinking on this, especially people >> who have had FeLV+ cats. >> My white female cat was diagnosed with FLV on Sept. 5th. She had a >> fever of 106f, wasn’t as active as usual, and slurped. The vet gave >> her doxycycline 2x a day (1/4 pill) and suggested an IFA test. The >> cat did not improve. Her poop was very dry for a while which >> suggested kidney stress and dehydration. On Oct. 3rd I took the cat >> back to the vet because she was getting awfully thin. The vet did >> another cbc (blood test), a centesis, and a cytosis (sent out to >> lab). Prescribed Baytril this time and an appetite stimulant. The >> cytosis came back with results saying something about irritated >> lymphs. On Baytril her white inner eyelids turned red and >> irritated/blood shot and "hung-up" over her right eye. She also >> started either vomiting or regurgitating. I stopped in for a nausea >> remedy (reglan) at the vet. Her assistant suggested the IFA test >> again. >> Personally, I would have thought the vet would have gone to >> interferon or some regimen like that. But, in looking over the >> pill’s spec.s, I can see why she prescribed them. The vet has at >> least 10+ years experience, maybe more, has a lot of "paper" hanging >> on her walls to show she is well educated and keeps up with "new >> stuff", and is exclusively feline. Has lots of testimonials from >> others saying "thanks for saving our cat when other vets said >> euthanise". Most other vets would have told me to euthanise. >> The cat is a real fighter. She doesn’t jump up on the top of the >> china cabinet anymore because she has lost too much muscle mass but >> she still walks around a bit and uses the toe of my shoe for a >> scratching post. She is still very thin and boney. She still >> barfs/regurgitates and then eats it again (eewww) but I let her >> because some nutrients and fluids in any form are better than none. >> She lays in barf sometimes and her fur is matted. She never liked >> being combed and still doesn’t so it’s hard to make her pretty. The >> only thing she is eating is the broth from Fancy Feast Flaked Fish >> and Shrimp. She eats 1 or 2 tiny bites of any solid food. She >> barfs up any dry solid food (Purina O.N.E. Salmon and Tuna). She >> drinks water with no problem. She also drinks milk and barfs it >> about 1/2 of the time (not a lactose problem). Her poop is moist >> again and she urinates ok. I have a ton of different foods I’ve >> been trying. I powder the pills, mix in liquids, and dose since she >> barfs dry solids. She is still tough enough to put up a good fight >> against being medicated. >> So, what do all of you think about this? >> Any recommendations? Am I doing anything wrong? Could I be doing >> anything more? Should I give up? I really would like to know. >> CPS. > I hope it’s not too late. > Interferon (an orally taken liquid) as well as immunoregulin > (injection) are immune enhancers, but they only work if there is an > immune system left to stimulate. Ask your Vet about this right > away… in fact I would insist on one or other of these treatment – > perhaps both, as it may be your only hope considering all other > remedies have failed so far. > Also, give her Pedolyte (for infants with diarrhea) instead of water. > It has electrolytes that will help with dehydration. Ask your Vet > about a/d formula diet food and Pet tinic(r) vitamin and mineral > supplement to address the anemia. > My Butchie was worse off than you describe yours (the vet said there > was no hope) six months or so ago, and he now happy and healthy > looking… he’s gained all his weight and appetite back. > Incidentally, If the vet prescribes interferon with a once a day > treatment, I would insist on twice daily… from experience I know > this could be better, at least until some progress can be seen. > Here’s why I say that: > Butchie (who was near death) and his brother Augie, who was also > tested FeLV+ were both inadvertently "overprescribed" for twice a day > Interferon treatment, although Augie showed no symptoms at that time. > But later when both dosages were "corrected" – after Butchie was > greatly improved – Augie became sick, and Butchie became worse again, > Augie went downhill surprisingly fast and apparently died as a result > of the undermedication (once a day) as he did not improve at all when > the dosage was increased, but Butchie did improve – slowly but > steadily. Unfortunately I was not aware of immunoregulin at that time > or I would probably have insisted on both treatments. > I figure if Einstein could err, perhaps so can a well educated and > dedicated Vet. > Hope this helps. > OB > Archived. > I’m trying to read every possible thing to spare my Shadow from FeLV if he > turns out positive from the botched transfusion. If he is positive, it’s > early for him now. Thank you for posting that. I’m very sorry about > Augie.
Hi Cheryl, Thanks for the kindness. I still miss Augie terribly, he was so special – he had tons of love to give <sigh> Augie’s death was not in vain though… It brought me a to higher awareness regarding what it really takes to protect and care for our little furry friends. I hope shadow gets through her ordeal ok. To me there is something quite fulfilling about helping a little critter in its time of need. They are so innocent, and can be so helpless… OB
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I need all of your advice and thinking on this, especially people > who have had FeLV+ cats. > My white female cat was diagnosed with FLV on Sept. 5th. She had a > fever of 106f, wasn’t as active as usual, and slurped. The vet gave > her doxycycline 2x a day (1/4 pill) and suggested an IFA test. The > cat did not improve. Her poop was very dry for a while which > suggested kidney stress and dehydration. On Oct. 3rd I took the cat > back to the vet because she was getting awfully thin. The vet did > another cbc (blood test), a centesis, and a cytosis (sent out to > lab). Prescribed Baytril this time and an appetite stimulant. The > cytosis came back with results saying something about irritated > lymphs. On Baytril her white inner eyelids turned red and > irritated/blood shot and "hung-up" over her right eye. She also > started either vomiting or regurgitating. I stopped in for a nausea > remedy (reglan) at the vet. Her assistant suggested the IFA test > again. > Personally, I would have thought the vet would have gone to > interferon or some regimen like that. But, in looking over the > pill’s spec.s, I can see why she prescribed them. The vet has at > least 10+ years experience, maybe more, has a lot of "paper" hanging > on her walls to show she is well educated and keeps up with "new > stuff", and is exclusively feline. Has lots of testimonials from > others saying "thanks for saving our cat when other vets said > euthanise". Most other vets would have told me to euthanise. > The cat is a real fighter. She doesn’t jump up on the top of the > china cabinet anymore because she has lost too much muscle mass but > she still walks around a bit and uses the toe of my shoe for a > scratching post. She is still very thin and boney. She still > barfs/regurgitates and then eats it again (eewww) but I let her > because some nutrients and fluids in any form are better than none. > She lays in barf sometimes and her fur is matted. She never liked > being combed and still doesn’t so it’s hard to make her pretty. The > only thing she is eating is the broth from Fancy Feast Flaked Fish > and Shrimp. She eats 1 or 2 tiny bites of any solid food. She > barfs up any dry solid food (Purina O.N.E. Salmon and Tuna). She > drinks water with no problem. She also drinks milk and barfs it > about 1/2 of the time (not a lactose problem). Her poop is moist > again and she urinates ok. I have a ton of different foods I’ve > been trying. I powder the pills, mix in liquids, and dose since she > barfs dry solids. She is still tough enough to put up a good fight > against being medicated. > So, what do all of you think about this? > Any recommendations? Am I doing anything wrong? Could I be doing > anything more? Should I give up? I really would like to know. > CPS. > I hope it’s not too late. > Interferon (an orally taken liquid) as well as immunoregulin > (injection) are immune enhancers, but they only work if there is an > immune system left to stimulate. Ask your Vet about this right > away… in fact I would insist on one or other of these treatment – > perhaps both, as it may be your only hope considering all other > remedies have failed so far. > Also, give her Pedolyte (for infants with diarrhea) instead of water. > It has electrolytes that will help with dehydration. Ask your Vet > about a/d formula diet food and Pet tinic(r) vitamin and mineral > supplement to address the anemia. > My Butchie was worse off than you describe yours (the vet said there > was no hope) six months or so ago, and he now happy and healthy > looking… he’s gained all his weight and appetite back. > Incidentally, If the vet prescribes interferon with a once a day > treatment, I would insist on twice daily… from experience I know > this could be better, at least until some progress can be seen. > Here’s why I say that: > Butchie (who was near death) and his brother Augie, who was also > tested FeLV+ were both inadvertently "overprescribed" for twice a day > Interferon treatment, although Augie showed no symptoms at that time. > But later when both dosages were "corrected" – after Butchie was > greatly improved – Augie became sick, and Butchie became worse again, > Augie went downhill surprisingly fast and apparently died as a result > of the undermedication (once a day) as he did not improve at all when > the dosage was increased, but Butchie did improve – slowly but > steadily. Unfortunately I was not aware of immunoregulin at that time > or I would probably have insisted on both treatments. > I figure if Einstein could err, perhaps so can a well educated and > dedicated Vet. > Hope this helps. > OB
Archived. I’m trying to read every possible thing to spare my Shadow from FeLV if he turns out positive from the botched transfusion. If he is positive, it’s early for him now. Thank you for posting that. I’m very sorry about Augie.
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I need all of your advice and thinking on this, especially people who have had > FeLV+ cats. > My white female cat was diagnosed with FLV on Sept. 5th. She had a fever of > 106f, wasn’t as active as usual, and slurped. The vet gave her doxycycline 2x a > day (1/4 pill) and suggested an IFA test. The cat did not improve. Her poop > was very dry for a while which suggested kidney stress and dehydration. On > Oct. 3rd I took the cat back to the vet because she was getting awfully thin. > The vet did another cbc (blood test), a centesis, and a cytosis (sent out to > lab). Prescribed Baytril this time and an appetite stimulant. The cytosis > came back with results saying something about irritated lymphs. On Baytril her > white inner eyelids turned red and irritated/blood shot and "hung-up" over her > right eye. She also started either vomiting or regurgitating. I stopped in > for a nausea remedy (reglan) at the vet. Her assistant suggested the IFA test > again. > Personally, I would have thought the vet would have gone to interferon or some > regimen like that. But, in looking over the pill’s spec.s, I can see why she > prescribed them. The vet has at least 10+ years experience, maybe more, has a > lot of "paper" hanging on her walls to show she is well educated and keeps up > with "new stuff", and is exclusively feline. Has lots of testimonials from > others saying "thanks for saving our cat when other vets said euthanise". Most > other vets would have told me to euthanise. > The cat is a real fighter. She doesn’t jump up on the top of the china cabinet > anymore because she has lost too much muscle mass but she still walks around a > bit and uses the toe of my shoe for a scratching post. She is still very thin > and boney. She still barfs/regurgitates and then eats it again (eewww) but I > let her because some nutrients and fluids in any form are better than none. > She lays in barf sometimes and her fur is matted. She never liked being combed > and still doesn’t so it’s hard to make her pretty. The only thing she is > eating is the broth from Fancy Feast Flaked Fish and Shrimp. She eats 1 or 2 > tiny bites of any solid food. She barfs up any dry solid food (Purina O.N.E. > Salmon and Tuna). She drinks water with no problem. She also drinks milk and > barfs it about 1/2 of the time (not a lactose problem). Her poop is moist > again and she urinates ok. I have a ton of different foods I’ve been trying. > I powder the pills, mix in liquids, and dose since she barfs dry solids. She > is still tough enough to put up a good fight against being medicated. > So, what do all of you think about this? > Any recommendations? Am I doing anything wrong? Could I be doing anything > more? Should I give up? I really would like to know. > CPS.
I hope it’s not too late. Interferon (an orally taken liquid) as well as immunoregulin (injection) are immune enhancers, but they only work if there is an immune system left to stimulate. Ask your Vet about this right away… in fact I would insist on one or other of these treatment – perhaps both, as it may be your only hope considering all other remedies have failed so far. Also, give her Pedolyte (for infants with diarrhea) instead of water. It has electrolytes that will help with dehydration. Ask your Vet about a/d formula diet food and Pet tinic(r) vitamin and mineral supplement to address the anemia. My Butchie was worse off than you describe yours (the vet said there was no hope) six months or so ago, and he now happy and healthy looking… he’s gained all his weight and appetite back. Incidentally, If the vet prescribes interferon with a once a day treatment, I would insist on twice daily… from experience I know this could be better, at least until some progress can be seen. Here’s why I say that: Butchie (who was near death) and his brother Augie, who was also tested FeLV+ were both inadvertently "overprescribed" for twice a day Interferon treatment, although Augie showed no symptoms at that time. But later when both dosages were "corrected" – after Butchie was greatly improved – Augie became sick, and Butchie became worse again, Augie went downhill surprisingly fast and apparently died as a result of the undermedication (once a day) as he did not improve at all when the dosage was increased, but Butchie did improve – slowly but steadily. Unfortunately I was not aware of immunoregulin at that time or I would probably have insisted on both treatments. I figure if Einstein could err, perhaps so can a well educated and dedicated Vet. Hope this helps. OB
Response:
>So, what do all of you think about this?
I would try to keep her food very plain and consistent. Don’t keep changing it. Just give her the one thing that she’ll eat. If she won’t eat that, I’d try that energel they give to sick kittens and mom cats. My cat is/was FLV+ and when she was real sick that was all she ate. I’d put some on my finger and she’d lick it off. They told me it was almost time to put her to sleep, she had a fever, swollen glands, so thin, URI…but she just sat in a chair for a week or so then she was better. I gave her the energel and used a syringe to get water in her mouth. She never puked. They didn’t even prescribe any medication for her. They just told me to wait til she was ready to go to sleep. She’s fine now and even tested negative for FLV on one test.
Response:
I need all of your advice and thinking on this, especially people who have had FeLV+ cats. My white female cat was diagnosed with FLV on Sept. 5th. She had a fever of 106f, wasn’t as active as usual, and slurped. The vet gave her doxycycline 2x a day (1/4 pill) and suggested an IFA test. The cat did not improve. Her poop was very dry for a while which suggested kidney stress and dehydration. On Oct. 3rd I took the cat back to the vet because she was getting awfully thin. The vet did another cbc (blood test), a centesis, and a cytosis (sent out to lab). Prescribed Baytril this time and an appetite stimulant. The cytosis came back with results saying something about irritated lymphs. On Baytril her white inner eyelids turned red and irritated/blood shot and "hung-up" over her right eye. She also started either vomiting or regurgitating. I stopped in for a nausea remedy (reglan) at the vet. Her assistant suggested the IFA test again. Personally, I would have thought the vet would have gone to interferon or some regimen like that. But, in looking over the pill’s spec.s, I can see why she prescribed them. The vet has at least 10+ years experience, maybe more, has a lot of "paper" hanging on her walls to show she is well educated and keeps up with "new stuff", and is exclusively feline. Has lots of testimonials from others saying "thanks for saving our cat when other vets said euthanise". Most other vets would have told me to euthanise. The cat is a real fighter. She doesn’t jump up on the top of the china cabinet anymore because she has lost too much muscle mass but she still walks around a bit and uses the toe of my shoe for a scratching post. She is still very thin and boney. She still barfs/regurgitates and then eats it again (eewww) but I let her because some nutrients and fluids in any form are better than none. She lays in barf sometimes and her fur is matted. She never liked being combed and still doesn’t so it’s hard to make her pretty. The only thing she is eating is the broth from Fancy Feast Flaked Fish and Shrimp. She eats 1 or 2 tiny bites of any solid food. She barfs up any dry solid food (Purina O.N.E. Salmon and Tuna). She drinks water with no problem. She also drinks milk and barfs it about 1/2 of the time (not a lactose problem). Her poop is moist again and she urinates ok. I have a ton of different foods I’ve been trying. I powder the pills, mix in liquids, and dose since she barfs dry solids. She is still tough enough to put up a good fight against being medicated. So, what do all of you think about this? Any recommendations? Am I doing anything wrong? Could I be doing anything more? Should I give up? I really would like to know. CPS.
Response:
>Augie’s death was not in vain though… It brought me a to higher awareness >regarding what it really takes to protect and care for our little furry friends.
It is hard to understand why not everyone feels that way. My neighbor had a cat a few years ago – knew she was FeLV+ shortly after getting her as a kitten, and just lived with the idea that they would enjoy her while they had her. She was in good health until about 2 yrs old when she (cat) got really sick over a period of a few days, so they took her to the vet who just put her to sleep. Right away they got another cat who at about 1 1/2 got treated for a UTI (I think it was). Shortly after that she got sick, decreased appetite and rapid breathing. The neighbor took her to the dr. who tapped her lungs which were full, told the owner that it looked like FIP, most likely the cat would have to come back in two weeks to get tapped again, but was so sick that she would still die anyway. So they put this cat – who was sitting on the windowsill like always when I went to work that morning – to sleep. I still can’t get over not even attempting to treat either of these cats, and I know that the owners really did love both of them. Sorry. Just venting because that has bothered me for a couple of years now. Teri
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I need all of your advice and thinking on this, especially people who have had > FeLV+ cats. > My white female cat was diagnosed with FLV on Sept. 5th. She had a fever of > 106f, wasn’t as active as usual, and slurped. The vet gave her doxycycline 2x a > day (1/4 pill) and suggested an IFA test. The cat did not improve. Her poop > was very dry for a while which suggested kidney stress and dehydration. On > Oct. 3rd I took the cat back to the vet because she was getting awfully thin. > The vet did another cbc (blood test), a centesis, and a cytosis (sent out to > lab). Prescribed Baytril this time and an appetite stimulant. The cytosis > came back with results saying something about irritated lymphs.
Enlarged lymph nodes and also be a sign of an infection in the area of the affected nodes and not necessarily systemic disease. So don’t think the worst. On Baytril her > white inner eyelids turned red and irritated/blood shot and "hung-up" over her > right eye.
The third eyelid can also protrude when a cat has lost weight and/or is dehydrated. She also started either vomiting or regurgitating. I stopped in > for a nausea remedy (reglan) at the vet. Her assistant suggested the IFA test > again.
Good idea. > Personally, I would have thought the vet would have gone to interferon or some > regimen like that. But, in looking over the pill’s spec.s, I can see why she > prescribed them. The vet has at least 10+ years experience, maybe more, has a > lot of "paper" hanging on her walls to show she is well educated and keeps up > with "new stuff", and is exclusively feline. Has lots of testimonials from > others saying "thanks for saving our cat when other vets said euthanise". Most > other vets would have told me to euthanise.
You’re right. Too many vets follow the "test and slaughter" program on the basis of a single ELISA postive – of which about half are false-positives…. ;((( – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The cat is a real fighter. She doesn’t jump up on the top of the china cabinet > anymore because she has lost too much muscle mass but she still walks around a > bit and uses the toe of my shoe for a scratching post. She is still very thin > and boney. She still barfs/regurgitates and then eats it again (eewww) but I > let her because some nutrients and fluids in any form are better than none. > She lays in barf sometimes and her fur is matted. She never liked being combed > and still doesn’t so it’s hard to make her pretty. The only thing she is > eating is the broth from Fancy Feast Flaked Fish and Shrimp. She eats 1 or 2 > tiny bites of any solid food. She barfs up any dry solid food (Purina O.N.E. > Salmon and Tuna). She drinks water with no problem.
She holds down liquids except milk? When she barfs up solid food, is it bile-stained or tubular, undigested food? She also drinks milk and > barfs it about 1/2 of the time (not a lactose problem). Her poop is moist > again and she urinates ok. I have a ton of different foods I’ve been trying. > I powder the pills, mix in liquids, and dose since she barfs dry solids. She > is still tough enough to put up a good fight against being medicated. > So, what do all of you think about this? > Any recommendations? Am I doing anything wrong? Could I be doing anything > more? Should I give up? I really would like to know.
First, I’d go for the IFA, if I were you — About half of the in-house ELISAs positives are false-positives – they’re screening tests *only – and not diagnostic for persistent veremia. Most cats reject their initial FeLV infection. Second, don’t automatically assume the symptoms/illness are a result of FeLV (even if is she’s persistently infected). I think more FeLV cats die from untreated diseases that could have been treated because the illnesses were automatically attributed to FeLV, than from FeLV itself. Remember, about half of FeLV-infected cats are infected with only FeLV-A — which is slow to cause disease by itself – These cats can live good-quality lives for *years*. Other than "irritated" (swollen?) lymph nodes, what were the CBC/chem screen results? If she holds down liquids, puree her Fancy Feast or better yet, canned kitten food, with water or Mixit (more nutritious). The most important issue is keeping her nourished while you search for a cause. If you can handle it, I’d go for x-rays – or ideally, ultrasounds to look for a possible gastrointestinal obstruction or disorder. Good luck. Phil. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> CPS.
Response:
> Hi Cheryl, > Thanks for the kindness. I still miss Augie terribly, he was so > special – he had tons of love to give <sigh> > Augie’s death was not in vain though… It brought me a to higher > awareness regarding what it really takes to protect and care for our > little furry friends.
I feel the same after the death of my beloved Marley. I just didn’t know about some of these things. > I hope shadow gets through her ordeal ok. To me there is something > quite fulfilling about helping a little critter in its time of need. > They are so innocent, and can be so helpless… > OB
He’ll be ok, he’s a fighter. One of the vet techs at our county clinic told me after I told her Shadow’s story, that if he becomes FeLV+, he’ll probably laugh in it’s "face" after all he’s been through.
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> I need all of your advice and thinking on this, especially people >> who have had FeLV+ cats. >> My white female cat was diagnosed with FLV on Sept. 5th. She had a >> fever of 106f, wasn’t as active as usual, and slurped. The vet gave >> her doxycycline 2x a day (1/4 pill) and suggested an IFA test. The >> cat did not improve. Her poop was very dry for a while which >> suggested kidney stress and dehydration. On Oct. 3rd I took the cat >> back to the vet because she was getting awfully thin. The vet did >> another cbc (blood test), a centesis, and a cytosis (sent out to >> lab). Prescribed Baytril this time and an appetite stimulant. The >> cytosis came back with results saying something about irritated >> lymphs. On Baytril her white inner eyelids turned red and >> irritated/blood shot and "hung-up" over her right eye. She also >> started either vomiting or regurgitating. I stopped in for a nausea >> remedy (reglan) at the vet. Her assistant suggested the IFA test >> again. >> Personally, I would have thought the vet would have gone to >> interferon or some regimen like that. But, in looking over the >> pill’s spec.s, I can see why she prescribed them. The vet has at >> least 10+ years experience, maybe more, has a lot of "paper" hanging >> on her walls to show she is well educated and keeps up with "new >> stuff", and is exclusively feline. Has lots of testimonials from >> others saying "thanks for saving our cat when other vets said >> euthanise". Most other vets would have told me to euthanise. >> The cat is a real fighter. She doesn’t jump up on the top of the >> china cabinet anymore because she has lost too much muscle mass but >> she still walks around a bit and uses the toe of my shoe for a >> scratching post. She is still very thin and boney. She still >> barfs/regurgitates and then eats it again (eewww) but I let her >> because some nutrients and fluids in any form are better than none. >> She lays in barf sometimes and her fur is matted. She never liked >> being combed and still doesn’t so it’s hard to make her pretty. The >> only thing she is eating is the broth from Fancy Feast Flaked Fish >> and Shrimp. She eats 1 or 2 tiny bites of any solid food. She >> barfs up any dry solid food (Purina O.N.E. Salmon and Tuna). She >> drinks water with no problem. She also drinks milk and barfs it >> about 1/2 of the time (not a lactose problem). Her poop is moist >> again and she urinates ok. I have a ton of different foods I’ve >> been trying. I powder the pills, mix in liquids, and dose since she >> barfs dry solids. She is still tough enough to put up a good fight >> against being medicated. >> So, what do all of you think about this? >> Any recommendations? Am I doing anything wrong? Could I be doing >> anything more? Should I give up? I really would like to know. >> CPS. > I hope it’s not too late. > Interferon (an orally taken liquid) as well as immunoregulin > (injection) are immune enhancers, but they only work if there is an > immune system left to stimulate. Ask your Vet about this right > away… in fact I would insist on one or other of these treatment – > perhaps both, as it may be your only hope considering all other > remedies have failed so far. > Also, give her Pedolyte (for infants with diarrhea) instead of water. > It has electrolytes that will help with dehydration. Ask your Vet > about a/d formula diet food and Pet tinic(r) vitamin and mineral > supplement to address the anemia. > My Butchie was worse off than you describe yours (the vet said there > was no hope) six months or so ago, and he now happy and healthy > looking… he’s gained all his weight and appetite back. > Incidentally, If the vet prescribes interferon with a once a day > treatment, I would insist on twice daily… from experience I know > this could be better, at least until some progress can be seen. > Here’s why I say that: > Butchie (who was near death) and his brother Augie, who was also > tested FeLV+ were both inadvertently "overprescribed" for twice a day > Interferon treatment, although Augie showed no symptoms at that time. > But later when both dosages were "corrected" – after Butchie was > greatly improved – Augie became sick, and Butchie became worse again, > Augie went downhill surprisingly fast and apparently died as a result > of the undermedication (once a day) as he did not improve at all when > the dosage was increased, but Butchie did improve – slowly but > steadily. Unfortunately I was not aware of immunoregulin at that time > or I would probably have insisted on both treatments. > I figure if Einstein could err, perhaps so can a well educated and > dedicated Vet. > Hope this helps. > OB > Archived. > I’m trying to read every possible thing to spare my Shadow from FeLV if he > turns out positive from the botched transfusion. If he is positive, it’s > early for him now. Thank you for posting that. I’m very sorry about > Augie.
Hi Cheryl, Thanks for the kindness. I still miss Augie terribly, he was so special – he had tons of love to give <sigh> Augie’s death was not in vain though… It brought me a to higher awareness regarding what it really takes to protect and care for our little furry friends. I hope shadow gets through her ordeal ok. To me there is something quite fulfilling about helping a little critter in its time of need. They are so innocent, and can be so helpless… OB
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I need all of your advice and thinking on this, especially people > who have had FeLV+ cats. > My white female cat was diagnosed with FLV on Sept. 5th. She had a > fever of 106f, wasn’t as active as usual, and slurped. The vet gave > her doxycycline 2x a day (1/4 pill) and suggested an IFA test. The > cat did not improve. Her poop was very dry for a while which > suggested kidney stress and dehydration. On Oct. 3rd I took the cat > back to the vet because she was getting awfully thin. The vet did > another cbc (blood test), a centesis, and a cytosis (sent out to > lab). Prescribed Baytril this time and an appetite stimulant. The > cytosis came back with results saying something about irritated > lymphs. On Baytril her white inner eyelids turned red and > irritated/blood shot and "hung-up" over her right eye. She also > started either vomiting or regurgitating. I stopped in for a nausea > remedy (reglan) at the vet. Her assistant suggested the IFA test > again. > Personally, I would have thought the vet would have gone to > interferon or some regimen like that. But, in looking over the > pill’s spec.s, I can see why she prescribed them. The vet has at > least 10+ years experience, maybe more, has a lot of "paper" hanging > on her walls to show she is well educated and keeps up with "new > stuff", and is exclusively feline. Has lots of testimonials from > others saying "thanks for saving our cat when other vets said > euthanise". Most other vets would have told me to euthanise. > The cat is a real fighter. She doesn’t jump up on the top of the > china cabinet anymore because she has lost too much muscle mass but > she still walks around a bit and uses the toe of my shoe for a > scratching post. She is still very thin and boney. She still > barfs/regurgitates and then eats it again (eewww) but I let her > because some nutrients and fluids in any form are better than none. > She lays in barf sometimes and her fur is matted. She never liked > being combed and still doesn’t so it’s hard to make her pretty. The > only thing she is eating is the broth from Fancy Feast Flaked Fish > and Shrimp. She eats 1 or 2 tiny bites of any solid food. She > barfs up any dry solid food (Purina O.N.E. Salmon and Tuna). She > drinks water with no problem. She also drinks milk and barfs it > about 1/2 of the time (not a lactose problem). Her poop is moist > again and she urinates ok. I have a ton of different foods I’ve > been trying. I powder the pills, mix in liquids, and dose since she > barfs dry solids. She is still tough enough to put up a good fight > against being medicated. > So, what do all of you think about this? > Any recommendations? Am I doing anything wrong? Could I be doing > anything more? Should I give up? I really would like to know. > CPS. > I hope it’s not too late. > Interferon (an orally taken liquid) as well as immunoregulin > (injection) are immune enhancers, but they only work if there is an > immune system left to stimulate. Ask your Vet about this right > away… in fact I would insist on one or other of these treatment – > perhaps both, as it may be your only hope considering all other > remedies have failed so far. > Also, give her Pedolyte (for infants with diarrhea) instead of water. > It has electrolytes that will help with dehydration. Ask your Vet > about a/d formula diet food and Pet tinic(r) vitamin and mineral > supplement to address the anemia. > My Butchie was worse off than you describe yours (the vet said there > was no hope) six months or so ago, and he now happy and healthy > looking… he’s gained all his weight and appetite back. > Incidentally, If the vet prescribes interferon with a once a day > treatment, I would insist on twice daily… from experience I know > this could be better, at least until some progress can be seen. > Here’s why I say that: > Butchie (who was near death) and his brother Augie, who was also > tested FeLV+ were both inadvertently "overprescribed" for twice a day > Interferon treatment, although Augie showed no symptoms at that time. > But later when both dosages were "corrected" – after Butchie was > greatly improved – Augie became sick, and Butchie became worse again, > Augie went downhill surprisingly fast and apparently died as a result > of the undermedication (once a day) as he did not improve at all when > the dosage was increased, but Butchie did improve – slowly but > steadily. Unfortunately I was not aware of immunoregulin at that time > or I would probably have insisted on both treatments. > I figure if Einstein could err, perhaps so can a well educated and > dedicated Vet. > Hope this helps. > OB
Archived. I’m trying to read every possible thing to spare my Shadow from FeLV if he turns out positive from the botched transfusion. If he is positive, it’s early for him now. Thank you for posting that. I’m very sorry about Augie.
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I need all of your advice and thinking on this, especially people who have had > FeLV+ cats. > My white female cat was diagnosed with FLV on Sept. 5th. She had a fever of > 106f, wasn’t as active as usual, and slurped. The vet gave her doxycycline 2x a > day (1/4 pill) and suggested an IFA test. The cat did not improve. Her poop > was very dry for a while which suggested kidney stress and dehydration. On > Oct. 3rd I took the cat back to the vet because she was getting awfully thin. > The vet did another cbc (blood test), a centesis, and a cytosis (sent out to > lab). Prescribed Baytril this time and an appetite stimulant. The cytosis > came back with results saying something about irritated lymphs. On Baytril her > white inner eyelids turned red and irritated/blood shot and "hung-up" over her > right eye. She also started either vomiting or regurgitating. I stopped in > for a nausea remedy (reglan) at the vet. Her assistant suggested the IFA test > again. > Personally, I would have thought the vet would have gone to interferon or some > regimen like that. But, in looking over the pill’s spec.s, I can see why she > prescribed them. The vet has at least 10+ years experience, maybe more, has a > lot of "paper" hanging on her walls to show she is well educated and keeps up > with "new stuff", and is exclusively feline. Has lots of testimonials from > others saying "thanks for saving our cat when other vets said euthanise". Most > other vets would have told me to euthanise. > The cat is a real fighter. She doesn’t jump up on the top of the china cabinet > anymore because she has lost too much muscle mass but she still walks around a > bit and uses the toe of my shoe for a scratching post. She is still very thin > and boney. She still barfs/regurgitates and then eats it again (eewww) but I > let her because some nutrients and fluids in any form are better than none. > She lays in barf sometimes and her fur is matted. She never liked being combed > and still doesn’t so it’s hard to make her pretty. The only thing she is > eating is the broth from Fancy Feast Flaked Fish and Shrimp. She eats 1 or 2 > tiny bites of any solid food. She barfs up any dry solid food (Purina O.N.E. > Salmon and Tuna). She drinks water with no problem. She also drinks milk and > barfs it about 1/2 of the time (not a lactose problem). Her poop is moist > again and she urinates ok. I have a ton of different foods I’ve been trying. > I powder the pills, mix in liquids, and dose since she barfs dry solids. She > is still tough enough to put up a good fight against being medicated. > So, what do all of you think about this? > Any recommendations? Am I doing anything wrong? Could I be doing anything > more? Should I give up? I really would like to know. > CPS.
I hope it’s not too late. Interferon (an orally taken liquid) as well as immunoregulin (injection) are immune enhancers, but they only work if there is an immune system left to stimulate. Ask your Vet about this right away… in fact I would insist on one or other of these treatment – perhaps both, as it may be your only hope considering all other remedies have failed so far. Also, give her Pedolyte (for infants with diarrhea) instead of water. It has electrolytes that will help with dehydration. Ask your Vet about a/d formula diet food and Pet tinic(r) vitamin and mineral supplement to address the anemia. My Butchie was worse off than you describe yours (the vet said there was no hope) six months or so ago, and he now happy and healthy looking… he’s gained all his weight and appetite back. Incidentally, If the vet prescribes interferon with a once a day treatment, I would insist on twice daily… from experience I know this could be better, at least until some progress can be seen. Here’s why I say that: Butchie (who was near death) and his brother Augie, who was also tested FeLV+ were both inadvertently "overprescribed" for twice a day Interferon treatment, although Augie showed no symptoms at that time. But later when both dosages were "corrected" – after Butchie was greatly improved – Augie became sick, and Butchie became worse again, Augie went downhill surprisingly fast and apparently died as a result of the undermedication (once a day) as he did not improve at all when the dosage was increased, but Butchie did improve – slowly but steadily. Unfortunately I was not aware of immunoregulin at that time or I would probably have insisted on both treatments. I figure if Einstein could err, perhaps so can a well educated and dedicated Vet. Hope this helps. OB
Response:
>So, what do all of you think about this?
I would try to keep her food very plain and consistent. Don’t keep changing it. Just give her the one thing that she’ll eat. If she won’t eat that, I’d try that energel they give to sick kittens and mom cats. My cat is/was FLV+ and when she was real sick that was all she ate. I’d put some on my finger and she’d lick it off. They told me it was almost time to put her to sleep, she had a fever, swollen glands, so thin, URI…but she just sat in a chair for a week or so then she was better. I gave her the energel and used a syringe to get water in her mouth. She never puked. They didn’t even prescribe any medication for her. They just told me to wait til she was ready to go to sleep. She’s fine now and even tested negative for FLV on one test.
Response:
I need all of your advice and thinking on this, especially people who have had FeLV+ cats. My white female cat was diagnosed with FLV on Sept. 5th. She had a fever of 106f, wasn’t as active as usual, and slurped. The vet gave her doxycycline 2x a day (1/4 pill) and suggested an IFA test. The cat did not improve. Her poop was very dry for a while which suggested kidney stress and dehydration. On Oct. 3rd I took the cat back to the vet because she was getting awfully thin. The vet did another cbc (blood test), a centesis, and a cytosis (sent out to lab). Prescribed Baytril this time and an appetite stimulant. The cytosis came back with results saying something about irritated lymphs. On Baytril her white inner eyelids turned red and irritated/blood shot and "hung-up" over her right eye. She also started either vomiting or regurgitating. I stopped in for a nausea remedy (reglan) at the vet. Her assistant suggested the IFA test again. Personally, I would have thought the vet would have gone to interferon or some regimen like that. But, in looking over the pill’s spec.s, I can see why she prescribed them. The vet has at least 10+ years experience, maybe more, has a lot of "paper" hanging on her walls to show she is well educated and keeps up with "new stuff", and is exclusively feline. Has lots of testimonials from others saying "thanks for saving our cat when other vets said euthanise". Most other vets would have told me to euthanise. The cat is a real fighter. She doesn’t jump up on the top of the china cabinet anymore because she has lost too much muscle mass but she still walks around a bit and uses the toe of my shoe for a scratching post. She is still very thin and boney. She still barfs/regurgitates and then eats it again (eewww) but I let her because some nutrients and fluids in any form are better than none. She lays in barf sometimes and her fur is matted. She never liked being combed and still doesn’t so it’s hard to make her pretty. The only thing she is eating is the broth from Fancy Feast Flaked Fish and Shrimp. She eats 1 or 2 tiny bites of any solid food. She barfs up any dry solid food (Purina O.N.E. Salmon and Tuna). She drinks water with no problem. She also drinks milk and barfs it about 1/2 of the time (not a lactose problem). Her poop is moist again and she urinates ok. I have a ton of different foods I’ve been trying. I powder the pills, mix in liquids, and dose since she barfs dry solids. She is still tough enough to put up a good fight against being medicated. So, what do all of you think about this? Any recommendations? Am I doing anything wrong? Could I be doing anything more? Should I give up? I really would like to know. CPS.
Response:
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