Conference misery::feline

    You're really terrific, Sandy!  Ziggy is very lucky to have found both
    you and Ernie.  Here's hoping he bounces back quickly to enjoy the love
    and comforts of Kitty City!!
    
    Sending positive thoughts your way,
    
    Roberta, Kelsey, Taja and Herbie
    

    Sandy, I don't know what to offer for help.  I have never dealt with
    these particular illnesses.  I would like to offer you my support
    though.  I have been in bad situations before so I understand what you
    are going through. Chin up and hug that baby for all your worth!
    paw pats,
    Karen
    

    Good luck, Sandy!  I sort of know what you are going through, and I
    hold up my little Eirene as an example of a cat that overcomes months
    of critical problems and starts doing well.
    
    If there is anything I can do, let me know.
    
    Deb

    Sandy, you are a very special person.  Ziggy knew that when he first
    found you.   I hope he will be able to come home soon and enjoy all that
    love and attention.
    
    Steffi
    
    

    Sandy,
    
     You and Ernie are about the most wonderful people I know! Please don't
    forget your 'success' story with helping that needy cat brat VG!!!!
    Just remember, it doesn't ALWAYS turn out bad!
    
     My prayers are still going to the clinic to Ziggy also. I'm sorry I'm
    a little late reading this, but I knew you were puttiong in your
    tribute to Mr. Meow, and I had to be ready to read it. I still sat here
    and cried though!
    
     Please keep us updated on his progress. He's in very good hands with
    those vets.
    
    Love,
    
    Yonee

    Tuesday Update on Ziggy:

    I spoke to the Dr Sidley on Tuesday night and we had some good
    news and more bad news.  The good news was the biobsy came back 
    negative so there are no signs of lymponoma (sp??).  The bad news 
    is that the kidney profile was very out of whack (Creitin-23.6 and
    something else which was way over 300) It was so bad that she didn't 
    have much hope (since he is also positive for Feluk) and even though 
    he lapped a little bit of baby food he really wasn't eating.  He did 
    look alot better..and was bright-eyed!!  Our decision was that since 
    the first blood was drawn when Ziggy was at his worse (Sat) and since 
    that time he has been on fluids and strong antibiotics..we decided to do 
    one one blood panel to see if there was any differences and Ernie
    and I would go down Wednesday after work and make a decision.

    Wednesday Update on Ziggy:  (Ray of sunshine...and HOPE!!)

    With our heads in the right frame of mind.. (ya right!!) we went
    to visit Ziggy and talk to Dr. Sidley.  I needed to know if Ernie 
    and I was being selfish trying to keep Ziggy alive...just because
    we just lost Mr. Meow.   Dr. Sidley told me the blood work was not
    back yet...and her expectation was that when it did come in...she
    didn't expect much change....but suggested NOT making any decisions
    until these results were in.  She did say he ate a very little bit..
    they slowed down the intravenous and he looked Good.  So we decided 
    to go try and coax Ziggy into eating...well let me tell you...it 
    didn't take much coaxing at all.  He scoffed 3 oz of wet food in 
    one second....and was almost back to the same Ziggy we knew!!!
    He was So GOOD...Dr Sidley suggested we bring him home last night!!

    So my Ziggy came home with us...and acted like a little brat!!  We
    put him in a cage....and he tore the cage apart trying to get out...
    he cried all night for attention...and kept looking for more food
    which the vet said NOT to give him until morning so he wouldn't 
    throw it all up!!!   I got a call at 9:45 PM from Dr. Sidley who was
    so darn excited she said she had to call.  She had just reviewed the 
    results..and she was VERY happy to tell me that the entire profile was 
    alot better...and even thought everything was still not normal...it was a
    great sign that things were dropping back to within the normal range.
    Her thought right now is he had a VERY bad Kidney Infection....

    We aren't out of the woods....BUT boy it's looking a little better.
    I know I won't have Ziggy forever because I do realize he still
    tested positive...but atleast I have him at home (confined of course..)
    and can spoil the heck out of him for as long as I possibly can.
    That's all I asked for....

    Sandy 

    Sandy,  Thanks for the update. I am so happy for Ziggy to have you and
    Ernie as parents. I am sure his life with you will be of quality.
    
    Shaw

    
    Having been through this kidney thing several times - the creatinine
    number is typically around 3; I get worried when Merlin's gets above 4.
    The other number was probably blood urea nitrogen (BUN).  Ziggy's
    numbers mean that at least for a while, his kidneys had pretty much
    stopped functioning, but for a young fellow being treated properly
    the numbers returning toward more normal ranges is a very good sign.
    
    I talk to the kids everyday about Ziggy and I'm sure they're radiating
    powerful "get well" thoughts through the feliniferous ether, that
    other dimension they're plugged into.
    
    len (for Rocky and Robin and Blueberry and Merlin).
    

    
    Wow, I am so glad for good news.  It is not easy being picked for a
    kitty parent of a "special needs" kitty.  But know that we all are
    sending help in any way we can.  GO ZIGGY!
    
    Feline Hopeful,
    
    Sue & Crew

    Fingers and paws crossed here.  I'm so happy to read your good news.  I
    know Ziggy will be one happy, loved, spoiled kitty.
    
    Hugs to you and Ernie.
    
    Steffi, Bob and the furry 4

    glad to hear the good news. The FIRM is pulling for Ziggy!
    
    The FIRM & Deb

good news Sandy - we'll still keep sending prayers from the menagerie too
just to keep the good news going.................


Debbi

    Sandy,
    
    I'm SO happy to hear about the good news about  Ziggy.  Glad that he's
    at home where you can give him all of the love that he needs.  
    
    Also, I'm very sorry to hear about Mr. Meow.  I remember seeing
    pictures of him, and he was a real cuttie.  Let is ease your mind that
    he's now in kitty heaven, and having no more pain.
    
    Holly
    

    Ziggy spent a wonderful spoiled rotten weekend with us and seems
    to be doing good.   He's still not eating as normal...and I have
    to open up 5 different varities before he chooses one he will 
    nibble on...but other then that he's doing okay!!  
    
    He's has alot of spunk in him and he was pissed we wouldn't let
    him outside so he decided to dig up the little tiny tiles on
    my bathroom floor.  (arrgghhhh..smile!)
    
    He has also brought us to a new plateau of animal care.  I had to
    learn how to give him fluids.   Your talking about two people (me
    and Ernie) who faint at the sign of needles.....so I cannot believe
    we have reached this point and I can't believe we are actually doing
    this.   The first time was so funny because I took the needle out
    without shutting off the pump...so we had the fluids flying around
    in the kitchen.  Of course this put me in a panic...and I stabbed
    myself with the needle too!!!  But...if this will help him...we're
    willing to do it!!
    
    Sandy

    Good for you Sandy - I knew you could do it.  I, too, hate needles
    and don't ever look when I'm getting a shot.  But when Mocha was
    sick, and I knew it would be less stressful for her for me to
    give her fluids instead of traveling to the vets everyday, or
    staying at the vets overnight, I overcame my fears and knew it
    was the best thing to do.
    
    And I did warn you about shutting off the pump, didn't I?
    If anything, you're cleaning your kitchen at the same time!!
    
    Pam

    Oh Sandy, good for you to be able to do this for Ziggy!!
    Whenever we have to give fluids (*.*) Jimmy has to do it!
                                      0
    
    I almsot pass out when the needles come out.  Don't know why, it's
    just one of those things!  I can do all the other gooky stuff,
    but ask me to give a shot or what have you and the color hits my
    toes.  When I had Josette in the last time, she was needing fluids.
    So Brian decides it's time to show me how the setup works when
    you do the IV directly from the bag into the cat.  I happily agreed
    to watch/learn.  Anyway, here I am holding Josette down while the fluid
    is running into her. The bleb was getting bigger and bigger and
    bigger...  When Jimmy popped his head in the room to see what I was
    doing it became obvious that I was on my way out!  Joey would have 
    just layed there more than likely while I layed on the floor!
    
    Know I will know to call you when Jimmy isn't around! ;'}
    Karen

    How is Ziggy doing?
    
    Deb

    Ziggy seems to be doing alot better!!!!  He is still drinking alot of
    water...and his appetite is almost back to normal and on occasion
    I can even get him to eat his KD!!!  We are still giving fluids
    on a daily basis and he still gets 1/2 baytril pill twice a day!!  
    I will be calling the vet back this weekend to discuss how long
    we have to continue on the fluids and also to discuss his bad 
    breath!!  It really stinks...but not like ammonia...almost like
    and infected tooth!
    
    He is back to being my little spunky poophead cat that continues 
    to find ways to get into trouble or tries to find ways to "get out".
    He's looking real good...his fur his back to being shiney, his
    big eyes are bright and his mouth is back to being pink with no sores!!!  
    Considering what he looked like two weeks ago...I say he's doing 
    GREAT and I'm so glad he got to come back home!!!!  It's alot of
    extra work for us...(keeping him confined) but heck it's worth it!!!!
    
    Sandy                                                                

    Yahoo!!!  Terrific news, Sandy.  Give him a big hug for me!
    
    Pam

    Sandy, about the infected tooth; have the vet look really close for the
    start of a "neck leison" (meaning neck of the tooth, not the cat's
    neck. Merck's Vet Manual doesn't list it until the 7th edition (th eone
    that they just published). My vet had never heard of it; it was ROn
    Brown that told me about it as one of the're cat's had it; I
    photocopied the page from Merck's for my vet and  he confirmed the
    diagnosis in Eirene.
    
    Deb

    Need some helpful hints regarding giving fluids.  I spoke to the
    vet and even though Ziggy doesn't appear hill anymore she suggested
    we continue to give him fluids on a daily basis. (yuck)   When Ziggy
    was very sick he just sat there and allowed us to give him
    the fluids with no problems.  WELL...since Ziggy is feeling alot
    better and has alot of "spunk" back in him...we can't get him to
    sit still for one minute and I'm so scared I'm going to zap him
    with the needle.
    
    Any helpful hints....  Priscilla suggested to try and rub the back
    of his neck roughly so he doesn't realize the needle is in him...but
    that didn't work either!!!!
    
    Sandy

    Sandy,
    
    I make sure that Eirene and I are the only ones in the room (i.e., no
    other humans or cats). I also get a good "fold" of skin, and hold it
    while I am inserting hte needle. 
    
    One problem I have is that I only have 7 foot ceilings so the fluid
    isn't flowing real fast. Tonight the vet is going to show me how to
    use a real large syringe (35 cc or ml, not sure which) with an 18 gage
    needle so that I can just get into her real fast, instead of taking a
    half hour like it had been. 
    
    Also, so that kitty doesn't retain a big pocket of water on once side,
    try to give half on one side and half on the other.
    
    hope this helps,
    Deb

    Deb.... Ernie and I are the only ones in the room when we are
    doing this...we shut off all noisy things...and we have even 
    tried to face the wall so Ziggy doesn't have much to look at!!!    
    
    What I'm also finding is Ziggy has put some weight back on...and
    I can't really get a good fold of skin like I use to.  Prisiclla
    showed me how to do the syringe....but that didn't work to good
    either.
    
    It's good to see him so active...but I just wish he'd let us do
    this!!!!
    
    Sandy
    

    Sandy,
    
    what I'm suggesting here is that either your or Ernie (but not both)
    be in the room with her. That way the cat won't feel that as big a
    production is being made.
    
    Deb

    Yikes...I can't imagine trying to do this alone with him.  I
    don't think there is anyway I could hold him still...and stick
    the needle in him at the same time!!!  I'm still not real 
    comfortable doing this...so right now it is still a big production
    for all of us!!!   He's a kitty who is sweet, loves to be patted...but 
    has really not had tooooo much human "hugging" until recently.
    
    The little sh** played Houdini last night and learned how to
    get out of the cage.   The cage door has THREE strong clips (one
    on top, bottom and side) to keep it shut...but somehow he figured out
    how to open one and squeeze through the door.   Do you think he's feeling
    better????    Thank god we never keep him in the cage when
    we're not home...because he would have spent the day with the
    rest of the crew!!   
    
    Sandy

We also have extra hands available when needed, of course :-)
We have clients who bring animals in twice a day for fluids. The animal's
zipped out back as soon as you arrive, it takes maybe 10 minutes to pop 200 mls
into them, back out to the front and you're going. I'd guess we charge the same
things as if they were getting fluids as an in-house patient (but no Dr. exam or
office visit fees, no boarding, etc. - just the fluids charge). Not as cheap as
doing it yourself, but could be worth it if it needs to be done and you aren't
having success. You could try bringing Ziggy in and asking them to show you how
the tech does it (presumably by themself).

						Trace

    Well we continue to get some in him...and I find if we do 50ml's
    twice a day (AM and PM) it works better then trying to give the whole 
    100ml at one time.  He still is real fidgety and doens't want to
    sit still that long...but we kind of force him to.  After we give him 
    fluids we play "catch the feather birdy" and he acts like a crazy cat.
    I hope they aren't suppose to sit still after giving them fluids???
    
    The vet was the one that taught me how to do fluids...and the vet
    tech showed me some helpful hints...like how to squeeze the bag to
    make it go faster...and it worked great when Ziggy wasn't feeling good.
    But...now that he has all his energy back he just doesn't enjoy it!
                                                           
    Well Ziggy is forcing me to buy a Toyko cage..it's already on order!!!   
    He escaped again from the cage he currently sleeps in and that was 
    after adding extra "twistie ties" all around the three door clips. 
    He chewed the twistie ties apart!!   
    
    Sandy  
    

    Deb....please let me know how well you did giving fluids with
    the big syringe!!   Prisiclla from our shelter suggested doing
    it that way too...so I was wondering how well it worked with
    Eirene!!
    
    Sandy

    Sansy, she is still at the vet (because of the weather and they want to
    put her on erithroption(sp) which the vet hasn't yet gotten a hold of).
    So far, they have just been showing me how to do it; tonight I think I
    will get to do it for the first time. The advantage is that it goes in
    a lot faster than the drip (I only have 7 foot ceilings). I think that
    it should go ok. What I've noticed is that the vet can get 100 into
    her in less than 5 minutes, including refilling the syringe, whereas
    that takes at least 15 with the drip. That alone is a benifit.
    
    Deb
    

    Sandy,
    Martha of Haddeleigh House has the Tokyo cages.  I think they are
    around $130.  If you get it from her, you won't have to pay shipping.
    RC Steele also has them but you pay $$ for freight.
    Karen
    ps.I have an RC Steel catalog at my desk if you need particulars.
    

    I have the Toyko cage on order from Pet Supply in Fitchburg and
    it should be in by Friday.  They normally have them in stock..but
    they were all out. (figures!!)  I've seen the cages in the RC Steele 
    Catalog...but I know their shipping charges are crazy and it would 
    cost me alot more.
    
    Deb...keep me posted on using the syringe!!!  I have very high ceilings
    so our drip is pretty quick...I was just wondering if it was easier
    to use the syringe!!!
    
    Sandy
    
    
    

    Sandy,
    The difference as I understand it between drip or syringe...
    Drip: you can put in greater quantities at one time without 
    resticking the poor cat.  This works great if the cat is also calm
    
    Syringe: much quicker, but you are limited to the size of the syringe.
    Also depending on the size of the needle (bore) how quickly you can
    press the plunger.
    
    It does not hurt to over indulge in the fluid department.  A large bleb
    will be abosrbed as needed.  This way if you are going to be away for
    several hours you can give double the fluids and feel secure.
    Karen

    Karen,
    
    actually, even with the drip you need to stick kitty at least 2 times;
    half on one side of the back bone, half on the other. That is because
    the fluid that isn't immedialy absorbed forms a "pocket", and the
    cat will have a hard time walking/jumping/etcing as it is off balance.
    
    The syringe my vet is using is 35ml, so 3 of them work real well (left
    right and middle), and kitty doesn't have a balence problem. This is
    real impoirtant with Eirene as she seems to need to urinate within
    minutes after getting fluids, and if she is retaining a pocket of water
    on one side, she tends to loose her balence and fall over.
    
    Deb

    Thanks Deb,
    I have never had a cat that has had a balance problem, so I wouldn't
    think about that!  That's the problem re: the 35ml syringe.  You can
    find 66cc syringes, but they are not common unless the vet treats
    horses.  You can special order them or the vet can.  This is another
    instance when an IV drip setup may be the preferred method.
    Karen

    I'm confused; why would the IV drip be preferable?
    
    Deb

    I can supply you folks w/ numbers of companies that sell vaccines for
    horses.  They may havew the larger syring you're looking ofr.
    
    Michele

    Deb,
    With the drip set up, you can put in more fluid than the average syring
    can hold.  A few notes back we talked about sticking them more than
    once.  I have seen the vets put in a bleb (that's the term for the big
    "bleb" of water that you see under the skin) that has fallen down to
    the knees of my cat. When I asked about it they said it didn't hurt or
    make any difference.  The cat was quite comfy (as can be when you need
    fluids:'}).  I didn't have to worry about her losing her balance tho.
    Karen

    So the big bubble is called a "bleb"!!!   We have reached a point
    where I can give Ziggy 100 ml's in three minutes sharp with the
    drip!!!  I think the key is the higher you put it...the faster it
    works!  Ziggy has never had a balancing problem after he has had 
    his fluids....as a matter of fact that's when we have our playtime..
    so he runs around like crazy!!
    
    Sandy

At work, if the animal is really mellow and I want to get through the fluids a
bit more quickly, I'll sometimes sit with them on the floor instead of the exam
table. 100 mls in 3 mins is probably about as good as you'll get. Sometimes when
an animal comes in in shock and we want to get a lot of fluids into them I'll
set up two drips to get things moving quicker; 750+ mls can take a while if you
can't get the flow up. Even moving the needle 1/2" in one direction or another
can make a big difference in the flow rate.

						Trace

    I did a dir/title, but this was the only note I found on feluk!
    My sister adopted two black kittens from a shelter a couple of weeks
    ago.  The little male was returned, because he turned out to be quite
    vicious (bit her children, and the other kitten) and was incredibly
    antisocial.  The female just tested positive for feline leukemia :(
    It's so sad, she such a sweet little thing, purrs constantly, runs and
    plays all day and all night.
    Anyway, I have some questions about feluk, can anyone help me out? She
    assumed she had to have her put to sleep. Her friend had 5 cats that
    each developed the disease and all died rather quickly.  I don't have
    the specifics on vet care, but my suspicion is they had NONE.  Can they
    live a rather long life?  I told her she had to keep it indoor-only and
    away from all other cats.  But I confess I don't know much about it. 
    It's contagious - can a vaccinated cat catch it?  She borrowed my dog
    crate to confine the kitten for a couple of days to make sure she was
    litter-box trained.  Do I need to disinfect the crate before I bring it
    back into my house?  My cats are both up to date on their shots. Is it
    a risk to my cats?  I can't for the life of me remember if there is
    such a thing as a feluk vaccination! 
    Sarah 

    Sarah....
    
    These are my opinions based on my experience dealing with multiple
    Feluk cats.  Again this is one subject that everyone has differences
    of opinions; including vets!  
    
      o Yes there is a vaccine, and based on what vet you go to each
        has their own opinion of the effectiveness.  Some say it's
        95% effective...while others say it's only 80-85%.
    
      o The Feluk virus can be spread to other cats...but there is no
        known cases of humans or dogs catching it.  The virus is not
        a strong virus; therefore it dies quickly when air-borne and
        can be killed by bleach/water solution. 
    
      o Testing:  There is such a thing as a false positive....so if
        a cat does test positive the first time around...it is
        recommmended that the cat is re-tested within 3 months.  Some
        cats can test positive...but yet develop their own immune to
        the disease...and the second test could be negative.
    
      o Can they live a long life???  My opinion is yes...many can live
        a happy, healthy long life...while others seem to die within
        a year or two of catching the disease.  At our shelter we have
        Feluk positive cats that are 17 years old and has had the
        disease a very long time.   Some cats are carriers...who can
        spread the disease...but will never die from it!  The key
        is helping them live a unstressful life...feeding them premium
        food...and also seeking medical attention when a cold first comes
        on because there immune system is low.
    
    I currently life with a positive kitty, Ziggy who is kept confined
    to his own area, but yet when my other cats are not around we do
    let Ziggy roam the house.  We just take precautions and Ziggy has
    his own food/water bowls and litters.   Ziggy was clearly on his
    deathbed about a month ago...but with good medical attention..
    and lots of love...he has come back nice a strong!!   Will this
    continue...who knows how long the littel tyke has...but right
    now he is showing no signs of any disease!!!
    
    I personally would not put a positive cat to sleep if it was not
    showing any signs of the disease....and I would atleast wait
    to make any decisions until I had the second test.  Your sister
    has a tough decisions to make....if you want to have her
    call me to talk further...just let me know.
    
    Sandy

    Thanks, Sandy.  She's having a second test done anyway, just in case
    that one was incorrect.  Crazy is such a cute cat, hairlip and all!
    I'll tell my sister what you wrote.  She only has the one cat, so
    keeping her shouldn't be an issue, but I think she's getting the wrong
    signal from that friend who lost 5 cats to the disease. 
    By the way, Betty the Cairn Terrier (uncanny terror!) says "Hello"! 
    
    Sarah

    I'm not sure it's really bad advice...or just it's someones elses
    experience and/or opinions. This disease is so new I'm not sure
    anyone has all the answers.   I have seen this disease take a cat 
    immediately, give false positives and when re-tested they are 
    negative, and I have seen many sick positive cats spring back to
    become healthy and life for a long time.
    
    It's still a tough decision because you and/or the vet can't say
    whether the cat has XX weeks, months or years!!!  She is also
    probably worried about completing getting attached to the kitty
    (her and the kids) and it will be very upsetting if it dies at
    a young age!  Alot to think about!!  for me the decision was easy..
    I'm going to give Ziggy the happiest times until he decides to
    leave me!! 
    
    Tell Ms Betty I said hello and give her a hug from me...I still 
    think she is one of the  "luckiest" pups for finding a home
    with you!!!  
    
    Sandy
    
     

Our Felv positive cat survived just a shade under 3 years and was wonderfully
healthy otherwise up until her last 2-3 weeks, at which point she went downhill
quickly.

						Trace

    My sister had the test done again, and it turned out negative!  A real
    sigh of relief from both households!  Sandy, you are correct that she
    didn't want to get too attached to Crazy, that's why she considered
    having her put to sleep right away.  Such a tough situation.  How new
    is this disease?
    Sarah

    I was just reading an ariticle in Cat Fancy last night that stated
    there are two types of Feluk tests that can be done.  One is 99%
    correct...and the other type of test has been known to show
    alot of false positives!  Both tests had specific names...but I can't
    remember them!!   This article also commented that the vaccine is
    90% effective!  Again...many vets have different opinions on this!!
    
    This disease is not new and has been around a long time.  Years ago
    when a cat tested positive most vets would automatically suggest 
    putting them to sleep immediately after the initial test.  I find
    now that most vets will want to re-test....and more of them are
    becomming optistmic that they can live a pretty healthy life for X
    years.    
    
    Glad to see the tests came back negative this time around.   She 
    might consider waiting another 3 months and have it retested just
    to be on the safe side!!  In the meantime...I hope she enjoys Crazy!!!
    
    Sandy
                                                                       

    Well I'm happy to say that Ziggy is still doing great and is
    enjoying his spoiled - pampered life!!  He seems very healthy,
    but continues to drink alot of water and pee's alot.  BUT..he
    just looks so good with his shiny coat, bright eyes and smiley
    face...I'm so happy we gave him a chance in life!
    
    We were still giving Ziggy fluids every other night...but as of 
    yesterday, Dr. Fallon told us to take him off the fluids completely 
    and just keep an eye on him to ensure he does not get dehydrated!!
    Ziggy will be very happy about that!!!
    
    Sandy
    

    I have a reason to celebrate.....
    
    Since my last three cats I have rescued from my neighborhood had
    tested positive for either Feluk or FIV or a combination of..I
    was getting very nervous about my own cats because they do go 
    outside and the only time I have them tested is when they joined
    the crew.   SO....as of June we started the process of retesting
    everyone and vaccinating against Feluk!!
    
    Well after many months of worrying who might be positive and
    after spending big bucks...I am VERY happy to say...all my
    cats are negative with the exception of my baby Ziggy!!!!!
    
    This kind of proves to me (this is my opinion) that if a cat is
    neutered/spayed, does not fight alot, or does NOT eat out of the same
    bowls....the chances of getting Feluk/FIV are slim!!  I truly do not
    feel the virus is airborne!! I'm sure some of you will have different 
    of opinions!!!
    
    I"M SO THRILLED...and finally have peace of mind!!
    
    Sandy

    Sandy,
    That is good news!!!  I agree that alot of these viruses are only
    transmittable through direct, intimate contact.  The other cat would
    have to sneeze in the face of the other cat as it inhaled.  Not too
    likely.  Glad to hear that Ziggy is also doing a bit better.  As you
    know, these cats can live for quite a while.  Have a nice long weekend
    and pet the little critta's  for me!
    Karen

    Well my little Ziggy put us through another scare last week and
    I have come to the conclusion Ziggy is really a miracle kitty and
    was put on earth to prove to me that anything is possible and to
    NEVER give up hope!!
    
    Two weeks ago Thursday, Ziggy had started to make a coughing sound
    similar to trying to hack up a hairball, so we gave him some hairball
    stuff and just monitored him.  On Saturday we noticed the coughing was
    worse so we spoke to the vet and they immediately put him on
    Antibiotics for precautionary measures just because he is a "positive
    feluk kitty" and his immune system is low.  By Sunday he quit eating
    completely..and by Monday you could hear his chest rattling and he 
    was having a very difficult time breathing so off to the vets we went.
    
    As soon as the vet heard his chest...Ziggy was immediatly put in
    Oxygen and considered very critical because they felt it was pneumonia!
    Once they stabalized Ziggy, they took an X-ray and was really expecting
    his lungs would be filled with fluids, he'd have fluid around the heart
    or they would spot a tumor.  At that point I felt they were kind of
    preparing me and Ernie for the Bad news because they kept stressing
    he was positive...he almost didn't make it through the last
    infection...and he has had a wonderful summer with us.  Well the first 
    set of X-ray didn't look bad at all (not compared to what he sounded 
    like) so they request they take another X-ray because they were sure 
    they'd find something!!! The secord X-ray came out exactly like the first
    one....and there are no signs of tumors and very little fluid in
    the lungs.  They then did other blood work...and came to the conclusion
    he has a touch of pneumonia...but more of an upper respitory/nasal
    problem.
    
    Ziggy was sent home the next day with antibiotics and he is now back
    to eating like a pig, his cough has stopped considerably, and 
    every day he is getting stronger and stronger.   We consider him
    the Miracle on Essex St....and we're so excited he pulled through
    another tough sickness.   
    
    Sandy

    
    Alright Ziggy!! what a guy ;-) 
    
    Wishing Ziggy many many more happy years to come.
    
    Shaw

         Fantastic!  Ziggy and Bigfoot must be from the same mold ...
    
    					- Andrea

    I'm glad to hear that he is feeling better.
    
    Deb

    If anyone subscribes to the Cat Fancy Magazine, look in this months
    edition at the "Centerfold" pull-out section.  The black and white
    kitty in the Centerfold looks exactly like my Ziggy!!!  They both
    have the same crooked stripe down the nose, two white dots as
    a mustache and the white V going down the neck.   It's amazing
    how much they look alike.  
    
    Sandy

    Sandy,
    I am so glad that Ziggy has improved!!!!!
    Good for you and the cat.  Give him lots of hugs.
    Karen

    Well once again my little Ziggy needs some good thoughts
    and prayers.   It never fails...Ziggy always has some type
    of problem in the fall or spring.
    
    Ziggy, who is my felv positive kitty and also has kidney
    problems is again at the vets.   So far they have determined
    that his kidney is very enlarged.   They have done a kidney
    profile, but the results will not be back until tomorrow.
    The only good news so far is they also did a test on his
    white blood count...and that came back pretty good so they
    do not feel the leukemia is taking over.   He will be staying
    the night because they have him on strong antibiotics and 
    an automatic intraveous drip.   The profile will give us
    more information tomorrow.
    
    Your thoughts and prayers are needed one more time.  If you
    read this note...you will find that Ziggy has put us through
    some very tough times...BUT he is also considered a miracle
    kitty who should have passed away two years ago.   Knowing that
    he is positive and we have given him alot more life then expected...
    my mind knows that one of these times we will not be so lucky and
    we could lose him...BUT my heart won't accept that right now.
         
    Sandy
    

    Gosh, Sandy. Did you ever notice that we both have problems at the
    same time?
    
    How is his PCV? If it is getting low, ask about putting the cat on
    Winstrol, which should boost his appititte and as a result, help
    build red blood cells.
    
    
    The FIRM will be ordering good thots for Ziggy.
    
    Deb

    
    Sandy,  the gang and I are praying for Ziggy to pull through this 
            like a champ!
    
    Best Wishes
    
    Shaw

    Well it's so sad to say that my Ziggy lost the battle.  He has
    had a pretty rough month fighting his sicknesses...and we could
    no longer watch him suffer.  Ziggy was put to rest on December 
    11, 1995 at the age of 4.  (sign...it's so hard to lose them
    when they are so young)
    
    Has you know from this note, Ziggy was a positive Feluk kitty who
    was diagnosed with kidney disease over a 1 1/2 ago.   At that time
    Ziggy almost died...but because of a will to live, wonderful vets,
    caring parents and a miracle....Ziggy did survive that bout.  We
    had a wondeful happy and healthy year and a half...with only
    minor problems and we felt blessed for every day Ziggy was with us.
    
    About one month ago...Ziggy's kidney again acted up and further test
    came back that they strongly suspected lymphoma.  AFter many many many
    converstaions with the vets we decided to try Chemo treatments.  I
    had always said I would not put a cat through Chemo treatments...BUT
    my vet said that cats can tolerate Chemo treatments much better
    then humans.  She said she has had quite a bit of luck after giving
    Chemo treatments where they put the cancer back in remission for
    atleast one year.   We decided to try it...and the vet said the
     side effects to look for were lack of appetite and being lazier 
    then normal.
    
    Ziggy did pretty good after the first Chemo treatment...but the
    second Chemo treatment was way to much for him to handle.  He
    stopped eating...got really dehydrated (even with fluids)...
    and had one seizure that we know of.    At that point we weren't
    sure if the seizures were caused by his illness or the Chemo
    treatments...so he spent last weekend at the vets being flushed
    out to rid his body of any of the chemo medicine.  Believe it or
    not...Ziggy again bounced back and started eating and showing
    signs of life.  We decided to stop the Chemo treatments and just
    take one day at a time....
    
    Ziggy came home with us last Tuesday night...and even though he
    was very thin and weak...he was SO HAPPY to be home!!!  He spent
    the week with his furry brothers and sisters sitting by the heater
    and being spoiled rotten.  He was pretty content and happy until
    Monday night when he had 4 seizures within 10 minutes.  At that
    point...both Ernie and I knew it was time.  It is always so hard
    to make that decision...BUT I do believe once you feel in your
    heart that it's time...the decision is the only one you can make.
    
    To my Ziggy..my miracle kitty!!  You were young..you were beautiful
    ...you had the strongest will to live....but hopefully you are at
    peace and frolicking at the Rainbow Bridge with all your furry
    brothers and sisters that went before you.  We loved you so...
    
    Mom and Dad (Poco, Barkley, Angus, Chloe, Dewey, Abby, Bogie, 
                 Moses, Van Gogh, JC, Rio, Capone and Katie.)

    
    Sandy,   With teary eyes, my deepest sympathies to you and Ernie. 
        Ziggy had the most loving family possible, 
    
     Shaw

    Sandy,
    So sorry about Ziggy.  What a fighter he was!  I'm sure he's having a
    jolly old cat-time with all the other babies we lost this year, on the
    other side of the Rainbow Bridge.  I know he and my Brutus are getting
    along wonderfully well over there, knocking ornaments off the Christmas
    tree, eating baby's breath out of bouquets of flowers, scratching
    furniture, etc.  You know, all the stuff we try to discourage on this
    side of the bridge...
    Sarah

    
    I'm sorry about Ziggy. 
    
    
    Eva

    Sandy,
    
    I'm so sorry to hear about Ziggy.  Having gone through a similar
    situation with my Tala I know you made the right decision and gave him
    a wonderful life.
    
    Linda

    Sandy,

    So sorry about Ziggy but I know you did the right thing and did 
    *wonderful* things for him to keep him this long !

    I've added him to the SLM listing !  Hug the rest of the furry
    babies (at least those you can !) for me tonight and know that Ziggy
    is at peace.

    hugs,
    Debbi J

    Sandy,
    
    I'm so sorry about Ziggy. I know how hard it it to have to make that
    decision and follow though with it. You and Ernie were wonderful
    parents to Ziggy, and he had a wonderful life with you folks. Be
    comforted by the fact that he probably lived a longer life because of
    the great care you gave him.
    
    Deb

    Sorry to hear about Ziggy. The Colonel salutes him and you!
    Sari

Sandy,

I'm so saddened to read about your having to put Ziggy to sleep.  He's
at peace now, finally.

Hugs,
Laura

    Sandy,
    
         We're so very sorry to hear of Ziggy's passing, but you and Ernie
    gave him a wonderful year and a half that he would not have enjoyed
    otherwise.
    
         Gentle hugs to you and Ernie ...
    
    					- Andrea
    					  Bigfoot, Loki & Midnight

    Sandy,
    
    Very sorry to hear about Ziggy (hope no one comes by the cube 'til I
    wipe the tears away, hard to explain to those not in this notes file).
    Take heart that you provided Ziggy with a loving home.
    
    Hugs to all of you...
    
    janetb.
    Merlin & Rascal

    Sandy -- You and Ernie know you did all you could to make him happy and
    comfortable.  He's with his angelic fur pals now, and I'm sure he's
    very glad to have spent his remaining time with such caring people.
    
    Still, the heart hurts ... and you have my sympathy and support.
    
    /June

    Sandy,
    My condolences to you and Ernie.  I just read of Ziggy's 
    passing.  I hope by now your heart isn't so heavy.
    pawpats,
    Karen and the little moonsta's!
    

    My condolences, too. As I first heard about Ziggy I took that name for
    my supervisor account of one of my computers here to help the cat with
    another existence. Now the furry Ziggy is gone to kitty heaven, and the
    name here represents a gone cat. I always and dayly think of Ziggy each
    time I log in. At least the name lives on.
    
    Pawpats, Nat

    I'm glad to see Ziggy's name lives on.  I too think of Ziggy daily....
    and it's still very hard to accept he is gone.   BUT...I do keep
    trying to remember that Ziggy was once a little stray kitten
    who had no home....and the joy on his little face the day
    we took him in.  He did have a great 1 1/2 years with us...but 
    that is such a short time.  
    
    Sandy

    I told my colleagues about Ziggy. Now the guys also know why the SV
    account's name is Ziggy. They accept it fully. Ziggy's name lives on.
    Be comforted.
    
    Nat