Greetings, FeLVie Fans, and Happy New Year!
As usual, there’s quite a bit of news, so let’s get to it. An alumni report first: Little Derby was adopted, as you’ll recall, and went to live with another FeLV+ kitten. They’re getting along very nicely, and both are full of energy, as you’d expect from young’uns.
Puff gave us a good scare. During her most recent nail trim, the quick of one of her back nails was nicked accidentally, and it was very difficult to stop the bleeding. When the vet team took a closer look at Puff, they discovered that she was bleeding slightly from her mouth, as well. Bloodwork showed very low platelet and neutrophil counts. Because she is already highly immune compromised, she was moved into our isolation ward.
But rather than keeping her isolated and in a cage, one of our big-hearted staffers took her home, and she had an entire room to herself. Puff was started on two different antibiotics, but we did not know if that would truly help her. However, as I write this on 9 January, she just had more bloodwork run, and her levels have improved dramatically, so much so that we are hopeful she’ll be able to return to her suite in the not-too-distant future to bask in the attention of volunteers.
There isn’t any news on Sammy or Hoopla Green or Sylvia this month; all are doing nicely. Sylvia has adjusted well to her suite; she’s a quiet girl but adores cat treats. Hoopla Green continues to be the number one fan of the towel-covered heated mat in her solarium.
This trio has been joined by two more cats. Piper is a striking-looking girl with beautifully deep-hued calico markings. She’s still settling in and getting accustomed to her new quarters and new suitemates.
And little Fortune Cookie is our first FeLV+ kitten (yes, I know Derby looked like a kitten, but he was actually about two years old; Fortune Cookie isn’t even a year old). Fortune Cookie is a gorgeous orange striper.
His foster Mom reports that he enjoys human attention but is somewhat shy initially, and he seems to be a burrower; he tunnels under blankets, towels, and cat beds. Like Piper, Fortune Cookie is still getting used to his new living situation. He has some ocular discharge now, so he’s getting an antibiotic ointment three times per day; it’s safe to say he’s not thrilled with that, but at least it should be temporary.
I’m happy to be able to tell you that Oram and Tucker cruised through the past four weeks with no significant health concerns.
The hapless Charles, however, was not so lucky. You have three guesses to tell me where his most recent infection is located, and the first two don’t count! That’s correct; he has yet another ear infection. This is a yeast infection in his right ear. Our poor guy can’t seem to catch a break.
Finally, we come to Durin and Trifecta.
Durin had a flare-up of a skin plaque lesion recently, so we increased his steroid dose for a short time and then were able to decrease it again as the lesion improved.
And there’s some good news about Trifecta: He passed the first stage of stroller training and will soon be headed to PetSmart for his final test. If he does well at that, he’ll be approved to join our Community Programs, such as Aged to Purrfection, where our trained cats visit with seniors in senior homes. Cats selected for our Community Programs are chosen based on their gentleness with people and their self-confidence; each is also a certified therapy animal. Knowing Trifecta, I’m betting he’ll sail through all of it, but I’m still keeping my fingers crossed for him.
We know that FeLV is a greatly misunderstood disease. So it means a lot to me and everyone at Tabby’s Place that you’re willing to help us care for our FeLV+ crew. Thank you!
Your correspondent,
Stephanie