Please share with anyone who works with cats or could use this information. After initially hearing that just a few treatments are ~ $1500, I called about half the vets in FL including the University of Florida and no one knew anything...so I guess this is a VERY new treatment. I finally called the company and a vet answered right away. Treatments are about $70 each. An FIV or FeLV cat needs 3 initially within 2 weeks and then only 1-2 treatments a year. 75-80% success rate. No side effects and most importantly, if it doesn't help them, it won't hurt them!
Tcyte.com or call Vet Tech: 800 483-2104 X86 for more info

While on a rescue mission last week to our local Animal Control Services, aka "The Pound", a euthanizing facility, I met Peggy.  Peggy is a very young cat that was found in the middle of a road.  She had broken her back leg at some point and it had healed incorrectly.  It basically sticks straight out.  However, Peggy is one of the sweetest cats I have ever met.  She is a total lap cat who purrs constantly and always comes to you when she is called.  Her disability doesn't stop her from getting around, has no trouble getting along with other cats, and using a litter box.

I didn't know how much longer Peggy had in her teeny cage at "The Pound" so I "pulled" her (as they call it) and brought her back to our non-euthanizing SPCA facility.  She is doing well and seems quite happy.

I have been using every advertising venue that I know of to get Peggy a very good home.  We have already gotten some calls about her.  I'm really hoping she gets placed in a nice home soon.  Peggy is not just a special needs cat, but very special as well.  I would love to have a wing at our facility for special needs and "unadoptable" pets someday.

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

Coco passed away two years ago on March 19th.  On that day one of my top three wishes was granted.  I had been hoping and praying that a wonderful cat named Kendall with FIV at our shelter would get adopted quickly.  Here is a photo of her and her story:

Kendall is a beautiful cat who unfortunately contracted FIV but is 
very healthy. She is super friendly and playful.  
HUMANS can NOT get ill from FIV infected cats.
Kendall has had a tough time.  She had 3 kittens born 
with FIV.  Because the kittens were born with the virus, 
they had very high levels in their systems and passed 
away from cancer by age one.  Kendall's vet has said 
that because she contracted the virus later in life, she 
has a much better chance of staying healthy.  She is 
very lonely and sad.  Kendall would like nothing more 
than to have her first home and family.  FIV cats can 
lead normal lives. Please see this article:

http://www.typepad.com/site/blogs/6a00e55215d62e88
3400e551fed7bb8833/post/6a00e55215d62e8834015433
b3ee28970c/edit 

 I was so worried about Kendall after all 3 of her babies passes away in 2 months!  The family had their own little islation room with a great outdoor view.  The last kitten passed away last week.  I posted EVERYWHERE, called all the vets, and told everyone I knew about Kendall.  Then on Monday, a day we normally keep our shelter closed for cleaning, a family knocked on the door wanting a cat.  They have no other pets and chose Kendall! 

What a wonderful thing to happen on Coco's angel date!!!

Thanks for reading and in memory of Kendall's beautiful babies I am going to post their photos.  Take care everyone.  Hope to be back to blogging sooner rather than later.  However, I had to tell this story.

Sergio

Perry:

Dawn:

The above photos are of Little Peanut who is now around 2 months old.  We feel very fortunate that one of the SPCA's wonderful vets has adopted him!  They fell in love with him and that is such a great thing especially since Little Peanut's urinary tract is not wide enough.  The vet operated on him a couple weeks ago.  He will need another operation as he gets bigger.  I have been very worried about him, but know that he is in the best of hands and is happy with his nice new family in his new home.  His prognosis is good.  I will try to post some better photos of him in the future.

The above photos are of foster kitty Oliver.  He was already spoken for when he came to our home, but only weighed 12 ounces.  He needed to be bottle fed and get a little older before he could go to his new home.  Fortunately Oliver did really well like the dozens of "bottle babies" I've had in the past :).  The photo of Oliver and I was taken at 4:30 AM as I was headed to the airport for a quick trip to Vermont.

The above photo is of one of my best friends Tina and I while I was in Vermont.  I love visiting Vermont.  It is so beautiful and serene.  I also have several good friends and family there.

Meanwhile, the weather in Florida is beautiful.  Fall is my favorite season here.  The humidity is gone and the temperature is perfect (to me) on most days - highs in the low 80's and lows at night in the 60's.

I've missed blogging.  I will try to be better.  Thanks so much for stopping by and take care my friends!

Michelle

The top photo is of "Oliver".  I have been bottle feeding him for the last seven days.  He only weighed 12 ounces when we got him last Sunday and today he weighed in at whopping

1 pound and 2 ounces! 

I posted the KMR can because I thought it was "uncanny" how much Oliver looks like the kitten model!

Bottle feeding very young kittens is tricky business.  Oliver was about 2 weeks old when he came to us.  Most kittens begin to eat on their own between 4 and 6 weeks,some start a little sooner and some take a little longer. 

Here is a great article that I have found very helpful for feeding newborn kittens: 

http://www.2ndchance.info/orphankitten.htm

Little Peanut became lactose intolerant.  He was vomiting and we brought him to the emergency vet since he was so small.  It was also discovered that his urinary tract was too narrow.  He is living with the shelter's vet.  He is six weeks old now and doing well.  He's eating on his own and the urinary tract issue seems to be resolving :)  I worry about him, but know that his living with the vet is the BEST place for him!

The above photo is of "Little Peanut".  I will keep you posted on both babies.  Thanks so much for stopping by and take care my friends.

Michelle