The Hood has been recently increased with a number
of cats dying and becoming very sick with
an onset of epidemic proportions.
Kitty Leukemia and Kitty Aides has become rampant and
all the cats in the Hood are subject to this cripplingv
disease and killer.
The Hood's Gang members are suffering the worst
casualties as it attacks all of the outdoor cats in their
ever changing environment.
This chapter deals with the onset of the diseases as two of the
cats find out that have these diseases.
What would you do if you found out that one of
your cats were sick?
The winter's cold has taken it's toll on the household,
a new arrival brings new caution and sickness.
Christmas is just around the corner and the
temperatures are dropping and snow blanket the surrounding Hood.
Tammy: Merlyn and Ramsey, go get Marty and Mary, NOW!!!!!
Merlyn: What is UP??
Ramsey: What is UP??
Tammy: I found this black and white cat outside,
he is sneezing, coughing and appears to be very sick?
Merlyn runs and get the attention of both Marty and Mary.
Marty and Mary run into the kitchen and sees this black
and white long hair Persian, male cat sneezing, coughing,
and oozing eyes.
Quickly, Mary separates the other cats, Merlyn,
Tammy and Ramsey into the family room where
the cats can observe the new arrival.
Marty picks up the new arrival in a towel and
runs downstairs to isolate this sick cat.
Mary runs downstairs ands closes the basement
door behind her.
Tammy: What is going on?
Merlyn: Tammy, why did you bring that
sick cat here?
Ramsey: Hey, Tammy and Merlyn, I got in a fight
with that cat about a week ago!
Merlyn: I have seen that cat in the Hood and he seems
very mean and strong. In fact, he likes to pick fights
with any cat in the Hood. I saw him fight with about
four or five cats in the last month.
What are we going to do NOW? MEOW! MEOW!
Meanwhile in the basement,
Marty and Mary are working with the new arrival, Felix.
Mary and Marty decide that this cat is extremely
sick and has to go to the vet immediately.
Marty and Mary wrap Felix in a blanket and
place him in the kitty carrier. Marty makes
some phone calls and get a doctors appointment for Felix.
Felix is taken to the another Vet, Dr. Bob at the
Emergency Cat Hospital.
Several hours pass, Marty and Mary return with
Felix in the carrier. Felix is taken to the basement
and food and water and soup are taken downstairs by Mary.
Several tests were done and medications with
antibiotic ointment was given to treat
Felix's sickness.
Additional holistic treatment were used for
all the cats to boost their immune system.
Over the next couple of weeks, months Felix
is taken to three other doctors and as well as
the other cats in the household,
Merlyn, Tammy and Ramsey.
Marty and Mary were disgusted with two
Vets for the immediate reaction to put to
sleep the infected cats.
Marty and Mary decided to try to treat and
keep Felix isolated from the other cats and to
try to limit Felix's outdoor activity.
In addition, Felix was neutered which help keep
him from roaming and getting into fights.
Felix was diagnosed with FeLV and FIV, as was Ramsey.
Marty and Mary were upset at the findings,
Merlyn and Tammy tested negative for both
FeLV and FIV. Merlyn and Tammy were vacinated
every year since birth for FeLV.
All the cats are being tested for Kitty Leukemia of FeLV
and for Kitty AIDES or FIV.
Tammy: Merlyn have you heard the news?
Merlyn: Tammy, no what news?
Tammy: Merlyn, You and I do not have Kitty Leukemia(FeLV)
or Kitty Aides(FIV) but Ramsey and Felix have both
FeLV and FIV. How much time do they have left?
Merlyn: WOW, can we get the sickness too?
Ramsey: Merlyn and Tammy, you have heard the
news about Felix and I? We are sick and the sickness
can spread if we are not careful.
Felix: Tammy, Merlyn and Ramsey , I am so sorry
I am sick and that I have exposed you all to those sicknesses.
I just found out that I am sick and Ramsey is sick too.
I also found out from the doctor that the sickness
have been around and turning into an epidemic around the HOOD.
I also found out that we are very lucky because
Marty and Mary are so caring and medically
knowledgeable concerning FeLV and FIV.
Ramsey: Felix, It is not your fault that
I am sick too. My owner before I came here to live with
all of you, never took me to the vet and treated
me for that FeLV when I was young and I never
knew that these sicknesses were even out in the HOOD.
Felix: At one of my doctors visit,
I heard the very friendly doctor state
that I can live to be very old and that
I can live a normal life as long as I am
carefull and treated and not infect any
other cats?
Tammy and Merlyn: Ramsey and Felix,
We love you like family and I know Marty and Mary
loves you the same way. We will help you with
anything you need and that includes
no more fights and getting you upset,
especially, you Ramsey. "MEOW!!! MEOW!!
Tammy: Today's secret message is that all cats
should be treated equal and with respect.
Cats should not be put to sleep because they
are sick with FELV or FIV.
Humans do not kill other humans because
they are sick and cats should not be killed either.
All of us, rather cat, dog, mice or human
should be treated love and respect and
dignity regardless of sickness, color of fur or gender.
If you would like to find out more about Kitty
care for your cats and additional information
check out this site: Kitten Care
Felix
In Memory of Felix "Boots"
I have very sad news to inform all
of you. On Friday, 4/26/02 Felix
lost his battle with Kitty Leukemia (FeLV)
and Kitty Aides (FIV)
Felix was diagnosed with kitty FELV and FIV
about 18 months ago. Felix inspired me to
reach a new high for his strength and his
his unique personality. For those of you,
who did not meet him. He was a fighter
and had his days of termoil.
Felix was abandonned and came to Mary and I
in December of 2000, very sick, coughing and
with infection. Mary and I were able to
nurse him back and up to this past week
sharted to show major improvement.
His black and white fur was beautiful
and silky, his little white paws gave
him the nick name of "Boots".
Felix was at first, very independant
and power struggles were very evident
with him in our home. Merlyn did not
like him. However, He became a very
close and loved member of our family
and the short time I had with him
showed me my inner stregnth and compassion.
In the end, Felix was warm, loving and
compassionate and he eventually tolerated
his other house roommates,
Tammy, Merlyn and Ramsey.
Felix went fast,in his last week of his,
life, he stopped going outside.
He never left the basement.
The Vet was amazed that Felix was even
alert, his red blood count was at 5%
when it should be at 50%. The vet tried
taking his temperature 3x and each time
was below normal...He was slipping fast.
Felix will be cremated and his ashes
will be scattered in our backyard.
I pray for acceptance and peace
for Felix the Cat.
In Loving Memory,
Marty and Mary.
