Hi all,

as you may know Benji was diagnosed with Calici a few weeks back. He started his Interferon treatment 3 days ago (will be having his fourth dose today). He will have a dily dose for a month, then a dose every other day for a second month. I thought this thread may be of use to others who are considering the treatment!

He is having a daily amount of saline mixed with Interferon orally. He doesn't like the taste much but does sit still like a good boy which means it's easy not to give him too much. There is the option of injections but he would have to go in to the vets on a daily basis - not something I want to put him through!

Well I've been told by my new vet (old one moved back to Aussie) that it has around a 20% chance of working, as indicated by another member on here and according to a study she showed me. It comes with a few side effects, mainly vomiting, nausea and runny bum, of which Benji has suffered from all of them.

He yesterday had an injection to stop the nausea (he was vomiting fluid too often for my and the vets liking) which has worked, but it seems like his loss of appetite is not related to the nausea as he is perky and happy today, playful and cuddly, but still not much of an appetite. We may have to look in to ongoing medication until the Interferon treatment is complete to manage the nausea and loss of appetite, which is a nightmare for my poor baby

On a positive note, she said it usually takes at least a week to start seeing any improvements but after 2 days she could see minor improvements in the swelling of his gum already. Not necessarily a good sign though, does not mean he is kicking the virus for good. Either he does kick the virus completely (20% chance) or it's just temporarily helping his symptoms.

Update: Checked on him, and he ate more for lunch today so we are going to postpone the vet check-up, and monitor him. At the worst they are open tomorrow and we can take him in then. Was scheduled for an evening out tonight but will stay at home and take care of my little baby.

Storm is, as ever, being the big trooper is being all sweet to his brother and not pouncing on him to play, obviously knowing his brother is feeling ill But he does keep trying to gobble up all Benji's food so we have to feed Benji on his own in the bedroom so he can eat in peace.

We have also ordered some gel to go on his gums - Molar - The Oral Hygiene Supplier - Public as recommended by Misi, and we are also going to get some L-lysine in as per our vets recommendations.

I'll keep everybody posted on his progress!

Ems x

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Mummy to;

Sooty 9.6.1996 - 28.04.2011 Rest in peace my love!
Storm (Sueragdandy Phantom) 28.02.2010
Benji (Kassaro Benjamin Franklyn) 08.03.2011

Big hugs to Benji from Moggy Towers hun and a special one to him just from Abby.

Fingers crossed for him being a 20-percenter!

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Everything crossed for the side effects to be short lived & the treatment is a success for Benji xxx

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All my children have paws!

Thanks same here! He has had this really sad look on his face for a few days now He is so cute though when he does that, he knows he will get picked up immediately for HUUUUUGE cuddles and kisses from his mommy! He has been purring more as well, as if to say thank you for cuddling me mom!

__________________
Mummy to;

Sooty 9.6.1996 - 28.04.2011 Rest in peace my love!
Storm (Sueragdandy Phantom) 28.02.2010
Benji (Kassaro Benjamin Franklyn) 08.03.2011

Have come home to a naughty boy, all playful and eating lots again! Lets keep paws crossed that he is over the worst! The injection would have worn off this morning so tyre fact that the sad face is nowhere to be seen and the naughty face is back.is a good sign! xxx

__________________
Mummy to;

Sooty 9.6.1996 - 28.04.2011 Rest in peace my love!
Storm (Sueragdandy Phantom) 28.02.2010
Benji (Kassaro Benjamin Franklyn) 08.03.2011

All my best to the little tyke and to mum.

Thanks for updating us Ems. I'm keeping my fingers crossed here he will fall within the correct percentile when the treatment finishes. The other thing I wonder about is the number of cats who've already undergone the treatment. Obviously the highter the number the better.

Keep us posted!

I'm hoping the l-lysine works in conjunction with the Interferon too

The baby is now his normal self, bouncing off the walls (literally!), chasing flies, eating heartily and cuddling with his big bro It's a huge relief as the meds would have worn off over 24 hours ago and he is still obviously holding up so it seems his lack of appetite and sickness was an initial blip. The vet has said there is no need to come back until after his treatment has finished, unless he has any further bouts of sickness!

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Mummy to;

Sooty 9.6.1996 - 28.04.2011 Rest in peace my love!
Storm (Sueragdandy Phantom) 28.02.2010
Benji (Kassaro Benjamin Franklyn) 08.03.2011

Everything crossed still but sounds great

__________________

All my children have paws!

Pleased to hear that he is back to sorts and hopefully stays that way for the rest of the course. Everything should be on his side to fall into the 20%, and lots of healthy good wishes from my two.