Hi Kristina,
I'm sorry you had to find us. The list is slow on weekends, but you'll get lots of good info. As per your questions, I've never heard of retrovir, so I'm no help there. It sounds like your cat that tested negative and then positive had just not had time to test positive yet after exposure. You are right, that the shelter should be more responsible, but I doubt they could even go back and trace the cats/kittens that were together for that period of time. Typically if anyone in a group held together tests positive they euthanize everyone who had contact with the positive, so in my opinion, I would let it go. Hopefully any other cats that turn up positive will go to good homes such as yours.
Others on the list know more about the time involved from exposure until a test result will show positive. Also, though, your cats testing positive could just be positive because they've been exposed and still 'throw off' the virus and end up negative.
Many people on the list mix cats following the vaccination protocol someone (I think Chere) discussed. I've had 2 positives mixed with my negatives for around 7 years. I lost one of my positives, but none of my negatives have caught the virus. The positives were positive when I brought them in. In general, people on the list have found the shots to be effective.
If all of these cats have already been mixed, then my opinion is that whatever damage there might be is already done. I would still booster my negatives though before mixing.
I hope this helps some. As I said, others will contact you as well.
tonya
"Mrs. Kulak" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote
"Mrs. Kulak" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote
First of all, I have three other cats, all of which tested negative. I have to keep them separated now from my two "sick" ones. Even though the little kitten I adopted in November has the virus, he acts totally normal. The older kitten which is actually a year old now, is sick. I've been giving the older one 3cc of Retrovir in the morning and in the evening. I don't know what the side effects are to cats. I only received the side effects for humans when I picked up the medicine at the pharmacy. Is there any place you can recommend to me to find out more about the side effects to cats? The side effects to humans don't look so good, so I'm a bit worried about this medicine.Second, as I have stated, I have to keep my cats all separated. This is EXTREMELY hard. We were one big happy family. All of my cats got along, cuddled, took care of the little ones, played together, cleaned each other, and now I've had to tear up the family. The older ones in the basement are wondering what's going on. I go down there to sit with them and they just stare at me. It's kind of creepy. But they do thrive on the attention once we get past the awkward moment. The kittens I keep upstairs so that I can monitor them. The littlest one is constantly crying at the door that separates them all. I've even caught the older one clawing at the door today. It's really hard. Therefore, I was wondering, if after the incubation period is over and the other older cats get retested and if they still prove to be negative, then get their shots, could I put the family back together again? Or is it better for me to find a new home for the ill cats? I will die if I have to lose them. They are my babies. This will be the third and fourth kittens I have lost in three years. But I need to do what's best. I'd rather take care of the ill kittens myself than have the cost burden and the stress go to someone else. I know I have a home for the three older cats providing they stay negative. I just really want to try to keep the family together. So, how effective are the shots?Third and final, the animal shelter that I received the kitten from is trying to deny that it was their kitten. In a sense, they told me that my vet tested incorrectly. Now I know that the shelter is trying to do a good thing, but I feel they have a responsibility to tell the other people who have adopted kittens or cats from the same group and time period. They aren't listening to me. I've researched about the incubation period and that maybe they should have held onto all the cats and kittens for a few more weeks because it could sit dormant. They kept insisting that the kitten tested negative; and I told them I know that, but..." We got no where. Now what do I do? All my other cats have been tested twice a year for everything. (I take them to the vet for even the slightest sniffle - I'm a little protective). I need to know what do I do to get them to contact the other people. I'm concerned that there are more Feline Leukemia cats out there, more than that, I am sure of it and I think those people have a right to know. So, what do I do? I was thinking about taking out a full page ad in the Milwaukee Journal or contacting the Better Business Bureau. I need to do something.Sorry I took so much time, but I have many issues and/or concerns. I don't know what to do. I've been reading a lot on the internet, but I can't find the answer to these few things. I appreciate any help/advice you could give me. Thank you.Kristina
