----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, March 06, 2005 7:45
PM
Subject: Re: New To This
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
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
