Kristina,
I feel your pain. I'm in a very similar
situation. My female Brissle is 8 years old and suddenly got very sick and
tested positive with FeLV. She has had 2 negative tests during her life. Her
twin brother still tests negative. I never missed her vaccines. She was
bitten by a cat twice in her life - once a couple months ago. So either the
vaccine didn't work or the two negatives were false. But false negatives
are common, as I have now learned. The virus apparently can hide in the
bone marrow. I really think vets need to do a better job of informing their
patients that a negative test is merely inconclusive. I've never been informed
of this - by any vet. Then again, if they did that, it may discourage people
from adopting cats. It's a tough issue.
For what it's worth, I haven't separated my two.
But I'm brand new at this myself. Many might disagree with me. But I know
they would be unhappy if split up and keeping the sick cat happy is
important.
Is your cat anemic too? That's important to know.
Also important, did the vet test for the Hemobartonella bacteria? In some cases,
it is responsible for the symptoms. But that may just be for anemia?
Someone more knowledgeable may correct me on this. But if you look
around, you will see that most people on this list are or have used the
antibiotic Doxycycline.
I haven't heard of Retrovir. Right now, we are
using Immunoregulin combined with human Interferon to help boost the immune
system. There is only very limited anecdotal information on their effectiveness.
I think what people have found though is that every case differs. What works for
one, doesn't work for another. The most effective treatment to date is
feline Interferon (Virbagen Omega, VO). Of course like anything else good, it's
not available in the US. Some on the list have attained special emergency
approval from the FDA. Your vet would need to apply. You many want to search the
archives on this.
Again, it's important to know if your cat is
anemic. Many here highly recommended using steroid treatment for this. My vet
vetoed it, based on side effects. But you'll really want to look at this. I've
been told my cat will surely die if I don't use the steroids. So I may end up
vetoing my vet on this.
I hope this helps. Sorry for your rotten
luck.
-Kyle
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, March 06, 2005 12:55
PM
Subject: New To This
I have just found out that my two kittens are
positive for feline leukemia. I adopted a kitten from an animal shelter in
Wisconsin that originally tested negative. But since then he has become
positive and has infected one of my older cats, who in the meantime has become
quite sick. It is devastating to me. BUT, I am trying to remain optimistic.
Therefore, I am trying to find out all I can.
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
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