Dear Sally: Did the cats test positive on both an ELISA and an IFA test? If they were just tested with the ELISA (the in-house snap test), this test is much more sensitive to the antigen produced by the replicating virus so it can be an indication of an infection which may only be transitory and there is a chance the virus can be cleared. While this is more likely with an adult cat than a kitten, it is not impossible for a kitten who tests positive early on to later test negative. I have one who was positive at 6 weeks but retested negative a 6 mos. when he was neutered.
If an IFA test was not done, I would strongly urge you to do so as this can give you an indication of what stage of infection the cats may be in and a better idea as to their chance for long-term survival. According to Dr. Richard Pitcairn, there are six stages of FeLV infection. The ELISA is 100 times more sensitive so a positive result on this test can indicate the earlier stages of infection as well as the latter ones. A positive IFA correlates well with stage 4 and up. While it is possible for a cat in early stage to still clear the virus, it is more likely an IFA+ cat will remain persistently viremic. It is not until stage five that a cat is actively shedding the virus and so infectious to others, and it takes repeated and direct contact with a cat who is shedding the virus to result in infection. A cat persistently infected with FeLV and immunocompromised is actually more at risk of exposure to other cats than are healthy adult cats at risk from exposure to a cat which is infected with FeLV. Not all FeLV+ cats are shedding the virus, and it is not the easiest virus to transmit...it does not live long outside its host. Kittens are most at risk of infection...not only because they have an immature immune system but because lymphocytes in a kitten produce 50 times more virus than those of an adult cat. Kittens infected before birth by an infected mom, or shortly after birth through nursing or mutual grooming, have the worst prognosis for survival. It is said around 50% won't make it through their first year. Those that do may continue to do well until around age 2-3-4. Some manage to live a relatively normal life span. What seems to determine this is whether or not the relatively benign FeLV-A subgroup of the virus, which is the only form that is passed from one cat to another, eventually recombines with the cat's DNA and mutates into one of the more virulent subgroups. The FeLV-A+B is the one associated with lymphomas and other cancers. The FeLV-A+C is the one associated with severe/non-regenerative anemia. It is possible for both mutations to occur and a cat to develop FeLV-A+B+C, which is the worst case scenario. If both these cats are currently non-symptomatic, there is no reason to consider euthanasia at this point. If they can be maintained in an environment relatively free of stress -- and that includes such stressors to the immune system as vaccines (which can actually trigger a latent infection into an active one), toxic drugs and toxins in poor quality food -- and fed a good quality diet (preferably raw-based) with some immune-boosting supplements, their chance for survival is much better than otherwise. Some of our listmembers have cats who are 6 years and older, some have lived into their teens. I lost my first FeLV+ furbaby at 8 mos. to non-regenerative anemia...I did not know Purrsia was FeLV+ prior to that. Her playmate, Angel Eyes, who was, in retrospect, probably the source of infection, tested positive two weeks after Purrsia passed, but thrived for another seven months, then suddenly crashed at 18 mos. and was gone 14 days later due to what was probably lymphoma in her lungs. I currently have two more FeLV+ kittens, a brother and sister, now 18 mos. old, who tested positive at 12 weeks and again at 6 mos. and have remained stable and non-symptomatic except for mild gingivitis. They are on a raw-based diet and immune support with Transfer Factor, Oli-Vet., Vit. C, and CoQ10. My miracle baby, Purrki, was put on the same protocol from the day I brought him home at 6 weeks with runny eyes and horrible diarrhea. His symptoms cleared within a few days given some TF therapy, probiotics and a homeopathic remedy for diarrhea. He has retested negative and is thriving. If you are not able to find a permanent placement for these cats right away, perhaps you can find someone who is willing to foster them until one can be found? There is much than can be done to keep these kittys stable and it would be such a shame for them to be denied a chance just because they have tested positive. There is so much ignorance and misinformation about FeLV. Yes, the prognosis is better for cats with FIV, but being FeLV+ should not be an automatic death sentence. There is a liklihood the cats may not live to old age, but it is not a given they will crash and die soon. I do hope you are able to give them a chance to know what it is to be loved and have a home for however long their immune systems can hold out, and perhaps may be able to clear the virus. Please keep us posted. Sally in San Jose
