Kerry hit the nail on the head. I would only add that keeping their
environment as stress free as possible would also be beneficial.
I am currently FeLV free. I just lost my last one (and my oldest) a
week ago. She was 9-1/2, diagnosed at the age of 3-1/2. She lived 6
extremely healthy years until about 2 weeks ago when she stopped eating.
Her liver failed.
Living with FeLV cats can be rewarding -- they have taught me so much, and
I feel blessed to have been able to care for them -- and they have taught me so
much. On the other end, it can be emotionally taxing. It takes a
very special meowmy and/or fafur to take care of FeLV+ babies.
Bless you for caring for them. May they thrive in your care and bring
you much joy!
=^..^= Terri, Siggie the Tomato Vampire, Guinevere, Sammi, Travis,
and 6 furangels: RuthieGirl, Samantha, Arielle, Gareth, Alec & Salome'
=^..^=
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2005 12:13
AM
Subject: For Gary---Determing the stages
of FeLV
Hello Gary
Bless you for fostering the kitties, and for
wanting to do the best for them since they tested FeLV positive.
FeLV isn't like cancer where the more advanced
the stage, the less likelihood of recovery.
Rather, FeLV depresses the immune system, so
the most important goal is to do as much as possible to boost the immune
system. Buying the highest quality of food you can afford--eg with no
additives or preservatives--and using filtered water are an excellent
start. Many members on the list use supplements. Many members have, or have had, FeLv cats that lived to a ripe old age.
Others--including myself--have loved and cared for FeLV kitties that died way
before their time, but nonetheless enjoyed life until
succumbing.
Here's an excerpt from The New Natural
Cat--A Complete Guide for Finicky Owners, by Anitra Frazier-- if you come
across the book, it's in the Feline Leukemia section on pages
326/327)--that you may find useful in regard to your question.
"When a positive cat---one carrying
the virus--comes into contact with a negative cat--one not carrying the
virus--the negative, but exposed cat may:
*not become affected in any way;
*become infected (positive), develop immunity, and revert again to being
negative;
*become positive, but not become ill and remain positive--thus
becoming a new carrier of the virus;
*become positive and develop
lymphosarcoma, leukemia, or other cancer; or
*become positive and be ill
from the virus infection, much like flu; and then recover and remain positive
or become negative.
"A positive cat who has
not developed cancer can be tested again in three months. If he has been
treated by an experienced veterinary homeopath and put on a high-quality diet
designed to build general health and strengthen the immune system, chances
are good that he will have reverted to negative. "(my emphasis--unfortunately mine did not
revert)
Please feel free to ask as many Qs as
you need to---I'm sorry you've had to find us, but this is without doubt the
best source of information you will find anywhere, including a vet clinic (I'm
relatively inexperienced, and it's been a godsend to me). You won't find a
more supportive, generous, informed group of people anywhere. Weekends can be
slow, but you'll find many more people will respond to any further questions
you have. (There's
also an archive, with every past question and response posted
there.)
Hope this is of some help. Again,
bless you for caring enough.
Kerry
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, September 24, 2005
10:11 PM
Subject: RE: Determing the stages of
FeLV
Im not sure what
you mean by stages
..
-----Original
Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of gary
Sent: Saturday, September 24, 2005 4:12
PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Determing the stages of
FeLV
First, my heart
goes out to those whose little ones recently passed.
I am
new to the list and new to dealing with FeLV, I now have 3 fosters that have
tested positive. Fortunately, no are sick at this time. I was
wondering how you determine what stage of FeLV they are
in?
