Re: Should I spay Ginger?

[PEC2851]

Hideyo, I have to agree with you on this issue. A few years back, I fostered # sisters from a litter of nine! Reason, Mom was negative, ALL siblings negative & these three girls had "failure to thrive" & we knew at once something was wrong.... AND, we were, sadly. They ,all 3, tested positive for Felv. We repeated the tests, Elisa, Western Blot..... always positive. This was after my Ethan passed, so I had my Felv "Guest Room" open. Sadly, the little orange girl did not make it... Meanwhile, no matter what we did (vets & I), these 2 DID not grow..... And at 8 mos., due to herpes virus, Little Maggie lost an eye...I was a MESS during that surgery! At 11 mos., she was diagnosed w/ 2 luxating patellas, and could not properly walk. AGAIN, I was devastated. Also, they both weighed just a little over 4 lbs!!! All other tests were normal, but my vet would NOT SPAY at their small size. Finally, at 13 mos., Sassy went into heat. (Maggie NEVER did). After a long talk w/ my vet, we decided that the stress of being in heat could have negative results w/ her Felv status, so we decide to spay them both at 14 months. Anesthesia was a BIG worry, and "Mom" insisted on being present.... We discussed diff. anesthesia options, and decided to sedate them w/ a small IV dose of Valium, and incubate, and use Iso. (Hideyo, I know you lost one w/ Iso., and I know that is a BIG concern w/ you) We had 2 vets and 3 techs (myself included, not that I would have been much good if there had been a problem!) Surgery was very fast, both had "underdeveloped ovaries & uteruses. Both girls were  immediately put on oxygen & heating pads, along w/ IV fluids. They came out of the anesthesia fairly quickly, and had excellent recovery time. But, if Sassy hadn't gone into heat, I still don't know what my decision would have been. There story does have a happy ending, they were adopted by one of the vets, who is "Pro-Life for Felv+ Cats".  She was intrigued by the pair, and, being a compassionate vet, I feel they found the best home possible. We still e-mail time to time, both are doing well, however, their weights are still very low. Sassy, at 5.1 lbs, and Maggie, hovering at 4.9 lbs. But, despite their size, she says they are quite active & remain asynptomatic. Another happy ending...... But, still a tough, very personal decision that you'll have to make...you & no one else. I pray I never have to go thru that ordeal again.... But, if a "needy kitty" showed up at my door, I know I could never turn her/him away..... I'm a "mush".   Patti   PS ~ STILL, no sight of Charity. Please pray she is safe & warm, and some kind person has taken her 'Under their wings".  OR...that she will return. I GUARANTEE, "if" she comes home, she is coming immediately into house!!