|
Sandy,
Sorry for the FeLV+ status of your kitties, it is
scary at first, and heartbreaking. They can live good lives even though
they may not be as long as we'd like. Go ahead and vaccinate your
negatives for FeLV+. If you can separate the + fm the - it is recommended
although many on the list do not keep theirs separate. My Effie lived
three years, she was diagnosed + at 3 months when I found her. She was
healthy and full of energy until she developed lymphoma at 2-1/2, did well with
chemo and then the cancer came back and she really only had one bad month.
Initially Effie did have a couple short bouts of fever
and swollen lymph nodes and most kittens have a case or two of
diarrhea.
Daily Lysine (OTC) helps keep down the viral
load, as does interferon (prescription).
You will learn a lot from the experiences of others
on this list - it is a lifesaver, emotionally for you and physically for your
kitties. God bless you for keeping Cotton. Whatever
his/her lifespan, it will be better with your love and care.
Also, find a different vet who is at least
willing to work with you.
Del
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, October 31, 2005 8:30
PM
Subject: Introduction
Hello everyone,
I am new to the list and wanted to introduce
myself and tell about why I am
here. I appreciate you taking a minute
to read about us.
My name is Sandy and until recently I've had 3 adult
cats who I love like
fuzzy children. I have a stepdaughter who moved
home this summer for a few
weeks, and brought with her an orange kitten she
had adopted from someone
she didn't know. She got him to keep
her older cat Kuma (Japanese for
"Bear") compnay. After they got
here, her cat Kuma became very ill, and
within just a day or so of showing
symptoms, had to be euthanized. He
experienced multi-organ failure.
The vet diagnosed FeLV.
So we took the orange kitten Cotton to the vet
as soon as we could, since we
knew so little about him. Cotton also
tested positive for FeLV. My
stepdaughter has neither the desire nor
the means to care for him, so she
left him. The vet recommended
immediate euthanasia, and wouldn't even check
his little orange ears for
ear mites or intestinal parasites or suggest any
more blood work. Just FeLV
positive = death. That was hard to swallow, but
in the meantime, I
gathered up my three established cats to be tested, and
unfortunately my
younger female has also tested positive. The other two
older cats
were negative.
I am heartbroken and distraught. I've tried to
read and learn as much as I
can about FeLV. I have been angry at
myself for letting this all happen,
and feel now that hindsight is always
20-20. But please don't make me feel
any worse than I do. It
had been about 2 years since my cats had the FeLV
vaccine, becuase they are
100% indoors, and I was worried about
overvaccinating them.
Now I
feel that I need to look ahead and address this head-on, and I am
hoping
for some sound, rational advice. My vet seemed totally negative and
I
do intend to get a second opinion and confirmatory blood tests. The
two
cats that are negative got a vaccine, even though I know it may not do
much
good. They also have boosters scheduled in 3 weeks.
I
fear that even though Kuma (stepduaghter's cat who died) was
sequestered
during his illness, everyone was exposed before we realized
what we were
dealing with. I now have a household of 4 cats, two of
whom are FeLV
negative, and two who are positive, one of whom is
symptomatic, as Cotton
the orange kitten now has swollen glands and
diarrhea.
Any words of wisdom would be totally appreciated.
Thank
you,
Sandy C.
Houston, Texas area
|
