Were your cats ever tested for FELV before this other cat came into your home? I know you said they all had the FELV vaccine two years ago, but did your vet do the test, or just give the vaccine without testing them? To your own benefit, every 3 years IS now the recommended schedule for most feline vaccines, so you are NOT technically behind on anything.
I ask, because it is possible that you cat that tested positive already had FELV before these other two ever entered your home. Not that any of that matters now, but it might give you a little peace of mind knowing that the new cats were not responsible for all of this happening. Kittens with FELV usually don't live very long lives, though some do, the average lifespan of a kitten born with FELV is under 2 years. I'm not saying you shouldn't try to treat him, you definitely should, but just don't expect to have him for years to come, as he likely wont survive many years. Your young adult cat that tested positive could very likely fight off the virus, and test negative at a later date. You should definitely begin Interferon A orally to boost her immune system. (you'll need it for the kitten too) One thing I don't think anyone mentioned yet, is diet. You need to feed a premium diet to help the immune system be as strong as it can be. The first ingredient in your cat food should always be a form of meat (not by-product meal), and it should never contain any ground corn. Wellness, Innova, California Natural, and other super premium brands are what you need. Expect to pay close $30 or more for a 15-16 pound bag. Contrary to what others have suggested, I do not think it is immediately a need to boost the FELV vaccines on the two that are still negative, and it is definitely NOT necessary to re-boost them again in 3 weeks time! It is well known (by those of us with personal experience, though most vets are ignorant of the fact) that older adult healthy cats develop NATURAL immunity against FELV, and the only cats that generally catch it are those under a year of age or ones that are otherwise ill or immune-compromised. How old is your younger cat that tested positive? The fact that the two older ones have not caught it speaks for itself... they are immune already, quite likely. Giving more vaccines just increases their chance of developing Vaccine Associated Sarcomas (VAS), a form of cancer caused by vaccines in cats, the FELV vaccine being the one MOST likely to result in this type of cancer (VAS rates are published as being as high as 1 in every 1000 for certain FELV vaccines). More info of VAS here: http://www.catcaresociety.org/tumors.htm and here: http://www.vas-awareness.org/ If you do choose to get the FELV vaccines, be SURE that they are given as LOW as possible on the outside of a REAR leg, and be prepared (emotionally and financially) to possibly amputate your cat's leg if a sarcoma develops. More info on vaccine sites here: http://www.avma.org/vafstf/sitercmnd.asp and here: http://www.tahealth.net/vas.html There is a new non-ajuvanted vaccine for FELV on the market now, if your vet can get it, use it, as it's less likely to cause VAS. http://merialusa.naccvp.com/view.php?prodnum=1111108 (FELV) http://merialusa.naccvp.com/view.php?prodnum=1111058 (rabies) http://merialusa.naccvp.com/view.php?prodnum=1111099 (3-way respiratory) Jenn http://ucat.us http://ucat.us/domesticcatlinks.html Adopt a cat from UCAT rescue: http://ucat.us/adopt.html Adopt a FIV+ cat: http://ucat.us/AWrescue/FIV/ "Saving one animal won't make a difference in the world, but it will make a world of difference for that one animal." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I collect KMR kitten formula labels for Bazil, a 3 yr old special needs cat who must live on a liquid diet for the rest of his life. Bazil's caretaker collects labels and sends them to KMR, where they add up until she earns a free can of formula! PLEASE save your KMR kitten formula labels for Bazil! If you use KMR, even just one can, please email me for the NEW address to send them to! -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.12.8/161 - Release Date: 11/3/2005
