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[Allie Deaver]

Hello all-

My cat Lola, age 8 months, tested positive for FeLV today via Elisa testing after being taken in for what looked like a nasty URI. Her symptoms seem to be responding fairly well to antibiotics...she is eating and drinking at her normal rate, she is using the box, she is breathing fine now (though the breathing was labored pre-Clavamox) and her temperature is normal (she only had a fever at the vet, which seems kind of expected...she hates the vet). She is still a bit sluggish and is showing only intermittent interest in her toys, though this is better than it was when the URI like symptoms started. X-Rays showed some fluid buildup in her thorasic cavity, but since being injected with a diuretic, a lot less fluid can be heard and her breathing is much improved. She is and always has been a petite, delicate framed cat. She was found severely emaciated as an orphan and has never fully filled out. She tested negative for FeLV twice in earlier kittenhood.

I guess what I'm asking is now that these are her symptoms, is what can I expect and what options do I have? The vet I took her to says that once they start showing the symptoms, most owners choose to put the cat down because the prognosis isn't great, but he didn't seem too horrified when I told him that she is obviously not suffering too much right now since she is eating and mobile and so euth isn't even an option at this point. I'm willing to do anything for her...any combination of things, traditional and holistic. We are going into our regular vet on Monday, so I want to know what research to present and what to request that we try. I know vets can be weird about things like this since it has a 'terminal" nature. I'm hopeful- probably too hopeful- that we can stabilize her, diminish her suffering and hopefully lengthen her life.

Thank you for all of your help
Allie