Hi Allie
URI is common in the beginning stages of FeLV but it is no reason to
PTS...
Antibiotics are cheap and if they are given before the infection gets in the
lungs its not a big deal....So long as your cat seems happy there is no
reason
to rush into PTS...He likely has a few years of good life ahead with minimal
care...
Tad
Allie Deaver wrote:
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
