Chris' Tucson - testing neg than pos

[Nina]

Chris, About your Tucson...  I had heard that if the felv is not active, not replicating, (or something to that effect), when testing is done, then it won't necessarily show.  Maybe that's what happened when she was tested as a kitten.  It's esp scary to me since I've only had Timmy tested once, (he the only neg out of a litter of pos).  I don't really care, it doesn't really matter.  I think of him as neg and treat him as if he's pos.  18 lbs, that's a big kitty!  I guess it just comes from having so many animals fall ill and lose weight, but I can't imagine putting anyone on a diet!  I know it's not good for them to be obese though.  I've just sadly, never had a pos that was overweight.  Whatever the scale says, here's to many, many more years of continued health!  You're doing something right, keep it up! Nina Chris wrote: I know it must be scary, but at 14 it might just be some of those aches and pains that we all feel…  I would think that the fact he is eating and drinking well is a positive sign.  Might be thyroid (since we’ve been talking about that!)   As for how he got FELV—well, my Tucson tested neg at about 6-8 weeks and 5 years later tested pos.  Never been outside since I got her; never lived with FELV cat; my other 3 (including 2 who came after her as kittens) all test neg.  The two vets I went to both told me she likely had it since birth (she was born to a stray outside).  Periodically, she looks a little peaked but still manages to stay around 18 lbs—trying to get her to lose some weight but its tough!  All but eliminated dry foood but when all you do is eat and sleep…..