Re: Introducing Patches, and me :-)

[Nina]

Hi Diane, I'm glad to see you made it to the list, and so glad Patches made it to you!  Did the vet tell you how old he thinks Patches is?  It sounds like this guy is a survivor!  He certainly knew who's house to barge into!  None of us knows how long we're going to be around and Patches has some odds stacked against him, but he did find his way "home" and the fact that he's a grown cat that is now getting great care, bodes well for him.  He could be in the process of fighting off the felv, which his weakened condition would not be helping.  I'm sure that's why the vet suggested testing him again.  I'm not sure a month is long enough to wait, but maybe others on the list can advise you about that.  From all I've read and heard, we live with felv all around us, all the time.  It's the young and weakened kitties that become infected, or aren't able to clear it, when they do.  Along with all the other sups you'll be hearing about from our group, (L-lysine, Vita C, CoQ10, Interferon, etc), why don't you look into trying Transfer Factor too?  It's an immune regulator that is derived from cow's colostrum that is suppose to "educate" an immature or imbalanced immune system.  It's one of the things to try that hasn't been proven, but is spoken highly of anequdotally and "can't hurt" to try.  To order: 888-454-3374, and their website: http://www.transferfactorinstitute.com/ As far as being concerned about your geriatric and other kitties, I'd do what you are doing and keep him segregated for now.  At the very least a long introduction would be less stressful for all concerned anyway.  Are you saying that your other kitties have never been vaccinated for felv before?  I do feel safer having the negs vaccinated, (I'm one of the list members that has mixed negs with pos with no problems).  You should talk to your vet about whether they think having your other kitties vaccinated, (given their status), is a good idea, risk wise.  I hate vaccines, I have an IBD kitty that almost died because of them, but... I truly feel that what ever happens, Patches and you are very fortunate to have found each other.  Take a deep breath.  I have a mantra that I live by, "all I can do is all I can do".  We're here for you, your roommate and all your kitties.  Welcome home Patches! Nina