When I discovered in December 2003 that 5 of the colony of 6 kitties I took in were FeLV positive, I had to go on a crash course, so to speak, in dealing with FeLV cats. My most precious references became this wonderful group and Anitra Frazier's The Natural Cat Book.
As I said yesterday, 4 of my positives succumbed to the disease. But until that time, they enjoyed quality of life--a far too short life, to be sure. The remaining positive, Mickey, threw off the FeLV. The 6th cat, Momcat, never became positive. (I had them both re-tested 2 months ago, in May.) Momcat continued to live with the others, sharing everything--I felt it would have been cruel to separate her, and pointless too, since she had already been fully exposed to the FeLV-- and is walking testimony to the fact that FeLV is simply not as contagious as many, including vets, think.
Here's a copy of what I've sent out in the past with the salient points:
~~Give only filtered water.
~~Buy the best pet food you can afford. Until I joined this group, I didn't even know there were higher quality brands than those found in the chains--Petco, Petsmart etc.--i.e. brands without by-products, additives or preservatives, like Wellness, Innova, Petguard. These are found in the independent pet stores and stores like Wholefoods.
~~Add these supplements morning and evening to the wet food, to boost the kitties' immune system: a 500mg L-Lysin pill (grind first), easily available from pharmacies/healthfood stores, 1/4 tsp feline enzymes, 1 teaspoon of 'Vita-Mineral Mix' (see details below ).
Also, gradually, as I was able to obtain them (not difficult as it turned out, everything is available in health food stores or Internet) I added most of the remainder of the supplements Frazier recommends:
1 tablet bioplasma, crushed; extra 1/4 teaspoon of bonemeal (ie over and above the bonemeal in the Vita Min Mix below); 10 mg Co-Enzyme Q10; 1/8 teaspoon olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon cod liver oil; and 1 teaspoon chopped alfalfa sprouts
And I gave them interferon. Got it thru Walgreen's (eventually) on my vet's prescription, and he made it up for me. Some members eg Nina and Michelle, have worked with their vet to get feline interferon from England. I know they will be more than happy to give you the details.
Here's the Vita-Mineral Mix recipe (very easy to make up in bulk -- store in refrigerator)
1/4 cup kelp powder or 1/4 cup mixed trace mineral powder (I found kelp first, so I use that)
1 cup lecithin granules
2 cups wheat bran
2 cups bonemeal,
calcium lactate or calcium gluconate. (I have only been able to find bonemeal--the Solgar brand).Mix together and store in covered container. MUST be kept in refrigerator as some of these ingredients perish. Add 1 teaspoonful of Vita-Mineral Mix to each cat's meal (ie 2 teaspoonfuls per cat per day).
Also recommended by Anitra Frazier :
"Give a total of four doses of 250 units Vit C each day (use 1/16 teaspoon ascorbic acid crystals or sodium ascorbate powder). (I found the powder easily.) Vitamin C is not stored in the body well so is most effective given in several doses throughout the day. Always mix Vitamin C with a little High-Calcium Chicken Broth (I can send you the recipe if you like) or a teaspoon of a food the cat loves. Never give Vit C without a little food. Once a week give each cat 400 units Vitamin E (alpha tocopherol, not mixed tocopherols) and the contents of a Vitamin A&D capsule."
You will get tons more advice and help from others on the list!
Good luck, and hugs to you and Slinky. Bless you for loving and caring and looking out for him. Kerry
