RE: new to FeLV

[Diane Rosenfeldt]

You've come to the right place, Peggy.  This list is a fount of great advice.   You will very shortly be told by several people on this list that they have safely mixed their positive and negative cats, and that the key to doing this safely is to make sure the other cats are up to date on their vaccines and boosters.  They will tell you what drugs to use to keep Scooter's immune system going strong, and how to keep him stress-free.  I would worry a little about your vet's attitude, many vets are more enlightened.   Also, you should have Scooter tested again in a couple MONTHS, since in some instances a cat can throw off the virus, though this is more common in kittens than in adult positives.   Good luck with Scooter!   Diane R. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]On Behalf Of Peggy Ankney Sent: Wednesday, September 20, 2006 8:45 PM To: Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Subject: new to FeLV Hi All,   I too am a new subscriber looking for advice.  I’ve learned much about this virus in the past 12 hours because the stray cat (Scooter) that my husband and I are in the process of adopting (well, he’s adopted us really) is FeLV+.  The vet called me today after I dropped him off for neutering and shots to tell me the test was positive (she repeated the test to confirm) and recommended Scooter be PTS.  We can’t do that – but we have two negative (but vaccinated) cats already.  We are very torn between putting our cats at risk and saving Scooter.  So after a very difficult day of unsuccessfully trying to find a home for Scooter, we’ve decided to keep him.  All the web sites say you have to keep the pos cats isolated from the neg, but I don’t see how I can do that without locking Scooter in a room for the rest of his life.   Montana and Karma are indoor/outdoor cats (we have a door with magnetic-activated lock).  We can turn the door around so Scooter can’t get out but ours can still come and go as they please but we’re going to give Scooter the run of the house, which isn’t a big house by today’s standards.  I don’t know if we can keep their food separate – Montana is older and underweight so I don’t want to take away the gravity feed bowl and limit his eating.  Also, Montana and Karma rarely use the litter pan, as they prefer the great outdoors, but in rainy or cold weather they use it.  Scooter will have to use it, as he’s got to stay indoors for the rest of his life.  From what I’ve read online, these aren’t the main ways that the virus is transmitted.  I know grooming is a big one, but we don’t’ have a clear picture of whether they will eventually become friendly enough for that (no chance of it just yet).  So my question is – what has been the experience of others in similar situations, and do you have any good advice for a couple of scared cat lovers?  Something I might have missed on the other web sites that will help me keep all three cats happy and healthy as possible?  Montana is about 12 years, Karma maybe 8, and Scooter probably 6 months.  (Thanks everyone!  I’ve enjoyed reading your posts.)                               -peggy