Hi Dawn,
As far as I know, you cannot transfer it from walking around. It's not that easy to transfer. I had a FeLV foster cat who stayed in our office room. I never even washed my hands between petting him and the other cats unless he drooled on me or something. The virus doesn't live that long. My vet told me that once it dries (like in saliva), it's dead, so the chances of you passing anything onto your cats through casual contact is just very small. I wouldn't even worry about it. My vet's office seemed very unconcerned about the ability to transfer without bodily fluids transferring. After Cassidy left (the FeLV kitty), I let the room sit for a day before letting the other cats back in, but really that was probably unnecessary as well. I think that's wonderful that you are spending time with Bea in her room. Poor thing is probably very lonely. I know Cassidy was the same way. Luckily, I was working at home then (in the home office room where he was), so he got a lot of attention. However, at night he cried and cried. We had to put him on kitty Prozac which calmed him down quite a bit without making him sluggish or drugged. It just decreased his anxiety over being alone at night when he knew that we were in the room next door. So, overall, I wouldn't stress out about passing it to your other cats. Some people on this list have mixed their FeLV positives and negatives for many years without any transfer from shared food and litter boxes. Some on this list will tell you that they wouldn't have it any other way and that it really is more difficult to transfer than people think. I, myself, wouldn't mix unless my cats were quite old (less of a chance of contracting it I've learned). But, with young kitties in our house, I know if we ever get any more FeLV fosters, that they will be isolated. I hope this helps. I think the important thing is to relax since Bea and the others will pick up on your anxiety, and that's not going to be good for Bea who probably doesn't understand why she has to be alone. I think once you are more comfortable, then everyone will be too! :-) Best to you and Bea and the other furkids! I hope you find some solutions. Are you the one in Chicago? I forgot to look at home last night for the place in Minnesota! I'll try to remember tonight. Melissa _____ From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dawn Morrison Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2007 11:12 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Transferring the Virus Hello again everyone, Before I had Bea tested, she was with my two other catkids (ages 4 & 10 years) for 4 days - sharing food (wet & dry), water and liter box. It was only after that 4 days did we realize Bea tested positive (Elisa & IFA) We immediately took our other two in and had them tested (negative but too early to tell) and vaccinated. In anyone's opinion, how great of a chance do you think they will test positive in 6 months when I re-test them? Do you think there was enough exposure in those 4 days? I am particularly worried about my 4 year old because I fed them all wet food and she immediately eats anything that is leftover from all 3 bowls. Also, Bea is now quarantined in a bedroom by herself and I visit with her as much as possible when I am home - even sleeping with her at night time to give her some human contact (much to my husbands dismay). I wash my hands thoroughly when I leave the room and bea has her own bowls/water dishes that I keep seperate from my others. She has her own litter box as well. Is it possible to spread any of the virus from just walking around the room, transferring it on my clothes then walking through the rest of my house? I'm just so concerened I'm passing it around more. Thanks Dawn _____ Moody friends. Drama queens. Your life? Nope! - their life, your story. Play Sims <http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=48224/*http:/sims.yahoo.com/> Stories at Yahoo! Games.
