I'd be as worried about Athena catching something from the FeLV negative cat as the negative cat getting FeLV. My understanding is the virus is shed via body fluids ~ saliva, nasal discharge, etc.
A friend had a negative cat living with a group of positives for 5 or 6 years and he never got sick (and tested negative for FeLV after that time ~ she mistakenly thought he tested positive in the beginning or he was a false positive). SO, if you get another kitty who is not positive, you might want to make sure that kitty is healthy when you bring it home. Also, it is important that they get along so Athena isn't stressed out. You know, we really have no guarantees. I had 2 FeLv positive cats who lived very long lives ~ 16 and 22 years. Squeaky was a "carrier". He was never sick. Stripes was sick on and off. I was devastated when they died. So, I adopted 3 (unrelated) cats from the shelter at once. Insurance, you know. Keisha was age unknown and the other 2 were about 6 months. Teddy, one of the young ones died 6 years later, of cancer. He got sick with IBD and asthma within the first year after I adopted him and was sick his entire life. Coco, the other young'un is still with me but has had 2 instances where I nearly lost her. Frankie (a rescued feral kitten with asthma) lost most of his vision a year ago at age 9 and was diagnosed with pancreatitis which it seems he has conquered. Keisha died last summer, completely unexpectedly, of congestive heart failure. I guess I am giving examples of how we just never know. With my newest group (which grew to 7), I was sure Keihsa would die first because she was oldest....not so. If it were me, I'd probably adopt another FeLV or no one. But that is just me and by no means the "right" answer! Athena may never have a symptom. Squeaky didn't. He outlived Stripes by another 7 years. I didn't adopt another cat only because he was already older when Stripes died and he was so upset when Stripes died. I never considered Squeaky sick since he never was. Take care of yourselves...let your heart lead you. Laurie ----- Original Message ----- From: Beth Gouldin To: [email protected] Sent: Monday, February 25, 2008 6:06 PM Subject: update: Athena Hi all So Athena just re-tested on ELISA a weak positive. This is 9 weeks from the first testing that we did when we lost Orion to FeLV. I guess I'm just disheartened... I had REALLY hoped (for her sake) that she would be negative - she seems so healthy...no major problems or anything... and we really wanted to get another cat for a companion for her. My husband and I have talked and we just can't bring closure to ourselves to intentionally get another FeLV + cat... which means pretty much she's gonna stay a single cat. I don't know, in my mind it just seems that it would be a perpetually bleak cycle (and I know that it's not true simply because of the joy they bring..but this is my bummed out- ness coming through) to have 'sick' cats that can just die any time. Do any of you have experiences bringing in another cat? Do you always elect to get another FeLV +? How do kittens generally fare? Our vet suggested bringing in a FeLV negative vaccinated adult...but I don't want even the SLIGHTEST risk of exposing another cat to this. Any feedback would help me out...I'm so frustrated with this whole thing. Thanks for listening :} -- Beth Gouldin [EMAIL PROTECTED] 940.395.5393 God Bless!!!
