I have to agree with Laurie. When Armond was left as the last cat standing, I
just couldn't bear for him to be alone. (I think that cats can be solitary but
I know how much Armond LOVES to have a friend. Someone to groom and sleep with
and wrestle with...)
So, I set out on a long search to find him another positive kitty friend.
And, I found one - he is Preston and he is such a doll. I could not bear the
thought of infecting another cat by bringing in one who was negative, when
there are so many positive cats who are unadoptable out there. Preston's first
family had to give him up when he tested positive due to their other cats - it
was so wonderful to be able to tell them that we had rescued Preston and that
he had a happy home.
The sanctuary where Preston was living has an entire room (old church
building) with about 40 positive kitties. No one had ever adopted a cat from
there - not ever, until we got Preston. Even though his life may not be as
long as other cats, I know that his life will be good and so will Armond's and
so will mine!
Good luck with your decision...
laurieskatz <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
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: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
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!!!
---------------------------------
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