Re: [Felvtalk] Rescuing Kittens and Positive Kitty w/ Flatulence

[Margo]

Hi Amanda,

 

                   I've been involve in rescue for more than 30 years. I've always tested, and always will, but I no longer trust the negatives to stay negative. I think all it's really demonstrating is that the cat/kitten does not have an active infection, and is therefore not contagious _at that time_. With kittens who have been isolated by litter, I'm trying to find out how a negative Momcat could transmit the virus to her kittens, so any thoughts on that would be welcome.

 

                    A rescue that doesn't test is acting badly. I've worked with and for private 501c3s, and County facilities. They all tested for FeLV. There is  no excuse for subjecting an adopter to finding out that the companion who is a big art of the family is terminally ill, and maybe at only a year or two old. LAAS allows cats to be put up for adoption BEFORE testing ?? That's just plain wrong. But, the down side is that rescues usually euthanize positives without allowing time for them to possibly convert to negative. And even if it does later test negative, how do you know that they've truly cleared the virus, and it isn't still  lurking in the cat to return later. 

                    Still, I think testing is the only way a rescue can be responsible when offering cats/kittens for adoption. There are ways to reduce the cost, but it needs to be done. Of course, it is no guarantee that the FurKid will remain healthy, but it's something. Cats and kittens can have many problems, but we do the best we can.

 

                     Sorry, a bit of a hot button for me, I'm afraid.

 

Margo

 

 

 -----Original Message-----
From: "Amanda K. Payne"
Sent: Jun 9, 2013 4:57 PM
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Subject: [Felvtalk] Rescuing Kittens and Positive Kitty w/ Flatulence

Hi Everyone!

I have two questions today regarding FeLV.

First, for anyone who has worked in the rescue world, what is your testing protocol?  I volunteer w/ several cat/kitten rescues in Los Angeles.  I recently found a litter in my garage and they're staying in my guest room until I can find a foster.  I have two FeLV+ cats so I'm overly cautious and don't want other cats in the house, even if they're in the spare room away from my cats.  One of the rescues found another foster for the litter but the new foster has a cat.  I got to talking to her about FeLV and now she won't take the kittens without them being tested--which I TOTALLY agree with. However, the rescue doesn't seem to think it necessary.  Am I just paranoid?  I think all cats and kittens should be tested before being introduced into a new household.  However, I feel like an ass for talking too much because I may have wrecked their potential foster home. I also know that testing isn't the most economical thing to do--LAAS doesn't even test their animals until they are adopted out. How does everyone feel about testing vs. not testing?

Also, my girl, Polli (the one who wasn't eating a few weeks ago) has terrible gas.  It clears the room.  She's eating, drinking and using the litter box fine. She's always had problems with flatulence but now that she's showing signs of leukemia related illnesses, I once again just want to make sure it's not a sign of something bigger.  Anyone have FeLV kitties with gas?  Or a gassy cat for that matter?

Talk to ya'll soon and I hope everyone's kitties are doing well!

Best,

-Amanda

--
"There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge" Bertrand Russell

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