Re: FeLV

[Faye Lewis]

I lost my cat pretty quickly too.  He was 2 years old and had been tested 
when I first got him. He tested negative and was vaccinated. Then 10 months 
later, at the end of December 2002, I noticed that he was a bit quiet.  
However, he ate well, was very cheerful and sociable.  Then during the night 
of January 3, 2003, he vomited twice and then refused breakfast. I took him 
to the vet that morning.  The vet looked at his gums and was alarmed and 
kept him. They called me 3 hours later and said that his blood was like pure 
water and tested positive FeLV.  They didn't feel like they had anything to 
work with.  My vet is not one to automatically euthanize.  He does treat FIV 
and FeLV cases long term.  However, he told me that he didn't have anything 
to work with.  I was stunned.  I  had no idea he was that sick. I am very 
conscious of my pet's health and well-being.   With hindsight, all I can say 
is that he was quiet the week before.  Just slightly quieter than usual.  
Not outright lethargic.  He wasn't sleeping a lot or anything. He just 
didn't run up and down the hall when I was home from work. He had an 
excellent coat, bright eyes, no mouth problems, no breathing problems, no 
hiding out.

It was awful.  It makes me paranoid about the ones I have now.  Esepcailly 
since they were exposed to the sick one.  Even though they have tested 
negative repeatedly.  I've been pretty good about not running to the vet for 
nothing however I took two cats in December because they "were off."  One 
had a mild respiratory illness and the other was perfectly fine. LOL  So, I 
have only had one true "Nervous Nellie" call in 2 years but it is much 
harder for me now.  I just don't trust so easily that they are healthy.  I 
get alarmed easily.

From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: felvtalk@vlists.net
Subject: Re: FeLV
Date: Fri, 07 Jan 2005 10:44:36 -0600
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FILETIME=[44033270:01C4F4D8]

Hi Cherie!
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss of Snowball...it's so devastating to lose 
them at such a young age...Unfortunately, this virus can be relentless at 
times.  I've only been dealing with FeLV for a few years, but I can tell 
you that I lost one baby in a matter of days; he was perfectly healthy one 
day until I noticed that he was breathing just a little bit heavier than 
the others.  Within a matter of a few days, he was diagnosed with a tumor 
in his chest and we had to let him go (the tumor was inoperable and he just 
couldn't breathe due to the build-up of fluid in his chest cavity).  I 
still can't believe how quickly he went...

On the other hand, we had a cat, Charlie (also FeLV+) fight anemia for more 
than 6 months before finally succumbing to his illness.  And then again, we 
still have Charlie's two brothers (who will be 3 years old this year) who 
are going strong.  Generally speaking, cats who are born with FeLV or 
contract the virus at a young age don't typically have a life span greater 
than a few years...but there are always exceptions to the rules!  :)  We 
had a litter of 5 cats born with the virus...we lost 2 at arouond a year of 
age and 1 at around 18 months.  The remaining two, like I said, are still 
going strong (knock-on-wood!)...I don't know why these two are able to live 
with the virus while the others just couldn't...but every day with them is 
a day that I will always treasure...all of my FeLV babies are my little 
heros and I'll always be their biggest fan... :)

Anyway, again, I'm so sorry for your loss...you and your son will be in my 
thoughts!

Jen
----- Original Message -----
From: Cherie A Gabbert <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Friday, January 7, 2005 10:17 am
Subject: Re: FeLV
> Everyone has beed tested recently, my concern is that it happened
> so fast and so consuming.
>
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:In a message dated 1/7/2005 1:13:59 A.M.
> Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> Snowball was only 6 months old and his parents were clean, the
> only stress aside from the normal would have been he ws fixed a
> week or so prior to all of this. If I would have known this would
> have happened I would have let him run wild and not get him fixed,
> I have guilt over that....
>
> It is possible that might be the cause..but not from the
> stress..he could have gotten an infection!!   Did you notice
> anything unusual around that area..or did it seem to be heling
> nicely?  Have you thought of having an autopsy done on him?  If
> his parents were clean..is FeLV-..and you are 100% sure of
> it...and he has not been exposed to any other cats...I dont see
> how he could have gotten it...it has to come from DIRECT fluid
> contact of an infected cat....you said you have other cats..have
> they all been tested recently?  How recent were the parent cats
> tested?
>
> Lisa
> and fur-brats
> Akira--FeLV miracle baby www.geocities.com/anzajaguar
> Indy-- Truley Indian Jones as a cat..FEARLESS
> Lance- Mini wire haired dashchund
> Bow-Tie- 2yr old (ssshhhh he doesnt know he is 15 :) ) jack russel
> crossBennie Bird-- Vampire cockatiel
> Anza-- sexist Senegal parrot..deffinantly a ladies bird :)
>
>