I hope we can get some advice.
Last Monday we had to have our beautiful little foster kitty euthanized. We
belong to a rescue group that pulls and fosters cats at the local county
shelter who are in danger of being put down.
We found out about a week after pulling little Maybelline that she was FELV+.
Our vet did complete blood work on her. Her pvc was only 20 (normal being
30-45), but she was eating and loved attention. We were so hopeful and of
course adopted her immediately.
Within ten days or so Maybelline became listless and wouldn't eat. Our vet
rushed over. Total count was down to 8% and immediately we rushed Maybelline
to the local vet hospital for a blood transfusion. She did really well;
predisone was also described. Again we were hopeful. Our vet planned to check
her count every week.
At week one it was 15%, not great, but if she could maintain it and EAT, she
could continue on.
In only 5 days we noticed same ominous symptoms again. Vet rechecked
Maybelline's blood. Count was down to 10% and her gums were terribly pale. In
good conscience our vet said we simply couldn't transfuse every two weeks, it
just wasn't fair to our little girl.
I heard this news when in Boston visitng my aging (95.5 yrs) mother. My
husband had been prepared that Maybelline might die over the weekend before I
returned. My husband tried everything he knew to get her to eat, but nothing
really worked. She was just too weak.
Thankfully, little Maybelline lasted through the weekend. Sunday we tried to
spend as much time as possible with her. Monday our vet euthanized her. Both
of us were crying. I'm still having bad spells as it just seemed so
preventable and unnecessary if only Maybelline's first owners had vaccinated
her!
Anyhow, we kept her completely separate from our other five kitties. We've
cleaned the room thoroughly (soap and water on floors and walls she might have
touched) and removed her litter box. I always kept her food dishes separate.
The perch cover and blankets and sheets she touched or slept on have been
washed with bleach. Only a few furniture surfaces like the legs on the bed or
desk haven't been washed. Should they be? While we would take another FELV+
kitty in a heartbeat (just hope we'd have them a little longer!), we definitely
don't want to jeopardize our other little ones who are 100% healthy and have
had vaccinations against FELV.
Can we open the room at this point? Our other five kitties used to play in it,
but we heard no complaints when Maybelline occupied it!
We'd appreciate any advice anyone can give on this topic. I'm sorry our story
is so long-winded; we just wished we could have done more for our poor little
girl!
Sincerely,
Maggie Clark Souers
I am so grateful
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