Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives
Maureen, this is so comforting! I'm waiting until May 9th (it will be his second test since exposure but only within 2 mos - my vet wants me to wait 3 mos. before she thinks he is safe). I do understand that his chances of contracting it are a lot less than if he were a kitten. I'm so glad he is 2 yrs old. He so misses his companion and longs for another. Another companion would keep him more active. He loved to be chased up and down the stairs and he no longer gets that exercise (he won't let me chase him, imagine that!). I'm still a little worried but not so much like I was. Thanks for all the support from everyone and let's all still pray for Poppy :0) Have a great week! Lynda - Original Message - From: "Maureen Olvey" To: Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2011 1:29 AM Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives I have been e-mailing with a vet friend and she says most researchers these days feel that adult cats are pretty well resistant to the disease, even if not vaccinated. I bet Sugar will be fine. I've just had 5 of my cats tested that are not vaccinated (think I already told you this) but lived with my FeLV + kitty for two years and those 5 are negative. “I am not interested to know whether vivisection produces results that are profitable to the human race or doesn’t….the pain which it inflicts upon unconsenting animals is the basis of my enmity toward it, and it is to me sufficient justification of the enmity without looking further.” – Mark Twain From: longhornf...@verizon.net To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Date: Mon, 18 Apr 2011 09:22:49 -0500 Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives I always love to hear positive experiences with FeLV+ cats. I still hope that mine will continue to test negative. May 9th can't get here soon enough for me! - Original Message - From: "POTT, BEVERLY" To: Sent: Monday, April 18, 2011 8:35 AM Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives >I had a cat with FELV that lived to be 17. I never separated him from my > other cats, they ate out of the same bowls, etc., and none of them ever > contracted the disease. The other ones were vaccinated against it. I've > also had 2 other positives living with my negative cats (one lived to be > 4, the other 8), and none of my other cats ever contracted it. > > My brother, too, had a positive cat that lived to be 17- and he, too, > never separated his cats out. None of his other cats (vaccinated) ever > contracted Feleuk. Just sayin'. > > > -Original Message- > From: Pam Norman [mailto:pam_nor...@charter.net] > Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 2:01 PM > To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > Subject: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives > > I am trying to determine what to do with Poppy both now & when the IFA > test results come in. I've been reading & reading & from what I can > gather, the old dictums about NEVER havinig positive & negative cats > even in the same house has been abandoned. From what I have read, the > general sense is that it's fine for positives & negatives to be in the > same home, but should be separate so there is no chance of exchanging > fluids such as with a bite, but more importantly with mutual grooming. > > But I know also that some of you have both positives & negatives really > living together, not separate. Right? > > What about if I put Poppy in her condo in the spare bedroom & let me > cats visit, so at least she SEES other cats. What is she hisses & > spits? Would that have a chance of infecting any of mine who were > nosing around her condo? My feeling is that it would. > > Also how effective is the vaccine these days? I know that some years > ago the figure was about 30% so I never had any of my cats vaccinated. > > Has it been improved? > > Right now we are still waiting for the IFA test for Poppy. And I guess > she needs retesting on that in at least a month. I do NOT want to keep > her alone until then. We have a sanctuary for her if she tests IFA > positive cause then we know that she is really positive. But the person > who runs it tells me that regardless of how she tests on the IFA, she > HAS leukemia. Period. And would go in with the positive cats. But my > understanding is that if she is IFA negative, she has a chance of > fighting it off & putting her in with the positives is giving up. I > think she should only go in with the positives if she tests IFA > positive. > > Can anyone help me sort this out? > > Pam > > > > ___ > Felvtalk mailing list > Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/fe
Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives
I have been e-mailing with a vet friend and she says most researchers these days feel that adult cats are pretty well resistant to the disease, even if not vaccinated. I bet Sugar will be fine. I've just had 5 of my cats tested that are not vaccinated (think I already told you this) but lived with my FeLV + kitty for two years and those 5 are negative. “I am not interested to know whether vivisection produces results that are profitable to the human race or doesn’t….the pain which it inflicts upon unconsenting animals is the basis of my enmity toward it, and it is to me sufficient justification of the enmity without looking further.” – Mark Twain > From: longhornf...@verizon.net > To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > Date: Mon, 18 Apr 2011 09:22:49 -0500 > Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives > > I always love to hear positive experiences with FeLV+ cats. I still hope > that mine will continue to test negative. May 9th can't get here soon enough > for me! > - Original Message - > From: "POTT, BEVERLY" > To: > Sent: Monday, April 18, 2011 8:35 AM > Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives > > > >I had a cat with FELV that lived to be 17. I never separated him from my > > other cats, they ate out of the same bowls, etc., and none of them ever > > contracted the disease. The other ones were vaccinated against it. I've > > also had 2 other positives living with my negative cats (one lived to be > > 4, the other 8), and none of my other cats ever contracted it. > > > > My brother, too, had a positive cat that lived to be 17- and he, too, > > never separated his cats out. None of his other cats (vaccinated) ever > > contracted Feleuk. Just sayin'. > > > > > > -Original Message----- > > From: Pam Norman [mailto:pam_nor...@charter.net] > > Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 2:01 PM > > To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > > Subject: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives > > > > I am trying to determine what to do with Poppy both now & when the IFA > > test results come in. I've been reading & reading & from what I can > > gather, the old dictums about NEVER havinig positive & negative cats > > even in the same house has been abandoned. From what I have read, the > > general sense is that it's fine for positives & negatives to be in the > > same home, but should be separate so there is no chance of exchanging > > fluids such as with a bite, but more importantly with mutual grooming. > > > > But I know also that some of you have both positives & negatives really > > living together, not separate. Right? > > > > What about if I put Poppy in her condo in the spare bedroom & let me > > cats visit, so at least she SEES other cats. What is she hisses & > > spits? Would that have a chance of infecting any of mine who were > > nosing around her condo? My feeling is that it would. > > > > Also how effective is the vaccine these days? I know that some years > > ago the figure was about 30% so I never had any of my cats vaccinated. > > > > Has it been improved? > > > > Right now we are still waiting for the IFA test for Poppy. And I guess > > she needs retesting on that in at least a month. I do NOT want to keep > > her alone until then. We have a sanctuary for her if she tests IFA > > positive cause then we know that she is really positive. But the person > > who runs it tells me that regardless of how she tests on the IFA, she > > HAS leukemia. Period. And would go in with the positive cats. But my > > understanding is that if she is IFA negative, she has a chance of > > fighting it off & putting her in with the positives is giving up. I > > think she should only go in with the positives if she tests IFA > > positive. > > > > Can anyone help me sort this out? > > > > Pam > > > > > > > > ___ > > Felvtalk mailing list > > Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > > http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org > > > > > > ___ > Felvtalk mailing list > Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives
Hi, Pamgo to this link again, it explains the testing under "How is FeLV detected" - Original Message - From: "Pam Norman" To: Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 9:23 PM Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives Great link, thank you, Lynda! Pam On 4/15/2011 1:59 PM, Lynda Wilson wrote: Pam, I've done a lot of research myself and I asked my vet many questions. Here is a link that was very helpful to me and I had my vet review this in case she had a difference of opinion. This is very accurate information. I think it will answer many of your questions. Here is the link: http://www.wikifaq.com/Feline_Leukemia_FAQ#Is_there_any_risk_in_getting_my_cats_vaccinated.3F I will say that it's not worth the risk getting your other cats infected to socialize Poppy. She will be fine confined, just give her as much attention as possible at least until she has been cleared of the virus (meaning she is not permanently positive for leukemia). Also, I am in the same boat as you. My kitten (Crash) that I fostered, then adopted turned out to be FeLV negative this past Nov. 2010. On March 10, 2011 he had to be put down because he was in very bad shape. He was anemic, had a hear murmur and his oxygen level was next to nothing. He was fine 2 days prior. I actually took him in because he did not have a bowel movement in 2 days (we were treating him for diarrhea) and I just thought his new food was working well. Now my Ragdoll cat is at risk because I did not get him vaccinated against leukemia because he is strictly and indoor cat. So far, he has been negative but will test again on May 9th. I so want to get him another companion. It keeps him active and it's such a joy to watch to kitties play. Had I known that Crash was contagious with leukemia, I would have never exposed my other cat. This disease is fatal, with no cure. But I will say that the vaccine is not 100% (but none of them are) effective at all times, but it's better than not being protected at all. I hope that Poppy's immune system clears the virus. You may also get her siblings tested again to be safe and the mother as well. Good luck! I hope this info helps!! Lynda - Original Message - From: "Pam Norman" To: Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 1:00 PM Subject: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives I am trying to determine what to do with Poppy both now & when the IFA test results come in. I've been reading & reading & from what I can gather, the old dictums about NEVER havinig positive & negative cats even in the same house has been abandoned. From what I have read, the general sense is that it's fine for positives & negatives to be in the same home, but should be separate so there is no chance of exchanging fluids such as with a bite, but more importantly with mutual grooming. But I know also that some of you have both positives & negatives really living together, not separate. Right? What about if I put Poppy in her condo in the spare bedroom & let me cats visit, so at least she SEES other cats. What is she hisses & spits? Would that have a chance of infecting any of mine who were nosing around her condo? My feeling is that it would. Also how effective is the vaccine these days? I know that some years ago the figure was about 30% so I never had any of my cats vaccinated. Has it been improved? Right now we are still waiting for the IFA test for Poppy. And I guess she needs retesting on that in at least a month. I do NOT want to keep her alone until then. We have a sanctuary for her if she tests IFA positive cause then we know that she is really positive. But the person who runs it tells me that regardless of how she tests on the IFA, she HAS leukemia. Period. And would go in with the positive cats. But my understanding is that if she is IFA negative, she has a chance of fighting it off & putting her in with the positives is giving up. I think she should only go in with the positives if she tests IFA positive. Can anyone help me sort this out? Pam ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives
I always love to hear positive experiences with FeLV+ cats. I still hope that mine will continue to test negative. May 9th can't get here soon enough for me! - Original Message - From: "POTT, BEVERLY" To: Sent: Monday, April 18, 2011 8:35 AM Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives I had a cat with FELV that lived to be 17. I never separated him from my other cats, they ate out of the same bowls, etc., and none of them ever contracted the disease. The other ones were vaccinated against it. I've also had 2 other positives living with my negative cats (one lived to be 4, the other 8), and none of my other cats ever contracted it. My brother, too, had a positive cat that lived to be 17- and he, too, never separated his cats out. None of his other cats (vaccinated) ever contracted Feleuk. Just sayin'. -Original Message- From: Pam Norman [mailto:pam_nor...@charter.net] Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 2:01 PM To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Subject: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives I am trying to determine what to do with Poppy both now & when the IFA test results come in. I've been reading & reading & from what I can gather, the old dictums about NEVER havinig positive & negative cats even in the same house has been abandoned. From what I have read, the general sense is that it's fine for positives & negatives to be in the same home, but should be separate so there is no chance of exchanging fluids such as with a bite, but more importantly with mutual grooming. But I know also that some of you have both positives & negatives really living together, not separate. Right? What about if I put Poppy in her condo in the spare bedroom & let me cats visit, so at least she SEES other cats. What is she hisses & spits? Would that have a chance of infecting any of mine who were nosing around her condo? My feeling is that it would. Also how effective is the vaccine these days? I know that some years ago the figure was about 30% so I never had any of my cats vaccinated. Has it been improved? Right now we are still waiting for the IFA test for Poppy. And I guess she needs retesting on that in at least a month. I do NOT want to keep her alone until then. We have a sanctuary for her if she tests IFA positive cause then we know that she is really positive. But the person who runs it tells me that regardless of how she tests on the IFA, she HAS leukemia. Period. And would go in with the positive cats. But my understanding is that if she is IFA negative, she has a chance of fighting it off & putting her in with the positives is giving up. I think she should only go in with the positives if she tests IFA positive. Can anyone help me sort this out? Pam ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives
I had a cat with FELV that lived to be 17. I never separated him from my other cats, they ate out of the same bowls, etc., and none of them ever contracted the disease. The other ones were vaccinated against it. I've also had 2 other positives living with my negative cats (one lived to be 4, the other 8), and none of my other cats ever contracted it. My brother, too, had a positive cat that lived to be 17- and he, too, never separated his cats out. None of his other cats (vaccinated) ever contracted Feleuk. Just sayin'. -Original Message- From: Pam Norman [mailto:pam_nor...@charter.net] Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 2:01 PM To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Subject: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives I am trying to determine what to do with Poppy both now & when the IFA test results come in. I've been reading & reading & from what I can gather, the old dictums about NEVER havinig positive & negative cats even in the same house has been abandoned. From what I have read, the general sense is that it's fine for positives & negatives to be in the same home, but should be separate so there is no chance of exchanging fluids such as with a bite, but more importantly with mutual grooming. But I know also that some of you have both positives & negatives really living together, not separate. Right? What about if I put Poppy in her condo in the spare bedroom & let me cats visit, so at least she SEES other cats. What is she hisses & spits? Would that have a chance of infecting any of mine who were nosing around her condo? My feeling is that it would. Also how effective is the vaccine these days? I know that some years ago the figure was about 30% so I never had any of my cats vaccinated. Has it been improved? Right now we are still waiting for the IFA test for Poppy. And I guess she needs retesting on that in at least a month. I do NOT want to keep her alone until then. We have a sanctuary for her if she tests IFA positive cause then we know that she is really positive. But the person who runs it tells me that regardless of how she tests on the IFA, she HAS leukemia. Period. And would go in with the positive cats. But my understanding is that if she is IFA negative, she has a chance of fighting it off & putting her in with the positives is giving up. I think she should only go in with the positives if she tests IFA positive. Can anyone help me sort this out? Pam ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives
Thanks Maureen. You made it sound so logical, thanks! I will add that my vet told me that Crash's ELISA test was a "faint" positive. I read that a faint positive means that he does have the virus, but it's not very active in his system. Knowing this, I'm sure hoping that he was not shedding the virus and be contagious to my other cat. Scientists have not determined when they actually shed the virus but it does make sense that once the virus reaches into the bloodstream, I would think they are shedding it. The other thing that puzzles me is that if it was not very active in his system, why was he so lethargic and at death's door? He was a very sick kitten & would have died in my house that day if I did not take him in to my vet. Thanks for your input Maureen! It was very helpful :0) Have a great weekend and please pray that my other kitty will be fine. Lynda - Original Message - From: "Maureen Olvey" To: Sent: Saturday, April 16, 2011 4:29 PM Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives Even though this wasn't directed at me I thought I'd give my input (my husband says I do this all the time - LOL). The only way I think this would be possible is if the virus is in transition. Like, it has just gotten into the body and it hasn't had time to do what ever it does to get into the blood stream. The ELISA test and an IFA test would be negative at this point. I'm not sure if the cat can pass it at this point though since it hasn't really gotten into the saliva or bloodstream. Not sure about that but it seems logical to me. Then the virus progresses and gets into the system/bloodstream or saliva and the ELISA test would be positive but the IFA test would be negative. I'm guessing at this point the cat could spread it. After this if the cat can't extinguish the virus or put it into latentcy then it gets into the white blood cells and the IFA test would eventually test positive. The cat could definitely pass it at this point. I did for sure read that if the virus if put into latentcy then it is carried in the bone marrow but not in the white blood cells or bloodstream or saliva so it can't pass the virus to other cats. That's my thoughts but I'm not a vet. I know that if it's in latency they can't spread it which I found very interesting. The cat wouldn't test positive at that point either, even on the IFA test. “I am not interested to know whether vivisection produces results that are profitable to the human race or doesn’t….the pain which it inflicts upon unconsenting animals is the basis of my enmity toward it, and it is to me sufficient justification of the enmity without looking further.” – Mark Twain From: longhornf...@verizon.net To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Date: Fri, 15 Apr 2011 16:40:17 -0500 Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives Sharon, I have read that some cats can be carriers of FeLV and test negative, but can transmit it to other cats. This is a crazy disease that has so many "if's" that it's confusing. Have you heard of this as well? Lynda - Original Message - From: "Sharon Catalan" To: Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 3:07 PM Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives > Hello Pam, > Yes, they did share everything for 10 years up until a month ago when we > found out that the other one is positive. That is actually the biggest > mystery - the 2 other cats never got infected. The doctor did say that > we > should test them again every 6 months. > > Sharon > > On Fri, Apr 15, 2011 at 12:20 PM, Pam Norman > wrote: > >> Sharon, >> >> What about grooming? I would assume that those cats, having lived >> together for 10 years, would mutually groom. That's sharing bodily >> fluids & >> I would think would be potentially harmful to the negative ones. >> >> Pam >> >> >> On 4/15/2011 1:28 PM, Sharon Catalan wrote: >> >>> Hello Pam, >>> >>> My 3 cats have been living together for 10 years now until my boy-cat >>> was >>> just recently diagnosed with FeLV. He may have contracted it 2 years >>> ago >>> when he ran outside and got into a fight with another cat. We had the >>> 2 >>> other girl-cats tested and they're both negative. We had the 2 other >>> girl-cats vaccinated and currently, they are separated. Doctor said >>> that >>> they can be together 30days after the 2 other cats receive their 2nd >>> shot >>> of >>> FeLV vaccination. Also, according to our doctor, it should be okay for >>> them >>> to be together again as long as they don't bi
Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives
Even though this wasn't directed at me I thought I'd give my input (my husband says I do this all the time - LOL). The only way I think this would be possible is if the virus is in transition. Like, it has just gotten into the body and it hasn't had time to do what ever it does to get into the blood stream. The ELISA test and an IFA test would be negative at this point. I'm not sure if the cat can pass it at this point though since it hasn't really gotten into the saliva or bloodstream. Not sure about that but it seems logical to me. Then the virus progresses and gets into the system/bloodstream or saliva and the ELISA test would be positive but the IFA test would be negative. I'm guessing at this point the cat could spread it. After this if the cat can't extinguish the virus or put it into latentcy then it gets into the white blood cells and the IFA test would eventually test positive. The cat could definitely pass it at this point. I did for sure read that if the virus if put into latentcy then it is carried in the bone marrow but not in the white blood cells or bloodstream or saliva so it can't pass the virus to other cats. That's my thoughts but I'm not a vet. I know that if it's in latency they can't spread it which I found very interesting. The cat wouldn't test positive at that point either, even on the IFA test. “I am not interested to know whether vivisection produces results that are profitable to the human race or doesn’t….the pain which it inflicts upon unconsenting animals is the basis of my enmity toward it, and it is to me sufficient justification of the enmity without looking further.” – Mark Twain > From: longhornf...@verizon.net > To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > Date: Fri, 15 Apr 2011 16:40:17 -0500 > Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives > > Sharon, > > I have read that some cats can be carriers of FeLV and test negative, but > can transmit it to other cats. This is a crazy disease that has so many > "if's" that it's confusing. Have you heard of this as well? > > Lynda > - Original Message - > From: "Sharon Catalan" > To: > Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 3:07 PM > Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives > > > > Hello Pam, > > Yes, they did share everything for 10 years up until a month ago when we > > found out that the other one is positive. That is actually the biggest > > mystery - the 2 other cats never got infected. The doctor did say that we > > should test them again every 6 months. > > > > Sharon > > > > On Fri, Apr 15, 2011 at 12:20 PM, Pam Norman > > wrote: > > > >> Sharon, > >> > >> What about grooming? I would assume that those cats, having lived > >> together for 10 years, would mutually groom. That's sharing bodily > >> fluids & > >> I would think would be potentially harmful to the negative ones. > >> > >> Pam > >> > >> > >> On 4/15/2011 1:28 PM, Sharon Catalan wrote: > >> > >>> Hello Pam, > >>> > >>> My 3 cats have been living together for 10 years now until my boy-cat > >>> was > >>> just recently diagnosed with FeLV. He may have contracted it 2 years > >>> ago > >>> when he ran outside and got into a fight with another cat. We had the 2 > >>> other girl-cats tested and they're both negative. We had the 2 other > >>> girl-cats vaccinated and currently, they are separated. Doctor said > >>> that > >>> they can be together 30days after the 2 other cats receive their 2nd > >>> shot > >>> of > >>> FeLV vaccination. Also, according to our doctor, it should be okay for > >>> them > >>> to be together again as long as they don't bite/scratch each other or > >>> share > >>> bodily fluids. Just keep their feeding stuff completely separate. My > >>> cats > >>> never fight with each other although occasionally, the other cat will > >>> eat > >>> someone's leftover and I think that is the reason that the 2 others cats > >>> never contracted it considering that the other one had FeLV for quite > >>> some > >>> time now. > >>> > >>> Sharon > >>> > >>> On Fri, Apr 15, 2011 at 11:00 AM, Pam Norman > >>> wrote: > >>> > >>> I am trying to determine what to do with Poppy both now& when the IFA > >>>> test > >>>> resul
Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives
My pride doesn't like them. Maybe if I left them out and open, they would come to think of them as bags and boxes. I have boxes all over the house. When I get a new one, I cannot let it lay for 5 seconds. If I do, it becomes a bed or hiding place for them. Natalie wrote: > Our cats love carriers - when I try to take any cat to the vet, others jump > right in before I have a chance to place the cat into itThey love > carriers as much as they love boxes and paper bags(handles cut apart or > removed).! > > -Original Message- > From: felvtalk-boun...@felineleukemia.org > [mailto:felvtalk-boun...@felineleukemia.org] On Behalf Of MaiMaiPG > Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 7:47 PM > To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives > > On that note, Copper and Thomas go into their carriers when they want > to be alone or are pissed off. They even close (not latch) the > doors. They eat on a bench they started eating on as tiny kittens. > Carriers are wonderful if they are safe places. My boys traveled from > the day they came out of the pine thicket and, until they got grown, I > took them on rides and visited people with them. Carriers are sources > of adventure and fun. I have served the boys for almost 3 years and > they travel with me to Louisville, to various other places with no > troubleno fighting to get them in their carriers or searching for > them for hours. They have a dog carriage (big baby carriage with > screens and very big all-terrain wheels) to ride around > outsidethey love that too. The crate idea is wonderful. Same > principle as crate training a dog. Bob came crate trainedhe goes > there to rest from the cats, to eat or tell me it is meal time, when > he is wet etc. > > > On Apr 15, 2011, at 6:34 PM, Pam Norman wrote: > > > You all have been so helpful on my questions about Poppy I can't > > believe it! Maybe I can return the favor a bit & help here. Most > > of my 10 cats eat in their crates. I have them stacked in the > > kitchen & each cat knows which one is his & they go into them at > > meal times. Otherwise I too would run out of rooms. I have one who > > also eats in the bathroom & one who eats in my pc room, but the > > others all eat in their crates in the kitchen. Sometimes they nap or > > sleep in them too since they have good connotations. > > > > Pam > > > > On 4/15/2011 5:12 PM, dlg...@windstream.net wrote: > >> How do you keep feeding bowls seperate? I have 7 and don't have > >> enough rooms to keep them out of each other's bowls. Besides, each > >> one thinks that he other's food is diffeent and better than theirs > >> so the first few minutes of feeding is spent trading bowls just t > >> make sure I get the best food. > >> > >> > >> Sharon Catalan wrote: > >>> Hello Pam, > >>> > >>> My 3 cats have been living together for 10 years now until my boy- > >>> cat was > >>> just recently diagnosed with FeLV. He may have contracted it 2 > >>> years ago > >>> when he ran outside and got into a fight with another cat. We had > >>> the 2 > >>> other girl-cats tested and they're both negative. We had the 2 > >>> other > >>> girl-cats vaccinated and currently, they are separated. Doctor > >>> said that > >>> they can be together 30days after the 2 other cats receive their > >>> 2nd shot of > >>> FeLV vaccination. Also, according to our doctor, it should be > >>> okay for them > >>> to be together again as long as they don't bite/scratch each other > >>> or share > >>> bodily fluids. Just keep their feeding stuff completely > >>> separate. My cats > >>> never fight with each other although occasionally, the other cat > >>> will eat > >>> someone's leftover and I think that is the reason that the 2 > >>> others cats > >>> never contracted it considering that the other one had FeLV for > >>> quite some > >>> time now. > >>> > >>> Sharon > >>> > >>> On Fri, Apr 15, 2011 at 11:00 AM, Pam > >>> Norman wrote: > >>> > >>>> I am trying to determine what to do with Poppy both now& when > >>>> the IFA test > >>>> results come in. I've been reading& reading& from what I
Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives
My two boyz are about 5 yrs old now - no health problems at all (hope it stays that way). Natalie -Original Message- From: felvtalk-boun...@felineleukemia.org [mailto:felvtalk-boun...@felineleukemia.org] On Behalf Of Maureen Olvey Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 5:05 PM To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives I read that too about the 85% that will live a max of 3.5 years. Someone in my feline asthma group said her cat lived until she was 16. Can you believe that? She said the cat lived indoors since a kitten and hadn't mixed with other cats so she assumes that the cat got the disease as a kitten. I thought that was incredible. 11 years is outstanding also. How fortunate you are. Some cats just defy the odds I guess. "I am not interested to know whether vivisection produces results that are profitable to the human race or doesn't..the pain which it inflicts upon unconsenting animals is the basis of my enmity toward it, and it is to me sufficient justification of the enmity without looking further." - Mark Twain > From: longhornf...@verizon.net > To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > Date: Fri, 15 Apr 2011 15:30:51 -0500 > Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives > > Belinda, > > What a relief to hear! I feel you are so lucky because I don't hear very > many stories as yours. I have read that 85% of kitties that test positive on > the IFA test, don't live past 3 1/2 yrs. I'm so glad that you were able to > enjoy Bailey as long as you did! What meds did you have him on? > > Lynda > - Original Message - > From: "Belinda Sauro" > To: > Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 2:29 PM > Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives > > > > My Bailey lived with his housemates from the time he was 5 months > > old (tested positive then) until he passed of cancer at age 11 years, they > > slept, ate, groomed and on occasion had little spats, none of his > > vaccinated housemates ever became positive. I had them tested > > intermittently and they were always negative. I lost Bailey in 2006 and > > his remaining housemates are still negative. > > > > -- > > Belinda > > happiness is being owned by cats ... > > > > http://BelindaSauro.com > > http://HostDesign4U.com > > > > > > ___ > > Felvtalk mailing list > > Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > > http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org > > > > > > ___ > Felvtalk mailing list > Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives
Our cats love carriers - when I try to take any cat to the vet, others jump right in before I have a chance to place the cat into itThey love carriers as much as they love boxes and paper bags(handles cut apart or removed).! -Original Message- From: felvtalk-boun...@felineleukemia.org [mailto:felvtalk-boun...@felineleukemia.org] On Behalf Of MaiMaiPG Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 7:47 PM To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives On that note, Copper and Thomas go into their carriers when they want to be alone or are pissed off. They even close (not latch) the doors. They eat on a bench they started eating on as tiny kittens. Carriers are wonderful if they are safe places. My boys traveled from the day they came out of the pine thicket and, until they got grown, I took them on rides and visited people with them. Carriers are sources of adventure and fun. I have served the boys for almost 3 years and they travel with me to Louisville, to various other places with no troubleno fighting to get them in their carriers or searching for them for hours. They have a dog carriage (big baby carriage with screens and very big all-terrain wheels) to ride around outsidethey love that too. The crate idea is wonderful. Same principle as crate training a dog. Bob came crate trainedhe goes there to rest from the cats, to eat or tell me it is meal time, when he is wet etc. On Apr 15, 2011, at 6:34 PM, Pam Norman wrote: > You all have been so helpful on my questions about Poppy I can't > believe it! Maybe I can return the favor a bit & help here. Most > of my 10 cats eat in their crates. I have them stacked in the > kitchen & each cat knows which one is his & they go into them at > meal times. Otherwise I too would run out of rooms. I have one who > also eats in the bathroom & one who eats in my pc room, but the > others all eat in their crates in the kitchen. Sometimes they nap or > sleep in them too since they have good connotations. > > Pam > > On 4/15/2011 5:12 PM, dlg...@windstream.net wrote: >> How do you keep feeding bowls seperate? I have 7 and don't have >> enough rooms to keep them out of each other's bowls. Besides, each >> one thinks that he other's food is diffeent and better than theirs >> so the first few minutes of feeding is spent trading bowls just t >> make sure I get the best food. >> >> >> Sharon Catalan wrote: >>> Hello Pam, >>> >>> My 3 cats have been living together for 10 years now until my boy- >>> cat was >>> just recently diagnosed with FeLV. He may have contracted it 2 >>> years ago >>> when he ran outside and got into a fight with another cat. We had >>> the 2 >>> other girl-cats tested and they're both negative. We had the 2 >>> other >>> girl-cats vaccinated and currently, they are separated. Doctor >>> said that >>> they can be together 30days after the 2 other cats receive their >>> 2nd shot of >>> FeLV vaccination. Also, according to our doctor, it should be >>> okay for them >>> to be together again as long as they don't bite/scratch each other >>> or share >>> bodily fluids. Just keep their feeding stuff completely >>> separate. My cats >>> never fight with each other although occasionally, the other cat >>> will eat >>> someone's leftover and I think that is the reason that the 2 >>> others cats >>> never contracted it considering that the other one had FeLV for >>> quite some >>> time now. >>> >>> Sharon >>> >>> On Fri, Apr 15, 2011 at 11:00 AM, Pam >>> Norman wrote: >>> >>>> I am trying to determine what to do with Poppy both now& when >>>> the IFA test >>>> results come in. I've been reading& reading& from what I can >>>> gather, the >>>> old dictums about NEVER havinig positive& negative cats even in >>>> the same >>>> house has been abandoned. From what I have read, the general >>>> sense is that >>>> it's fine for positives& negatives to be in the same home, but >>>> should be >>>> separate so there is no chance of exchanging fluids such as with >>>> a bite, but >>>> more importantly with mutual grooming. But I know also that >>>> some of you >>>> have both positives& negatives really living together, not >>>> separate. Right? &
Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives
Great link, thank you, Lynda! Pam On 4/15/2011 1:59 PM, Lynda Wilson wrote: Pam, I've done a lot of research myself and I asked my vet many questions. Here is a link that was very helpful to me and I had my vet review this in case she had a difference of opinion. This is very accurate information. I think it will answer many of your questions. Here is the link: http://www.wikifaq.com/Feline_Leukemia_FAQ#Is_there_any_risk_in_getting_my_cats_vaccinated.3F I will say that it's not worth the risk getting your other cats infected to socialize Poppy. She will be fine confined, just give her as much attention as possible at least until she has been cleared of the virus (meaning she is not permanently positive for leukemia). Also, I am in the same boat as you. My kitten (Crash) that I fostered, then adopted turned out to be FeLV negative this past Nov. 2010. On March 10, 2011 he had to be put down because he was in very bad shape. He was anemic, had a hear murmur and his oxygen level was next to nothing. He was fine 2 days prior. I actually took him in because he did not have a bowel movement in 2 days (we were treating him for diarrhea) and I just thought his new food was working well. Now my Ragdoll cat is at risk because I did not get him vaccinated against leukemia because he is strictly and indoor cat. So far, he has been negative but will test again on May 9th. I so want to get him another companion. It keeps him active and it's such a joy to watch to kitties play. Had I known that Crash was contagious with leukemia, I would have never exposed my other cat. This disease is fatal, with no cure. But I will say that the vaccine is not 100% (but none of them are) effective at all times, but it's better than not being protected at all. I hope that Poppy's immune system clears the virus. You may also get her siblings tested again to be safe and the mother as well. Good luck! I hope this info helps!! Lynda - Original Message - From: "Pam Norman" To: Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 1:00 PM Subject: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives I am trying to determine what to do with Poppy both now & when the IFA test results come in. I've been reading & reading & from what I can gather, the old dictums about NEVER havinig positive & negative cats even in the same house has been abandoned. From what I have read, the general sense is that it's fine for positives & negatives to be in the same home, but should be separate so there is no chance of exchanging fluids such as with a bite, but more importantly with mutual grooming. But I know also that some of you have both positives & negatives really living together, not separate. Right? What about if I put Poppy in her condo in the spare bedroom & let me cats visit, so at least she SEES other cats. What is she hisses & spits? Would that have a chance of infecting any of mine who were nosing around her condo? My feeling is that it would. Also how effective is the vaccine these days? I know that some years ago the figure was about 30% so I never had any of my cats vaccinated. Has it been improved? Right now we are still waiting for the IFA test for Poppy. And I guess she needs retesting on that in at least a month. I do NOT want to keep her alone until then. We have a sanctuary for her if she tests IFA positive cause then we know that she is really positive. But the person who runs it tells me that regardless of how she tests on the IFA, she HAS leukemia. Period. And would go in with the positive cats. But my understanding is that if she is IFA negative, she has a chance of fighting it off & putting her in with the positives is giving up. I think she should only go in with the positives if she tests IFA positive. Can anyone help me sort this out? Pam ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives
Bailey was really very healthy until his last year, he started having teeth problems and we had to pull a lot of his teeth, then he was fine for about 6 months and then stopped eating and became very anemic and lethargic and had constant diarrhea. We did the bone marrow aspirate and they found pre cancer cells so we were pretty sure he was developing cancer somewhere but we couldn't find it. We did ultrasounds, bloodwork but nothing was conclusive. He had a feeding tube because he wouldn't eat anything and I could tell he was uncomfortable when he got fed, I asked my vet if he could possibly have pancreatitis but she said his bloodwork didn't bear that out. I wish I had done the pancreatitis test but I didn't and after he passed 6 months later we did a necropsy and he had pancreatic cancer. If I had done that test when I noticed his eating aversion I may have caught it before it turned into cancer ... He never got any special food or meds until he got sick, then I gave him things to try and boost his immune system, but Bailey didn't like getting meds so I did only the bare minimum because stress is the worst thing for positives and getting meds was stressful for him. With the feeding tube it was a lot easier and he got more stuff then. On 4/15/2011 1:30 PM, Lynda Wilson wrote: Belinda, What a relief to hear! I feel you are so lucky because I don't hear very many stories as yours. I have read that 85% of kitties that test positive on the IFA test, don't live past 3 1/2 yrs. I'm so glad that you were able to enjoy Bailey as long as you did! What meds did you have him on? -- Belinda happiness is being owned by cats ... http://BelindaSauro.com http://HostDesign4U.com ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives
I'd love to hear ideas on that one! LOL I have 6 sep dishes & feed in 2 sep rooms... but, the other one's dish always seems to be more attractive for some reason-LOL There are times that I look over & its as though one said, "everyone more one to the right" & they did! And then there's the dog who thinks I've put down 6 dishes of treats for him!!! -Original Message- From: felvtalk-boun...@felineleukemia.org [mailto:felvtalk-boun...@felineleukemia.org] On Behalf Of dlg...@windstream.net Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 6:12 PM To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives How do you keep feeding bowls seperate? I have 7 and don't have enough rooms to keep them out of each other's bowls. Besides, each one thinks that he other's food is diffeent and better than theirs so the first few minutes of feeding is spent trading bowls just t make sure I get the best food. Sharon Catalan wrote: > Hello Pam, > > My 3 cats have been living together for 10 years now until my boy-cat > was just recently diagnosed with FeLV. He may have contracted it 2 > years ago when he ran outside and got into a fight with another cat. > We had the 2 other girl-cats tested and they're both negative. We had > the 2 other girl-cats vaccinated and currently, they are separated. > Doctor said that they can be together 30days after the 2 other cats > receive their 2nd shot of FeLV vaccination. Also, according to our > doctor, it should be okay for them to be together again as long as > they don't bite/scratch each other or share bodily fluids. Just keep > their feeding stuff completely separate. My cats never fight with > each other although occasionally, the other cat will eat someone's > leftover and I think that is the reason that the 2 others cats never > contracted it considering that the other one had FeLV for quite some time now. > > Sharon > > On Fri, Apr 15, 2011 at 11:00 AM, Pam Norman wrote: > > > I am trying to determine what to do with Poppy both now & when the > > IFA test results come in. I've been reading & reading & from what I > > can gather, the old dictums about NEVER havinig positive & negative > > cats even in the same house has been abandoned. From what I have > > read, the general sense is that it's fine for positives & negatives > > to be in the same home, but should be separate so there is no chance of exchanging fluids such as with a bite, but > > more importantly with mutual grooming. But I know also that some of you > > have both positives & negatives really living together, not separate. Right? > > > > What about if I put Poppy in her condo in the spare bedroom & let me > > cats visit, so at least she SEES other cats. What is she hisses & > > spits? Would that have a chance of infecting any of mine who were > > nosing around her condo? My feeling is that it would. > > > > Also how effective is the vaccine these days? I know that some > > years ago the figure was about 30% so I never had any of my cats > > vaccinated. Has it been improved? > > > > Right now we are still waiting for the IFA test for Poppy. And I > > guess she needs retesting on that in at least a month. I do NOT want > > to keep her alone until then. We have a sanctuary for her if she > > tests IFA positive cause then we know that she is really positive. > > But the person who runs it tells me that regardless of how she tests on the IFA, she HAS leukemia. Period. > > And would go in with the positive cats. But my understanding is > > that if she is IFA negative, she has a chance of fighting it off & > > putting her in with the positives is giving up. I think she should > > only go in with the positives if she tests IFA positive. > > > > Can anyone help me sort this out? > > > > Pam > > > > ___ > > Felvtalk mailing list > > Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > > http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.o > > rg > > > > > > -- > Sharon F Catalan > Cell: (408) 398-5647 > Home: (408) 229-2298 > Carpe Diem! > ___ > Felvtalk mailing list > Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives
On that note, Copper and Thomas go into their carriers when they want to be alone or are pissed off. They even close (not latch) the doors. They eat on a bench they started eating on as tiny kittens. Carriers are wonderful if they are safe places. My boys traveled from the day they came out of the pine thicket and, until they got grown, I took them on rides and visited people with them. Carriers are sources of adventure and fun. I have served the boys for almost 3 years and they travel with me to Louisville, to various other places with no troubleno fighting to get them in their carriers or searching for them for hours. They have a dog carriage (big baby carriage with screens and very big all-terrain wheels) to ride around outsidethey love that too. The crate idea is wonderful. Same principle as crate training a dog. Bob came crate trainedhe goes there to rest from the cats, to eat or tell me it is meal time, when he is wet etc. On Apr 15, 2011, at 6:34 PM, Pam Norman wrote: You all have been so helpful on my questions about Poppy I can't believe it! Maybe I can return the favor a bit & help here. Most of my 10 cats eat in their crates. I have them stacked in the kitchen & each cat knows which one is his & they go into them at meal times. Otherwise I too would run out of rooms. I have one who also eats in the bathroom & one who eats in my pc room, but the others all eat in their crates in the kitchen. Sometimes they nap or sleep in them too since they have good connotations. Pam On 4/15/2011 5:12 PM, dlg...@windstream.net wrote: How do you keep feeding bowls seperate? I have 7 and don't have enough rooms to keep them out of each other's bowls. Besides, each one thinks that he other's food is diffeent and better than theirs so the first few minutes of feeding is spent trading bowls just t make sure I get the best food. Sharon Catalan wrote: Hello Pam, My 3 cats have been living together for 10 years now until my boy- cat was just recently diagnosed with FeLV. He may have contracted it 2 years ago when he ran outside and got into a fight with another cat. We had the 2 other girl-cats tested and they're both negative. We had the 2 other girl-cats vaccinated and currently, they are separated. Doctor said that they can be together 30days after the 2 other cats receive their 2nd shot of FeLV vaccination. Also, according to our doctor, it should be okay for them to be together again as long as they don't bite/scratch each other or share bodily fluids. Just keep their feeding stuff completely separate. My cats never fight with each other although occasionally, the other cat will eat someone's leftover and I think that is the reason that the 2 others cats never contracted it considering that the other one had FeLV for quite some time now. Sharon On Fri, Apr 15, 2011 at 11:00 AM, Pam Norman wrote: I am trying to determine what to do with Poppy both now& when the IFA test results come in. I've been reading& reading& from what I can gather, the old dictums about NEVER havinig positive& negative cats even in the same house has been abandoned. From what I have read, the general sense is that it's fine for positives& negatives to be in the same home, but should be separate so there is no chance of exchanging fluids such as with a bite, but more importantly with mutual grooming. But I know also that some of you have both positives& negatives really living together, not separate. Right? What about if I put Poppy in her condo in the spare bedroom& let me cats visit, so at least she SEES other cats. What is she hisses& spits? Would that have a chance of infecting any of mine who were nosing around her condo? My feeling is that it would. Also how effective is the vaccine these days? I know that some years ago the figure was about 30% so I never had any of my cats vaccinated. Has it been improved? Right now we are still waiting for the IFA test for Poppy. And I guess she needs retesting on that in at least a month. I do NOT want to keep her alone until then. We have a sanctuary for her if she tests IFA positive cause then we know that she is really positive. But the person who runs it tells me that regardless of how she tests on the IFA, she HAS leukemia. Period. And would go in with the positive cats. But my understanding is that if she is IFA negative, she has a chance of fighting it off& putting her in with the positives is giving up. I think she should only go in with the positives if she tests IFA positive. Can anyone help me sort this out? Pam ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org -- Sharon F Catalan Cell: (408) 398-5647 Home: (408) 229-2298 Carpe Diem!
Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives
You all have been so helpful on my questions about Poppy I can't believe it! Maybe I can return the favor a bit & help here. Most of my 10 cats eat in their crates. I have them stacked in the kitchen & each cat knows which one is his & they go into them at meal times. Otherwise I too would run out of rooms. I have one who also eats in the bathroom & one who eats in my pc room, but the others all eat in their crates in the kitchen. Sometimes they nap or sleep in them too since they have good connotations. Pam On 4/15/2011 5:12 PM, dlg...@windstream.net wrote: How do you keep feeding bowls seperate? I have 7 and don't have enough rooms to keep them out of each other's bowls. Besides, each one thinks that he other's food is diffeent and better than theirs so the first few minutes of feeding is spent trading bowls just t make sure I get the best food. Sharon Catalan wrote: Hello Pam, My 3 cats have been living together for 10 years now until my boy-cat was just recently diagnosed with FeLV. He may have contracted it 2 years ago when he ran outside and got into a fight with another cat. We had the 2 other girl-cats tested and they're both negative. We had the 2 other girl-cats vaccinated and currently, they are separated. Doctor said that they can be together 30days after the 2 other cats receive their 2nd shot of FeLV vaccination. Also, according to our doctor, it should be okay for them to be together again as long as they don't bite/scratch each other or share bodily fluids. Just keep their feeding stuff completely separate. My cats never fight with each other although occasionally, the other cat will eat someone's leftover and I think that is the reason that the 2 others cats never contracted it considering that the other one had FeLV for quite some time now. Sharon On Fri, Apr 15, 2011 at 11:00 AM, Pam Norman wrote: I am trying to determine what to do with Poppy both now& when the IFA test results come in. I've been reading& reading& from what I can gather, the old dictums about NEVER havinig positive& negative cats even in the same house has been abandoned. From what I have read, the general sense is that it's fine for positives& negatives to be in the same home, but should be separate so there is no chance of exchanging fluids such as with a bite, but more importantly with mutual grooming. But I know also that some of you have both positives& negatives really living together, not separate. Right? What about if I put Poppy in her condo in the spare bedroom& let me cats visit, so at least she SEES other cats. What is she hisses& spits? Would that have a chance of infecting any of mine who were nosing around her condo? My feeling is that it would. Also how effective is the vaccine these days? I know that some years ago the figure was about 30% so I never had any of my cats vaccinated. Has it been improved? Right now we are still waiting for the IFA test for Poppy. And I guess she needs retesting on that in at least a month. I do NOT want to keep her alone until then. We have a sanctuary for her if she tests IFA positive cause then we know that she is really positive. But the person who runs it tells me that regardless of how she tests on the IFA, she HAS leukemia. Period. And would go in with the positive cats. But my understanding is that if she is IFA negative, she has a chance of fighting it off& putting her in with the positives is giving up. I think she should only go in with the positives if she tests IFA positive. Can anyone help me sort this out? Pam ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org -- Sharon F Catalan Cell: (408) 398-5647 Home: (408) 229-2298 Carpe Diem! ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives
First off, if she's neg on IFA I would go with that! Don't know why you wouldn't. Many of us mix pos/neg. I did that by accident when 1 of my cats tested pos 4 1/2 years after she tested neg on snap test. Never been outside so I assume she always had it. My other 3 cats were around her since kittenhood & nobody caught it even though they groomed, ate from same dishes, used same boxes, had the occasionally tussle, et. Got the 3 neg vacc & 5 years later, everybody's fine. My orig neg on the Elissa got me reading & apparently, just as you can get a false neg, you can also get a false pos. I'd go w. IFA which you should get within a day or so after blood is drawn. I'd put her in kitty condo & let her view the sights & sounds of indoor living! -Original Message- From: felvtalk-boun...@felineleukemia.org [mailto:felvtalk-boun...@felineleukemia.org] On Behalf Of Pam Norman Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 2:01 PM To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Subject: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives I am trying to determine what to do with Poppy both now & when the IFA test results come in. I've been reading & reading & from what I can gather, the old dictums about NEVER havinig positive & negative cats even in the same house has been abandoned. From what I have read, the general sense is that it's fine for positives & negatives to be in the same home, but should be separate so there is no chance of exchanging fluids such as with a bite, but more importantly with mutual grooming. But I know also that some of you have both positives & negatives really living together, not separate. Right? What about if I put Poppy in her condo in the spare bedroom & let me cats visit, so at least she SEES other cats. What is she hisses & spits? Would that have a chance of infecting any of mine who were nosing around her condo? My feeling is that it would. Also how effective is the vaccine these days? I know that some years ago the figure was about 30% so I never had any of my cats vaccinated. Has it been improved? Right now we are still waiting for the IFA test for Poppy. And I guess she needs retesting on that in at least a month. I do NOT want to keep her alone until then. We have a sanctuary for her if she tests IFA positive cause then we know that she is really positive. But the person who runs it tells me that regardless of how she tests on the IFA, she HAS leukemia. Period. And would go in with the positive cats. But my understanding is that if she is IFA negative, she has a chance of fighting it off & putting her in with the positives is giving up. I think she should only go in with the positives if she tests IFA positive. Can anyone help me sort this out? Pam ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives
How do you keep feeding bowls seperate? I have 7 and don't have enough rooms to keep them out of each other's bowls. Besides, each one thinks that he other's food is diffeent and better than theirs so the first few minutes of feeding is spent trading bowls just t make sure I get the best food. Sharon Catalan wrote: > Hello Pam, > > My 3 cats have been living together for 10 years now until my boy-cat was > just recently diagnosed with FeLV. He may have contracted it 2 years ago > when he ran outside and got into a fight with another cat. We had the 2 > other girl-cats tested and they're both negative. We had the 2 other > girl-cats vaccinated and currently, they are separated. Doctor said that > they can be together 30days after the 2 other cats receive their 2nd shot of > FeLV vaccination. Also, according to our doctor, it should be okay for them > to be together again as long as they don't bite/scratch each other or share > bodily fluids. Just keep their feeding stuff completely separate. My cats > never fight with each other although occasionally, the other cat will eat > someone's leftover and I think that is the reason that the 2 others cats > never contracted it considering that the other one had FeLV for quite some > time now. > > Sharon > > On Fri, Apr 15, 2011 at 11:00 AM, Pam Norman wrote: > > > I am trying to determine what to do with Poppy both now & when the IFA test > > results come in. I've been reading & reading & from what I can gather, the > > old dictums about NEVER havinig positive & negative cats even in the same > > house has been abandoned. From what I have read, the general sense is that > > it's fine for positives & negatives to be in the same home, but should be > > separate so there is no chance of exchanging fluids such as with a bite, but > > more importantly with mutual grooming. But I know also that some of you > > have both positives & negatives really living together, not separate. Right? > > > > What about if I put Poppy in her condo in the spare bedroom & let me cats > > visit, so at least she SEES other cats. What is she hisses & spits? Would > > that have a chance of infecting any of mine who were nosing around her > > condo? My feeling is that it would. > > > > Also how effective is the vaccine these days? I know that some years ago > > the figure was about 30% so I never had any of my cats vaccinated. Has it > > been improved? > > > > Right now we are still waiting for the IFA test for Poppy. And I guess she > > needs retesting on that in at least a month. I do NOT want to keep her alone > > until then. We have a sanctuary for her if she tests IFA positive cause > > then we know that she is really positive. But the person who runs it tells > > me that regardless of how she tests on the IFA, she HAS leukemia. Period. > > And would go in with the positive cats. But my understanding is that if > > she is IFA negative, she has a chance of fighting it off & putting her in > > with the positives is giving up. I think she should only go in with the > > positives if she tests IFA positive. > > > > Can anyone help me sort this out? > > > > Pam > > > > ___ > > Felvtalk mailing list > > Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > > http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org > > > > > > -- > Sharon F Catalan > Cell: (408) 398-5647 > Home: (408) 229-2298 > Carpe Diem! > ___ > Felvtalk mailing list > Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives
I think that the individual cat's health has a lot to do with their getting it or not. The only precaution I took was to keep my kittens seperate from my positives and negatives until they had gotten their second shots. For good measure, the vet said to wait anoter 2 weeks. They were only 3 month when I got them. Now they are over 1 year and healthy as can be. Only the kittens mutual groom, but they are brother and sister. We have snarls, slaps and screams, but no one has ever bitten anyone .In fact, negatives and positives are all healthy. We do go outside for an hour or two, but most of that time is spent on the deck and lately, we have not had any strays around, just a mountain lion during deer season, but he moved on. He has a large territory so he only shows up around deer season. Then I keep every one in to protect them from the lion and the hunters. Lynda Wilson wrote: > One more note, Crash & my Ragdoll shared everything and groomed one another > constantly since day one. This is why I am so concerned, but I have to > remind myself that my cat is a healthy 2 yr old and Crash was an unhealthy > kitten. > > > - Original Message - > From: "Pam Norman" > To: > Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 2:24 PM > Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives > > > > Lynda, you wrote that Crash was FeLeuk negative last November. Did you > > mean positive? Or had he been positive prior to this? > > > > On 4/15/2011 1:59 PM, Lynda Wilson wrote: > >> Pam, > >> > >> I've done a lot of research myself and I asked my vet many questions. > >> Here is a link that was very helpful to me and I had my vet review this > >> in case she had a difference of opinion. This is very accurate > >> information. I think it will answer many of your questions. Here is the > >> link: > >> http://www.wikifaq.com/Feline_Leukemia_FAQ#Is_there_any_risk_in_getting_my_cats_vaccinated.3F > >> > >> I will say that it's not worth the risk getting your other cats infected > >> to socialize Poppy. She will be fine confined, just give her as much > >> attention as possible at least until she has been cleared of the virus > >> (meaning she is not permanently positive for leukemia). > >> > >> Also, I am in the same boat as you. My kitten (Crash) that I fostered, > >> then adopted turned out to be FeLV negative this past Nov. 2010. On > >> March 10, 2011 he had to be put down because he was in very bad shape. He > >> was anemic, had a hear murmur and his oxygen level was next to nothing. > >> He was fine 2 days prior. I actually took him in because he did not have > >> a bowel movement in 2 days (we were treating him for diarrhea) and I just > >> thought his new food was working well. Now my Ragdoll cat is at risk > >> because I did not get him vaccinated against leukemia because he is > >> strictly and indoor cat. So far, he has been negative but will test again > >> on May 9th. I so want to get him another companion. It keeps him active > >> and it's such a joy to watch to kitties play. Had I known that Crash was > >> contagious with leukemia, I would have never exposed my other cat. This > >> disease is fatal, with no cure. But I will say that the vaccine is not > >> 100% (but none of them are) effective at all times, but it's better than > >> not being protected at all. > >> > >> I hope that Poppy's immune system clears the virus. You may also get her > >> siblings tested again to be safe and the mother as well. > >> > >> Good luck! I hope this info helps!! > >> > >> Lynda > >> > >> > >> > >> - Original Message - From: "Pam Norman" > >> To: > >> Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 1:00 PM > >> Subject: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives > >> > >> > >>> I am trying to determine what to do with Poppy both now & when the IFA > >>> test results come in. I've been reading & reading & from what I can > >>> gather, the old dictums about NEVER havinig positive & negative cats > >>> even in the same house has been abandoned. From what I have read, the > >>> general sense is that it's fine for positives & negatives to be in the > >>> same home, but should be separate so there is no chance of exchanging > >>> fluids such as with a bite, but more importantly with mutual grooming. > >>> But I know also that some
Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives
Sharon, I have read that some cats can be carriers of FeLV and test negative, but can transmit it to other cats. This is a crazy disease that has so many "if's" that it's confusing. Have you heard of this as well? Lynda - Original Message - From: "Sharon Catalan" To: Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 3:07 PM Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives Hello Pam, Yes, they did share everything for 10 years up until a month ago when we found out that the other one is positive. That is actually the biggest mystery - the 2 other cats never got infected. The doctor did say that we should test them again every 6 months. Sharon On Fri, Apr 15, 2011 at 12:20 PM, Pam Norman wrote: Sharon, What about grooming? I would assume that those cats, having lived together for 10 years, would mutually groom. That's sharing bodily fluids & I would think would be potentially harmful to the negative ones. Pam On 4/15/2011 1:28 PM, Sharon Catalan wrote: Hello Pam, My 3 cats have been living together for 10 years now until my boy-cat was just recently diagnosed with FeLV. He may have contracted it 2 years ago when he ran outside and got into a fight with another cat. We had the 2 other girl-cats tested and they're both negative. We had the 2 other girl-cats vaccinated and currently, they are separated. Doctor said that they can be together 30days after the 2 other cats receive their 2nd shot of FeLV vaccination. Also, according to our doctor, it should be okay for them to be together again as long as they don't bite/scratch each other or share bodily fluids. Just keep their feeding stuff completely separate. My cats never fight with each other although occasionally, the other cat will eat someone's leftover and I think that is the reason that the 2 others cats never contracted it considering that the other one had FeLV for quite some time now. Sharon On Fri, Apr 15, 2011 at 11:00 AM, Pam Norman wrote: I am trying to determine what to do with Poppy both now& when the IFA test results come in. I've been reading& reading& from what I can gather, the old dictums about NEVER havinig positive& negative cats even in the same house has been abandoned. From what I have read, the general sense is that it's fine for positives& negatives to be in the same home, but should be separate so there is no chance of exchanging fluids such as with a bite, but more importantly with mutual grooming. But I know also that some of you have both positives& negatives really living together, not separate. Right? What about if I put Poppy in her condo in the spare bedroom& let me cats visit, so at least she SEES other cats. What is she hisses& spits? Would that have a chance of infecting any of mine who were nosing around her condo? My feeling is that it would. Also how effective is the vaccine these days? I know that some years ago the figure was about 30% so I never had any of my cats vaccinated. Has it been improved? Right now we are still waiting for the IFA test for Poppy. And I guess she needs retesting on that in at least a month. I do NOT want to keep her alone until then. We have a sanctuary for her if she tests IFA positive cause then we know that she is really positive. But the person who runs it tells me that regardless of how she tests on the IFA, she HAS leukemia. Period. And would go in with the positive cats. But my understanding is that if she is IFA negative, she has a chance of fighting it off& putting her in with the positives is giving up. I think she should only go in with the positives if she tests IFA positive. Can anyone help me sort this out? Pam ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org -- Sharon F Catalan Cell: (408) 398-5647 Home: (408) 229-2298 Carpe Diem! ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives
Thanks, Maureen. I will gladly keep everyone updated. I was fortunate to be a part of this "Felv Talk" to read and share one another's experiences. Certainly it's always nice to hear of stories of kitties living with it for many, many years and defy the odds. No feline deserves this disease (or any for that matter!). You're right, he does have a better chance of clearing the virus. I'm hoping he already has. I hate the waiting part. I've read that you can test 28 days from last exposure, some say 90 days and then every 6 mos (what do you agree with?). It would be nice to find more consistency on the internet but I know better than to expect it. My vet said to test him in June, but I could not wait 3 mos from last exposure. I opted to test him every 30 days, then after June is passed and he still tests negative, I will feel he is out of the woods. Let's hope that Poppy's outcome is feline negative as well. Thanks for your input, Maureen! I'm so glad to be part of this "chat." Lynda - Original Message - From: "Maureen Olvey" To: Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 4:12 PM Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives I really hope your Ragdoll will be fine. Honestly, the odds are higer than he'll shake the virus or put it into latentcy. Please keep us posted as you get the final results in. If it turns out he is positive and there is no more doubt about it you could consider getting him a positive playmate. That would be a tough decision because then you could possibly have two cats you love that will not live a full life instead of just one. Course you could have two cats you love that both have FeLV and live forever. Hard to know and it would be hard for me to make that decision but I just wanted to mention it as an option if you 100% positively find out that your ragdoll is positive. Like I said, odds are higher that you won't even have to make that decision so I can't wait to hear good news about the ragdoll being negative. “I am not interested to know whether vivisection produces results that are profitable to the human race or doesn’t….the pain which it inflicts upon unconsenting animals is the basis of my enmity toward it, and it is to me sufficient justification of the enmity without looking further.” – Mark Twain From: longhornf...@verizon.net To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Date: Fri, 15 Apr 2011 15:45:12 -0500 Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives One more note, Crash & my Ragdoll shared everything and groomed one another constantly since day one. This is why I am so concerned, but I have to remind myself that my cat is a healthy 2 yr old and Crash was an unhealthy kitten. - Original Message - From: "Pam Norman" To: Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 2:24 PM Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives > Lynda, you wrote that Crash was FeLeuk negative last November. Did you > mean positive? Or had he been positive prior to this? > > On 4/15/2011 1:59 PM, Lynda Wilson wrote: >> Pam, >> >> I've done a lot of research myself and I asked my vet many questions. >> Here is a link that was very helpful to me and I had my vet review this >> in case she had a difference of opinion. This is very accurate >> information. I think it will answer many of your questions. Here is the >> link: >> http://www.wikifaq.com/Feline_Leukemia_FAQ#Is_there_any_risk_in_getting_my_cats_vaccinated.3F >> >> I will say that it's not worth the risk getting your other cats >> infected >> to socialize Poppy. She will be fine confined, just give her as much >> attention as possible at least until she has been cleared of the virus >> (meaning she is not permanently positive for leukemia). >> >> Also, I am in the same boat as you. My kitten (Crash) that I fostered, >> then adopted turned out to be FeLV negative this past Nov. 2010. On >> March 10, 2011 he had to be put down because he was in very bad shape. >> He >> was anemic, had a hear murmur and his oxygen level was next to nothing. >> He was fine 2 days prior. I actually took him in because he did not >> have >> a bowel movement in 2 days (we were treating him for diarrhea) and I >> just >> thought his new food was working well. Now my Ragdoll cat is at risk >> because I did not get him vaccinated against leukemia because he is >> strictly and indoor cat. So far, he has been negative but will test >> again >> on May 9th. I so want to get him another companion. It keeps him active >> and it's such a joy to watch to kitties play. Had I known that Crash >> was >> contagious with leukemia, I would have never exposed my other cat
Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives
I really hope your Ragdoll will be fine. Honestly, the odds are higer than he'll shake the virus or put it into latentcy. Please keep us posted as you get the final results in. If it turns out he is positive and there is no more doubt about it you could consider getting him a positive playmate. That would be a tough decision because then you could possibly have two cats you love that will not live a full life instead of just one. Course you could have two cats you love that both have FeLV and live forever. Hard to know and it would be hard for me to make that decision but I just wanted to mention it as an option if you 100% positively find out that your ragdoll is positive. Like I said, odds are higher that you won't even have to make that decision so I can't wait to hear good news about the ragdoll being negative. “I am not interested to know whether vivisection produces results that are profitable to the human race or doesn’t….the pain which it inflicts upon unconsenting animals is the basis of my enmity toward it, and it is to me sufficient justification of the enmity without looking further.” – Mark Twain > From: longhornf...@verizon.net > To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > Date: Fri, 15 Apr 2011 15:45:12 -0500 > Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives > > One more note, Crash & my Ragdoll shared everything and groomed one another > constantly since day one. This is why I am so concerned, but I have to > remind myself that my cat is a healthy 2 yr old and Crash was an unhealthy > kitten. > > > - Original Message - > From: "Pam Norman" > To: > Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 2:24 PM > Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives > > > > Lynda, you wrote that Crash was FeLeuk negative last November. Did you > > mean positive? Or had he been positive prior to this? > > > > On 4/15/2011 1:59 PM, Lynda Wilson wrote: > >> Pam, > >> > >> I've done a lot of research myself and I asked my vet many questions. > >> Here is a link that was very helpful to me and I had my vet review this > >> in case she had a difference of opinion. This is very accurate > >> information. I think it will answer many of your questions. Here is the > >> link: > >> http://www.wikifaq.com/Feline_Leukemia_FAQ#Is_there_any_risk_in_getting_my_cats_vaccinated.3F > >> > >> I will say that it's not worth the risk getting your other cats infected > >> to socialize Poppy. She will be fine confined, just give her as much > >> attention as possible at least until she has been cleared of the virus > >> (meaning she is not permanently positive for leukemia). > >> > >> Also, I am in the same boat as you. My kitten (Crash) that I fostered, > >> then adopted turned out to be FeLV negative this past Nov. 2010. On > >> March 10, 2011 he had to be put down because he was in very bad shape. He > >> was anemic, had a hear murmur and his oxygen level was next to nothing. > >> He was fine 2 days prior. I actually took him in because he did not have > >> a bowel movement in 2 days (we were treating him for diarrhea) and I just > >> thought his new food was working well. Now my Ragdoll cat is at risk > >> because I did not get him vaccinated against leukemia because he is > >> strictly and indoor cat. So far, he has been negative but will test again > >> on May 9th. I so want to get him another companion. It keeps him active > >> and it's such a joy to watch to kitties play. Had I known that Crash was > >> contagious with leukemia, I would have never exposed my other cat. This > >> disease is fatal, with no cure. But I will say that the vaccine is not > >> 100% (but none of them are) effective at all times, but it's better than > >> not being protected at all. > >> > >> I hope that Poppy's immune system clears the virus. You may also get her > >> siblings tested again to be safe and the mother as well. > >> > >> Good luck! I hope this info helps!! > >> > >> Lynda > >> > >> > >> > >> - Original Message - From: "Pam Norman" > >> To: > >> Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 1:00 PM > >> Subject: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives > >> > >> > >>> I am trying to determine what to do with Poppy both now & when the IFA > >>> test results come in. I've been reading & reading & from what I can > >>> gather, the old dictums about NEVER havinig positive &
Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives
Pam - I would search the archives on "mixing". I have always mixed my positives & negatives, on the advice of my vet. My negatives are vaccinated & they have never gotten it in 10 years. I do NOT separate in any way. They share everything - food, water, litter, grooming... Beth Don't Litter, Fix Your Critter! www.Furkids.org --- On Fri, 4/15/11, Pam Norman wrote: From: Pam Norman Subject: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Date: Friday, April 15, 2011, 2:00 PM I am trying to determine what to do with Poppy both now & when the IFA test results come in. I've been reading & reading & from what I can gather, the old dictums about NEVER havinig positive & negative cats even in the same house has been abandoned. From what I have read, the general sense is that it's fine for positives & negatives to be in the same home, but should be separate so there is no chance of exchanging fluids such as with a bite, but more importantly with mutual grooming. But I know also that some of you have both positives & negatives really living together, not separate. Right? What about if I put Poppy in her condo in the spare bedroom & let me cats visit, so at least she SEES other cats. What is she hisses & spits? Would that have a chance of infecting any of mine who were nosing around her condo? My feeling is that it would. Also how effective is the vaccine these days? I know that some years ago the figure was about 30% so I never had any of my cats vaccinated. Has it been improved? Right now we are still waiting for the IFA test for Poppy. And I guess she needs retesting on that in at least a month. I do NOT want to keep her alone until then. We have a sanctuary for her if she tests IFA positive cause then we know that she is really positive. But the person who runs it tells me that regardless of how she tests on the IFA, she HAS leukemia. Period. And would go in with the positive cats. But my understanding is that if she is IFA negative, she has a chance of fighting it off & putting her in with the positives is giving up. I think she should only go in with the positives if she tests IFA positive. Can anyone help me sort this out? Pam ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives
I read that too about the 85% that will live a max of 3.5 years. Someone in my feline asthma group said her cat lived until she was 16. Can you believe that? She said the cat lived indoors since a kitten and hadn't mixed with other cats so she assumes that the cat got the disease as a kitten. I thought that was incredible. 11 years is outstanding also. How fortunate you are. Some cats just defy the odds I guess. “I am not interested to know whether vivisection produces results that are profitable to the human race or doesn’t….the pain which it inflicts upon unconsenting animals is the basis of my enmity toward it, and it is to me sufficient justification of the enmity without looking further.” – Mark Twain > From: longhornf...@verizon.net > To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > Date: Fri, 15 Apr 2011 15:30:51 -0500 > Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives > > Belinda, > > What a relief to hear! I feel you are so lucky because I don't hear very > many stories as yours. I have read that 85% of kitties that test positive on > the IFA test, don't live past 3 1/2 yrs. I'm so glad that you were able to > enjoy Bailey as long as you did! What meds did you have him on? > > Lynda > - Original Message - > From: "Belinda Sauro" > To: > Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 2:29 PM > Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives > > > > My Bailey lived with his housemates from the time he was 5 months > > old (tested positive then) until he passed of cancer at age 11 years, they > > slept, ate, groomed and on occasion had little spats, none of his > > vaccinated housemates ever became positive. I had them tested > > intermittently and they were always negative. I lost Bailey in 2006 and > > his remaining housemates are still negative. > > > > -- > > Belinda > > happiness is being owned by cats ... > > > > http://BelindaSauro.com > > http://HostDesign4U.com > > > > > > ___ > > Felvtalk mailing list > > Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > > http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org > > > > > > ___ > Felvtalk mailing list > Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives
One more note, Crash & my Ragdoll shared everything and groomed one another constantly since day one. This is why I am so concerned, but I have to remind myself that my cat is a healthy 2 yr old and Crash was an unhealthy kitten. - Original Message - From: "Pam Norman" To: Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 2:24 PM Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives Lynda, you wrote that Crash was FeLeuk negative last November. Did you mean positive? Or had he been positive prior to this? On 4/15/2011 1:59 PM, Lynda Wilson wrote: Pam, I've done a lot of research myself and I asked my vet many questions. Here is a link that was very helpful to me and I had my vet review this in case she had a difference of opinion. This is very accurate information. I think it will answer many of your questions. Here is the link: http://www.wikifaq.com/Feline_Leukemia_FAQ#Is_there_any_risk_in_getting_my_cats_vaccinated.3F I will say that it's not worth the risk getting your other cats infected to socialize Poppy. She will be fine confined, just give her as much attention as possible at least until she has been cleared of the virus (meaning she is not permanently positive for leukemia). Also, I am in the same boat as you. My kitten (Crash) that I fostered, then adopted turned out to be FeLV negative this past Nov. 2010. On March 10, 2011 he had to be put down because he was in very bad shape. He was anemic, had a hear murmur and his oxygen level was next to nothing. He was fine 2 days prior. I actually took him in because he did not have a bowel movement in 2 days (we were treating him for diarrhea) and I just thought his new food was working well. Now my Ragdoll cat is at risk because I did not get him vaccinated against leukemia because he is strictly and indoor cat. So far, he has been negative but will test again on May 9th. I so want to get him another companion. It keeps him active and it's such a joy to watch to kitties play. Had I known that Crash was contagious with leukemia, I would have never exposed my other cat. This disease is fatal, with no cure. But I will say that the vaccine is not 100% (but none of them are) effective at all times, but it's better than not being protected at all. I hope that Poppy's immune system clears the virus. You may also get her siblings tested again to be safe and the mother as well. Good luck! I hope this info helps!! Lynda - Original Message - From: "Pam Norman" To: Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 1:00 PM Subject: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives I am trying to determine what to do with Poppy both now & when the IFA test results come in. I've been reading & reading & from what I can gather, the old dictums about NEVER havinig positive & negative cats even in the same house has been abandoned. From what I have read, the general sense is that it's fine for positives & negatives to be in the same home, but should be separate so there is no chance of exchanging fluids such as with a bite, but more importantly with mutual grooming. But I know also that some of you have both positives & negatives really living together, not separate. Right? What about if I put Poppy in her condo in the spare bedroom & let me cats visit, so at least she SEES other cats. What is she hisses & spits? Would that have a chance of infecting any of mine who were nosing around her condo? My feeling is that it would. Also how effective is the vaccine these days? I know that some years ago the figure was about 30% so I never had any of my cats vaccinated. Has it been improved? Right now we are still waiting for the IFA test for Poppy. And I guess she needs retesting on that in at least a month. I do NOT want to keep her alone until then. We have a sanctuary for her if she tests IFA positive cause then we know that she is really positive. But the person who runs it tells me that regardless of how she tests on the IFA, she HAS leukemia. Period. And would go in with the positive cats. But my understanding is that if she is IFA negative, she has a chance of fighting it off & putting her in with the positives is giving up. I think she should only go in with the positives if she tests IFA positive. Can anyone help me sort this out? Pam ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org _
Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives
I agree with Maureen. The link I provided you with reiterates what she is saying. But I don't know who told you that a neg IFA test still means the cat has FeLV. The test has to be a positive for the cat to be persistently viremic. Like I said, there are so many possibilities with this disease as to how it affects a cat individually. It's all up to their immune system. Adult cats have a greater chance of clearing the virus than a kitten whos immune systems has not been established. Lynda - Original Message - From: "Maureen Olvey" To: Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 3:11 PM Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives Pam, I haven't had a chance to check out this link so it may cover everything I say but I wanted to share what I've learned about FeLV just in case it didn't cover everything. I've read a lot of websites, books and talked with several vets about all this. My understanding is very rudimentary but here's what I've read: If a cat test positive on the IFA test then it has FeLV and is shedding the virus in the saliva and blood. This test looks for the virus in the white blood cells so once the virus has gotten that far it means the immune system wasn't able to extinguish the virus and almost 100 percent chance the cat will always be positive and shedding the virus and can infect other cats. No need to do any further testing. At this point, if the IFA test is negative it can mean a couple of different things. 1) It can mean the ELISA test done in the vet's office was just plain wrong. It's a sensitive test and can easily produce false positives. It should never be solely relied upon as a diagnosis for FeLV. 2) A negative IFA test could also mean that the cat really has gotten the virus, which means the ELISA test was correct, but the virus hasn't reached the white blood cells. If this is the case, the cat still has a chance for the immune system to either extinguish the virus or put it into latentcy. From what I've read about 40% of these cats will extinguish the virus or put it into latentcy. But since all cats don't extinguish the virus if this first IFA test shows negative, to be certain the IFA test should be repeated a few months later. If the cat has actually put the virus into latentcy it means the virus is in the bone marrow but isn't being shed so it is not infective to other cats. However, the virus can be brought out of latentcy even years later if the cat becomes ill or has some other major stressors. But many cats who do initially put the virus into latentcy will later on extinguish the virus so you just never know. The vet book I just read said that the only way to find out if a cat has the virus in the bone marrow, meaning it's dormant/latent, is to do a biopsy of the bone marrow. That means that there really may be lots of cats out there that have contracted FeLV but put it into latentcy and the owner never even knows. The books said only about 10% of exposed cats will put it into latentcy though. So most will either extinguish the virus or become carriers (persistently viremic). So I believe the woman who told you that a negative IFA test still means the cat has FeLV is wrong and myself I wouldn't put her in with positive cats until you know her true status. Or, at least get Poppy vaccinated before putting her in there with positive cats. It does take continued and prolonged exposure for a cat to get the FeLV virus into it's system. Cats who eat after each other only on rare occasions are not likely to spread the virus. My thoughts are that if Poppy is in a cat condo and occasionally hisses at another cat it's not likely that would be enough exposure for the negative cat to get it. Especially if the negative is a healthy adult cat. That's not a guarantee though so you have to decide for yourself about that one. The vaccination has become much more effective. Seems like I read somewhere that it was 90%. I have a friend who has had several FeLV positive cats living with negatives and even a couple FIV positive cats, for many years. She has way more cats than you. All the FeLV negative cats, including the FIV positive cats, get FeLV vaccinations every year and have never gotten FeLV. They all live together, share food and water bowls, etc. She's not the only one with these kinds of results with a house where positive and negatives hangout together. Can't think of anything else right now. It's very confusing though. I have more cats than you and in March a two year old died and we found out she had FeLV even though she tested negative as a kitten. I'm going through the process of re-testing all the other cats right now. I've only gotten 5 tested so far but all 5 have been negative, thank the Lord. Four out of those
Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives
Belinda, What a relief to hear! I feel you are so lucky because I don't hear very many stories as yours. I have read that 85% of kitties that test positive on the IFA test, don't live past 3 1/2 yrs. I'm so glad that you were able to enjoy Bailey as long as you did! What meds did you have him on? Lynda - Original Message - From: "Belinda Sauro" To: Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 2:29 PM Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives My Bailey lived with his housemates from the time he was 5 months old (tested positive then) until he passed of cancer at age 11 years, they slept, ate, groomed and on occasion had little spats, none of his vaccinated housemates ever became positive. I had them tested intermittently and they were always negative. I lost Bailey in 2006 and his remaining housemates are still negative. -- Belinda happiness is being owned by cats ... http://BelindaSauro.com http://HostDesign4U.com ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives
He was actually negative. The Humane Society tested him for it prior to me having him neutered at 5 1/2 mos in Nov (they wanted to neuter him at 12 weeks and I would not allow it, so I had to foster him in order to have it done later). By March, he tests positive for Feline Leukemia. I know that he had a weakened immune system because he had coccidia along with his siblings when he was born. So I was very surprised. The HS said since Crash tested positive then they would have to test his siblings. Now all are 9 mos old (same as Crash was obviously) and all tested negative. So they must have cleared the virus but his system could not. I do hope you found my link helpful. It was helpful to me. This is a very mysterious disease. Some cats can be carriers and test negative but can still infect others. It's crazy! I hope they find a cure for it and soon!! - Original Message - From: "Pam Norman" To: Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 2:24 PM Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives Lynda, you wrote that Crash was FeLeuk negative last November. Did you mean positive? Or had he been positive prior to this? On 4/15/2011 1:59 PM, Lynda Wilson wrote: Pam, I've done a lot of research myself and I asked my vet many questions. Here is a link that was very helpful to me and I had my vet review this in case she had a difference of opinion. This is very accurate information. I think it will answer many of your questions. Here is the link: http://www.wikifaq.com/Feline_Leukemia_FAQ#Is_there_any_risk_in_getting_my_cats_vaccinated.3F I will say that it's not worth the risk getting your other cats infected to socialize Poppy. She will be fine confined, just give her as much attention as possible at least until she has been cleared of the virus (meaning she is not permanently positive for leukemia). Also, I am in the same boat as you. My kitten (Crash) that I fostered, then adopted turned out to be FeLV negative this past Nov. 2010. On March 10, 2011 he had to be put down because he was in very bad shape. He was anemic, had a hear murmur and his oxygen level was next to nothing. He was fine 2 days prior. I actually took him in because he did not have a bowel movement in 2 days (we were treating him for diarrhea) and I just thought his new food was working well. Now my Ragdoll cat is at risk because I did not get him vaccinated against leukemia because he is strictly and indoor cat. So far, he has been negative but will test again on May 9th. I so want to get him another companion. It keeps him active and it's such a joy to watch to kitties play. Had I known that Crash was contagious with leukemia, I would have never exposed my other cat. This disease is fatal, with no cure. But I will say that the vaccine is not 100% (but none of them are) effective at all times, but it's better than not being protected at all. I hope that Poppy's immune system clears the virus. You may also get her siblings tested again to be safe and the mother as well. Good luck! I hope this info helps!! Lynda - Original Message - From: "Pam Norman" To: Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 1:00 PM Subject: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives I am trying to determine what to do with Poppy both now & when the IFA test results come in. I've been reading & reading & from what I can gather, the old dictums about NEVER havinig positive & negative cats even in the same house has been abandoned. From what I have read, the general sense is that it's fine for positives & negatives to be in the same home, but should be separate so there is no chance of exchanging fluids such as with a bite, but more importantly with mutual grooming. But I know also that some of you have both positives & negatives really living together, not separate. Right? What about if I put Poppy in her condo in the spare bedroom & let me cats visit, so at least she SEES other cats. What is she hisses & spits? Would that have a chance of infecting any of mine who were nosing around her condo? My feeling is that it would. Also how effective is the vaccine these days? I know that some years ago the figure was about 30% so I never had any of my cats vaccinated. Has it been improved? Right now we are still waiting for the IFA test for Poppy. And I guess she needs retesting on that in at least a month. I do NOT want to keep her alone until then. We have a sanctuary for her if she tests IFA positive cause then we know that she is really positive. But the person who runs it tells me that regardless of how she tests on the IFA, she HAS leukemia. Period. And would go in with the positive cats. But my understanding is that if she is IFA negative, she has a chance of fighting it off & putting her in with the positives is giving up. I think she s
Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives
Sounds to me like yet another example of healthy cats being able to fight off the virus or put it into latentcy. “I am not interested to know whether vivisection produces results that are profitable to the human race or doesn’t….the pain which it inflicts upon unconsenting animals is the basis of my enmity toward it, and it is to me sufficient justification of the enmity without looking further.” – Mark Twain > Date: Fri, 15 Apr 2011 13:07:42 -0700 > From: scata...@gmail.com > To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives > > Hello Pam, > Yes, they did share everything for 10 years up until a month ago when we > found out that the other one is positive. That is actually the biggest > mystery - the 2 other cats never got infected. The doctor did say that we > should test them again every 6 months. > > Sharon > > On Fri, Apr 15, 2011 at 12:20 PM, Pam Norman wrote: > > > Sharon, > > > > What about grooming? I would assume that those cats, having lived > > together for 10 years, would mutually groom. That's sharing bodily fluids & > > I would think would be potentially harmful to the negative ones. > > > > Pam > > > > > > On 4/15/2011 1:28 PM, Sharon Catalan wrote: > > > >> Hello Pam, > >> > >> My 3 cats have been living together for 10 years now until my boy-cat was > >> just recently diagnosed with FeLV. He may have contracted it 2 years ago > >> when he ran outside and got into a fight with another cat. We had the 2 > >> other girl-cats tested and they're both negative. We had the 2 other > >> girl-cats vaccinated and currently, they are separated. Doctor said that > >> they can be together 30days after the 2 other cats receive their 2nd shot > >> of > >> FeLV vaccination. Also, according to our doctor, it should be okay for > >> them > >> to be together again as long as they don't bite/scratch each other or > >> share > >> bodily fluids. Just keep their feeding stuff completely separate. My > >> cats > >> never fight with each other although occasionally, the other cat will eat > >> someone's leftover and I think that is the reason that the 2 others cats > >> never contracted it considering that the other one had FeLV for quite some > >> time now. > >> > >> Sharon > >> > >> On Fri, Apr 15, 2011 at 11:00 AM, Pam Norman > >> wrote: > >> > >> I am trying to determine what to do with Poppy both now& when the IFA > >>> test > >>> results come in. I've been reading& reading& from what I can gather, > >>> the > >>> old dictums about NEVER havinig positive& negative cats even in the same > >>> house has been abandoned. From what I have read, the general sense is > >>> that > >>> it's fine for positives& negatives to be in the same home, but should be > >>> separate so there is no chance of exchanging fluids such as with a bite, > >>> but > >>> more importantly with mutual grooming. But I know also that some of you > >>> have both positives& negatives really living together, not separate. > >>> Right? > >>> > >>> What about if I put Poppy in her condo in the spare bedroom& let me cats > >>> visit, so at least she SEES other cats. What is she hisses& spits? > >>> Would > >>> that have a chance of infecting any of mine who were nosing around her > >>> condo? My feeling is that it would. > >>> > >>> Also how effective is the vaccine these days? I know that some years ago > >>> the figure was about 30% so I never had any of my cats vaccinated. Has > >>> it > >>> been improved? > >>> > >>> Right now we are still waiting for the IFA test for Poppy. And I guess > >>> she > >>> needs retesting on that in at least a month. I do NOT want to keep her > >>> alone > >>> until then. We have a sanctuary for her if she tests IFA positive cause > >>> then we know that she is really positive. But the person who runs it > >>> tells > >>> me that regardless of how she tests on the IFA, she HAS leukemia. > >>> Period. > >>> And would go in with the positive cats. But my understanding is that if > >>> she is IFA negative, she has a chance of fighting it off& putting her in > >>> wi
Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives
hout looking further.” – Mark Twain > From: longhornf...@verizon.net > To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > Date: Fri, 15 Apr 2011 13:59:38 -0500 > Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives > > Pam, > > I've done a lot of research myself and I asked my vet many questions. Here > is a link that was very helpful to me and I had my vet review this in case > she had a difference of opinion. This is very accurate information. I think > it will answer many of your questions. Here is the link: > http://www.wikifaq.com/Feline_Leukemia_FAQ#Is_there_any_risk_in_getting_my_cats_vaccinated.3F > > I will say that it's not worth the risk getting your other cats infected to > socialize Poppy. She will be fine confined, just give her as much attention > as possible at least until she has been cleared of the virus (meaning she is > not permanently positive for leukemia). > > Also, I am in the same boat as you. My kitten (Crash) that I fostered, then > adopted turned out to be FeLV negative this past Nov. 2010. On March 10, > 2011 he had to be put down because he was in very bad shape. He was anemic, > had a hear murmur and his oxygen level was next to nothing. He was fine 2 > days prior. I actually took him in because he did not have a bowel movement > in 2 days (we were treating him for diarrhea) and I just thought his new > food was working well. Now my Ragdoll cat is at risk because I did not get > him vaccinated against leukemia because he is strictly and indoor cat. So > far, he has been negative but will test again on May 9th. I so want to get > him another companion. It keeps him active and it's such a joy to watch to > kitties play. Had I known that Crash was contagious with leukemia, I would > have never exposed my other cat. This disease is fatal, with no cure. But I > will say that the vaccine is not 100% (but none of them are) effective at > all times, but it's better than not being protected at all. > > I hope that Poppy's immune system clears the virus. You may also get her > siblings tested again to be safe and the mother as well. > > Good luck! I hope this info helps!! > > Lynda > > > > ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives
Hello Pam, Yes, they did share everything for 10 years up until a month ago when we found out that the other one is positive. That is actually the biggest mystery - the 2 other cats never got infected. The doctor did say that we should test them again every 6 months. Sharon On Fri, Apr 15, 2011 at 12:20 PM, Pam Norman wrote: > Sharon, > > What about grooming? I would assume that those cats, having lived > together for 10 years, would mutually groom. That's sharing bodily fluids & > I would think would be potentially harmful to the negative ones. > > Pam > > > On 4/15/2011 1:28 PM, Sharon Catalan wrote: > >> Hello Pam, >> >> My 3 cats have been living together for 10 years now until my boy-cat was >> just recently diagnosed with FeLV. He may have contracted it 2 years ago >> when he ran outside and got into a fight with another cat. We had the 2 >> other girl-cats tested and they're both negative. We had the 2 other >> girl-cats vaccinated and currently, they are separated. Doctor said that >> they can be together 30days after the 2 other cats receive their 2nd shot >> of >> FeLV vaccination. Also, according to our doctor, it should be okay for >> them >> to be together again as long as they don't bite/scratch each other or >> share >> bodily fluids. Just keep their feeding stuff completely separate. My >> cats >> never fight with each other although occasionally, the other cat will eat >> someone's leftover and I think that is the reason that the 2 others cats >> never contracted it considering that the other one had FeLV for quite some >> time now. >> >> Sharon >> >> On Fri, Apr 15, 2011 at 11:00 AM, Pam Norman >> wrote: >> >> I am trying to determine what to do with Poppy both now& when the IFA >>> test >>> results come in. I've been reading& reading& from what I can gather, >>> the >>> old dictums about NEVER havinig positive& negative cats even in the same >>> house has been abandoned. From what I have read, the general sense is >>> that >>> it's fine for positives& negatives to be in the same home, but should be >>> separate so there is no chance of exchanging fluids such as with a bite, >>> but >>> more importantly with mutual grooming. But I know also that some of you >>> have both positives& negatives really living together, not separate. >>> Right? >>> >>> What about if I put Poppy in her condo in the spare bedroom& let me cats >>> visit, so at least she SEES other cats. What is she hisses& spits? >>> Would >>> that have a chance of infecting any of mine who were nosing around her >>> condo? My feeling is that it would. >>> >>> Also how effective is the vaccine these days? I know that some years ago >>> the figure was about 30% so I never had any of my cats vaccinated. Has >>> it >>> been improved? >>> >>> Right now we are still waiting for the IFA test for Poppy. And I guess >>> she >>> needs retesting on that in at least a month. I do NOT want to keep her >>> alone >>> until then. We have a sanctuary for her if she tests IFA positive cause >>> then we know that she is really positive. But the person who runs it >>> tells >>> me that regardless of how she tests on the IFA, she HAS leukemia. >>> Period. >>> And would go in with the positive cats. But my understanding is that if >>> she is IFA negative, she has a chance of fighting it off& putting her in >>> with the positives is giving up. I think she should only go in with the >>> positives if she tests IFA positive. >>> >>> Can anyone help me sort this out? >>> >>> Pam >>> >>> ___ >>> Felvtalk mailing list >>> Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org >>> http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org >>> >>> >> >> ___ > Felvtalk mailing list > Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org > -- Sharon F Catalan Cell: (408) 398-5647 Home: (408) 229-2298 Carpe Diem! ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives
My Bailey lived with his housemates from the time he was 5 months old (tested positive then) until he passed of cancer at age 11 years, they slept, ate, groomed and on occasion had little spats, none of his vaccinated housemates ever became positive. I had them tested intermittently and they were always negative. I lost Bailey in 2006 and his remaining housemates are still negative. -- Belinda happiness is being owned by cats ... http://BelindaSauro.com http://HostDesign4U.com ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives
Lynda, you wrote that Crash was FeLeuk negative last November. Did you mean positive? Or had he been positive prior to this? On 4/15/2011 1:59 PM, Lynda Wilson wrote: Pam, I've done a lot of research myself and I asked my vet many questions. Here is a link that was very helpful to me and I had my vet review this in case she had a difference of opinion. This is very accurate information. I think it will answer many of your questions. Here is the link: http://www.wikifaq.com/Feline_Leukemia_FAQ#Is_there_any_risk_in_getting_my_cats_vaccinated.3F I will say that it's not worth the risk getting your other cats infected to socialize Poppy. She will be fine confined, just give her as much attention as possible at least until she has been cleared of the virus (meaning she is not permanently positive for leukemia). Also, I am in the same boat as you. My kitten (Crash) that I fostered, then adopted turned out to be FeLV negative this past Nov. 2010. On March 10, 2011 he had to be put down because he was in very bad shape. He was anemic, had a hear murmur and his oxygen level was next to nothing. He was fine 2 days prior. I actually took him in because he did not have a bowel movement in 2 days (we were treating him for diarrhea) and I just thought his new food was working well. Now my Ragdoll cat is at risk because I did not get him vaccinated against leukemia because he is strictly and indoor cat. So far, he has been negative but will test again on May 9th. I so want to get him another companion. It keeps him active and it's such a joy to watch to kitties play. Had I known that Crash was contagious with leukemia, I would have never exposed my other cat. This disease is fatal, with no cure. But I will say that the vaccine is not 100% (but none of them are) effective at all times, but it's better than not being protected at all. I hope that Poppy's immune system clears the virus. You may also get her siblings tested again to be safe and the mother as well. Good luck! I hope this info helps!! Lynda - Original Message - From: "Pam Norman" To: Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 1:00 PM Subject: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives I am trying to determine what to do with Poppy both now & when the IFA test results come in. I've been reading & reading & from what I can gather, the old dictums about NEVER havinig positive & negative cats even in the same house has been abandoned. From what I have read, the general sense is that it's fine for positives & negatives to be in the same home, but should be separate so there is no chance of exchanging fluids such as with a bite, but more importantly with mutual grooming. But I know also that some of you have both positives & negatives really living together, not separate. Right? What about if I put Poppy in her condo in the spare bedroom & let me cats visit, so at least she SEES other cats. What is she hisses & spits? Would that have a chance of infecting any of mine who were nosing around her condo? My feeling is that it would. Also how effective is the vaccine these days? I know that some years ago the figure was about 30% so I never had any of my cats vaccinated. Has it been improved? Right now we are still waiting for the IFA test for Poppy. And I guess she needs retesting on that in at least a month. I do NOT want to keep her alone until then. We have a sanctuary for her if she tests IFA positive cause then we know that she is really positive. But the person who runs it tells me that regardless of how she tests on the IFA, she HAS leukemia. Period. And would go in with the positive cats. But my understanding is that if she is IFA negative, she has a chance of fighting it off & putting her in with the positives is giving up. I think she should only go in with the positives if she tests IFA positive. Can anyone help me sort this out? Pam ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives
Sharon, What about grooming? I would assume that those cats, having lived together for 10 years, would mutually groom. That's sharing bodily fluids & I would think would be potentially harmful to the negative ones. Pam On 4/15/2011 1:28 PM, Sharon Catalan wrote: Hello Pam, My 3 cats have been living together for 10 years now until my boy-cat was just recently diagnosed with FeLV. He may have contracted it 2 years ago when he ran outside and got into a fight with another cat. We had the 2 other girl-cats tested and they're both negative. We had the 2 other girl-cats vaccinated and currently, they are separated. Doctor said that they can be together 30days after the 2 other cats receive their 2nd shot of FeLV vaccination. Also, according to our doctor, it should be okay for them to be together again as long as they don't bite/scratch each other or share bodily fluids. Just keep their feeding stuff completely separate. My cats never fight with each other although occasionally, the other cat will eat someone's leftover and I think that is the reason that the 2 others cats never contracted it considering that the other one had FeLV for quite some time now. Sharon On Fri, Apr 15, 2011 at 11:00 AM, Pam Norman wrote: I am trying to determine what to do with Poppy both now& when the IFA test results come in. I've been reading& reading& from what I can gather, the old dictums about NEVER havinig positive& negative cats even in the same house has been abandoned. From what I have read, the general sense is that it's fine for positives& negatives to be in the same home, but should be separate so there is no chance of exchanging fluids such as with a bite, but more importantly with mutual grooming. But I know also that some of you have both positives& negatives really living together, not separate. Right? What about if I put Poppy in her condo in the spare bedroom& let me cats visit, so at least she SEES other cats. What is she hisses& spits? Would that have a chance of infecting any of mine who were nosing around her condo? My feeling is that it would. Also how effective is the vaccine these days? I know that some years ago the figure was about 30% so I never had any of my cats vaccinated. Has it been improved? Right now we are still waiting for the IFA test for Poppy. And I guess she needs retesting on that in at least a month. I do NOT want to keep her alone until then. We have a sanctuary for her if she tests IFA positive cause then we know that she is really positive. But the person who runs it tells me that regardless of how she tests on the IFA, she HAS leukemia. Period. And would go in with the positive cats. But my understanding is that if she is IFA negative, she has a chance of fighting it off& putting her in with the positives is giving up. I think she should only go in with the positives if she tests IFA positive. Can anyone help me sort this out? Pam ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives
Pam, I've done a lot of research myself and I asked my vet many questions. Here is a link that was very helpful to me and I had my vet review this in case she had a difference of opinion. This is very accurate information. I think it will answer many of your questions. Here is the link: http://www.wikifaq.com/Feline_Leukemia_FAQ#Is_there_any_risk_in_getting_my_cats_vaccinated.3F I will say that it's not worth the risk getting your other cats infected to socialize Poppy. She will be fine confined, just give her as much attention as possible at least until she has been cleared of the virus (meaning she is not permanently positive for leukemia). Also, I am in the same boat as you. My kitten (Crash) that I fostered, then adopted turned out to be FeLV negative this past Nov. 2010. On March 10, 2011 he had to be put down because he was in very bad shape. He was anemic, had a hear murmur and his oxygen level was next to nothing. He was fine 2 days prior. I actually took him in because he did not have a bowel movement in 2 days (we were treating him for diarrhea) and I just thought his new food was working well. Now my Ragdoll cat is at risk because I did not get him vaccinated against leukemia because he is strictly and indoor cat. So far, he has been negative but will test again on May 9th. I so want to get him another companion. It keeps him active and it's such a joy to watch to kitties play. Had I known that Crash was contagious with leukemia, I would have never exposed my other cat. This disease is fatal, with no cure. But I will say that the vaccine is not 100% (but none of them are) effective at all times, but it's better than not being protected at all. I hope that Poppy's immune system clears the virus. You may also get her siblings tested again to be safe and the mother as well. Good luck! I hope this info helps!! Lynda - Original Message - From: "Pam Norman" To: Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 1:00 PM Subject: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives I am trying to determine what to do with Poppy both now & when the IFA test results come in. I've been reading & reading & from what I can gather, the old dictums about NEVER havinig positive & negative cats even in the same house has been abandoned. From what I have read, the general sense is that it's fine for positives & negatives to be in the same home, but should be separate so there is no chance of exchanging fluids such as with a bite, but more importantly with mutual grooming. But I know also that some of you have both positives & negatives really living together, not separate. Right? What about if I put Poppy in her condo in the spare bedroom & let me cats visit, so at least she SEES other cats. What is she hisses & spits? Would that have a chance of infecting any of mine who were nosing around her condo? My feeling is that it would. Also how effective is the vaccine these days? I know that some years ago the figure was about 30% so I never had any of my cats vaccinated. Has it been improved? Right now we are still waiting for the IFA test for Poppy. And I guess she needs retesting on that in at least a month. I do NOT want to keep her alone until then. We have a sanctuary for her if she tests IFA positive cause then we know that she is really positive. But the person who runs it tells me that regardless of how she tests on the IFA, she HAS leukemia. Period. And would go in with the positive cats. But my understanding is that if she is IFA negative, she has a chance of fighting it off & putting her in with the positives is giving up. I think she should only go in with the positives if she tests IFA positive. Can anyone help me sort this out? Pam ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives
Hello Pam, My 3 cats have been living together for 10 years now until my boy-cat was just recently diagnosed with FeLV. He may have contracted it 2 years ago when he ran outside and got into a fight with another cat. We had the 2 other girl-cats tested and they're both negative. We had the 2 other girl-cats vaccinated and currently, they are separated. Doctor said that they can be together 30days after the 2 other cats receive their 2nd shot of FeLV vaccination. Also, according to our doctor, it should be okay for them to be together again as long as they don't bite/scratch each other or share bodily fluids. Just keep their feeding stuff completely separate. My cats never fight with each other although occasionally, the other cat will eat someone's leftover and I think that is the reason that the 2 others cats never contracted it considering that the other one had FeLV for quite some time now. Sharon On Fri, Apr 15, 2011 at 11:00 AM, Pam Norman wrote: > I am trying to determine what to do with Poppy both now & when the IFA test > results come in. I've been reading & reading & from what I can gather, the > old dictums about NEVER havinig positive & negative cats even in the same > house has been abandoned. From what I have read, the general sense is that > it's fine for positives & negatives to be in the same home, but should be > separate so there is no chance of exchanging fluids such as with a bite, but > more importantly with mutual grooming. But I know also that some of you > have both positives & negatives really living together, not separate. Right? > > What about if I put Poppy in her condo in the spare bedroom & let me cats > visit, so at least she SEES other cats. What is she hisses & spits? Would > that have a chance of infecting any of mine who were nosing around her > condo? My feeling is that it would. > > Also how effective is the vaccine these days? I know that some years ago > the figure was about 30% so I never had any of my cats vaccinated. Has it > been improved? > > Right now we are still waiting for the IFA test for Poppy. And I guess she > needs retesting on that in at least a month. I do NOT want to keep her alone > until then. We have a sanctuary for her if she tests IFA positive cause > then we know that she is really positive. But the person who runs it tells > me that regardless of how she tests on the IFA, she HAS leukemia. Period. > And would go in with the positive cats. But my understanding is that if > she is IFA negative, she has a chance of fighting it off & putting her in > with the positives is giving up. I think she should only go in with the > positives if she tests IFA positive. > > Can anyone help me sort this out? > > Pam > > ___ > Felvtalk mailing list > Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org > -- Sharon F Catalan Cell: (408) 398-5647 Home: (408) 229-2298 Carpe Diem! ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] Question re positives & negatives
I am trying to determine what to do with Poppy both now & when the IFA test results come in. I've been reading & reading & from what I can gather, the old dictums about NEVER havinig positive & negative cats even in the same house has been abandoned. From what I have read, the general sense is that it's fine for positives & negatives to be in the same home, but should be separate so there is no chance of exchanging fluids such as with a bite, but more importantly with mutual grooming. But I know also that some of you have both positives & negatives really living together, not separate. Right? What about if I put Poppy in her condo in the spare bedroom & let me cats visit, so at least she SEES other cats. What is she hisses & spits? Would that have a chance of infecting any of mine who were nosing around her condo? My feeling is that it would. Also how effective is the vaccine these days? I know that some years ago the figure was about 30% so I never had any of my cats vaccinated. Has it been improved? Right now we are still waiting for the IFA test for Poppy. And I guess she needs retesting on that in at least a month. I do NOT want to keep her alone until then. We have a sanctuary for her if she tests IFA positive cause then we know that she is really positive. But the person who runs it tells me that regardless of how she tests on the IFA, she HAS leukemia. Period. And would go in with the positive cats. But my understanding is that if she is IFA negative, she has a chance of fighting it off & putting her in with the positives is giving up. I think she should only go in with the positives if she tests IFA positive. Can anyone help me sort this out? Pam ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
