Re: [Felvtalk] FeLV Transmission - thanks for replies
That's heart breaking. But it is good to know you cared for him and he had some love and joy in his life. ~B. -Original Message- From: felvtalk-boun...@felineleukemia.org [mailto:felvtalk-boun...@felineleukemia.org] On Behalf Of dlg...@windstream.net Sent: Sunday, May 22, 2011 10:12 PM To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] FeLV Transmission - thanks for replies What a wonderful thought. Dixie was very lucky to meet you. I blamed myself for the first one I lost. He was a beautiful, fluffy pale tiger who never liked to have his rear touched. We thought he had kidney stones and the last time he went to the vet, he kept hm over night and stayed up with him until midnight. He appeared to be okay , but the next morning he was dead. The vet did an autopsy because he couldn't understand what he had done wrong. He discovered adhesions everywhere. The kind that happen when a cat is kicked very hard. They had closed off the urethra. Atleast he had 1 year of love and good care. He always liked my father's sweet rolls and would pat his knee, asking for a bite. When that did not work, he would slap hard and meow very loud. Father thought that was funny and then would give him a bite. This from someone who did not like cats. For a long time, I blamed myself for not knowing wha was wrong, but I finaly realized that he had hidden his! pain from me. We just have to do the best we can with what we know and what we can do. At least Fluffy had 1 year of sweet rolls and lots of love and that is the best we can do for anyone. > Dixie was happy and healthy until a few days before she left this > earth--on her own. I can't tell you about a lot of the questions you > raise. I can just tell you that Dixie came in from a pine thicket > behind my mother's. Apparently she had been dumped or got lost---she > had been spayed and was not afraid of people. I got the sense that > she had been an outside cat who was always looking in and wondering > what life was like inside. I took her to Louisville to my very > special vets at Middletown Animal Clinic to be spayed (not obvious > that she had already had surgery). Dr. Bishop called with the results > of a FELV+ test and well, death came off the table and Dixie spent > the rest of her life with me. We slept in my mother's garage for a > while (don't go there) then she became a trailer cat then a cat with > two houses. She had EVERYTHING. Thanks to the vets at MAC and my > holistic vet, Betty Boswell, Dixie was cared for and was able to leave > this world on her own termscertainly not mine since my heart > still breaks and it has been 3 years...but she left cared for. She > had some gingivitis when she was first vetted but very little else. > She went to Betty's and was on supplements, the best food I could get > and she would eat, etc. Do not kick yourself. Sometimes I do when I > wonder if I could have done something to have postponed Dixie's death > (that is all we do for any being--we are all dying). I can tell you > that, had anything been obvious, she would have been back in > Louisville a lot earlier than she was. > > I am very consious of the expenses involved in any pet care (just got > through paying 1 K thanks to a tick who infected a feral with a virus > the last of Decemeber when ticks are supposed to be dead) and you > should never kick yourself over this. That was not an issue with > Dixie. It was just time for her to leave.and break my heart. > > FYI: A month after Dixie left she sent a tiny kitten from the same > pine thicket to keep me busy. Two weeks later she decided I wasn't > busy enough and that the 1st kitten needed a brother. The family of 5 > hawks was deprived of tiny snacks. > > All of this is to say, you do the best you can with the nowledge and > resouces you have and with an honest heart. Sometimes things work > wonderfully (both kittens are FELV- and extremely healthy, most of the > time happy 3 year old cats) and sometimes you have the honor of > carrying for a little one for a short timeand having your heart > break. It is worth it to you and to the wonderful cats you love. > On May 20, 2011, at 12:49 PM, Debbie Bendell wrote: > > > I am new to this listserv and couldn't figure out how to reply, so > > I'm posting a new message. > > > > Thanks for your responses. I feel a little less stupid and guilty > > for not having every cat tested before it joined my household. I > > have many cats and the fee for testing is $40, so I can't afford to > > do them all at once. > > > > Does a cat get noticeably sick when it's first infected? Three of > > my cats have been sick enoug
Re: [Felvtalk] FeLV Transmission - thanks for replies
What a wonderful thought. Dixie was very lucky to meet you. I blamed myself for the first one I lost. He was a beautiful, fluffy pale tiger who never liked to have his rear touched. We thought he had kidney stones and the last time he went to the vet, he kept hm over night and stayed up with him until midnight. He appeared to be okay , but the next morning he was dead. The vet did an autopsy because he couldn't understand what he had done wrong. He discovered adhesions everywhere. The kind that happen when a cat is kicked very hard. They had closed off the urethra. Atleast he had 1 year of love and good care. He always liked my father's sweet rolls and would pat his knee, asking for a bite. When that did not work, he would slap hard and meow very loud. Father thought that was funny and then would give him a bite. This from someone who did not like cats. For a long time, I blamed myself for not knowing wha was wrong, but I finaly realized that he had hidden his pain from me. We just have to do the best we can with what we know and what we can do. At least Fluffy had 1 year of sweet rolls and lots of love and that is the best we can do for anyone. > Dixie was happy and healthy until a few days before she left this > earth--on her own. I can't tell you about a lot of the questions you > raise. I can just tell you that Dixie came in from a pine thicket > behind my mother's. Apparently she had been dumped or got lost---she > had been spayed and was not afraid of people. I got the sense that > she had been an outside cat who was always looking in and wondering > what life was like inside. I took her to Louisville to my very > special vets at Middletown Animal Clinic to be spayed (not obvious > that she had already had surgery). Dr. Bishop called with the results > of a FELV+ test and well, death came off the table and Dixie spent > the rest of her life with me. We slept in my mother's garage for a > while (don't go there) then she became a trailer cat then a cat with > two houses. She had EVERYTHING. Thanks to the vets at MAC and my > holistic vet, Betty Boswell, Dixie was cared for and was able to leave > this world on her own termscertainly not mine since my heart > still breaks and it has been 3 years...but she left cared for. She > had some gingivitis when she was first vetted but very little else. > She went to Betty's and was on supplements, the best food I could get > and she would eat, etc. Do not kick yourself. Sometimes I do when I > wonder if I could have done something to have postponed Dixie's death > (that is all we do for any being--we are all dying). I can tell you > that, had anything been obvious, she would have been back in > Louisville a lot earlier than she was. > > I am very consious of the expenses involved in any pet care (just got > through paying 1 K thanks to a tick who infected a feral with a virus > the last of Decemeber when ticks are supposed to be dead) and you > should never kick yourself over this. That was not an issue with > Dixie. It was just time for her to leave.and break my heart. > > FYI: A month after Dixie left she sent a tiny kitten from the same > pine thicket to keep me busy. Two weeks later she decided I wasn't > busy enough and that the 1st kitten needed a brother. The family of 5 > hawks was deprived of tiny snacks. > > All of this is to say, you do the best you can with the nowledge and > resouces you have and with an honest heart. Sometimes things work > wonderfully (both kittens are FELV- and extremely healthy, most of the > time happy 3 year old cats) and sometimes you have the honor of > carrying for a little one for a short timeand having your heart > break. It is worth it to you and to the wonderful cats you love. > On May 20, 2011, at 12:49 PM, Debbie Bendell wrote: > > > I am new to this listserv and couldn't figure out how to reply, so I'm > > posting a new message. > > > > Thanks for your responses. I feel a little less stupid and guilty > > for not > > having every cat tested before it joined my household. I have many > > cats and > > the fee for testing is $40, so I can't afford to do them all at once. > > > > Does a cat get noticeably sick when it's first infected? Three of > > my cats > > have been sick enough to need bloodwork since I adopted Tulo, and > > they all > > tested negative. If a cat is infected by an asymptomatic carrier, > > will the > > newly infected cat also be asymptomatic? > > > > My cats are indoor cats. There is no possible outside source of > > infection. > > I am just baffled at how Tulo could go from alive and healthy to > > very sick > > and dead in one week. I'm also baffled that no other cats have > > shown signs > > of illness. > > Debbie > > > > > > -- > > *You may not change the world by saving one animal, but to that > > animal it > > means the who
Re: [Felvtalk] FeLV Transmission - thanks for replies
If a cat shows illness or weakness in a colony, it stands a good chance of being killed. On May 20, 2011, at 3:58 PM, Beth wrote: Cats hide illness very well. Often they have been sick for quite awhile before they let us know it. That's why it is so crucial to keep such a close eye on these guys. I've never heard of a cat acting sick when 1st infected. Mine usually act perfectly healthy for a long time. Beth Don't Litter, Fix Your Critter! www.Furkids.org --- On Fri, 5/20/11, Val Green wrote: From: Val Green Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] FeLV Transmission - thanks for replies To: "felvtalk@felineleukemia.org" Date: Friday, May 20, 2011, 2:22 PM Debbie, When I first brought Chat Noir into our group he appeared perfectly healthy. It wasn't until he suddenly developed swollen lymph glands that he was diagnosed as FeLV positive. I figure that he'd had the virus for a while and then it suddenly just became active and it acted VERY quickly. It sounds like you've done some research on symptoms so just keep an eye out for them in your other cats. As to whether cats get notably sick when first infected, or if an asympomatic cat infects another one I don't know. Your vet is the best person to answer those questions. Valerie On May 20, 2011, at 12:49 PM, Debbie Bendell wrote: I am new to this listserv and couldn't figure out how to reply, so I'm posting a new message. Thanks for your responses. I feel a little less stupid and guilty for not having every cat tested before it joined my household. I have many cats and the fee for testing is $40, so I can't afford to do them all at once. Does a cat get noticeably sick when it's first infected? Three of my cats have been sick enough to need bloodwork since I adopted Tulo, and they all tested negative. If a cat is infected by an asymptomatic carrier, will the newly infected cat also be asymptomatic? My cats are indoor cats. There is no possible outside source of infection. I am just baffled at how Tulo could go from alive and healthy to very sick and dead in one week. I'm also baffled that no other cats have shown signs of illness. Debbie -- *You may not change the world by saving one animal, but to that animal it means the whole world and eventually, saving animals will change the world.* ___ 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] FeLV Transmission - thanks for replies
Dixie was happy and healthy until a few days before she left this earth--on her own. I can't tell you about a lot of the questions you raise. I can just tell you that Dixie came in from a pine thicket behind my mother's. Apparently she had been dumped or got lost---she had been spayed and was not afraid of people. I got the sense that she had been an outside cat who was always looking in and wondering what life was like inside. I took her to Louisville to my very special vets at Middletown Animal Clinic to be spayed (not obvious that she had already had surgery). Dr. Bishop called with the results of a FELV+ test and well, death came off the table and Dixie spent the rest of her life with me. We slept in my mother's garage for a while (don't go there) then she became a trailer cat then a cat with two houses. She had EVERYTHING. Thanks to the vets at MAC and my holistic vet, Betty Boswell, Dixie was cared for and was able to leave this world on her own termscertainly not mine since my heart still breaks and it has been 3 years...but she left cared for. She had some gingivitis when she was first vetted but very little else. She went to Betty's and was on supplements, the best food I could get and she would eat, etc. Do not kick yourself. Sometimes I do when I wonder if I could have done something to have postponed Dixie's death (that is all we do for any being--we are all dying). I can tell you that, had anything been obvious, she would have been back in Louisville a lot earlier than she was. I am very consious of the expenses involved in any pet care (just got through paying 1 K thanks to a tick who infected a feral with a virus the last of Decemeber when ticks are supposed to be dead) and you should never kick yourself over this. That was not an issue with Dixie. It was just time for her to leave.and break my heart. FYI: A month after Dixie left she sent a tiny kitten from the same pine thicket to keep me busy. Two weeks later she decided I wasn't busy enough and that the 1st kitten needed a brother. The family of 5 hawks was deprived of tiny snacks. All of this is to say, you do the best you can with the nowledge and resouces you have and with an honest heart. Sometimes things work wonderfully (both kittens are FELV- and extremely healthy, most of the time happy 3 year old cats) and sometimes you have the honor of carrying for a little one for a short timeand having your heart break. It is worth it to you and to the wonderful cats you love. On May 20, 2011, at 12:49 PM, Debbie Bendell wrote: I am new to this listserv and couldn't figure out how to reply, so I'm posting a new message. Thanks for your responses. I feel a little less stupid and guilty for not having every cat tested before it joined my household. I have many cats and the fee for testing is $40, so I can't afford to do them all at once. Does a cat get noticeably sick when it's first infected? Three of my cats have been sick enough to need bloodwork since I adopted Tulo, and they all tested negative. If a cat is infected by an asymptomatic carrier, will the newly infected cat also be asymptomatic? My cats are indoor cats. There is no possible outside source of infection. I am just baffled at how Tulo could go from alive and healthy to very sick and dead in one week. I'm also baffled that no other cats have shown signs of illness. Debbie -- *You may not change the world by saving one animal, but to that animal it means the whole world and eventually, saving animals will change the world.* ___ 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] FeLV Transmission - thanks for replies
Cats hide illness very well. Often they have been sick for quite awhile before they let us know it. That's why it is so crucial to keep such a close eye on these guys. I've never heard of a cat acting sick when 1st infected. Mine usually act perfectly healthy for a long time. Beth Don't Litter, Fix Your Critter! www.Furkids.org --- On Fri, 5/20/11, Val Green wrote: From: Val Green Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] FeLV Transmission - thanks for replies To: "felvtalk@felineleukemia.org" Date: Friday, May 20, 2011, 2:22 PM Debbie, When I first brought Chat Noir into our group he appeared perfectly healthy. It wasn't until he suddenly developed swollen lymph glands that he was diagnosed as FeLV positive. I figure that he'd had the virus for a while and then it suddenly just became active and it acted VERY quickly. It sounds like you've done some research on symptoms so just keep an eye out for them in your other cats. As to whether cats get notably sick when first infected, or if an asympomatic cat infects another one I don't know. Your vet is the best person to answer those questions. Valerie On May 20, 2011, at 12:49 PM, Debbie Bendell wrote: > I am new to this listserv and couldn't figure out how to reply, so I'm > posting a new message. > > Thanks for your responses. I feel a little less stupid and guilty for not > having every cat tested before it joined my household. I have many cats and > the fee for testing is $40, so I can't afford to do them all at once. > > Does a cat get noticeably sick when it's first infected? Three of my cats > have been sick enough to need bloodwork since I adopted Tulo, and they all > tested negative. If a cat is infected by an asymptomatic carrier, will the > newly infected cat also be asymptomatic? > > My cats are indoor cats. There is no possible outside source of infection. > I am just baffled at how Tulo could go from alive and healthy to very sick > and dead in one week. I'm also baffled that no other cats have shown signs > of illness. > Debbie > > > -- > *You may not change the world by saving one animal, but to that animal it > means the whole world and eventually, saving animals will change the world.* > ___ > 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] FeLV Transmission - thanks for replies
Debbie, I feel guilty as well. What was I thinking adopting a kitten from my local humane society without making sure my indoor cat was protected against everything possible? It was really hard for me to deal with (I really beat myself up about it!) but as time goes by, I don't put all the blame on myself any longer. The HS should have told me about deadly diseases such as this & FIP. This was my first experience and the first I've ever heard of FeLV. I know I would have had my 2 yr old indoor cat vaccinated against leukemia before bringing in any other cat or kitten. All I was focused on was giving a homeless kitten a home. I don't regret adopting him. I totally loved him from day one. However, I do regret not thinking of finding out if my cat at home needed more protection against diseases that to me were unknown. I've learned so much from this experience. On another note, even though I will have him tested next month (3 mos after last exposure), I plan on having him tested again in Sept (6 mos after exposure). The reason is, it took 6 mos for it to show up in my kitten. But I do think his diarrhea was a sign of his leukemia, but I was told that he was positive for coccidia along with the rest of the litter when he was born. He was tested for FeLV before I had him neutered at 5 1/2 mos and not before that. The HS said the ELISA test was negative. He may not have been shedding the virus or it was too early to detect. To answer your question, I believe every cat is different. I've read that a cat can show signs (enlarged lymph glands, lethargy, poor coat, less eating) from 3 to 10 days after exposure and still clear the virus. I've also read that some cats test positive on the ELISA 28 days after exposure. My cat never has tested positive ( I had him tested the day my kitten was euthanized, 30 days after, and another 30 days after). I'm still concerned for him since it effects each cat somewhat differently. Just remember that a healthy adult cat has more of a chance of clearing the virus, than a kitten or an elderly cat. I would write down all your questions/concerns and have your vet go over them with you. My vet did for me and it helped. Sending positive thoughts your way! Lynda Hang in there Debbie! I'm here for support whenever you need it. - Original Message - From: "Debbie Bendell" To: Sent: Friday, May 20, 2011 12:49 PM Subject: [Felvtalk] FeLV Transmission - thanks for replies I am new to this listserv and couldn't figure out how to reply, so I'm posting a new message. Thanks for your responses. I feel a little less stupid and guilty for not having every cat tested before it joined my household. I have many cats and the fee for testing is $40, so I can't afford to do them all at once. Does a cat get noticeably sick when it's first infected? Three of my cats have been sick enough to need bloodwork since I adopted Tulo, and they all tested negative. If a cat is infected by an asymptomatic carrier, will the newly infected cat also be asymptomatic? My cats are indoor cats. There is no possible outside source of infection. I am just baffled at how Tulo could go from alive and healthy to very sick and dead in one week. I'm also baffled that no other cats have shown signs of illness. Debbie -- *You may not change the world by saving one animal, but to that animal it means the whole world and eventually, saving animals will change the world.* ___ 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] FeLV Transmission - thanks for replies
MAYBE TULO WASN'T FELV. HE could of had a heart condition,or cancer,or other things. --- On Fri, 5/20/11, Debbie Bendell wrote: From: Debbie Bendell Subject: [Felvtalk] FeLV Transmission - thanks for replies To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Date: Friday, May 20, 2011, 1:49 PM I am new to this listserv and couldn't figure out how to reply, so I'm posting a new message. Thanks for your responses. I feel a little less stupid and guilty for not having every cat tested before it joined my household. I have many cats and the fee for testing is $40, so I can't afford to do them all at once. Does a cat get noticeably sick when it's first infected? Three of my cats have been sick enough to need bloodwork since I adopted Tulo, and they all tested negative. If a cat is infected by an asymptomatic carrier, will the newly infected cat also be asymptomatic? My cats are indoor cats. There is no possible outside source of infection. I am just baffled at how Tulo could go from alive and healthy to very sick and dead in one week. I'm also baffled that no other cats have shown signs of illness. Debbie -- *You may not change the world by saving one animal, but to that animal it means the whole world and eventually, saving animals will change the world.* ___ 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] FeLV Transmission - thanks for replies
Debbie, Some advice: Keep reading posts to this group! It has educated me a great deal over the last few months in addition to the solace provided by the caring members. Valerie On May 20, 2011, at 12:49 PM, Debbie Bendell wrote: > I am new to this listserv and couldn't figure out how to reply, so I'm > posting a new message. > > Thanks for your responses. I feel a little less stupid and guilty for not > having every cat tested before it joined my household. I have many cats and > the fee for testing is $40, so I can't afford to do them all at once. > > Does a cat get noticeably sick when it's first infected? Three of my cats > have been sick enough to need bloodwork since I adopted Tulo, and they all > tested negative. If a cat is infected by an asymptomatic carrier, will the > newly infected cat also be asymptomatic? > > My cats are indoor cats. There is no possible outside source of infection. > I am just baffled at how Tulo could go from alive and healthy to very sick > and dead in one week. I'm also baffled that no other cats have shown signs > of illness. > Debbie > > > -- > *You may not change the world by saving one animal, but to that animal it > means the whole world and eventually, saving animals will change the world.* > ___ > 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] FeLV Transmission - thanks for replies
Debbie, When I first brought Chat Noir into our group he appeared perfectly healthy. It wasn't until he suddenly developed swollen lymph glands that he was diagnosed as FeLV positive. I figure that he'd had the virus for a while and then it suddenly just became active and it acted VERY quickly. It sounds like you've done some research on symptoms so just keep an eye out for them in your other cats. As to whether cats get notably sick when first infected, or if an asympomatic cat infects another one I don't know. Your vet is the best person to answer those questions. Valerie On May 20, 2011, at 12:49 PM, Debbie Bendell wrote: > I am new to this listserv and couldn't figure out how to reply, so I'm > posting a new message. > > Thanks for your responses. I feel a little less stupid and guilty for not > having every cat tested before it joined my household. I have many cats and > the fee for testing is $40, so I can't afford to do them all at once. > > Does a cat get noticeably sick when it's first infected? Three of my cats > have been sick enough to need bloodwork since I adopted Tulo, and they all > tested negative. If a cat is infected by an asymptomatic carrier, will the > newly infected cat also be asymptomatic? > > My cats are indoor cats. There is no possible outside source of infection. > I am just baffled at how Tulo could go from alive and healthy to very sick > and dead in one week. I'm also baffled that no other cats have shown signs > of illness. > Debbie > > > -- > *You may not change the world by saving one animal, but to that animal it > means the whole world and eventually, saving animals will change the world.* > ___ > 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
