RE: New Member

[MacKenzie, Kerry N.]

Title: Message

Hi Michelle Just wanted to say a particular welcome to a fellow Brit (I live in US now) -- though I'm very sorry for the reason you've had to find us. You will find you're right---the group is indeed a lifeline. I have learned so, so much more about FeLV (and other cat issues) from the members of this list than I could ever have done from a vet or any other source. Plus, the listmembers are just a smashing (Brit-ism, guys?), goodhearted bunch of people, period. It's wonderful that you adopted 3 sanctuary cats (as a matter of interest, which part of the country are you/the sanctuary in?) You're to be applauded for following your instinct and not your vet's recommendation in regard to Bramble. I have 4 foster cats, 3 of whom are Felv pos and 1 negative. They found me about 18 months ago. Because they lived together way before they found me, I've kept them together--it seemed too cruel, as well as pointless, to separate them. So I would certainly keep your 3 furballs together. The negative cat has been tested twice, last time being a year ago. I also have 3 of my own negative cats, that I've had for many years. Unlike many people on the list, I have never mixed the 2 groups. That's not to say I never will, but I'm not comfortable yet about renewing the FeLV vaccination with my negative cats, which I would have to do, particularly as no vaccination is 100% effective. I have no experience of FIV cats, but you will find lots of other input from members who do, I'm sure. I'm so sorry you lost your FIV girl. But I can tell from everything you say that she couldn't have wanted for more love or better care in your hands. Sending lots of good wishes to you and your furballs~~ Kerry     -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, May 30, 2005 1:40 PM To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Subject: New Member Hi - my name is Michelle and I just recently joined this FeLV group and I'm sure it is going to be mine and my cats lifeline.   I am in a bit of dilema already. My baby girl had to put to sleep at Easter after a long battle with many different ailments she was found to have FIV and was in the final stage. I have now adopted 3 cats from my local sanctuary where I do a little voluntary work too helping out with the care of the cats.   I am in UK and many people still don't have anywhere near enough knowledge about FeLV or FIV. The sanctuary houses FIV and FeLV cats together which I recently found out should never be done and that FeLV should only be kept alone or with other FeLV. I was led to believe that FeLV was no more contagious than FIV but it actually is quite a lot more contagious it seems.   My 3 cats are Bramble (9 year old male tabby - FIV+ with symptoms) he is currently back and forward to the vet - we are now testing for calicivirus, herpesvirus, and FeLV as a result of his symptoms - I've suggesting calicivirus since I got him (had them all 3 weeks now). Bramble was dumped 2 years ago when he was ill and spent days hiding under brambles in fear before staff managed to get hold of him. Buddy is a 2 year old black tortie female with FIV and Minstrel is a 2 year old black and white female with FeLV.   My vet said they recommend euthansia for FeLV cats but I'm not prepared to do that yet as she is a happy healthy non-symptomatic cat and only 2 years old. She suggests I seperate my FIV from FeLV and don't let them near each other to protect the FIV cats from getting FeLV. Buddy and Minstrel have lived together with Bramble for the last 2 years at the sanctuary. In fact Buddy and Minstrel had spent their whole lives in the sanctuary - I have given them their first home, so all have been exposed for the last 2 years along with the other 6 or 7 FIV cats in the sanctuary.   Has anybody had experience of owning both FIV and FeLV + cats and how was it? Having read around FeLV more now I am sgocked that sanctuary house them together - they should know better really but they consider them as being very similar virus with the same outcomes - and I have now discovered that is not totally true and the prognosis is often quite different.   Michelle This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the individual named. If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail.