Hmmm - well, if the kitten tests positive for FELV, then he has the
virus. I think it's an antigen test isn't it, not antibodies, for
the office Elisa test. But as I understand, his little immune system
could still throw the virus off, as you said. He should be tested
again. I really don't know what I'd do - try to support his immune
system or leave him be and do it on his own. I'd probably look at
Interferon. Re Vit C, Dr. Belfield has a reputation for Vit C, and
for using it against FELV. www.belfield.com, I think.
Re when to retest, I don't recall - seems like it's 90 days... Again,
was it a light positive or a strong positive?
Gloria
On Jul 11, 2005, at 5:42 PM, Brenda K. Smith wrote:
Hi All......
I have a friend who's mother in Oregon rescued a little boy
kitten who is about 6 weeks old now. Last week he tested positive
for felv on the in office test. I don't know if it was the Snap or
Elisa. The lady, Margaret, said they also sent out a sample to be
tested at a lab. I believe it was the IFA. She found out today
that it is also positive. I asked if they reported that it was
replicating in his bone marrow and she asked the vet's office. The
person said they thought that in order for it to be positive on the
IFA that it would indicate it was replicating in the bone marrow.
Is that true?
When Margaret's daughter called to ask advice, I told her that
a kitten may test positive from the mother cat's antibodies and
that the kitten could possibly throw off the virus with good care,
human grade food, stress level kept down and Interferon if the
kitten is old enough to take it. I recommended Wellness kitten
food and Margaret purchased both dry and canned Wellness.
Margaret's vet upon seeing the positive test recommended euthanasia
immediately. Margaret said absolutely not! She said they had
already fallen in love with him and he was energetic showing no
signs of illness. I know this lady very well having taught her and
her daughter almost 15 years ago how to bottle raise 5 orphan
kittens. She will do whatever is necessary to keep this kitten
healthy and loved.
Here are the questions for which I need answers:
1) Can a 6 week old kitten be on Interferon? I recommended the
newest protocol (which I use) of daily Interferon. I use 1 ml
daily for my adult cats. What would the dose be for a 2-3 lb. (I
think) kitten?
2) If the kitten is positive with the IFA and/or is
replicating in his bone marrow, will he remain persistently
positive or can he throw if off?
3) Also, if replicating in bone marrow if/when should he be
tested again?
4) What other supplements would be recommended? Vit C? What
dose for a kitten? L-Lysine? What dose for kitten?
If any of you have any other recommendations, please feel free
to mention them. I will be calling Margaret tonight or tomorrow to
read some of your answers. I will also be printing them out and
mailing them to her. Margaret is in her early 70's and I don't
know whether she has a computer.
I really appreciate any advice you all might have for this cat/
kitten loving lady. All of my experience with felv+ with my cats
have been as adults. I have never had a tiny positive kitten. I
know I could go to the archives, but I still have dial up and
limited internet time so I'm hoping you all don't mind repeating
advice for Margaret.
Thank you so much.
-- Brenda..... http://www.whiskersandwicks.com http://
www.cheqnet.net/~bksmith "The only risk you ever run in befriending
a cat is enriching yourself." - Colette Don't Take Your Organs To
Heaven. Heaven Knows We Need Them Here.
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 267.8.10 - Release Date: 7/6/2005
