Re: New to FeLV (Belinda Sauro)

[David]

Dear Belinda:   You have my heartfelt thanks for your response to my letter.  Everything I've read here has contributed to the lessening of my despair about this disaster.  Your letter is certainly no exception!   I was shocked at your info re:  bad experiences vaccinating unknown positives.  Before I went the round of vaccinations in 2003, knowing that they would do no good for the already infected, I specifically asked if it would do them any harm.  I was assured that it would have no effect, either way.   That is why I didn't bother to test first.  The vet actually was somewhat reluctant to NOT test first, but was adamant that it would do no harm, and, at $40 a (literal) shot, and the same for the test...well, you can do the math.  I'm sure you can understand why I didn't test.   In fact, your letter is what has made me reconsider my original decision NOT to test.  My (2nd) vet seemed so certain that, if they didn't actually test positive now, they would surely do so eventually.  The implication I got was that it was possible to get false-negative results, which also led me to choose vaccination without testing.    Certainly, I would never vaccinate any positive-result cats; wouldn't be any point, would be a waste of money I could use for their care, and might actually do harm.  So it looks like 'tests for all' is coming tomorrow.  And I can't TELL you how I dread it....   I assume your negatives have always been vaccinated?  And I was so relieved and gratified to hear that you have had a positive that 'old' and that communal living for so long has had no ill effect.   That my vet(s) don't appear to know much about FeLV doesn't really surprise me.  They didn't know anything about iguanas, and I've had the same experience with ferrets.  Still, CATS??  As you'll have likely read in my letter to another member, you'll have noted that they're mostly large-animals vets who almost seem...ashamed?  embarrassed?  to even treat small animals.  (Anybody else ever have that feeling about a vet?)   As to what my "vet say(s) is wrong with Elvis"...he only said, "Feline Leukemia."  I took that as a definitive answer, because until I began reading last night, I thought that feline leukemia was, well...leukemia.  Cancer.  Which, as we all know, is quite enough to be wrong with anybody.     Really, calling it the FeLV is SO misleading!   In my first letter, I said that after my initial experience with our Flavia, it was only after I went back home and began thinking that I called him back and asked about the possibility of contagion.    You know what caused the unease which prompted my call?  It was only a chance remark by the vet, something about "where she caught it."  It wasn't a completed thought, and it wasn't even to me, but to his assistant.  Had I not overheard, I would NEVER have even considered that it could be a contagious disease.  After all, cancer isn't contagious!    Anyhow, I have no idea was ELSE is wrong.  My gawd!!  As I said, I thought it was 'contagious cancer', quite enough to cause weight loss.  I'll have to remember to ask when I call tomorrow.  You may have saved his life!!   For that, as well as your other helpful advice and encouragement, I am in your debt.   Gratefully, Gia