Hi Allie, I took a poll here not too long ago regarding mixing positives and negatives (I haven't posted the results to as I was waiting for anyone who hadn't had a chance to send in their experiences yet to do so). I will probably post the results next week. But overwhelmingly, there is no real evidence that mixing positives and negatives will result in negatives contracting FeLV from the positives. Bonnie (I think) posted that she had a couple that did contract it from another, but from what I understood in the post, they were kittens. We have figured out that kittens are the most susceptible to succumbing to the disease, and maybe they are more susceptible to contracting it. But many of us believe that those that turn up with it later probably were born with it versus being exposed. There's probably nothing you can do at home sanitary wise to combat FeLV other than physically separating the cats, and anything that they might share in the way of litter, food, and water as well as saliva (from grooming). But I am not convinced that it's so easy to contract the virus. If cats are grooming each other every day and are VERY close and intimate, I can see the chances increasing dramatically, but if not, then I believe the opposite to be true. I have three inside cats now that Cricket passed away. Two of them are 9, and one 16. None of them were ever separated from Cricket inside the home and none have contracted FeLV, even though the two 9 year olds lived with him for 4 and a half years and the 16 year old lived with him for a year. They have always shared all dishes and litter boxes. I never took any precautions, although I didn't know until 2 years ago that Cricket had FeLV. I haven't vaccinated any of them in the last two years, as it hadn't been 3 years since their last vaccination between the time we found out about Cricket and when he died. I will not vaccinate them next year because they are solely inside cats. Many of us here think that most sources say to "remove all negatives immediately" or "euthanize immediately" because the vets truly don't know how the disease is spread exactly and that's the best thing they can say to try make sure they are 100% right. One of my vets told me that there is no evidence to support FeLV being contracting in any way other than through blood (a fight) or birth. He said everything else is just propaganda right now, and I agree with him.
I am sending vibes your way for Leo to be negative, although I suspect he will be. And also for Lola. Keep us posted. :) Wendy __________________________________ Start your day with Yahoo! - Make it your home page! http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs