Interacting can also be a problem for the immune compromised feline leukemia
positive cat. That kitty can pick up things from the other cats and not be able
to fight them off. If I hadopted or rescued a FeLV positive cat, I would not
comingle but I might try to find him a friend as long as the friend didn't
stress him/her. I know others here do comingle.
If I found out one of my existing cats was positive, I wouldn't change things
and they would all continue to live together. In the past, whenever I have
brought a new cat in, I have made certain our feleuk vaccinations were current.
I am not a fan of those vaccinations because of VAS so I don't think I would
vaccinate for that again...plus my vet thinks the first series of feleuk
vaccinations is enough protection for life. This is just my opinion and
experience. Others who have co mingled are a better source of advice and
information.
My friend had Sass, a negative, in with a group of positives. Sass was not
vaccinated for FeLV because she thought he was positive. They all lived
together and after 5 years my friend wondered why Sass never got sick when the
others did. She (re?)tested him and found out he was negative. That was over 5
years ago. He was removed from the room at the time and is still alive and well!
L
----- Original Message -----
From: Lynne
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2008 9:19 AM
Subject: Re: FeLV Vaccination
Sue, I am the least qualified to answer this, but I would think that if Buzz
has his own litter box and his own food dish the risk would be small. Of
course you wouldn't want them fighting either. I too have read that the vaccine
is not totally effective but I think 60 to 80% effectiveness is better than 0.
He may not even want to be involved with the other cats. My two want nothing
to do with each other. Why not at least have supervised interaction while
you're home with them. Yeah I know about the minor full time job and family
details. I feel like a neglective mother to my sick child at times.
Lynne
----- Original Message -----
From: Sue & Frank Koren
To: fe lv
Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2008 9:49 AM
Subject: FeLV Vaccination
Several people here have said that they have their FeLV + kitties living in
with FeLV - cats, and the negative cats are not getting infected. I am trying
to decide if I should vaccinate my others and let Buzz out of his room. My vet
is against it and says the vaccinations are only 60 - 80% effective. The vet
does not seem to be up on all that is going on with FeLV, though, and I am
considering switching vets. Buzz really doesn't,t mind his room, but he is a
social boy and cries when he doesn't want to be alone. I visit him as often as
I can and spend at least an hour or so in the evenings in with him, but such
minor details as a full time job and the rest of my human and cat family keep
me away from being with him as much as he and I would like. It seems as if
vaccinating the others and freeing Buzz from his prison room is the best
solution, but not if any of the others end up being infected. Their ages range
from 2 to 8 years. Two of them, Charlie and Tucker have other health problems
and I don't know if that would put them more at risk. Anyway, has anyone ever
heard of a vaccinated cat being infected?
