I've had 2 FELV+ cats--one was an adult stray that I was feeding who I found out was pos when I brought him in. He was an older cat who had not had an easy life but he lived several more years in peace & comfort before he succumbed to lymphoma last fall. But my Tucson was diagnosed several years after I got her as a kitten. She had tested neg on snap test. When my long time vet noticed something that made him retest & then find out that she had likely been pos all her life, he told me he had no experience w. FELV & made some suggestions about other vet facilities that might have. I spoke to the director of my local shelter who suggested I talk to a local woman who would take FELV+ cats from them when she had room. That woman gave me the name of the vet she uses--turned out he was a vet that a friend had recommended. He was very helpful in easing my mind, was not real concerned about mixing, and made some good suggestions about food & nutritutional supplements. Bottom line, it helps if your vet has had some experience with FELV or at least is willing to educate himself. Maybe there's a rescue near you that works with FELV+ that could give you some ideas.
I'm surprised that your vet didn't suggest the IFA test--it is costlier than the in office snap test but would tell you more conclusively if Lucky is in fact pos. Also, you might want to think about having a full blood panel. Might give you a head start on any other issues he might have and would give you a baseline reading for the future. Finances are ALWAYS a big issue--but making a little investment now might prevent more problems in the future. Basically, no matter whether he's really pos or neg, you're doing the very best things you can do for Lucky (and it sure sounds like he knows it!) Christiane Biagi ti...@mindspring.com -----Original Message----- From: felvtalk-boun...@felineleukemia.org [mailto:felvtalk-boun...@felineleukemia.org] On Behalf Of Bonnie Hogue Sent: Thursday, September 16, 2010 11:57 PM To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] New to Feline Leukemia Yeah, I don't know this vet all that well....He's young (which can be good -- maybe up on the latest technology) and I don't really have a read on him. Maybe he's just a little bit in a hurry. I'm thinking of taking Lucky to someone "more experienced." Frankly -- and I hate to say it -- but finances are a big consideration. But if it is a matter of his quality of life, we'll have to find a way. ~B. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Cougar Clan" <maima...@duo-county.com> To: <felvtalk@felineleukemia.org> Sent: Thursday, September 16, 2010 3:47 PM Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] New to Feline Leukemia >I am very sure he does. The drooling is a sign of contentment as is the >purring and kneading. He sounds like a wonderful little guy. > > How confident are you in your vet? If the answer is not 110%, consider a > consultation with another vet. > On Sep 16, 2010, at 5:12 PM, Bonnie Hogue wrote: > >> Thanks, Cougar Clan. I am looking up a holistic vet here in Sonoma >> County. >> >> Lucky was living outside and not coming around for feeding. I knew I >> had to do something when I spotted him just after sunset one evening on >> the neighbor's roof, looking out on the world. It was the saddest, most >> forlorn sight I'd ever seen. I knew then that this little guy was >> feeling abandoned and wondering what to do and where to go. My next act >> was to open a can of tuna to lure him in. It worked. Two days of >> feeding canned food and I nabbed him. I think he was relieved. He is >> adjusting well (smartest cat I ever met). I went in an laid on the bed >> and he did all the things my mom used to tell me about: drooling while >> he purred, kneading, stretching out his full length next to me. What a >> special cat, indeed. I am committed to helping him and keeping him safe >> and healthy. I tell him, "Lucky, maybe it's time you retire, you know? >> No more fights or catching rats -- just live the good life on easy >> street!" Hope he agrees! >> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Cougar Clan" <maima...@duo-county.com >> > >> To: <felvtalk@felineleukemia.org> >> Sent: Thursday, September 16, 2010 12:16 PM >> Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] New to Feline Leukemia >> >> >>> Personally, I would read the information on the board about the >>> testing procedures and have him retested. Meanwhile I would vaccinate >>> my cats and keep Lucky safe until he is retested. Depending on what >>> you decide to do about mixing (again this board has lots of >>> information--I mixed after one cat (FELV-) was diagnosed with terminal >>> cancer), you go forward the best way you can. A spare room is not a >>> bad thing. Just make all your decisions with love for Lucky. >>> >>> Feed all of the cats the absolute best diet you can and keep them as >>> stress free as possible. Lucky has gone through a lot and I cannot >>> imagine the pain and stress of your mother's illness and their >>> separation has caused both of them. I like to use Rescue Remedy in >>> water and Feliway spray around the house. There are other things you >>> can do to help. I suspect your mother talked to Lucky a lot. Maybe a >>> radio or even a recording of her voice? If you do the recording, >>> consider a loop tape (like they use for training parrots etc. Record >>> once and it repeats for so long a time). >>> >>> I brought my Daddy's cat to live with me after Mom decided she >>> couldn't care for her after Daddy left this world. I slept on the >>> floor for 3 months trying to get Kitty to come out. We finally >>> reached an agreement....I was there to serve her. My holistic vet >>> suggested the Feliway and it really helped. It sounds like Lucky is >>> not as upset by the move but keep this in mind. >>> >>> Consider consulting a holistic/alternative vet. I have regular vets >>> that I adore and a holistic vet who has a vet degree and works >>> wonderfully with my regular vets (they sent me to her initially). I >>> have a couple of names and numbers in Louisville KY if you need them. >>> They do phone consultations. >>> >>> Then, most importantly for me, throw away the calendar and enjoy every >>> minute you have with Lucky and the other cats. >>> >>> Bless you for caring. >>> >>> On Sep 15, 2010, at 11:37 PM, Bonnie Hogue wrote: >>> >>>> It's a long story, but I'll shorten it... >>>> My mom has a "heart cat" named Lucky. She's disabled and no longer >>>> living at home. Her sister was caring for Lucky, but herself is >>>> unwell and struggling. I went over to feed the cats during her >>>> hospitalization and Lucky did not look good. I took him to the vet: >>>> bad fleas, possible infected eye and nose, and tested "weak positive" >>>> for feline leukemia. This makes my plan of integrating him into my >>>> 3-cat household a real challenge. The vet said I could get my three >>>> cats vaccinated "providing 80% protection"... Meanwhile, Lucky is >>>> sequestered in the spare bedroom, taking antibiotics (what a good >>>> cat!) and healing. I'm trying to figure out how to make this work, >>>> longer term. >>>> Ideas??? >>>> Thank you! >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> Felvtalk mailing list >>>> Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org >>>> http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org >>>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Felvtalk mailing list >>> Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org >>> http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/ felvtalk_felineleukemia.org >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Felvtalk mailing list >> Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org >> http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org >> > > > _______________________________________________ > Felvtalk mailing list > Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org > _______________________________________________ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org _______________________________________________ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
