Pam,
You don't have to wait 3 weeks to do an IFA test. I believe you can do it
now. Here is a link that you can have them read, it is helpful...
http://www.acfacat.com/felv.htm
Since she is still a kitten her chances of clearing the virus is lower than
if she was an adult. My kitten tested negative for it on the ELISA test when
he was 5 mos, then at 9 mos tested a light positive, but was severely ill
(anemic, heart murmur, very low oxygen level, and weakness) and we had to
put him to sleep. He also had coccidia.
In my opinion, what you plan on telling her is correct. However, you may
want to mention that it may effect them financially. Even though she appears
healthy now, she could need expensive meds later. Remember that cats hide
their symptoms really well, but she could be able to clear the virus. I
hope this is exactly what happens, then no worries either way.
How old their kids are, in my opinion, would depend on how they would learn
from this experience. You're heart is in the right place and she is very
lucky to have you be so compassionate and eager to find her the home she
deserves.
Good luck! Keep us posted. I hope this helped.
Lynda
----- Original Message -----
From: "Pam Norman" <pam_nor...@charter.net>
To: <felvtalk@felineleukemia.org>
Sent: Saturday, June 04, 2011 11:35 PM
Subject: [Felvtalk] Questiions
Hi all,
We are trying to give little Sabriina a chance. She is an approximately 5
month old lynx Siamese. She was pulled from a dope house & was going to
come to us as a foster until she was tested positive for FeLeuk. At the
moment she is at a sanctuary about 75 miles from here. We are desperately
trying to find someone who will take her for the approximately 6 months
that I understand will give a good idea whether she can beat this virus or
not. She is healthy & looks great. She has had so far only the snap test
& as I understand it, the IFA test should follow in about 3 weeks. Is this
correct?
We have a daughter of a friend who MAY take her. But she has two small
children & the family had to put down their 2 Siamese about a year ago &
they are not anxious to take in a kitty that they will have to euthanize
soon. I have not spoken to her yet but will be tomorrow & I am planning
on telling her pretty much the following:
There are no guarantees as to how long a kitty will live who has tested
positive for FeLeuk. It depends on a lot of factors - her general health &
how she is cared for - diet, freedom from stress, etc. Some kitties will
not live long at all; others can live for years: & still others will fall
somewhere in between. No guarantees. They have no other cats right now &
I can tell them for sure that they will never have to euthanize her. If
she continues to test positive, they have the option of having us take
her to the sanctuary where she is not & she would join the other FeLeuk
cats in that part of the sanctuary. Or they can keep her & give her good
& loving care for as long as she has, knowing that they played a huge part
in making her life one filled with love. It would be hard on the kids but
it would teach them something about compassion, about caring for an animal
that they may lose, that it will hurt them to lose her, but that they know
they have done a good & beautiful thing.
Please tell me if there is more I can tell her. I have never had a FeLeuk
kitty before & I am no expert on this. So I am very much in need to
information I can provide that is fair & objective so that they can make
an informed & compassionate decision. I very much want them to take her
but I do not want to mislead them either.
Please help me.
Pam
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