Debbie Welcome to the group_albeit circumstances but thats how most of us got here_I agree with Beth. The symptoms you describe could be a number of diseases. No way to tell for sure if he has FeLV until he's been tested with a definitive test like an IFA, though in his case and given his age I'd say his former negative result is what it is. I wonder why the vet thought it could be FeLV, specially since he has no diarrea/soft stools, blood disorders(wich show as blodd in stool). I wouldn't give him pred unless it is just supportve care, it suppreses the inmune system, the last thing any cat needs. However if he has stomatitis I would. I've had and have FeLV+s cats. The one I've now is close to last stages, he's playful and animated but has a chronic URI, soft stools and bloody diahrrea, thrifty coat, sometimes he staggers, keeps getting sores, sneezes blood sometimes, that is because can't coagulate well, eats like a horse and hasn't gained an ounce. Well he has lately but my other cats would be basketballs if they ate like he does. Besides he tested twice + on the ELISA and comes from a household where most cats were FeLV+. A hoarding situation, very sad but at least he has a better life now tho very limited. Anyways I'd run a test first, to me I wouldn't jump to conclusions, stomatitis or other disorder sure could be. Don't put him on pred(steroids or glucocorticoids. M
http://homelessnomore.webs.com/ --- On Wed, 11/16/11, Beth <create_me_...@yahoo.com> wrote: From: Beth <create_me_...@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] new member To: "felvtalk@felineleukemia.org" <felvtalk@felineleukemia.org> Date: Wednesday, November 16, 2011, 5:06 PM Debbie - There is no way to tell is he has FeLV without a blood test.Was the 11 year old cat tested for FeLV? Just wondering how he would have gotten it if his previous test were negative, though it can take 3 months for the bloodwork to show a positive test. Prednisone depresses the immune system & should only be used in conjunction with a specific medical diagnosis. Are his gums pink? He may be suffering from anemia. Is the stomatitis so bad he cannot eat? Was the Pred given to him for the Stomatitis? Beth Don't Litter, Fix Your Critter! www.Furkids.org From: "danbin...@netzero.com" <danbin...@netzero.com> To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2011 10:50 AM Subject: [Felvtalk] new member Boy, am I glad to find this website and group. I think my kitty, Buster (15 yo, neutered male), has FeLV. He stopped eating about 2 1/2 years ago. I took him to the vet who was unable to diagnose what was wrong with Buster, even after several visits. I was unable to get an ultrasound, which she said was the next step. She decided, with the information that she had, that Buster had cholangiohepatitis. Vet put him on 5 mg prednisolone and Cyroheptadine (appetite stimulant) After trying to wean him off, unsuccessfully, he had been on these drugs for 2 years. Yesterday, I was speaking to a (different) vet on the phone, and when I described Buster she said she thought FeLV. She said if he had a liver disease, I would see jaundice. Buster does have a number of clinical signs: little appetite, slow but extreme weight loss, minor stomatitis, poor coat, occasional eye problems. No fever, no wounds, no diarrhea. In 2009, Buster's last blood test (which was fine), he had the ELISA test which was negative. I forgot to mention that Buster did not get sick until I brought an 11 year old rescue into the home. All of my cats (3) are indoor only I guess my question, after this very long explanation (sorry), is are there any cats being treated only with prednisolone? I am not able to take Buster to the vet due to a number of reasons. After almost 3 years, he has taken a big turn for the worse. Usually, rebounds (with syringe feeding), but I don't think so, this time Thank you so much debbie & buster ____________________________________________________________ 57 Year Old Mom Looks 27 Mom Reveals $3 Wrinkle Trick Angering Doctors... http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL3231/4ec3dc1abe4f10ffeest01duc _______________________________________________ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
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