Hi All,
Preston Truman wrote:
> For what it is worth, I too personally think we place way too much on
> repeating tests when an animal has tested positive for FeLV, and
> especially when it has shown classic symptoms of it before treatment.
> Cats rarely sero-convert to negative no matter how they are treated. And
> in those that do, "IF" you were to do PCR tests on bone marrow stem
> cells and certain other cells, you'll find the damned FeLV locked in the
> DNA waiting.
>
I want to clarify for myself -- this is your *opinion* based on the research you
have
or have not seen, right?
>
> My first cat DID sero-convert to negative after agressive treatment with
> ICR, high-dose Interferon A and AZT, and remained negative for FeLV
> until his death 7 3/4 years later at age 15. And his lymphoma never
> returned either. But PCR and other testing since developed for HIV,
> would have found FelV in his bone marrow despite the negative status on
> tests year after year.
You're hypothesizing here, of course. You say the new testing WOULD have found
the virus, but you are just guessing. You don't KNOW unless you had bone marrow
preserved until the newer testing could be done.
> What is important is not seroconversion back to negative, but the cat
> being able to CONTROL the virus still left in its system for the rest of
> its life. To become and remain a long-term non-progressor. Total cure is
> a myth as there will always be some retrovirus left somewhere, and it is
> the strength and ability of the cat's immune system to keep it in check
> that decides the outcome and if the FeLV symptoms will ever return.
>
I'd like some documentation on the "total cure is a myth" view, please? I agree
with what you say about strong immune systems being the key to good quality of
life. I just am not sure if I can *philosophically* agree that there is no such
thing as total cure.
>
> It is like chicken pox or other similar viruses in humans, it is there
> forever but the immune system is able to keep it in check for the most
> part. That is what "cure" has to be seen as with FeLV -- treatment that
> first knocks the virus down and stops the symptoms and allows the cat's
> immune system to return the ability to, and then keep control of the
> virus over a normal lifetime.
>
> And a cat going from testing positive to negative doesn't mean as much
> as it's hyped off to be, in my personal opinion. Nor is a positive test
> always coming back test after test in a cat who had FeLV and was treated
> and is now symptom free and healthy the end of the world.
I think a lot of what this whole discussion has to do with, really is "what is
health?" What I would imagine a lot of people here test for, is so that they know
when they can be reasonably sure the cat is healthier, and in some cases, in hopes
of being able to reintroduce the kitty to normal household populations (keeping the
former FeLeuk+ kitty with their other cats, for example). My own opinion is that
there is no real-life "perfectly healthy" animal. Every individual carries some
level of some infection or disease. The mystery is in what level of carrying a
disease factor (such as a virus) endangers that individual's health and the larger
population's? Is there a *level* below which a test result can make us a bit more
secure that the animal will be free of serious symptoms, that's part of the issue.
If a virus is latent, is found in bone marrow or something but not circulating in
the blood, does it mean the cat could not infect another cat? I think these are
the things we are all struggling with, because I think a lot of our concerns are
that FeLv (and FIV, to some extent) tend to mean one must isolate the cat, and that
has a lot of implications for feral cat management and for adoptions to decrease
the US's companion animal overpopulation problem.
It's an interesting debate; unfortunately I don't believe there are very clear
answers. I don't necessarily know that sero-conversion means anything particular
in FACT, though it may be interesting in theory.
Cheers,
Linda
--
Linda Saffell
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
List Owner, Prince Georges Feral Friends discussion group
