Hello All,
I had only heard whispers about FeLV until Monday of this week.
Our little 1.5 year old Bengal, Yoko, tested positive for FeLV (on an ELISA
test, the IFA test is being processed right now). She presented with
puddle-poo and intense vomiting. At first, we thought that she might have
eaten something strange. She is a Bengal... However - upon X-Rays and an
Ultrasound - SIBO (Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth) was diagnosed. Her
intestines were riddled with bacteria. She is currently on 2 meds - an
antibiotic and a steroid.
I just got her blood panels back today and her Red Blood Cell count is off
the chart at 12.22 million/uL, and her HGB is high @ 17.3 (normal 9.5-15
g/dL) and her HCT is high @ 51.2 (normal 29-45%), her absolute lymphocyte is
low @1387 (normal is 1500-7000.
I am hoping for a false positive since she tested negative a year ago and
hasn't been in contact with any other cats since we got her from the breeder
besides our (now) 10 year old male Tabby, who tested negative every 2 years
and today as well.
Other than this instance (which happened on Friday) she has been tight as a
drum - very energetic, talkative, loving and playful. I just hope we caught
it early.
We were beside ourselves at the first mention of FeLV, but after doing my
research and googling like crazy, I have learned so much about the disease
and how it can be managed to help the cats live a long healthy life. You
will be pleased to know that my vet is 100% behind us and could not be more
thrilled that we are trying to control her issues (she has some other issues
Lipase, Albumin and Total Protein, Cholesterol and Chloride were all super
high, so we're going to try doing a homecooked food. We had been feeding her
Avoderm Seafood Formula until now. We have transitioned to Royal Canin Duck
until I master the home cooked flavor that the cats will love.
You all are so hypervigilant and I think that is great, wanting to do the
best for your pets as long as you can. Yoko was brought into our house after
our cat Mercury died from renal failure. We kept him alive for 2 years on
SubCu fluids, appetite increasing meds, and steroids - all done from our
living room. We consider those 2 years extra borrowed time and were thrilled
to have done all we could for him in his 13 year old life.
Here's hoping everyone is having a good cat day today.
Megan
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