Re: For those who mix positive/negative

2006-06-07 Thread jenmeyer
Hi Noelle!

We had to make a similar decision when we found out our kittens tested
positive!  We just didn't have the heart to separate their adoptive dad
(he was negative) who had grown very attached to the babies!  So we got
him the FeLV booster and continue to do so every year (although I don't
know how necessary this is...he'd probably be fine with a booster every
2 or 3 years).  It's been almost 4 years, now, and Boots still tests
negative.  We've even added another negative to the bunch without any
problems!  And they share everything (food, water, litter...even groom
each other).

Flaco is about at that age where his immune system ought to be fully
developed...but irregardless, you may want to retest both babies in a
few months just to be sure!

I don't think Flaco and Loca could've found a more loving, wonderful home!!

Jen


But if you tame me, then we shall need each other. To me, you will be
unique in all the world. To you, I shall be unique in all the world; You
become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed... --Antoine de
Saint-Exupéry

If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know
each other.  If you do not talk to them you will not know them, and what
you do not know you will fear. What one fears one destroys. --Chief Dan
George

The flame that burns twice as bright burns half as long... --Blade Runner

- Original Message -
From: Noelle Ehrenkaufer [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: Wednesday, June 7, 2006 2:33 pm
Subject: For those who mix positive/negative
To: Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org

 As I mentioned before I have two kittens who were abandoned that I 
 took in. Both are about 5 months now. I found Loca when she was 
 only about 2 weeks, Flaco was probably 2.5-3 months when we found 
 him. They have always been together and are buddies. The vet 
 recently recommended testing for leukemia, Loca tested positive, 
 Flaco negative.
 
 After researching the archives here and elsewhere and giving it a 
 lot of thought, I have decided not to separate them. Logistically 
 it would not be easy and I just can't bear to see Loca separated 
 from the others like that. We also have an adult cat who is like a 
 dad to them and 3 dogs that get along fine with the cats.
 
 I am wondering what others do in this situation to minimize the 
 risk of transmission to Flaco. When they eat I always keep an eye 
 on them to keep them out of each others' plates, but there's really 
 nothing I can do about the water dishes. I try to discourage her 
 from grooming him if I see it. I usually pick her up and cuddle her 
 instead, which she loves. My vet also recommended giving the FeLV 
 vaccine to Flaco. Does anyone else have thoughts on this?
 
 I just wanted to also share a comment from my Chilean boyfriend. We 
 live in Chile where there is even less information available about 
 this disease. He said that we are very lucky that I speak English 
 and was able to find this site. I have been sharing some of what I 
 have learned from this site and he was really impressed with the 
 wealth of knowledge here and the willingness of members to help others.



Re: For those who mix positive/negative

2006-06-07 Thread catatonya
My house has been mixed over 10 years. I don't do anything special. My negatives continue to get their vaccinations.tNoelle Ehrenkaufer [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:  As I mentioned before I have two kittens who were abandoned that I took in. Both are about 5 months now. I found Loca when she was only about 2 weeks, Flaco was probably 2.5-3 months whenwe found him. They have always been together and are buddies. The vet recently recommended testing for leukemia, Locatested positive, Flaco negative.Afterresearching the archives here and elsewhere and giving it a lot of thought, I
 have decided not to separate them. Logistically it would not be easy and I just can't bear to see Loca separated from the others like that. We also have an adult cat who is like a dad to them and 3 dogs that get along fine with the cats.I am wondering what others do in this situation to minimize the risk of transmission to Flaco. When they eat I always keep an eye on them to keep them out of each others' plates, but there's really nothing I can do about the water dishes. I try to discourage her from grooming him if I see it. I usually pick her up and cuddle her instead, which she loves. My vet also recommended giving the FeLV vaccine to Flaco. Does anyone else have thoughts on this?I just wanted to also share a comment from my Chilean boyfriend. We live in Chile where there is even less
 information available about this disease. He said that we are very lucky that I speak English and was able to find this site. I have been sharing some of what I have learned from this site and he was really impressed with the wealth of knowledge here and thewillingness of members to help others.

RE: For those who mix positive/negative

2006-06-07 Thread Hideyo Yamamoto








Good for you! I am so glad that Loca gets
to stay with Flaco.. I think sometimes there are things that are more important
in life than just science and test result..

Though felk vaccination is not 100%, I
guess its probably a good idea to give Flaco a shot just in case..



But just so that you know.. whether a cat
gets felk virus or not has a lot to do with their own immune system as opposed
whether they are exposed to the virus or not.. I read that 75% of cats have
been exposed to felk virus during their life time, but the majority (over 95%
or so) do not get tested positive for the virus as their immune system is
strong and built immunity to the virus..











From:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On
Behalf Of catatonya
Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2006
3:34 PM
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Subject: Re: For those who mix
positive/negative







My house has been mixed over 10 years. I don't do anything
special. My negatives continue to get their vaccinations.











t

Noelle Ehrenkaufer
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:







As I mentioned before I have two kittens who were abandoned
that I took in. Both are about 5 months now. I found Loca when she was only
about 2 weeks, Flaco was probably 2.5-3 months whenwe found him. They
have always been together and are buddies. The vet recently recommended testing
for leukemia, Locatested positive, Flaco negative.











Afterresearching the archives here and elsewhere and
giving it a lot of thought, I have decided not to separate them. Logistically
it would not be easy and I just can't bear to see Loca separated from the
others like that. We also have an adult cat who is like a dad to them and 3
dogs that get along fine with the cats.











I am wondering what others do in this situation to minimize
the risk of transmission to Flaco. When they eat I always keep an eye on them
to keep them out of each others' plates, but there's really nothing I can do
about the water dishes. I try to discourage her from grooming him if I see it.
I usually pick her up and cuddle her instead, which she loves. My vet also
recommended giving the FeLV vaccine to Flaco. Does anyone else have thoughts on
this?











I just wanted to also share a comment from my Chilean boyfriend.
We live in Chile
where there is even less information available about this disease. He said that
we are very lucky that I speak English and was able to find this site. I have
been sharing some of what I have learned from this site and he was really
impressed with the wealth of knowledge here and thewillingness of members
to help others.














Re: For those who mix positive/negative

2006-06-07 Thread gwork



I have also had a mixed house for 
almost 6 years now - just vaccinate the negatives.

Krishttp://www.spazstory.zoomshare.com

  - Original Message - 
  From: 
  Noelle Ehrenkaufer 
  
  To: Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org 
  
  Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2006 3:32 
  PM
  Subject: For those who mix 
  positive/negative
  
  As I mentioned before I have two kittens who were 
  abandoned that I took in. Both are about 5 months now. I found Loca when she 
  was only about 2 weeks, Flaco was probably 2.5-3 months whenwe found 
  him. They have always been together and are buddies. The vet recently 
  recommended testing for leukemia, Locatested positive, Flaco 
  negative.
  
  Afterresearching the archives here and 
  elsewhere and giving it a lot of thought, I have decided not to separate them. 
  Logistically it would not be easy and I just can't bear to see Loca separated 
  from the others like that. We also have an adult cat who is like a dad to them 
  and 3 dogs that get along fine with the cats.
  
  I am wondering what others do in this situation 
  to minimize the risk of transmission to Flaco. When they eat I always keep an 
  eye on them to keep them out of each others' plates, but there's really 
  nothing I can do about the water dishes. I try to discourage her from grooming 
  him if I see it. I usually pick her up and cuddle her instead, which she 
  loves. My vet also recommended giving the FeLV vaccine to Flaco. Does anyone 
  else have thoughts on this?
  
  I just wanted to also share a comment from my 
  Chilean boyfriend. We live in Chile where there is even less information 
  available about this disease. He said that we are very lucky that I speak 
  English and was able to find this site. I have been sharing some of what I 
  have learned from this site and he was really impressed with the wealth of 
  knowledge here and thewillingness of members to help 
others.