Conference misery::feline_v1

    
         What about the option of getting a kitten that is also positive?
    You wouldn't have to worry that way and you'd be giving a good home
    to a kitten that may end up being put down :^)
    
                                                                kim

    
    
    	I second that motion!
    
    	Of course, you are letting yourself in for alot of heartbreak.
    
    	Good luck,
    
    	Karen

    My Portia has leukemia.  Right now it's in remission.  We also have
    Oscar.  We don't know if he's positive or negative since we have
    never tested him.  He just hasn't showed any signs of bieng sick.
    
    I third the idea of getting another kitten -- a leukemia positive
    one.  
    
    I took us 3-4 months of fighting, but we got Portia into remission.
    We still give her iron supplements, and cook her chicken livers
    once a week.
    
    The leukemia isn't really as bad as some people think it is (though
    I admit I feel we've been lucky with Portia).  The leukemic cats
    are just as lovable as the rest of the cats.
    
    	-Nancy
    
    

    My neighbors have 2 cats - one tested positive to Leukemia, and
    the other has tested "boderline".  Both seem happy and healthy cats.
    They let their cats outside and occassionally, they fight with mine.
    My boys have had their FeLV shots and boosters since the shots came
    out.  After finding out that Snoopy had leukemia and my guys fighting
    with him, I had them retested - and the test came back negative.
    My point of all this is that if you get a kitten or cat that has
    been tested negative but has all the shots, then chances are that
    the new cat will be ok.  Also, my uncle brought in a negative tested
    cat to a positive feline leukemia household.  He kept both cats
    separated until the negative cat went through all the shots, etc.
    and then introduced them.  The negative cat never caught the leukemia
    and is still doing ok. 
    
    Good luck,
    Mary
    

I have two leukemia positive cats who are quite healthy. When I discovered
that Caspar tested positive I got him another positive companion. A positive
testing does not mean that they have it, it could mean that they are immune to
it and it probably means that they could pass it on. While looking for a
leukemia positive buddy for Caspar, I discovered that most of them are put
down regardless of their health. I was glad I was able to rescue a furry grey
tiger who is now called Greylock. (How long will it be before we start killing
all people who test postive for aids too?)

Eryn Utz

    I also think you should (after another test has been done of course)
    adopt another kitten to keep each other company.  I wouldn't bring
    in a "positive" tested one though until that second test is done.
    Sometimes the second test comes up negative, I've heard.
    

    I agree with .6; wait until you get the second test back. Then,
    if it comes back positive, see about getting a FELV positive companion
    for your kitty. I'm not sure where you are located, but note 666.18
    gives the name and address of a shelter that keeps a waiting list
    of people that want FELV positive cats.
    
    Deb 

    This is one of one of those topics where you are going to get a
    lot of information based on both personal experiences and feelings as
    well as actual facts.  The best thing to do in situations like this
    is read all the information carefully and then make the best decision
    for yourself.
    
    I agree with waiting for the second test to come back before adding
    a second kitty to the household.  Six weeks will fly by and once
    the results are in, you will know exactly which approach to take.
    
    Good luck!
    
    /Roberta
    
    

    
    
    	Another thing you might do is contact various vets in the area
    and tell them that if they have an FELV positive kitten that is
    to be put down, to contact you.... immediately.  I'm sure they
    would be happy to do this.  And, of course, tell all the shelters
    too.  

    The Boston Cat Hospital is HAPPY to find homes for any
    FeLV positive cats that they have that need homes.  (The
    clinic will not keep FeLV positive cats unless they have
    someone waiting for such a cat, by the way.  Ordinarily all
    they will keep are cats/kittens that test negative.)
    
    Let me know if you want me to help you find a positive
    companion cat,
    		    Pennie

    What about those kittens Roberta(?) is in the process of rescuing,
    aren't they positive?  Maybe one of them could be your second
    kitten.
    

    I understand the Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem, MA has the waiting
    list for "positive" tested cats.  Someone in this file recently
    placed their's in a home with another positive cat and has settled
    in nicely.  
    

    I have decided to wait until I have Katie retested in 6 weeks. 
    Hopefully she will test negative.  My hopes were to get another
    Maine Coon kitten like Katie, but I just don't want to chance it
    right now.  We just lost Dusty (age 6) to leukemia and I can't 
    take another lose.  
    
    
    

    
    Good decision.  Although I don't know where you're located, there
    is a privately run cat orphanage in Fitchburg, Mass. mentioned in
    Note 1559.0 and she has a section for feline leukemia positive cats
    who are also up for adoption.  Note 1559.7 also mentioned photos
    of potential adoptees being available at the Central Animal Hospital,
    Johnny Appleseed Plaza, Leominster, Mass.  Don't know if a cat tested
    positive is included in the photos, but when time comes you could
    inquire.  Good luck on your next test and hope it comes out "negative".
    
    Pat
    

    Is Katie a purebred Maine Coon?  If so, I would think the breeder
    should be notified about her condition.  Since most breeders are
    very careful about preventing felv in their catteries, they might
    be able to assist you.
    

    Katie is a purebred Maine Coon. She is 1 1/2 years old and an indoor
    cat, however my other cat Dusty is an outdoors cat and I believe
    Katie contracted felv from Dusty.  Do you think the cattery should
    still be notified?

    To all those who have suggested getting another felv kitten -- Aren't
    I setting myself up for another heartbreak?
    
    A little history. Three weeks ago Dusty became sick.  He won't eat or
    drink.  The vet put him on antibiotics and injected him with fluids.
    He didn't respond, so he went back to the vets and stayed for a
    few days so that they could keep an eye on him and inject him with
    stronger antibiotics and more fluids.  He did well and came home.
    Last week he became sick again, but this time he would drink water
    but wouldn't eat. So back to the vets. This time he was tested for
    felv (his first testing) and came back definately positive.  The
    vet put him on antibiotics again but said there was little hope
    for him.  Two days after going to the vets my nephew was over and
    didn't realize how sick Dusty was and let him out.  Dusty didn't return
    for four days, I presumed he went off to die.  Last Friday night
    he returned, thinner, but alive.  He hasn't eaten but he still drinks.
    We are presently feeding him baby food through an eye dropper. 
    I am prolonging the inevitable - he gets upset when I feed him and
    it looks like it takes a lot out of him.  My husband and I have
    discussed what needs to be done, the question is when?
    
    As for Katie.  When we found out Dusty had felv we had her tested.
    Her test was also positive.  She is a healthy looking cat, but then
    again so was Dusty.  Katie will be retested and if the test comes
    back positive again I guess I'm looking at the same fate as Dusty.
    I don't think my family can go through this again. It hurts too
    much to see him go through this and know there is nothing you can
    do to stop it or help him. 
    
                               

    I am sorry to hear about Dusty.  Perhaps you should put the idea
    of another kitten 'on the shelf' for awhile until you can come to
    terms with the situation you are currently faced with.
    
    First of all, don't give up on Katie yet.  She could have a dormant
    form of the virus and never show any symptoms of actually having
    the disease.  Try not to jump to any unnecessary conclusions until
    she has been retested.  In the meantime, you might want to put your
    mind at ease by contacting Tufts University (are you located in
    Mass.?) and speaking with the pros.  They can advise you on available
    treatments and give you a good, overall, education about felv and
    what it's all about.  They helped me greatly when I was faced head-on
    with my two cats being exposed to the disease and what to expect
    if they ended up testing postive.  If Katie does have a dormant
    form of the disease, just being an indoor cat will increase her
    chances of staying healthy.  You can get a lot of good insight simply
    by reading this notesfile; however, in my opinion, only the experts
    can steer you in the right direction as far as bringing in another
    kitten is concerned, what its health status should be, etc.  The
    staff at Tufts were very free in sharing their knowledge and expertise.
    I am a great fan of theirs and so is my sister, who's kitty has
    lymphosarcoma, a form of felv, and has been in remission for over
    a year, thanks to Tufts.
    
    Please keep us informed on both Dusty and Katie's status.  We are
    all here to help each other, share our experiences, and offer support.
    I sincerely hope that things work out for you.
    
    Hope this helps,
    
    /Roberta
    

    Oh, by the way, I would not notify the cattery.  It is not their
    responsibility since Katie contracted felv from Dusty and most probably
    was not harboring the disease at the cattery.  In this case, I don't
    think the breeder should be held accountable.
    

    
    I would put your thoughts about getting another kitty on hold until
    you know for sure what you're going to do about Dusty and Katie.
    
    My mother ended up putting her whole family (4 Seal-point Siamese)
    to sleep after one contracted FELV and spread it to the others (they
    were all outdoor cats).  
    It's really too bad since 3 of them apeared totally healthy.  This 
    happened about 5-6 years ago, before there was any "real" information
    about this disease.   She contacted several vets, vet colleges,
    and animal hospitals before making the decision, but all the
    specialists she spoke to said the best/safest thing to do is put them 
    all down, since they will "eventually" become very sick and suffer.   
    They never elaborated on "eventually" because they were so unsure
    about the disease and its ramifications back then.
                                           
    I know you may think this sounds cruel (and it is), but what's a
    person to do when all the doctors tell you  that all they can
    do is *TRY* to maintain the cats health for a little while, but it 
    will eventually get worse and the cat will eventually experience 
    a lot of pain.
    
    If my mother only knew then, what we know today - that there IS a way 
    to extend the life of a FELV cat, she never, ever would have put 
    them to sleep.  This was a very hard and emotional time as you can 
    imagine, it's just unfortunate our cats caught the disease before 
    there was any quality information out about it.  
                                               
    There is a happy ending though - she now has 3 more siamese that
    are as wonderful as the others.   The only difference is, they don't
    go outside.
    
    Again, please wait until your comfortable with your current situation
    before bringing in another kitty.  Since you've already gone through
    this with a past kitty, are you sure you want to subject yourself
    for more heartbreak?
    
    I'm sure you'll end up doing the right thing - follow you motherly
    instincts.
    
    Good luck
    BC