Sat. AM I had to take Buddy to the vet.
He has not looked or behaved right for a little over a week now. Slowly I started noticing strange things. He just wasn't his usual self. He belly began to swell, he was dehydrated, diarrhea, loss of appetite. The vet did the usual tests and included an xray.
I was told he has fluid on his stomach and that when they tested the fluid it came back immediately as positive for FeLV. This is my first and hopefully my last experience with this virus...
The vet said he is day to day and I should consider euthanasia. I asked how long he had and was told any day. This is extremely sudden.
The vet asked if I wanted to take him home. Of course I took him home. I wanted to spend the last couple of days we have together. Monday I have to take him up there to do the humane thing...
I do have another cat and she seems fine. I plan to get her tested as the both go outside. I learning more about this virus each day. I am trying to educate myself on this cancer but it is hard to grasp. This is one of the hardest things I have ever had to go thru. I really came to love this cat quickly. He has been treated like a king in our home.
Buddy's story explains more of this then I cared to admit....
He showed up at my door in Feb. of this year just after some serious thunderstorms. I tried to see if he would come inside so I could find out where he belonged. He had no collar or chip. After posting his description, pictures, and my contact info. no one called. I began to think he was dumped.
Buddy is way too well adjusted and made himself at home quickly. I decided he was going to stay. He was bloated when I found him (worms). I took him to the vet and got a battery of shots including the de-wormer. I had to take him back after a couple of days later because he was droopy. The vet gave him a corticosteroid. After that he was fine. The vet never suggested or performed the FeLV / FIV test. I am not sure why she never suggested it.
Even if I had known I still would have kept him because he is such an amazing cat friend.
He has to be one of the greatest animals that has ever blessed us with their presence. I am truly grateful for having so many wonderful moments with him in the short time we have had together.
My guess is that he was dumped. The previous owner most likely had him tested, found out and rather then deal with it just dumpted him....
After his diagnosis today I believe this to even more likely.
Does anyone know if the FeLV / FIV test is standard with vets? Or know why that would not be one of the first things a vet would do when someone has / finds a stray?
He has not looked or behaved right for a little over a week now. Slowly I started noticing strange things. He just wasn't his usual self. He belly began to swell, he was dehydrated, diarrhea, loss of appetite. The vet did the usual tests and included an xray.
I was told he has fluid on his stomach and that when they tested the fluid it came back immediately as positive for FeLV. This is my first and hopefully my last experience with this virus...
The vet said he is day to day and I should consider euthanasia. I asked how long he had and was told any day. This is extremely sudden.
The vet asked if I wanted to take him home. Of course I took him home. I wanted to spend the last couple of days we have together. Monday I have to take him up there to do the humane thing...
I do have another cat and she seems fine. I plan to get her tested as the both go outside. I learning more about this virus each day. I am trying to educate myself on this cancer but it is hard to grasp. This is one of the hardest things I have ever had to go thru. I really came to love this cat quickly. He has been treated like a king in our home.
Buddy's story explains more of this then I cared to admit....
He showed up at my door in Feb. of this year just after some serious thunderstorms. I tried to see if he would come inside so I could find out where he belonged. He had no collar or chip. After posting his description, pictures, and my contact info. no one called. I began to think he was dumped.
Buddy is way too well adjusted and made himself at home quickly. I decided he was going to stay. He was bloated when I found him (worms). I took him to the vet and got a battery of shots including the de-wormer. I had to take him back after a couple of days later because he was droopy. The vet gave him a corticosteroid. After that he was fine. The vet never suggested or performed the FeLV / FIV test. I am not sure why she never suggested it.
Even if I had known I still would have kept him because he is such an amazing cat friend.
He has to be one of the greatest animals that has ever blessed us with their presence. I am truly grateful for having so many wonderful moments with him in the short time we have had together.
My guess is that he was dumped. The previous owner most likely had him tested, found out and rather then deal with it just dumpted him....
After his diagnosis today I believe this to even more likely.
Does anyone know if the FeLV / FIV test is standard with vets? Or know why that would not be one of the first things a vet would do when someone has / finds a stray?