Oliver has been diagnosed w/FeLV.

auntie crazy

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Last night I noticed that Ollie had swollen glands under his jaw and above his collerbone, so I brought him to the vet today. They diagnosed him with FeLV (never mind that the adoption center that vetted this litter stated that the cats were FeLV negative and had been vaccinated against the virus - they lied).

Ollie's siblings, Allen and the girls, tested negative for the virus (I didn't even know that was possible - how could one kitten have it and not the others?), so we vaccinated them today and will give them boosters in three weeks. God willing, they will NOT catch it.

My questions for all my friends out there: First, can you recommend a good website I can go to for info on how to care for my dear Ollie? There are so many sites and some seem to conflict - I just want the facts. And second, can any of you give me FeLV success stories? I'm pretty upset right now and could really use the hope. The vet told me that kittens can sometimes overcome this virus and live long, healthy lives, which I had never heard before. Is that truly possible?

Thanks in advance for your help.
 

white cat lover

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Not the pretty white boy!
A member here, katiemae1277, rescues & currently has 11 FeLV+ kitties. I'd drop her a PM....I know she can set you up with a ton of reliable info! Until then, check out this website:
http://felineleukemia.org/
 
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auntie crazy

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Thank you, White Cat Lover. I am just beside myself. This was the first thing I checked for when I rescued the litter. But, then again, I'm reading an awful lot of info that says a negative reading does not always mean FeLV free, and a positive reading is not always an immediate death sentence.

On the other hand, with Ollie already presenting symptoms (besides the swollen glands, he's anemic), it's not looking good for my little friend. I am praying with all my heart he's just got some other bug and he'll come up with a negative FeLV reading in three months.
 

white cat lover

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I hate to ask, but have you seperated him from the others? Maybe just to be extra cautious? Then you could have all the kitties together for supervised times to ensure everyone else tests FeLV-. What about the mother of the litter?

No, a positive reading is not a death sentence. Even if Ollie tests positive again in 3 months, I wouldn't just put him to sleep. Many can live years as FeLV+.
I'm sorry you have to deal with this!
 

goldenkitty45

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Could it have been a case of false positive after the shots? Charlie's breeders do NOT recommend the shots for FELV - just do the testing.
 

white cat lover

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Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

Could it have been a case of false positive after the shots? Charlie's breeders do NOT recommend the shots for FELV - just do the testing.
Vaccinations for FeLV aren't supposed to cause a false positive. FIV vaccinations can, FeLV can't. I don't have a link, but I know it's been discussed several times...
 

epona

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Oh I am so sorry to hear this. I hope it was a false positive and that he will test negative in a couple of months. Unfortunately the vaccine doesn't offer 100% protection, but it can help them to fight off the infection if they contract it, at least that is what I have heard. Could it be that he has been in contact with the disease and that he has antibodies right now because he is fighting it off and it doesn't necessarily mean that he will be infected and carry it? I am not sure of my info on this point at all though.

I have my fingers (and toes!) crossed for you and Ollie.
 
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auntie crazy

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WLC, my guys totally adore each other; it would stress them all horrendously if I separated one behind closed doors. Until I have information that justifies the stress, I can't do it - especially with Ollie already sick. The mom tested negative back in October, and has since been adopted by a dear friend of mine. She hasn't been around the kittens for many weeks.

GoldenKitty45, only the three kittens that tested negative were given the vaccine today. The shelter was supposed to vaccinate everyone prior to releasing them into my permanent care back in December (even though they have lived with me the whole time), but careful review of the records today showed that they did not.
 

sharky

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My knowledge in this is limited so I am sending a
 
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auntie crazy

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Thank you, Sharky, Epona. Your warm thoughts are appreciated.

I'm wrung out. I've been checking this thread in the hopes of reading an FeLV story that could lift my spirits, but it may very well be that such a beast doesn't exist.

There's a saying everyone likes in my office - It is what it is. I will love and care for Ollie and his siblings with all my heart, no matter their health, until they are taken from me. I expected to grow old with them, but however long or short their time with me, it will be a blessing.
 

cinder

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Here is my experience with the 4 FELV kitties I've had.

Spunky lived another 7 years after being diagnosed. She developed kidney problems at age 15.

Missy came to me as a stray and lived another 4 years.

Smudge was a year old when I adopted her and lived to be 5.

Buster was very ill when I adopted him. He was less than a year old and was with us about 3 months.

I hope Ollie will have many years with you. It's not the worst disease I've ever dealt with, but some definitely fare better than others. I'm sure katiemae1277 will have some good links and info for you to consider.
 

momofmany

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Originally Posted by white cat lover

Vaccinations for FeLV aren't supposed to cause a false positive. FIV vaccinations can, FeLV can't. I don't have a link, but I know it's been discussed several times...
That is absolutely true. FeLV vaccinations do not influence test results. FIV vaccines will cause false positives.

What type of test was run? If it was the simple Elisa test (also known as a stick test), that test only tests for exposure to the disease, not the actual disease. The only way you can accurately confirm FeLV is thru an IFA test. Most vets don't have the lab to run the test and must send it out. You must also wait 30-60 days after exposure to run the IFA.

When a cat is exposed, they can take the virus in and many of them simply fight it off. It takes about 30 days to determine if they successfully did that and most vets recommend waiting 60 days. You rerun the Elisa test at that time and if still positive, ask for the IFA test. (Elisa tests are a lot less expensive than the IFA test)

A pregnant mom with FeLV usually passes it onto all of her litter. There is a very small percentage of kittens (less than 5%) that can ward off the virus if their mother was infected (I have one of those Lucky cats). If the rest of the litter is negative, that means your boy was exposed post birth, and there is a chance that he just had exposure and therefore a much better chance of warding it off.

And contrary to popular belief, vaccinated cats can catch full blown FeLV. Vaccinations cut their odds way down, but there is still about a 10% chance that a vaccinated cat can catch it. Kittens need a booster shot before they get any benefit from the vaccine, and that is usually 30 days after the booster.

I really suggest that you isolate Ollie until you get thru another round of tests. If he truly has it, you do not want to expose his littermates. At this point you can't assume he has it, but you also need to use caution.

I'm so sorry you are going thru this!!
 
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auntie crazy

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Thank you, Cinder.

I am more calm today, though, of course, just as sad. Ollie has swollen glands, he's lethargic, anemic and he's lost some weight; there's something about him and his behavior that's giving me a bad feeling... he just looks not good, if that makes any sense.

Regardless, I'm girding myself for war. FeLV might take him, but it'll be by tooth and nail.

First, Ollie's never going back to that vet. She gave me no info on FeLV, no treatment (besides Clavomox for a possible secondary infection), no prognosis, nothing but a "come back in three months". She never even remarked on his gums, which were almost as white as his fur. Either she didn't see it (which makes her inept), or she didn't want to discuss it with me. Both scenarios are unacceptable levels of care for a decent vet, never mind for my furry friend.


There are a couple of good, cat-specialized hospitals within an hour's drive of my home - I'm going to start calling around tomorrow until I find one that will began working with me. Ollie will get the best supportive care it is possible for me to give him.

And after all is said and done, there's still a chance that Ollie will start feeling better, put on some weight, and test negative in three months. You can't....well, I was going to say, "You can't imagine how hard I'm praying for that", but then, I remembered I'm talking to TCS members; you all know exactly how I feel.
 
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auntie crazy

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Hi, Momofmany. Thanks for all that info!

An Elisa test was run. My cats are strictly indoor and I have not brought any others in. If they did not catch it from their mother (who tested negative on October 7th, but could have just caught it herself at that point), then the only other possible time of infection was the day I brought them to the shelter for their spay/neuters, which was December 1st. My hope is that Ollie is in the process of fighting off the virus, but it's tough because it's been over 60 days since their speuters, which would tend to indicate he has been unsuccessful.

Still, I will hope.

As for separating them, I will confess, it's not possible in my apartment. I live in a el-cheapo place (in a so-far-unsuccessful attempt to save enough money for a real home) that only has room heaters in the kitchen and the living room - neither of which has doors. The only rooms that do have doors, have no heat. It's below freezing in MA, so keeping Ollie in one of those rooms is not an option. I'm not sure what the solution to this is, but perhaps I will find one tomorrow, after I've spoken to some of the cat hospitals.
 

momofmany

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Also realize that cats don't contract FeLV thru brief, casual contact. Most cats that get the disease is thru mating (another reason to speuter), fighting, or prolonged contact with other infected cats. It's not something that you simply pick up at a vets office. Have all of the cats in your house been tested?

This is one of the better sites that I found on the disease. http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/felv.html

I went thru an FeLV infection in my feral colony that landed inside my house (very long story). What I found out is that most vets are not very educated on it and most of them use information that is out of date. I had to ask my vet for the IFA - he had heard of it but had never run one before. I found a cat specialist that worked with a vetrinary university and was an expert in FeLV. When you call around, ask about their references and how they keep current specifically on the topic of FeLV.
 

white cat lover

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I'm glad you are looking for another vet! Ollie does deserve the best care & I'll be sending tons or {{{VIBES}}} to both you & him. Olive can fight this, especially with you by his side...
Hopefully you can find a good vet tomorrow who can offer more advice!
 

jean44

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I have no experience in FeLV but I want to send huge vibes and hugs to you and Ollie.
I hope you find a vet who is experienced with FeLV and get the help that Ollie needs.

I know exactly what you meant in your post when you said something about Ollie not looking good. I have that problem with one of my kitties now. Good meowmies can always tell when their babies have a problem.
 

booktigger

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I will keep my fingers crossed that his symptoms are just a reaction to coming into contact with the virus and that he can successfully fight it off. The FeLV vaccine is only 85% effective, so sadly there is still a risk to the others, how old are they?
Epona - yep, this test could just be showing antibodies, which is why positive FeLV tests should be followed up 3 months later to make sure (and it should be the IFA test the second time round, not the ELISA, as it is more accurate - I personally have IFA tests constantly, I dont trust ELISA tests - in the UK, the rate for it being incorrect is 42% (7% for FIV, and 5% for false negatives for FIV), way too high for my liking, I would rather wait the 10 days and have an accurate test in the first place)
 

katiemae1277

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just wanted to add a few things..... the FeLV tests tests for antigens, not antibodies and FeLV is passed thru casual contact, grooming, sharing food and water bowls, litterboxes and the like, it is FIV that is *usually* only spread thru mating and deep puncture wounds.
I forgot to include this link before, but this is an excellent source of info
http://www.aafponline.org/resources/...Guidelines.pdf
and like the others have said, there are not many vets that have a lot of experience with this disease, if any, so some just don't know what to do, with my vet it has been a learning process every step of the way. Another interesting bit of info- it is usually not the leukemia itself that kills the kitty, it is a secondary infection that the cat does not have the immune system to fight off, leukemia also leaves a cat very susceptible to cancers and other chronic diseases, so like I said, prescribing the Clavamox is probably the only thing that can be done right now, there is no magic pill to fix this virus.

and cinder, I would seriously love to know how you got your kitties to live as long as they did, between me, and 2 other women I know that do this, none of us have ever had a cat live longer than 5 years
 
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auntie crazy

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I took Ollie to a cat specialist today and the news is as bad as it can get. His circulatory system is shutting down, there's something wrong in his intestinal area, he's definitely anemic......

The long and the short of it, the vet doesn't think he can bring Ollie back to health, that it's only a short matter of time before he dies, and that I shouldn't wait, but have him put to sleep now.

Ollie's still eating, but it's only little bites every now and then. He's not playing with his siblings and he just looks so sad.

I hate this, I hate this...... I HATE THIS.
 
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