Lost Julio To Contagious Disease. Need Advice!

My cat was a year and half old, and last night he died at the vet's on IVs. He had been sick for awhile; losing weight, not eating, acting sluggish. He had a constant respiratory infection that wouldn't clear up. I wanted to take him to the vet, but my parents didn't think it was too serious. I never dreamed it was a contagious, devastating disease.....We rushed him to the vet when his body temp. dropped dangerously low and they rushed him into the ER. He died a few hours later. The vet told us that it looked like either FIV or FeLv, but tests would have to confirm that. Last year, we lost our beloved 13 yr. old cat the same way, but we thought it was old age related. We cannot afford to have all 5 of our other cats tested, and our vet will not vaccinate them against FeLv unless they are. I hear there isn't even a shot for FIV. I'm scared to death that the other cats have this awful disease. I need someone to provide some help and insight!

We did take in a stray cat a year ago, but he has never appeared sick. I'm thinking that he might be a carrier though. I wish we had known more about this before we exposed him to the other cats. Now I feel so scared! I'm not sure what to do..... Can anyone offer advice? Is there someplace that we can get the tests done cheaper?

I am sorry I can't offer any advice to you. I haven't had any experience with either of these things. I know vets always have to test them before vacinating them. Maybe someone else can help you there. I just wanted to tell you I am so sorry you lost your cat, and at such a young age. I know your must be in a dilema now, not knowing what to do to protect your cats. The stray you took in could very well have been a carrier of some disease. I know you learned a hard lesson in that. Anyway, I wish you peace and I hope you find some way to do something that will give you peace about the rest of your cats. Hugs.

I am so sorry for this. I hope you find some answers. Go to Cornell University Vet School and look for information on contagious diseases and their incubation periods.

There is information out there. Educate yourself regarding this situation in memory of your lost kitty. I did that, and I found it helped with the pain somewhat.

God bless your little friend and here's to finding out what happened.

I am so very sorry for your losses.

FIV is spread ONLY through deep bite wounds between cats, so unless your cats fight, they would not get FIV from another cat.

FeLV (Feline Leukemia) is spread much easier, through body fluids, and an infected cat or carrier cat can spread the virus to other cats in a close living multiple cat household, though it is thought that some cats do build up a natural immunity as time goes on.

Cats don't die of "old age". They die from diseases that come on with age. And 13, while senior, is not elderly. However without vet care of course, a disease will go undetected and untreated.

It is possible that the two deaths are unrelated. Your kitten could have had FIP, which can come with or without FeLV

I recommend that you test one cat at a time for FeLV as you can afford to. It will give you peace of mind to know whether any cats have this disease.

In the meantime, your cats, all of them, should be kept inside, if FeLV is suspected. Both to protect them from getting any diseases (their immune systems will be compromised) and to prevent them from spreading this fatal disease to other cats.

You can add powdered l-lysine to their food or water every day to help boost their immune systems.

I can't add any advice but wanted to send my condolences on your loss. Remember that no matter what, you gave your cat a home where he felt loved and safe. My cat Joey was put down at only 5yrs of age - he had all the immunizations, stayed inside, etc., but suffered a neurological mishap and had to Cross the Bridge anyway, so don't feel guilty. Do what you can to help those you still have, but have no regrets - your loss is pain enough. May your kitty be playing happily over RB, with our other RB kitties

I'm so sorry for your sad loss

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