No Good Deed Goes Un ....

I am so sorry to hear of Buddy's diagnosis. I know what you must be going through right now, as I had a similar experience a few years ago.

My wife and I have adopted many cats over the past ten years, including a gentle 1.5 year old grey tabby male I named Neko. Like all shelter cats, he had tested negative for FeLV and other diseases before being put up for adoption, and seemed entirely healthy and happy to be with us.

Before we scheduled a follow-up appointment with our own vet, he spent one day feverish and lethagic but recovered right away. I mentioned this to our vet during his appointment. As a precaution, she tested him for common diseases and discovered that he was positive for FeLV.

I was in a panic over the next two weeks, as I hauled all of our other cats in for testing, starting with our youngest and most vulnerable. Fortunately, none of our others tested positive and we had them all vaccinated as a precaution. To this day, our other cats remain healthy and symptom-free.

Neko himself had one good year with us, before succumbing to a chest tumor in December 2008.

In short, it is difficult to predict how other cats may react to exposure to FeLV, but it is not necessarily a given that otherwise healthy and well-cared-for cats will contract a permanent infection from casual exposure. I hope that your other cats will remain free of infection as mine did, and that Buddy will have a good life for whatever time he may have. What living thing can ask for more?

Most viruses have different strains (I think its their excuse for I don't know lol) and sometimes your immune system just works differently to an illness than others

With a low positive on his first test I would be hopeful for a second test

As far as spreading it, as you mentioned, the vets don't change their clothes after handling FeLV cats and we were never urged to at the shelter (I always change when I get home anyway but many don't) so I wouldn't worry too much about occasional contact through you.

I will have to try and find it, but I have read that while kittens and unvaccinated/uncared for adults (and obviously sick adults with lower immune systems) have a high chance of catching it, it drops to around 30% in vaccinated healthy adults when in close contact with a FeLV cat

Originally Posted by GloriaJH

Virus: oh, I didn't know there were different strains of the leukemia virus, really didn't even consider it. That information wasn't in the research that I found - guess the writers thought everyone already knew that little fact.

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I mentioned it back on the 8th in my first post in your thread. The problem is when A morphs into B and/or C along with type A infection - you then end up with a much sicker cat than if they had just the type A.
And for information you should try reading veterinary manuals - you have to wade through some medical terms and mentions of test studies, but you'll get more information that way.

Originally Posted by strange_wings

I mentioned it back on the 8th in my first post in your thread. The problem is when A morphs into B and/or C along with type A infection - you then end up with a much sicker cat than if they had just the type A.
And for information you should try reading veterinary manuals - you have to wade through some medical terms and mentions of test studies, but you'll get more information that way.

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Oh, I thought you were talking about the "phase" of the disease - like when someone gets a cold - first there's maybe just some sneezing, then the next stage congestion, next - coughing, next- pneumonia - etc. I became aware of the A, B, etc - but hadn't identified that as a "strain" - I like your word "morph" - ...

...by "strain" I was thinking about the strains of flu viruses - they're different, and have to have different vaccines ...

I'll catch up -

I agree about medical/vet manuals as the internet has so many resources that I need to be sure and get the scientific info - even though some of that isn't even all that clear - and are vague enough, sometimes, that I wonder if the scientists aren't really sure about the disease. Thanks!

Originally Posted by icklemiss21

Most viruses have different strains (I think its their excuse for I don't know lol) and sometimes your immune system just works differently to an illness than others

With a low positive on his first test I would be hopeful for a second test

As far as spreading it, as you mentioned, the vets don't change their clothes after handling FeLV cats and we were never urged to at the shelter (I always change when I get home anyway but many don't) so I wouldn't worry too much about occasional contact through you.

I will have to try and find it, but I have read that while kittens and unvaccinated/uncared for adults (and obviously sick adults with lower immune systems) have a high chance of catching it, it drops to around 30% in vaccinated healthy adults when in close contact with a FeLV cat

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As far as spreading it, as you mentioned, the vets don't change their clothes after handling FeLV cats and we were never urged to at the shelter ...that's the sort of confirmation that I'm looking for while I'm waiting to get the other cats, and Buddy tested -- it makes sense - I will still be cautious, but won't go hurt myself if I mess up and forget to keep things "sterile"

It's a balancing act - Buddy needs interaction with us - he is such a social cat, not a loner at all, and he wants the interaction with the other cats - but, I need to protect the other cats, too.
thx,
g

With viruses, new strains come about by morphing (evolving) from one strain into another. This is how all viruses work. They have to keep ahead of the immune systems of the animals they infect, after all.

You can view some veterinary (and human medical) manuals/text online. Here's Merck's. You could probably find more by seeing what text google has copied.

And yes, I imagine there's still quite a bit that isn't completely known. There has to be money and incentive for people to study anything. Plus, sadly, to understand more about the actual effects of FeLv in cats they have to use cats.

That at the worst your kitty only has strain A if he has FeLv and that it stays that way.

And yes, I wouldn't worry about super sanitizing your home. Or even some slight direct contact between him and the rest of your cats. It's spread easier than FIV but still takes some considerable contact.
For example, if I learned that Siri's FeLv/FIV test was wrong and that she did have FeLv the only different thing I would do is add more water dishes and change them out 5-6 times a day. Her "keep a 4ft minimum space away from me" attitude to other cats prevents close contact. I see the same in all the adult cats I've introduced to each other. The boys get along but only Tomas and Sho (and Tomas came in as a kitten) will actually groom each other.

Originally Posted by DaddyCat

I am so sorry to hear of Buddy's diagnosis. I know what you must be going through right now, as I had a similar experience a few years ago.

My wife and I have adopted many cats over the past ten years, including a gentle 1.5 year old grey tabby male I named Neko. Like all shelter cats, he had tested negative for FeLV and other diseases before being put up for adoption, and seemed entirely healthy and happy to be with us.

Before we scheduled a follow-up appointment with our own vet, he spent one day feverish and lethagic but recovered right away. I mentioned this to our vet during his appointment. As a precaution, she tested him for common diseases and discovered that he was positive for FeLV.

I was in a panic over the next two weeks, as I hauled all of our other cats in for testing, starting with our youngest and most vulnerable. Fortunately, none of our others tested positive and we had them all vaccinated as a precaution. To this day, our other cats remain healthy and symptom-free.

Neko himself had one good year with us, before succumbing to a chest tumor in December 2008.

In short, it is difficult to predict how other cats may react to exposure to FeLV, but it is not necessarily a given that otherwise healthy and well-cared-for cats will contract a permanent infection from casual exposure. I hope that your other cats will remain free of infection as mine did, and that Buddy will have a good life for whatever time he may have. What living thing can ask for more?

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Thank you so much for sharing your experience - and encouragement, not only to me, but to all the others that are caring for FeFV cat(s), especially in multiple-cat households.

I'm sorry that you had such a short time, but you gave Neko a quality life and love while he was alive - your kindness will be repaid - perhaps by the other cats remaining healthy a partial payment has already been made?

I am grateful for the sharing and concern by the members of this forum - it's good to have Friends!

We were back to the Vets on Tuesday (7/20/10) had a 105 fever.
She gave him an antibiotics injection, then wanted us back the next day to check out the white blood cells. The were lower.

We're now giving him pills (antibiotics) - first time giving pills for me - but, with Buddy - he's such a good patient - don't even have to hold him down, he lets me open his mouth with just a slight pressure. I do put a dash of his meat on the little pill, which helps it slide down, and I guess it helps - he licks his mouth afterward so, I guess he's tasting the food ??

Yesterday I started researching the internet to find out where the lymph nodes are - I'm finding a lump on his chest, right under his front leg - and, making a sad guess that it's a swollen lymph node.

The oral antibiotics seem to be working otherwise. When I am in his room he is playful, when I'm not he sleeps, and, his appetite is okay.

The vet gave me some canned Royal Canin ?A/d? (something like that) to help him gain weight, and it has more nutrients.

I was hoping we could beat this thing, but with the appearance of this questionable lump, well - ...

and prayers for you and for Buddy's health.

Buddy's scheduled visit was timely today.

He hadn't eaten very much, and after a spurt of energy yesterday - his conditioned started going down hill last night, and hadn't changed for the better this morning.

Our appointment was scheduled for 10 a.m. - and I knew that his temp was up, and that more lymph nodes were swollen.

Turns out his weight was down from 9 lbs to 8 lbs, his temp was 105.4.

The vet had another vet look at him that has had more experience with this virus.

She examined Buddy and said that he didn't have long, and that as soon as today would be appropriate for me to end his struggle. I told her I wasn't ready for that.

Buddy's vet (Dr. Young) told me that she needed someone else - not involved with Buddy - to give me the hard news, that she herself wasn't ready to accept his condition even though all the signs were there that his health had declined severely.

So, they gave him a 14 day antibiotic, a short term steroid, so I could bring him home to love on him and to say good bye.

The antibiotic would last so I wouldn't have to be forcing a pill, or liquid into him, and the steroid was to encourage him to eat. I hope that I didn't make this decision just for me, and that Buddy will have some good days.

I've had to make these kind of decisions before, there's always some sort of regret that more couldn't have been done, so, that's why I am prolonging this - so that I can come to terms.

Thank you for your kind words of support, and for your prayers.

Now, to begin to say goodbye, and have the knowledge to know when it's time.

g

I don't even know what to say...

My heart is breaking for you, I am so sorry. At least you have time to prepare yourself, so many people don't get that extra time. It doesn't make it easier though, I know that.

I will pray for you and Buddy.

This is the 5th day of the 14-day antibiotic (Convenia) - and of the "short term" steroid (DexamethSP). He was given these drugs to give me some more time to be with him.

I really didn't know what to expect as a result of him being on these drugs.
Each morning I get up I try to brace myself for a downturn.

I don't know how these drugs may effect other cats, but they have restored Buddy to a playful, feisty little boy. He is eating well, no fever, lymph nodes are all but non-existent to the touch.

I am guarding myself, but very hopeful that prayers are being answered on Buddy's behalf, and for mine. So, thank you.

This experience truly gives a deeper meaning for me to the phrase "One Day At A Time" ...

You've seen my recent roller coaster with Attitude. This disease sucks and you don't know when something might take them, even when given the 'gloom and doom' prognosis of them not making it much longer they can pull through as both Buddy and Attitude have proved. They can get really sick and pull through but they can catch a cold and die. No one knows if it will be their 'final' infection, even when it looks like the end it might not be. This makes it even more difficult to know when it is 'time.' With a healthy cat it is easier since most of the time they know more of what to expect.

Attitude went in on Mon the 26th and she is finally really back to herself today. Her eye is still bad and I'm beginning to think it will always be that way, her breathing still isn't always good, her nose still bleeds, and she hates her medication but she is herself again. It sounds like Buddy has rebounded a lot quicker than Attitude. Attitude's had however moved into her lungs and she was bad.

Attitude is still fat and needs to lose more weight so Attitude is even more of an oddity. Most of the time with FeLV they are saying to feed them whatever they will eat and as much as they will eat to put weight on them and I have to restrict her calories so she loses weight.

I hope Buddy continues to improve and y'all have many more happy years together. Last week I too posted that my cat was dying, only to be proven wrong. This is one time I am so glad the vet was wrong and I'm sure you feel the same way.

This roller coaster sucks and I'd love to get off but it's worth it. It's also only with Attitude, Nuts is healthy as a horse and so are the other 6. It's so frustrating to see 7 thrive and 1 have non-stop problems, I know I am very lucky that 99% of her vet visits involve her eye and it's never ending infection. It could be a lot worse.

Taryn

How is he now?

Originally Posted by KatKisses

How is he now?

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Thank you for asking.

Today, Tuesday, 8/3/10 - he is bright eyed, active, playful, loving!!!. eating well, no temp, feels like ALL the lymph nodes are back to normal.

I know this is but the 7th day of a 14-day antibiotic - but, I am hopeful that this course of antibiotics and steroid have knocked down whatever his infection was.

I have to say - I do wonder about the after effects of his neuter and placement of a chip on July 12. Before he went in - everything was normal even though he had tested positive for LeLV, then 7 days later we were at the vet with a fever -- Like I say, I've just got to wonder about that!

I'm taking a ton of pictures, and will try to post some in the next few days.

Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers!!!

Originally Posted by Taryn

You've seen my recent roller coaster with Attitude. This disease sucks and you don't know when something might take them, even when given the 'gloom and doom' prognosis of them not making it much longer they can pull through as both Buddy and Attitude have proved. They can get really sick and pull through but they can catch a cold and die. No one knows if it will be their 'final' infection, even when it looks like the end it might not be. This makes it even more difficult to know when it is 'time.' With a healthy cat it is easier since most of the time they know more of what to expect.

Attitude went in on Mon the 26th and she is finally really back to herself today. Her eye is still bad and I'm beginning to think it will always be that way, her breathing still isn't always good, her nose still bleeds, and she hates her medication but she is herself again. It sounds like Buddy has rebounded a lot quicker than Attitude. Attitude's had however moved into her lungs and she was bad.

Attitude is still fat and needs to lose more weight so Attitude is even more of an oddity. Most of the time with FeLV they are saying to feed them whatever they will eat and as much as they will eat to put weight on them and I have to restrict her calories so she loses weight.

I hope Buddy continues to improve and y'all have many more happy years together. Last week I too posted that my cat was dying, only to be proven wrong. This is one time I am so glad the vet was wrong and I'm sure you feel the same way.

This roller coaster sucks and I'd love to get off but it's worth it. It's also only with Attitude, Nuts is healthy as a horse and so are the other 6. It's so frustrating to see 7 thrive and 1 have non-stop problems, I know I am very lucky that 99% of her vet visits involve her eye and it's never ending infection. It could be a lot worse.

Taryn

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WOW! you know, you know!
I don't think they make the right kind of Dramamine for this "roller coaster ride" !

It's good to hear that Attitude is experiencing some relief, and that the others are healthy and thriving. Thank you for sharing, and for the encouragement that you bring to me and others that are in this Classroom with us.

The fever..... um, did he get any shot while at the vet? Like vaccs?

He is so cute, many continued "keep feeling good vibes" for him:

First, I have to say I love your picture of Kiki on the refrigerator because I have one of my Max that looks just like yours. I am sorry for what you are going through with Buddy. I pray that he will bounce back. Spend every moment you can loving him. I didn't get to do that with Speedboat in Jan. At the last vet visit, my husband was with me, and he made the decision. Anyway. I am sending prayers for both you and Buddy.

Originally Posted by KatKisses

The fever..... um, did he get any shot while at the vet? Like vaccs?

He is so cute, many continued "keep feeling good vibes" for him:

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The first visit (7/7/10) was when the snap test showed the FeLV virus - the vet wanted to wait for the outside lab test results before giving him his vaccines.
His first office visit also presented a very slight temp at 102.4 (as I can best remember) - nothing to really draw attention to as temps can vary per cat, or time of day, etc.. Other than that his physical exam was good, she thought he was about 1 1/2 years old, his teeth were in "great shape".

The next day (7/8/10) we returned for the results, and that's when I was told that the test results showed he had an 85% chance of having the virus.

She then gave him his Rabies, and his distemper (forget all that it contained).

7/12/10 - surgery and chip

It wasn't until about 12 days later (7/20/10) that he started not eating, and had a fever. I questioned her about the vaccines - she said that if there would have been a problem/reaction it would have been in the ? 24 hour period after - please remember that by now this conversation is a little vague for me - I do remember asking the question, and got the answer that he was over the time frame for a reaction from the shots.

I hate giving the vaccines! But, in his weakened state with this virus, I thought the vaccines would be a preventative - although, thinking about it - after the fact - I wish I would have had my wits about me enough to say to forego the Rabies. I mean it only makes sense - really, he has to be confined - how would he ever come into contact with Rabies now. !!!

So, I am hitting myself for not being more quick to realize this and not get the Rabies vaccine. ugh!

Thanks for asking.

Originally Posted by blueyedgirl5946

First, I have to say I love your picture of Kiki on the refrigerator because I have one of my Max that looks just like yours.

I am sorry for what you are going through with Buddy. I pray that he will bounce back. Spend every moment you can loving him. I didn't get to do that with Speedboat in Jan. At the last vet visit, my husband was with me, and he made the decision. Anyway. I am sending prayers for both you and Buddy.

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KiKi - it's really hard to get a picture of a black cat and I'm glad that my camera was ready to take this one. KiKi is our first cat in a long while. Our daughter rescued him from her garden, and we took him so he wouldn't go to the shelter. Boy, what a LOVE! Every time I think of how we almost didn't take him I almost cry. KiKi is his nickname - short for Kingdom Kitty. People know the name Kiki has a female name, so I find myself explaining a lot.

Thanks for your encouragement - I am spending all the time I can with him - the house and yard work will wait -

I have 7 other cats that require my attention and time as well.

I'm in the process of socializing a former mommy feral and her two "kittens". I've been caring for them for two years now. I'm just now letting them come inside the house - we've been taking all this process very slowly - first shelters in our yard, then a cat door to the garage, and now a cat door (of sorts) in our patio door in the family room. The mommy (Gigi) is a companion to the stray I took in first - he is the kittens' daddy - and yes, they are all now altered (yea!!). I had to start bringing Gray (daddy) inside about 9 months ago - he was tested (once - a snap test) for FIV.

Gray's bed is in our laundry room, and for the past week Gigi has been coming in and finding her place in the laundry room also - I wrote all that to say - this socializing also requires me spending time with them, too.

AND then, the Original Three KiKi, Phoebe, and Simon - once had the run of the house, are now behind gates and doors, separated from the LIV, and the FeFV cats. At least we do sleep together at night! They are picking up weight because every time they see me I give them a few pieces of kibble to reward them for sharing the house with other kitties.

I didn't think I could take anymore when I found out that Gray tested positive for FIV - ha! so, here we are AND if it weren't for the members on THIS website - I would be SOOOO alone in all of this!

Anne has done a great thing providing this website, I wish her continued success in whatever she sets out to do.