I took Miracle my calico kitty in to get spayed, when I picked her up today, they told me they think she may have Leukemia... And that they advise tests, so I got in soonest I could, I go in Monday... I know I shouldn't worry myself cause it's not for sure, but I can't help... Can anyone explain this to me? What can they do for her if she does? If she has it, what will it do to her? I am just looking for some information... I am going to do research online about it as well... I want to know anything anyone knows about it, so IF she does have it, I have a good understanding... Please pray for my girl that she will be okay!
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The vets think Miracle may have leukemia...
- Thread starter bellesmama
- Start Date
I'm so sorry. 
...but we actually need a little clarification. Did they mean leukemia the cancer, or did they mean that she has the Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)?
They are very different things. :nod:
Did they perform the ELISA test (also called a SNAP test) at the office? Is that why they think this? That would be FeLV, not the cancer. FeLV is not uncommon: leukemia the cancer is ... less common.
The confusion arises because the disease initially associated with the Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) was a form of leukemia. By the time it was discovered that the virus was not the same as leukemia, the misnomer had already stuck. FeLV can become cancer, but doesn't always.
Here is an overview of leukemia, the cancer: http://www.petplace.com/cats/leukemia-in-cats/page1.aspx
Here is an overview of potential outcomes if it is FeLV the vet was talking about: http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/pages/felv_web.pdf
The SNAP tests done in the vet office often produce false positives (actually, up to 50% of the time!). A definitive ("confirmatory") test must be done to determine whether or not your kitty actually has FeLV. I suspect that is what has been scheduled. It would only require some blood be drawn and sent to a lab for an IFA (Immunofluorescent Antibody) test. This type of test checks for the antibodies, so does not provide false positives.
The IFA tests (sent to a lab) are much more expensive than the ELISA (ELISA tests check for enzymes that indicate the presence of the virus) tests done in the vet office. Because the virus takes a while to "take hold," many vets would recommend a follow-up ELISA test after a month or 6 weeks, to see if kitty cleared the virus (even though it might have been a false positive). If a follow-up ELISA test is negative after that period of time, kitty either cleared the virus, or the first test was a false positive.
The upside to doing the IFA test now is that you'll know whether your cat has been exposed to the FeLV virus. If she's an indoor-only kitty, and you've had her for two months, then it's safe to assume this means she hasn't cleared it from her system.
But if you've had her less than two months, the downside to doing the IFA test now is that you don't know when exposure happened, and she may still clear it from her system, so at some point in the next couple of months, another test should be run. (Hope that wasn't too confusing!).
Now - if they're talking about Leukemia, the cancer, the only way to "test" for that is via a bone marrow biopsy. I think you'd know if that's what was scheduled, because it requires anesthesia.
Either way, vibes for you and your little girl!
...but we actually need a little clarification. Did they mean leukemia the cancer, or did they mean that she has the Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)?
They are very different things. :nod:
Did they perform the ELISA test (also called a SNAP test) at the office? Is that why they think this? That would be FeLV, not the cancer. FeLV is not uncommon: leukemia the cancer is ... less common.
The confusion arises because the disease initially associated with the Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) was a form of leukemia. By the time it was discovered that the virus was not the same as leukemia, the misnomer had already stuck. FeLV can become cancer, but doesn't always.
Here is an overview of leukemia, the cancer: http://www.petplace.com/cats/leukemia-in-cats/page1.aspx
Here is an overview of potential outcomes if it is FeLV the vet was talking about: http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/pages/felv_web.pdf
The SNAP tests done in the vet office often produce false positives (actually, up to 50% of the time!). A definitive ("confirmatory") test must be done to determine whether or not your kitty actually has FeLV. I suspect that is what has been scheduled. It would only require some blood be drawn and sent to a lab for an IFA (Immunofluorescent Antibody) test. This type of test checks for the antibodies, so does not provide false positives.
The IFA tests (sent to a lab) are much more expensive than the ELISA (ELISA tests check for enzymes that indicate the presence of the virus) tests done in the vet office. Because the virus takes a while to "take hold," many vets would recommend a follow-up ELISA test after a month or 6 weeks, to see if kitty cleared the virus (even though it might have been a false positive). If a follow-up ELISA test is negative after that period of time, kitty either cleared the virus, or the first test was a false positive.
The upside to doing the IFA test now is that you'll know whether your cat has been exposed to the FeLV virus. If she's an indoor-only kitty, and you've had her for two months, then it's safe to assume this means she hasn't cleared it from her system.
But if you've had her less than two months, the downside to doing the IFA test now is that you don't know when exposure happened, and she may still clear it from her system, so at some point in the next couple of months, another test should be run. (Hope that wasn't too confusing!). Now - if they're talking about Leukemia, the cancer, the only way to "test" for that is via a bone marrow biopsy. I think you'd know if that's what was scheduled, because it requires anesthesia.
Either way, vibes for you and your little girl!
Oh I hope not! Laurie already posted most of what I would have so I'm going to send positive vibes
Please keep us posted on what you find out on Monday!
I was going to say different numbers, but maybe Laurie has more reliable or current information than what I read 10 years ago.
What I read about FLV is they develop immunity in eight weeks, not "clear the virus." Is that saying the same thing in different words?
Another important point: The FLV stays dormant for years, so it is not possible to figure out exactly when a cat got it.
What I read about FLV is they develop immunity in eight weeks, not "clear the virus." Is that saying the same thing in different words?
Another important point: The FLV stays dormant for years, so it is not possible to figure out exactly when a cat got it.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #5
I will definitely keep you posted on Monday... Thank you for the information LDG!! Whatever it is, I'm hoping to see "negative" results. And thank for you the vibes 
that the SNAP test produced a false positive!- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #7
She tested negative!!!!!!
That must be a huge load off your mind!She tested negative!!!!!!
GREAT news!!!!!
Whew.
Oh that's just GREAT news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Yay! I'm so happy for you and Miracle. *doing the happy dance for you*
Very glad to hear a negative result.
SO HAPPY FOR YOU!
That is such great news!!!
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #15
Thank you everyone'!!!!! I was and still am ECSTATIC!!
Thank God!! I'm so happy for you!!!!
I just lost another cat to FeLV earlier this week. She's the 7th we've lost to FeLV in the past 18 months. This disease is horrible.
Taryn
I just lost another cat to FeLV earlier this week. She's the 7th we've lost to FeLV in the past 18 months. This disease is horrible.
Taryn
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #17
Oh my gosh... I am so sorry!!!! That has to be so hard
