Feline leukemia positive cat with severe stomatitis

Hello all,

I am new to this site but have been reading for a while. Back in the beginning of December, I decided to take in a feral/stray cat that was living outside my house for about a year. He looked very sick and was extremely matted, infested with fleas and, drooling excessively. Unfortunately he tested positive for felv and I have another cat so he has his very own room complete with cat trees and toys and beds and lots of other stuff. The biggest problem within the last five months has been his mouth. He has severe stomatitis that seems to be getting worse. He has a horrible ulcer that looks like a slice in the middle of his tongue. So far he has been on prednisone and also clindamycin to fight the infection. It worked for a few months but unfortunately its no longer working. He just started veraflox for the infection last week which is pretty potent. He took it back in January to treat a kidney infection and it worked wonders. Thursday I have an appointment with a veterinary dental specialist to see if extractions may help him. He also has a grade 3 heart murmur so I don't even know if anesthesia is going to be an option. Im starting to get really discouraged and all I do is cry. I can tell he's in a lot of pain, however he is taking buprenex twice a day to help. He's been eating less within the last few weeks because his mouth hurts.I love him so much and my regular vet just isn't giving me the support I need although I have been using him for over 12 years and have had several pets. I understand that there is no cure for felv and because of that he makes me feel like Im wasting my time. If anyone has dealt with any of these issues, I would love for you to share your stories with me.  Thank you so much.

Hi @ForestsMom

It's never a waste of time to care for and love an animal in need. The question between you and your vet, is when is it time to let him go.  Hopefully that time has not come, and it sounds like there are still some treatment options and pain relief is a big part of it, but you may want to start discussing this with your vet so you can better prepare.

I'm so sorry you are going through this!!!  Vibes

Honestly, vets vary a great deal, some have a lack of compassion for ferals and strays, giving you the feeling they just assume euthanize the cat rather than help it, as it is just as important to end suffering for them as it is for any other animal.

When I rescue a feral or stray who needs vetting, there are only specific vets who I will take them to, as I have come to know several because of having a rescue group.

A couple I have who I just ADORE because of the way they treat these particular cats, and am so very grateful to have them on my side, and understand why I do what I do.

My suggestion? Sorry, but find another vet for this one. That attitude your vet has is non supportive, and will be discouraging to you, undoubtedly.

Kitty needs a full mouth extraction, with close attention on making certain any and ALL root remnants are removed as well. This is to help ensure success. 

Despite statements that occasionally teeth extracted doesn't stop the stomatitis, I honestly believe it is at least partly due to roots being left behind. Not always, but sure it is a factor in this happening.

I have yet to have this happen, and all of the cases in which I had full mouth extractions done, the stomatitis was gone, no more problems.

Major weight is gained, a happy, pain free life for them

Baby was my felv positive cat who is an excellent example.

First pic is the night I trapped her. 

She was on clavamox for a few months straight, skinny, bad uri, lice infested, mouth sores and ulcers, a tumor on her side, and needed to be spayed twice.



Notice the blurred paws? That's because she was so darn happy all the time now after her pain and suffering was gone,  she was always doing air muffins

StephenQ thank you so much for your response. I agree, its never a waste of time to love and care for an animal in need, and he definitely needs me. I am never going to give up on him.

Catwoman707..thank you. I agree..I need to find a new vet to care for him. A few other things have happened that have really made me want to go elsewhere. 

He said he would do the extractions but I won't allow it. I am taking him to a specialist because I want to make sure its going to be done correctly..with all the roots removed. Im just wondering if extractions will even help him..because he is felv+. Does this make a difference in the outcome? 

When I first took Forest in he was only 6 lbs. He would not come out of the walk in closet of the bedroom for two months. He was afraid of everything.  Now he is 9.2 lbs. He's playful, lets me hold him, and head/nose butts me non stop! He looks at me like he is so grateful that I took him in and gave him a chance. I am going to do anything and everything I can to help him. I just want him to be pain free.

Baby is gorgeous! What a cutie. Thank you for sharing her photos. Sounds like she had a lot of issues too. So nice to know that she got better and she really looks so happy in that picture!

I do not believe it has anything to do with the outcome after full mouth extractions done correctly.

In researching this, they do discuss fiv and felv pos cats, but the treatment options and benefits are grouped, nothing says that they have a lesser chance of making a full recovery from stomatitis. Only that in fiv and felv pos cats, the stomatitis is often more severe, but that treatment is just the same and not affected by either disease.

This is good news

That's great news! Thank you! I hope the Dr. thinks my Forest will benefit from extractions.
He's supposed to be the best veterinary dental specialist in the area. I can only imagine what this is going to cost. I really wish I took him sooner but he seemed ok for a while and the antibiotic he was taking was working.

My vet who I have deal with ferals and strays, who removes all teeth for me, only charges me $100.00 to remove all teeth.

Amazing, I know. But it's no extra anesthesia, just a bit more time to spend.

She also knows these are abandoned cats or ferals, and knows I am a non profit too, so all in all, I can't ever thank her enough!

Perhaps you can get a break for him too, just by the fact that he is a feral/semi-feral, and you cared enough to help him.

Some vets are still remembering why they originally got into becoming a vet. Compassion for animals I hope he can give you a break with it.

ForestsMom said:

That's great news! Thank you! I hope the Dr. thinks my Forest will benefit from extractions.
He's supposed to be the best veterinary dental specialist in the area. I can only imagine what this is going to cost. I really wish I took him sooner but he seemed ok for a while and the antibiotic he was taking was working.

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Thank You for loving this abandoned sweetie. People like you are the greatest!!!
Prayers for you and your furbaby!!!

catwoman707 said:

Honestly, vets vary a great deal, some have a lack of compassion for ferals and strays, giving you the feeling they just assume euthanize the cat rather than help it, as it is just as important to end suffering for them as it is for any other animal.

When I rescue a feral or stray who needs vetting, there are only specific vets who I will take them to, as I have come to know several because of having a rescue group.
A couple I have who I just ADORE because of the way they treat these particular cats, and am so very grateful to have them on my side, and understand why I do what I do.

My suggestion? Sorry, but find another vet for this one. That attitude your vet has is non supportive, and will be discouraging to you, undoubtedly.

Kitty needs a full mouth extraction, with close attention on making certain any and ALL root remnants are removed as well. This is to help ensure success. 
Despite statements that occasionally teeth extracted doesn't stop the stomatitis, I honestly believe it is at least partly due to roots being left behind. Not always, but sure it is a factor in this happening.

I have yet to have this happen, and all of the cases in which I had full mouth extractions done, the stomatitis was gone, no more problems.
Major weight is gained, a happy, pain free life for them

Baby was my felv positive cat who is an excellent example.
First pic is the night I trapped her. 
She was on clavamox for a few months straight, skinny, bad uri, lice infested, mouth sores and ulcers, a tumor on her side, and needed to be spayed twice.

Baby 001.JPG

• catwoman707
• Mar 15, 2013

Baby, Dottie 014.JPG

• catwoman707
• Apr 17, 2014

Notice the blurred paws? That's because she was so darn happy all the time now after her pain and suffering was gone,  she was always doing air muffins

Click to expand...

She is gorgeous!!
Thank You also for giving her a loving home!!!

catwoman707 said:

My vet who I have deal with ferals and strays, who removes all teeth for me, only charges me $100.00 to remove all teeth.
Amazing, I know. But it's no extra anesthesia, just a bit more time to spend.
She also knows these are abandoned cats or ferals, and knows I am a non profit too, so all in all, I can't ever thank her enough!

Perhaps you can get a break for him too, just by the fact that he is a feral/semi-feral, and you cared enough to help him.
Some vets are still remembering why they originally got into becoming a vet. Compassion for animals I hope he can give you a break with it.

Click to expand...

Wow..$100! That's really awesome. There should be more vets willing to do what yours does. Unfortunately I highly doubt the dr I'm taking Forest to is going to give me a break. I have a feeling it's going to be $3000 or more. I really cannot afford that unless I put in on my credit card which I don't want to do. This dr is the only dr I know of that will do the procedure "correctly" if he can even do it at all. Tomorrow I'm going to call some rescues and see if they can get maybe refer me to some other vets who can do advanced dental procedures. My vet pretty much told me if I want all the roots removed (bc I told him I knew they needed to be removed in order for Forest to have a chance at getting better) the. I should see a specialist but it's going to be a ton of money. So I guess he was willing to do the procedure, the wrong way, until I mentioned that I wanted to make sure all the roots were removed. Nice, right??

There is a clinic in Dallas, TX that will consult with your vet on appropriate stomatitis treatment without extractions.  @Carolina is the one to talk to as she's got a kitty with stomatitis and has used them successfully.

JodieThierry64 said:

Thank You for loving this abandoned sweetie. People like you are the greatest!!!
Prayers for you and your furbaby!!!

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Thank you so much for your kind words. Just seeing him living outside and in need of medical attention was too much for me. He deserved a warm home and someone to love him. He is just the sweetest boy ever and I'm so lucky he's all mine. [emoji]128049[/emoji]

Thank

stephanietx said:

There is a clinic in Dallas, TX that will consult with your vet on appropriate stomatitis treatment without extractions.  @Carolina
is the one to talk to as she's got a kitty with stomatitis and has used them successfully.

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Thank you so much for the info. I'm going to contact her and hope she doesn't mind.

I just PMed you the vet info as I know Carolina is stretched for time.  She is the best person on this site to talk to about stomatitis, though.

ForestsMom said:

Wow..$100! That's really awesome. There should be more vets willing to do what yours does. Unfortunately I highly doubt the dr I'm taking Forest to is going to give me a break. I have a feeling it's going to be $3000 or more. I really cannot afford that unless I put in on my credit card which I don't want to do. This dr is the only dr I know of that will do the procedure "correctly" if he can even do it at all. Tomorrow I'm going to call some rescues and see if they can get maybe refer me to some other vets who can do advanced dental procedures. My vet pretty much told me if I want all the roots removed (bc I told him I knew they needed to be removed in order for Forest to have a chance at getting better) the. I should see a specialist but it's going to be a ton of money. So I guess he was willing to do the procedure, the wrong way, until I mentioned that I wanted to make sure all the roots were removed. Nice, right??

Click to expand...

I mean you might even say a bit rude, nice thing to say there doc, if I want it done right then go somewhere else?! WTH..

I know that I will do this with my rescue, if someone needs something medically done, and it will stop the pain or suffering of their cat but there's no way they can afford to have it done, I will help them out gladly, list as one of my rescue cats and get them a great discount. I have even paid the medical bill if it meant helping end suffering and had the money in the acct.

It's well worth spending some time on the phone, you will get alot of message machines, but try to find out from shelters especially who the vet is they use, you will know that they are all lower cost, just want someone who knows what needs to be done and do it correctly.

I am very lucky for a certain few vets I have found (only through trial and error though!) that know how many are out there who need some help.

Geez, too bad you weren't out here, I would have no problem getting your kitty to my vet.

Anyway, call everyone you can find. Hoping for a break somewhere!

stephanietx said:

 
There is a clinic in Dallas, TX that will consult with your vet on appropriate stomatitis treatment without extractions.  @Carolina is the one to talk to as she's got a kitty with stomatitis and has used them successfully.

Click to expand...

With all due respect, I don't want to contradict your ideas!!

The issue here though is that being felv positive, the stomatitis is pretty severe, so everything I have learned as well as read is that a positive cat will likely not benefit from meds and treatment the same as a negative cat, and most will need the full mouth extractions in the end anyway, which is going to cost all that much more even.

It's also something to consider that between the meds and deep cleaning that would need to be done, and being positive is always going to be much more difficult thing to simply treat with meds, it makes sense to go ahead and plan on all extractions, just work on finding options for cost.

Bless you! Your kitty is so lucky to have such a devoted, self-less parent! Prayers to you and your sweetie!

Hi ForestsMom !

I just read your latest question in the new thread, but I thought it better to post this here for you.

There are a few online communities of people who are managing their FeLV kitties' health. The "busiest" (and my guess is, the largest) is one that has an accompanying website. These specialized groups are usually up to date with the latest treatment information/drug trials/etc. People there are available 24/7/365 and after years and years, their collective knowledge far outstrips that of individual Vets. I know that I would be participating there if I had a FeLV+ cat today.

One thing: these groups use a format different from a forum like this - they use email as their operating platform. I have found it easier to manage the information if I have a separate email address for each group.

Here they are:

• http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org    This is their website:  http://felineleukemia.org   I know this group has been running since at least 2005
• Group 2:  https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/FeLVPositiveCats/info    They have been around longer, since 2000, but you'll note that they reference the group above as a "busier" (translation, perhaps more active with all that that may imply)
• The third:  https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/PurringPixieCatResource/info   Again, with a lengthy history.

Even with the two "quieter" groups, I see that there are a fair (but smaller) number of messages each month, so perhaps membership in one of those could offer some extra/closer one-on-one attention....while also benefiting from the larger crowd in #1.

My recommendation is coming out of my own experience years ago when I lost my Leukemia kitty.......sadly, I had no idea those groups existed.

I hope this may help.