URGENT: Adopting Abandoned Kittens UPDATE

paiger816 · Feb 7, 2015

First thread here: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/292017/adopting-abandoned-kittens

So I went and picked up the kittens today. I drove 2 hours to pick them up, and when I got there the lady said "There's been a major oversight..." She pulled out the ELISA test and both kittens tested positive for FeLV on 1/5/2015. She said the shelter hasn't had a positive for years and she read the results wrong. The kittens seem very healthy and friendly and are showing NO SYMPTOMS almost a month after testing.

She said that the positive results may have been due to blood samples sitting out too long, or other causes. She said she can either retest them next week and I could drive the 4 hour round trip again, or I could take them home and have my vet test them (a different kind of FeLV test) and the rescue would pay for the test. If the test was positive, I could return them to the shelter. I opted to bring them home.

So I have questions for you all.

What are the chances of this test being wrong?

Could they have tested positive (mother was a carrier) and is there a chance the next test will be negative?

Can they fight off the FeLV virus?

From what I understand, FeLV is basically a death sentence, is this correct?

I'm getting them tested next week, is there anything I should bring up with the vet? Questions I should ask?

Another surprise, they're both boys! I went up to adopt a brother and a sister, and took a peek under the sister, and DEFINITELY A BOY! So I'm getting a couple of surprises. And they're much friendlier than I thought they would be. And they are the biggest cuddlers! The whole drive home, they were just doing all these different cuddle positions in their carrier. They like have to be touching one another all the time.

I'm falling in love fast, but if all the test do come out positive for FeLV, I will be taking the cats back to the shelter. Please don't think I'm horrible, but I can't get attached and put a bunch of money into cats that I'm going to have to say goodbye to in a couple years. It just hurts too much.

Pictures coming soon. They're currently in their cat room, hiding in their carrier. I'm leaving them alone to get out and explore...

catpack · Feb 7, 2015

1.) First and foremost, FeLV is NOT a death sentence. We have a 4 yr old in our rescue that is positive (double and triple checked) and she is healthy in every sense of the word. This is not always the case, but she is certainly proof that the diagnosis isn't a death sentence.

2.) Yes, absolutely have them retested. If the test sits for too long before being read, it CAN show a false positive. I've seen it happen.

mani · Feb 7, 2015

Absolutely what CatPack said.

And we have a wealth of resources here and very knowledgeable people. Please know that these kitties can have a good life with you if they do retest positive.

@LDG

paiger816 · Feb 7, 2015

I just talked to the rescue owner. She apologized for not seeing the results. She thinks since they BOTH tested positive, the chance of a false positive is less likely.

I'm calling a vet on Monday to set up a re-test. I'm cautiously optimistic.

She did say that if they are positive, they have a lady in a near by town that takes in FeLV positive cats, so they will have a good home life either way.

wolflover326 · Feb 7, 2015

I third what CatPack said! Do some research on it, and ask the vet what you can expect their lives to be like. If you're unsure, you could always get a second opinion, too. You're the only person who knows what you can handle, so it's great that they'll have somewhere good to go if you're unable to care for them. <3

catwoman707 · Feb 7, 2015

Okay so here comes my negative post, and I am so sorry to be so blunt.

The fact that both tested positive, it's unlikely a mistake.

They would have been born to a mom with felv. This is NOT good, and frankly does carry a death sentence in the majority of kittens born to an felv pos mom.

7-8 months old and chances are one or both will suddenly be headed downhill.

If you are one of the luckier ones, you will get maybe 18 months of life.

I have never seen a kitten born with felv to live 4 years. Ever.

An adult who contracts felv has a great chance of living many years, but kittens born with it, it just simply doesn't happen that way.

And no, they are not able to fight it off, as many adults can.

VERY sorry to hear this. VERY sad........

catwoman707 · Feb 7, 2015

CatPack said:
1.) First and foremost, FeLV is NOT a death sentence. We have a 4 yr old in our rescue that is positive (double and triple checked) and she is healthy in every sense of the word. This is not always the case, but she is certainly proof that the diagnosis isn't a death sentence.

2.) Yes, absolutely have them retested. If the test sits for too long before being read, it CAN show a false positive. I've seen it happen.

I completely agree with you, except in young kittens, who were born into it, it really is basically a death sentence, a very short life.

Adults can live many years, because it takes years to damage an adult cat's immune system and begin to cause additional problems that felv can and does lead to, but in time.

You can even prolong an adults life and keep it strong, with great care. But kittens are completely a different story unfortunately.

catpack · Feb 8, 2015

Our 4 yr old was born with it. She tested pos at 8 wks (again at 6 mo, 12 mo and 2 yrs.) So, I have to disagree about it being a 100% death sentence.

paiger816 · Feb 8, 2015

catwoman707 said:
Okay so here comes my negative post, and I am so sorry to be so blunt.

The fact that both tested positive, it's unlikely a mistake.

They would have been born to a mom with felv. This is NOT good, and frankly does carry a death sentence in the majority of kittens born to an felv pos mom.

7-8 months old and chances are one or both will suddenly be headed downhill.

If you are one of the luckier ones, you will get maybe 18 months of life.

I have never seen a kitten born with felv to live 4 years. Ever.

An adult who contracts felv has a great chance of living many years, but kittens born with it, it just simply doesn't happen that way.

And no, they are not able to fight it off, as many adults can.

VERY sorry to hear this. VERY sad........

Thank you for your honesty. I'm hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst. There is a strong chance they'll be leaving next week.

paiger816 · Feb 8, 2015

Obligatory kitten pics...

photo 1.JPG

paiger816
Feb 8, 2015

photo 2.JPG

paiger816
Feb 8, 2015

photo 3.JPG

paiger816
Feb 8, 2015

Both kittens have 100% warmed up to me. I was so worried they'd be shy.

It was pretty difficult to get them off my lap for long enough to take pictures.

catwoman707 · Feb 8, 2015

CatPack said:
Our 4 yr old was born with it. She tested pos at 8 wks (again at 6 mo, 12 mo and 2 yrs.) So, I have to disagree about it being a 100% death sentence.

That can happen, but is so rare, SO rare, that of all the felv kittens I have had go through my rescue, have never had happen.

So you're VERY lucky!

I did not say 100%, but said basically, but also did not want to give false hopes either. If I were to come up with what I see the odds being in this happening, I'd say a 5% or less chance.

@Paiger816 those are beautiful precious kids, the last positive litter I had looked very similar, just with longer fur. Such a shame.

What I wish is that the mom could be located and fixed............from what I read though, it's not too likely.

Their best place would probably be with the lady who cares for felv cats.

Shame on the shelter for how this was handled too........

stephanietx · Feb 8, 2015

I want to encourage you to keep the kitties, even if they test positive. I just think they would have a better quality of life with you than even going to a sanctuary where they'll be one of many and won't get one on one human interaction daily. However, I think you should research and talk with your vet about his/her experience with FeLV and life expectancy. It sounds like they many even already have a small piece of your heart.

wolflover326 · Feb 8, 2015

stephanietx said:
I want to encourage you to keep the kitties, even if they test positive. I just think they would have a better quality of life with you than even going to a sanctuary where they'll be one of many and won't get one on one human interaction daily. However, I think you should research and talk with your vet about his/her experience with FeLV and life expectancy. It sounds like they many even already have a small piece of your heart.

+1!

reba · Feb 8, 2015

Wow they are so cute. I'm sorry to hear about the FELV prognosis, I was under the impression that the survival rates were better.

Shame on the rescue was the first thing that sprung to mind. As a matter of policy, waiting until the day before an adopter picks them up to test them is BS, especially when they know this one is driving two hours to get there.

Anyway, if I were in your position, I'd take the information catwoman had given, enjoy my time with them, hope for the best and know I likely had some heartache in front of me. The exception rarely disproves the rule, but there are exceptions (miracles are another matter - and from CW's evidence I would be extremely realistic about the chances of them surviving.) But that's me and it could be completely wrong and unhealthy for someone else.

keyes · Feb 8, 2015

I'm thinking that if they were both tested at the same time and both samples sat to long before they were checked that maybe------------.

paiger816 · Feb 8, 2015

Reba said:
Shame on the rescue was the first thing that sprung to mind. As a matter of policy, waiting until the day before an adopter picks them up to test them is BS, especially when they know this one is driving two hours to get there.

They tested them over a month ago, the lady in charge just glanced at the results and assumed they were negative since they hadn't had an FeLV positive cat in years. She didn't double check them again, until 5 minutes before I arrived.

They are having to retest all the younger cats in that cat room just in case they caught it from the kittens. I'm sure they will double check next time. It's definitely an unfortunate mistake.

catwoman707 · Feb 8, 2015

Paiger816 said:
They tested them over a month ago, the lady in charge just glanced at the results and assumed they were negative since they hadn't had an FeLV positive cat in years. She didn't double check them again, until 5 minutes before I arrived.

They are having to retest all the younger cats in that cat room just in case they caught it from the kittens. I'm sure they will double check next time. It's definitely an unfortunate mistake.

Sad but true.

We humans are still capable of error unfortunately.

Not sure why there was mention of the test samples being left out too long?

When doing a SNAP test, you take the drop of blood from the kitten to the test and drop it on.

Then wait for results.

Were the kittens in a central room with other kittens, or were they crated/caged?

Kittens with immature immune systems are much more vulnerable than adults.

However I hope they realize that if it was contracted and another tests positive, it may be strong enough to work it through and get rid of it as an adult is capable.

paiger816 · Feb 8, 2015

keyes said:
Seriously, I die. So precious.

reba · Feb 8, 2015

I'm sorry - you know what I read that test date as 2/5/15 and not 1/5/15, now it seems more unfortunate mistake and less used-car dealer.

Anyway, I do really feel bad for you, you were being so careful, and they are so adorable!

What's that line from Steel Magnolia's “I'd rather have 30 minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special.”

Which not to say that any kittens you adopt, whether these of others, would ever be nothing special, just food for thought.

catpack · Feb 8, 2015

For the SNAP tests, if they sit too long (I *think* it takes 6 mins for results?) they can show a false positive. So, if the test was done and they came back and checked for results 15-20 mins later, "debris" can make the results look positive.

My clinic recently got automated SNAP test readers. You insert the test and a timer is set. The results still have to be read, but this ensures the tests are read in a timely manner. They do the same thing with HW and pancreatic SNAP tests.

URGENT: Adopting Abandoned Kittens UPDATE

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