Rescue FeLV positive Cat may be pregnant. ADVICE NEEDED!!!

Expert advice needed!!!!  Anyone please help

I recently took in the neighborhood stray cat (I have named her Ella). At her first vet appoint, she tested positive for the FeLV virus, but after sending in for the second test, it came back negative. I have done a lot of research on the possibilites but am starting to suspect she may be pregnant. If she is pregnant, what are the advantages/disadvantages to having her spayed or having the kittens? My vet recommends having her spayed and aborting the kittens if pregnancy is indeed the case, but the vet practice she works for does not abort pregnant animals.

I am scared that either of these scenarios is going to affect her immune system and change her ability to fight off the virus. In your opinion, which option will be the hardest on her?  I suspect that if she is pregnant, she was transmitted the disease through intercourse, which would explain why the second test came back negative- and she still has a chance to fight off the FeLV before it reaches her bone marrow.

Also, what is the chance that all of these kittens will also be passed the FeLV virus since Ella has not been confirmed, and is currently only known to have been exposed to it at some point. Ella is 9 months old.

Thank you for your love and support,

Callie

Harsh as it is, I'd spay and abort the pregnancy, providing that she isn't too far along. Firstly, I would think that carrying a pregnancy to term and raising a litter would put her body under more strain than an early abortion (though if she's pretty far along I'd think differently).

Secondly, there are already far more kittens in the world than there are good homes - you have to think about the kittens' futures too.

I don't know much about FeLV or feline pregnancy though. It's an awful situation to be in. Ella is so lucky you found her. At least she's certain of a good home now, with a mom who wants to do the best for her

I do think that if she is far along or halfway through you should let the kittens be born. In the meantime though, probably feeding lysine, and extra food for both her and the kittens is a good idea. If she were to have it, the kittens can have it passed on during birth and nursing, FeLv postive cats can live a reasonable life given precautions to other cats and infections are taken. I do think it would be best to give them a shot at life. I am surprised the Vet would recommend having her spayed yet not do it themselves, thats a bit contradicting. You do need to take care when you do have her spayed to be sure she will not contract any infection. I'm sure a reputable Vet clinic would be fine along with sending home anti-biotics and pain meds.

With a little luck, its not necessary she is Felv positive for real.  As I understand it, if she were vaccinated against Felv, it will too show as postive - ie having the virus in her.

That said, if there IS a possibility for spaying / abortion,  I will recommend it.  As this takes several flies in one stroke.

If sshe is very late in the pregnancy, is another matter though, and I would think twice.

This is an overall thinking, I know some about Felv, but Im not expert.  Im dont know how sure its the kittens will get the contagion, for example, or if a pregnancy and delivery will always create the Felv open.  In the worst case scenario.

As said, with a little luck, it may be a false alarm - but the spaying is a real alternave even if you are sure she is decently healthy.

Many do hesitate yes, but many do, and its common in may shelters.