Nutrition for cat diagnosed with feline leukemia

Posted a few days ago about the outbreak of URIs in our 12 cat household. Because our youngest and smallest wasn't recovering well (had already been to vet and taking antibiotic for a week), took her to vet yesterday and had blood test done. As I was afraid of, she was diagnosed with feline leukemia. Have been through this twice in the past 11 years with other babies. Both lived for over 10 yrs, but little Baby is very small (kitten size) and her immune system probably not very strong. All other kitties in house have healed. Vet put her on a powerful antibiotic,but only time will tell. My question for anyone here who might have dealt with this is what to feed her. Don't feel that raw diet is good because of her tiny size and suppressed immune system. Vet was closed by the time I realized I hadn't called them about what to feed her. She has always had a huge appetite, but not wanting to eat now. We had started using syringe feeding the last couple of days. Since we now know about the leukemia, we understand how vital her nutrition is. I would so appreciate any info on this subject. Unique situation because of her tiny size. Btw, she's two yrs old. Petsmart open later today, so can have hubby pick up food. She will have to continue with syringe feeding until she gets appetite back. She has always preferred dry, but need to feed her with syringe for now. Would appreciate any info anyone can provide. Thanks so much.

I'm so sorry to hear about Baby

I'm not sure there is any right or wrong food for a cat with FeLV, but I would get something that doesn't have too  many vegies in it, or too many grains, and try to find something that is higher on the calories.  For that, I'm afraid you'll need to read the cans.  A lot of these foods will NOT be available to petsmart.  However, Nutro Natural Choice Chunky Chicken seems to be a favorite of many a cat, and cat parent, and fits the bill.  Any of their "pates" fit the bill.  (Chunky is almost a pate in this line - the minced or sliced foods have fewer calories)   In the meantime, if you are syringe feeding her, I would ask the Vet for some Science Diet A/D (prescription), or the equivalent in Royal Canin, if that's what they sell.  It works very sell with the syringes...better than most foods, and is extremely nutritious.

Check out this thread, it's not really about food, but has a little info you might find helpful:  http://www.thecatsite.com/t/273112/kitten-tested-positive-for-felv

Hi happypet6 !

TCS Forums are a great starting point for people to become more 'savvy' and more educated about all-things-feline and a wonderful place to share experiences.....but, when it comes to specific feline diseases/conditions, there are specialized online communities with an individual focus on each of them.

In the case of FeLV, that online community has been active since 1997, almost 20 years!......thousands of people and their cats have passed through and the community is a wealth of collective knowledge/info/support which you can easily access.

I'll tell you this: I lost a young kitty to FeLV 12 years ago.....at a time when I didn't know about those groups. I lost him due to veterinary incompetence and my own ignorance.....from everything I've learned over the past few years online, I'm certain that, if I had been able to access an online community like that, he would not have passed before his time. His loss haunts me to this day.

OK.......first, get yourself a new separate email addy to use for this group - they use email as their 'operating platform' (old-school!)

The group sign-up page is here: http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org

Here's their website: http://felineleukemia.org/

Now, if I were 'in your shoes' today, I would also post the same question you have asked in the new "Expert" forum: "Cat Nutrition with Dr. Rachel Boltz, DVM" - a limited-time experience which has just started today on TCS - it's found at the bottom of the Forums main page, or right here: http://www.thecatsite.com/f/5837/cat-nutrition-with-dr-rachel-boltz-dvm

Please keep us posted.......oh, we don't ever refuse pics, btw!