- Joined
- Jan 29, 2017
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Hello everyone,
I'm new here... I found this forum while I was trying to do research on feline leukemia. I looked through the other threads here that talked about feline leukemia, but I wanted to ask some questions myself and maybe get a little encouragement...
Just last week I discovered that my precious 3 year old male orange tabby "Box" tested FeLV+. The vet tested him because he had been getting sick a lot lately, which initially the vet thought was just due to stress. He used to live with another cat who was very bossy and territorial, so I rehomed her thinking that she was causing him to stress so much that he was getting sick.
Well, Box recovered and seemed to be back to his old ways so I thought I would find him a new friend to play with so he wouldn't have to be alone. After bringing the new kitty home, "Nigel", Box became sick again and that's when we took him to the vet last week, only to find out that he tested positive for feline leukemia.
I have been so stressed lately because now I have introduced a new cat into the home (whom tested negative before adoption) and am risking his health. Initially the cats were not separated and shared food bowls, water bowls, and litter boxes. Once I found out Box was FeLV+, I contained him in the bedroom with only occasional trips outside the room so he won't be so lonely.
I did start Nigel on his first FeLV vaccination yesterday, so he will be getting his booster in one month. Now Box and Nigel have their own separate food/water bowls and litter boxes and I wash my hands regularly after touching Box. In two months the vet wants to retest Nigel, but I also think Box should be retested.
My main concern is... I hear stress is bad for FeLV+ cats, can someone elaborate on that? Will keeping him separated all the time stress him out or should I risk exposure to Nigel by letting Box out occasionally? How does stress affect a FeLV+ cat?
Thank you for your time!!
~ Bluiejoe
I'm new here... I found this forum while I was trying to do research on feline leukemia. I looked through the other threads here that talked about feline leukemia, but I wanted to ask some questions myself and maybe get a little encouragement...
Just last week I discovered that my precious 3 year old male orange tabby "Box" tested FeLV+. The vet tested him because he had been getting sick a lot lately, which initially the vet thought was just due to stress. He used to live with another cat who was very bossy and territorial, so I rehomed her thinking that she was causing him to stress so much that he was getting sick.
Well, Box recovered and seemed to be back to his old ways so I thought I would find him a new friend to play with so he wouldn't have to be alone. After bringing the new kitty home, "Nigel", Box became sick again and that's when we took him to the vet last week, only to find out that he tested positive for feline leukemia.
I have been so stressed lately because now I have introduced a new cat into the home (whom tested negative before adoption) and am risking his health. Initially the cats were not separated and shared food bowls, water bowls, and litter boxes. Once I found out Box was FeLV+, I contained him in the bedroom with only occasional trips outside the room so he won't be so lonely.
I did start Nigel on his first FeLV vaccination yesterday, so he will be getting his booster in one month. Now Box and Nigel have their own separate food/water bowls and litter boxes and I wash my hands regularly after touching Box. In two months the vet wants to retest Nigel, but I also think Box should be retested.
My main concern is... I hear stress is bad for FeLV+ cats, can someone elaborate on that? Will keeping him separated all the time stress him out or should I risk exposure to Nigel by letting Box out occasionally? How does stress affect a FeLV+ cat?
Thank you for your time!!
~ Bluiejoe