Comments on: Symptoms of Feline Leukemia Virus Infection in Cats

By: Lorie Huston, DVM

Lorie Huston, DVM — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 06:14:02 +0000

I’m sorry, Cindy. I can only the imagine the pain you must feel at dealing with this disease in two beloved cats. And I certainly do share your pain. The best advice I can give you is to return to your veterinarian and ask what can be done to at least help control the vomiting and make your two cats more comfortable. I wish I could be of more help but over the internet and without being able to see and examine your cats, it’s very difficult to offer much useful advice.

By: Cindy

Cindy — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 08:59:50 +0000

Last year my husband & I adopted a little girl (7 weeks old when we got her) & named her Precious. She was the only girl out of 4. We had her for a few months b4 we could take her to the vet for her check up & shots due to losing my job right after we got her and husband is disabled. The week before Christmas we took our other cat Moe (he will be 10 yrs old in July) to the vet bcs he started vomiting every time he ate. After several xrays, urinalysis, & blood work, we found out he has Feline Leukemia. The vet gave us some kitty anacid pills to try to help with his upset tummy but he coughs them back up, the next time at the vet she gave us the liquid form but he does the same with it. So I changed their food to a digestive care food and he stopped vomiting but now Precious is vomiting. We took Precious to the vet Christmas eve and her results came back positive as well. Vet said Moe most likely got it from Precious bcs she was born with it. Anyway; now Precious is vomiting the same way Moe was in December. She cries so loud and hard right b4 she vomits an it just breaks my heart. It sounds like she is crying “Momma” when she cries and of course I go to her and rub her back so she knows I’m here for her. She can’t eat at all without it coming back up, she just started doing it 5 days ago. She has already lost a lot of weight and she is already a small kitty. They both sneeze all the time, cry a lot, have runny eyes, and Moe has bad hives on his ears, around eyes, & top of his head. Do you have any suggestions of what we can do for Precious & Moe to help settle their tummys, help Moe’s hives, & help make them both more comfortable? They are our babies along with our two puppies (now that our 2 legged babies are grown & moved out) and we can’t stand for them to be in pain but we don’t know if its time for them to go to God yet. These two sweet loving babies don deserve this horrible disease and want to do something for them but feel helpless. I hold them all the time and don’t sleep unless my husband is awake bcs I don’t want them to bne alone at all. I can’t think of any words that can describe how sweet they are. They both rub my face or neck woth their paw when they want to be rubbed. They are just so loving. PLEASE PLEASE HELP ME TO HELP MY BABIES!

By: Lorie Huston, DVM

Lorie Huston, DVM — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 02:40:29 +0000

I hear you, Robyn. I hope so too! I’m so happy to hear that your older cat tested negative. That’s good news.

By: robyn capelli

robyn capelli — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 01:00:08 +0000

thank you. My 11 yr. old cat test negative. He, of course, has had all of his shots. I just pray we get to see these friends of ours in he next life!! they are unconditional lovers!!
robyn capelli

By: Lorie Huston, DVM

Lorie Huston, DVM — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 20:41:22 +0000

Robyn, what a tough situation to have to deal with! I think you did the right thing. It sounds like Shadow was suffering and you were kind to end that for him. I hope your 11 year old cat tests negative. Please keep us posted when you get the results. I’ll be thinking about you and your kitty.

By: robyn capelli

robyn capelli — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 18:29:41 +0000

“Shadow adopted me about 4 months ago. I had hin fixed, teeth cleaned and rabies shot. He turned into a senior citizen cat and ate,slept, but walked with @ night. He slept in bed [outsidepatio chair] and I would bring in the garage at night with his food bed and night light[ kitty litterbox] I put him down 12=9=11. My vet was out of town, and a sub.l vet told me the cats eys[ reason I took him him] was like a red fire ball and the other better eye had an ulcer in it. this eye was tearing but seemed to clear up[only had this about 4 days of tearing.. However, in am on Fri.his eye looked likd he had no vision and very raw and painful. The cat was about 5- 6 and had a hard life.I had her run blood work and feline leuk. test was positve. “vet” suggested the cat be put down beacuse I have my own 11 yr. old cat and said it was hightly contagious and my cat might be contaminated. I am grieving thinking shoudl i have waited for my own vet, did I do the right thing. My cat will be tested on Mon. I miss that little guy so so much.Your help is appreciated! thanks, Robyn

By: Lorie Huston, DVM

Lorie Huston, DVM — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 05:34:27 +0000

Hi Leah.

The risk is small but not totally absent that the test was a false negative. There is also some protection in the fact most adult cats do develop some immunity against feline leukemia and FIV with time. So, again this leads to a smaller risk of infection but not absolutely no risk, assuming your other cats are both healthy adults. Sorry, this is probably not the answer you were hoping for. Nobody can give you any guarantees. But still, I think you’re relatively safe given the fact that the stray cat tested negative and seems healthy.

By: Leah

Leah — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 05:08:55 +0000

I just took in a stray cat I’ve been feeding for the past year or so…he’s about 2 years old, and seems very healthy. I took him to the vet, had him neutered and tested for everything before I brought him in (he was negative for feline leukemia and FIV). But, I have 2 other cats (who are negative)…what are the chances that was a false negative on the new stray cat? I don’t want him to spread anything to the other kitties.

By: Lorie Huston, DVM

Lorie Huston, DVM — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 03:33:16 +0000

I’m so sorry to hear about you cat. It does sound like he is very ill and probably suffering. I know how difficult it is to contemplate saying goodbye but sometimes it is the kindest thing we can do for our pets. That being said, perhaps it would be worthwhile to seek a second opinion. It’s possible, even probable, that the answer will be the same but it never hurts to get a second opinion, especially before making such a final decision. Whatever you decide, I know you won’t let your cat suffer needlessly. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your kitty.

By: Caesar Cunaccia

Caesar Cunaccia — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 01:28:49 +0000

My cat is 2 1/2 years old and he was diagnosed with feline leukemia. We brought our cat to the Vet today because my cat was lethargic, very little appetite. They did a red blood cell count test today and told us that his red blood count level is 10% and it should be 29% or higher and he now has a fast heart rate. Then they told us the news stating that it is time to put our cat down as he is now suffering. Is there anything we can do to prolong our cats life, any type of treatment? We are completely heartbroken over our Boo Boo.

Joanne and Caesar C.