I recently had 2 FELV-positive cats die... please help!!!?

Question

i need to know how long it is i should wait before getting more cats, how long will the virus (feline leukemia) last outside the cats body? if i get other cats i dont want them to get infected. i know to clean litter boxes, food dishes and disinfect them already...

i forgot to mention... our first cat was a tomcat and we took him in, gave him all his shots and got him "fixed." we had no knowledge of feline leukemia. so when we got another kitten as his friend (the befriended each other immeiatly) he started to show symptoms of lekemia, we were told by the doctor. he got tested, and came back positive. our other cat was then brought in, and he was also positive. maybe this helps? we would have gotten the kitten a vaccine for it, but we had no idea and the vet didnt even think of giving the tomcat a vaccine... even though we told him he was a stray.

they were both indoor after we took them in, but we figured the tomcat had leukemia before and gave it to the kitten.

Answer 1

Who is at risk ?

FeLV is a fragile virus which is not able to survive for long in the environment so spread of infection between cats relies on prolonged and close contact. For this reason infection is most common in situations where there is a high population density of cats. It is estimated that 1-2% of cats in the UK are infected with FeLV. This figure tends to be higher in more densely populated city cats and lower in rural cat populations. In multi-cat households and catteries where FeLV infection is endemic (constantly present in the household), up to 30% of the cats may be infected.

Young cats, particularly those less than six months old, are especially vulnerable to becoming persistently infected.

How is it spread ?

The major source of virus is in saliva from a persistently infected cat. Virus is spread by activities where saliva is exchanged between cats, such as mutual grooming or sharing of food bowls. Alternatively, FeLV infection of other cats may be caused by biting or contact with urine and faeces containing the virus. It is also possible for virus to be passed from a queen to her kittens either in the womb or after the kitten is born, via infected milk. However, it is uncommon for FeLV-infected cats to give birth as FeLV usually causes pre-natal death of the kittens which results in resorption or abortion.

Not all cats which are exposed to FeLV become persistently infected. Either they have not been exposed to enough virus or their body's immune system is successful in eliminating the infection. The majority of cats become infected with the virus entering the body via the mouth or nose. The virus multiplies at these sites before spreading, in the bloodstream, to the rest of the body and in particular to the bone marrow. If the cat is able to eliminate the virus, this will occur during the initial stages (4 - 12 weeks) of infection. Once significant infection of the bone marrow is present, the cat remains infected for the rest of its life.

Very rarely FeLV infection may be limited to certain parts of the body such as the mammary (breast) tissue. This is known as a 'localised infection'.

Answer 2

Wait yet another couple weeks and take your cat to the vet to be re-examined and ascertain they run the two FeLV tests. while rescuing leukemia positives I discovered that publicity to the virus can bring about a reasonable useful reading on the tests, yet in 6 - 8 weeks yet another attempt can arise adverse because of the fact the cat became in a position to 'shake' the virus and not actually settlement it (or be a provider). If there is helpful (no count how faint) on the vets tests - - i might evaluate your cat a provider at minimum. you should evaluate adopting yet another leukemia useful at that element, even with the actuality that I even have heard of fulfillment memories with blended populations. I in no way risked it and caught to FeLV positives purely. evaluate this - - leukemia positives are many times on the instant euthanized in shelters because of the fact they have not got the gap to ideal separate them from the different cats. it could be a outstanding thank you to help a cat in want and cheer up your final cat. perfect of success & good desires to you!!

Answer 3

Whisker has given you a great answer. I too have heard that the virus itself has a very short period of life in the environment. So I don't think extensive cleansing of the environment is necessary.

Please go to: www.littlebigcat.com and read her article on "Vaccinations". This is very important as the vaccine for the leukemia is now suspect in actually causing the disease. So you should give serious consideration to what she says before you get another cat and give it that vaccine.

Answer 4

Adopt an older cat from a shelter and it will have been tested for FELV. It will have tested negative and been given all of its vaccines ( including FELV) before being put up for adoption. If a cat is healthy and vaccinated against the disease it will not catch it even if it comes in contact with the virus.

Answer 5

first im sorry for your loss I had a cat that died of felv 5 years ago
not all cats can get infected unless they are all kittens my other cat whom drank ate licked and slept together after my cat died my other cat was tested and it was negative I would ask your vet to make sure but i think it is 6 months that the virus can live just found something imformationhttp://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/resources/brochure/felv.html

Answer 6

Make sure you get your next kitty a vaccine before you bring it home. I believe many animal shelters vaccinate their cats, so you can give a stray kitty a home and it will be vaccinated. Also, waiting would be a good idea just to make sure the virus is dead. Sorry to hear about your kitties.

Answer 7

I would ask your vet, hed know how to answer that question better than anyone. Im so sorry about your cats. I have two myself now. My very first cat died a few months ago. He came in poisened and died right in front of me, within minutes.

Good luck, and again...Im so sorry. Hope you find some answers that help.

Answer 8

disinfect those things, probably get new toys new toys maybe steam clean your carpets and furnature.

I'm not sure how long the virus lives for.

I'm sorry for your loss but I'm sure you gave them a great life.

Answer 9

Have you bleached your yard and everything? I think you should wait 6 months just to be safe. What's the rush with such a risk?

Answer 10

Do you let your cats outdoors? They had to have gotten the disease from another cat. Keep them inside. :-)