My cat was recently diagnosed with feline leukemia. She was at the vet for a check up and she tested positive. The vet said it most likely came from her mother that had might have had it. She has never been sick and stays inside now. The vet said it might or might not affect her quality of life or life span. I have read up a little and she doesnt exhibit anything characteristics to look out for.
Has anyone here ever had a cat that has had FL? What should i watch out for in the future?
2007-12-02 10:10:24 · 9 answers · asked by Leah 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
No, I haven't had a kitty with FeLV but have done some reading on the illness.
Here is a link to the Marley Fund. The founder of this organization lost a kitty to FeLV and began this for study and research. The site has a lot of good information.
Since you know she has leukemia, you and her vet can watch for any changes and give her the longest, healthiest life possible.
Purrs for you and kitty.
2007-12-02 11:39:13 · answer #1 · answered by Patty O 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I have.
Feline leukemia changes the immune system. These kitties need their vaccines, and any illness has to be treated quickly.
Check out the Winn Feline Foundation, look for the article on feline leukemia.
My two who got the disease from their mom died young, one became anemic and one had lymphoma. Watch for pale gums, and trouble breathing. If she isn't eating as much as usual, she needs to be checked by the vet; that's often the first sign of complications.
One kitty I had caught the disease older when his immune system was more able to deal with it. The person who is keeping him as an only cat still has him and he's 12.
Some positive kitties, even young ones, do deal with it and become negative.
2007-12-02 10:43:14 · answer #2 · answered by Julie D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
F.L. is incurable. There are some drugs out there which can help to treat it -ward of symptoms - if it is still in the early stages. But , once it takes hold, there isn't much you can do - if anything - to draw it out any longer. Some cats who have tested positive, can then survive for a few years, though this is quite rare. Most will succumb to the disease in months. Eventually the level of the virus in the body of the cat will get to the point where the equilibrium of its immune system will no longer be able to defend against the disease and then the cat will go into the advanced stages. Then your cat will get anemia and lose weight and appetite and all kinds of other things can happen. In my opinion, and I had two cats die of F.L. this year (they had it as kittens) its better to put your cat down before its so ill that it won't eat or is very very thin. We put our cat down about six weeks ago for the same thing. His weight and appetite waned, he became anemic and I knew that he would not last much longer. I know it isn't easy, but there really isn't much hope once they do get real sick. Love him up while you can and send him on his way. If he is still in relatively good health, you may be able to utilize some medicines to help him stay healthy longer. That's really all you can do.
2016-05-27 07:18:02 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are some EXCELLENT feline leukemia cat lists on yahoogroups.com that you should check out. All the owners there have cats with this and can give you first hand information.
2007-12-02 10:15:56 · answer #4 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the cat becomes symptomatic, it will drink excessively and at times, may hunch up and meow loudly as if in pain. We had a cat with it when I was a child and I can remember the cat always near water, hovering by the bathroom sink and so on...
2007-12-02 10:44:09 · answer #5 · answered by single_pedal 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At the end of her life, my cat had both leukemia and AIDS. She got very lethargic, weak, and had no appetite. I hope your cat lives a long, healthy life.
2007-12-02 10:15:16 · answer #6 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a cat who had leukemia at the end of his life, my cat got very lethargic, weak, and had no appetite.
2007-12-03 11:20:51 · answer #7 · answered by MAR 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my male tomcat Baby, had feline leukemia and he lived for a long time.... we never saw him alot bc he was always gone tomcatting...but he had it and the only thing bad that he had was discharge from his eyes which we cleaned when we could find him.... he was about 8 or 9 when we gave him to the neighbors and moved... ur cat will live for awhile.... good luck and dont worry about it too much..
2007-12-02 10:18:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
So sorry to hear that, I wish you all the best!
Hope she gets well.
2007-12-02 10:19:22 · answer #9 · answered by Chantal D. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋