[Slings and Arrows]

A quick update on the FeLV+ kitten:

The kitten has gotten a reprieve - I'm having the AFT test run, and should have results by Thursday or Friday. [The first test was a test for the virus antibody. This test will let me know whether or not the kitten actually has the virus, or had it and beat it.]

As it turns out, another kitten apparently from the same litter is being fed by my neighbors, who have managed to find a home for it. They have agreed to ask the person adopting the second kitten whenther she'd be willing to take the first, too - as I understand it, if both kittens are from the same litter, they'll either both have it or both not have it, and can thus be in the same house.

Obviously, this is far from certain, but it buys some time.

[GovernmentShrinker]

I hope things continue to move in the right direction for little kitty. I know kittens often test positive for FIV if their mother had it, even if the kitten actually doesn't. Hope it works that way for FLV too, and for this particular little kitty.

[vetvetdoug]

Retest the kitty in two months with ELISA and the antigen may be gone also. FAT is the most comprehensive and reliable test to see if the kitty has the active virus. In the meantime ask the vet for a prescription for Rhoferon, 30 micrograms daily for seven days and then weekly. It can be injected or used orally. Interferon has some benefit in FeLv positive kitties. I have seen FAT positive FeLv cats live for several years after the diagnosis.

20% of all FeLv cats remove the virus and are FAT and Elisa negative on subsequent testing 60 days after the initial positive test. 20% carry the virus and are asymptomatic. 20% are sickly and are symptomatic and 40% die within a short period of time after initial diagnosis. The odds are in your favour.

I must have missed your initial ping and apologize for not posting to the thread earlier.