 Purred: Fri Feb 13, '09 9:14pm PST |
 | |  | | Hi Everyone,
I was invited by Tommy to the group to share my story and to help in any way I can. I am FeLV negative now, but I initially tested positive for FeLV.
In June of 2006, my mom and dad brought me from the home they adopted me from, right to the vet. I was about six weeks old. The vet checked me out and did the in-house combo test for FeLV and FIV. Mom and Dad were devistated when they got the news that I was positive for FeLV.
You see, I had 2 kitty brothers and a kitty sister waiting for me to come home. Mom wondered how this disease might affect them. My mom told the vet that they would make a decision and get back to her. Mom and Dad got home, settled me in my baby crate, and later that night, Mom got on the Internet looking for information.
Mom had always heard that FeLV was a death sentence. She cried thinking about what she and dad would do, given that they had other kitties to consider. The vet had said not to let me share food, water or the litter box with my new siblings, but that casual contact was fine. How were Mom and Dad to cope with that?!
The first website Mom came across was The Marley Fund. Mom wrote to Joy, the founder. In the mean time, Mom found a support group on Yahoo. Immediately they both calmed Mom down. They told her that FeLV was NOT a death sentence and to get Pippin retested in five months using the IFA test.
Mom learned on the Yahoo group that there are treatments despite what many vets think. Right away she got me on a Lysine supplement, that is supposed to help boost the immune system. She decided that Innova Evo would be a good choice of food for me. It was one of the best foods on the market.
Dad and Mom went back to the vet with me and told her what Mom learned. The vet said that the Lysine couldn't hurt, but probably wouldn't help. Still, Mom decided to go ahead with the Lysine. Mom also read that after a positive ELISA test a retest using the IFA test in five months is indicated.
The vet had wanted to retest in three weeks. But Mom and Dad decided to wait to give the virus a chance to shed. Mom read that some cats can shed the virus; again the vet didn't agree.
After a month of keeping my food, water and litter box separate, Mom decided, with Dad's blessing, to mix all us kitties. It's not a decision they took lightly. Most vets and pet owners don't agree with mixing, but after research and looking into their hearts, Mom and Dad decided that it was the best thing for all of us.
In the mean time, just to be safe, Mom and Dad got my siblings the FeLV vaccine. My siblings were over 8 years old at the time, but Mom went ahead and erred on the side of caution. Some vets don't think older cats are as suceptible to FeLV though.
So, the agonizing months of waiting went by and finally the time for the IFA test came. Mom and Dad were on pins and needles! The vet sent the test out to a lab and after a few days the results were back. I was negative for FeLV!
Mom and Dad were ecstatic! Mom asked if the Lysine and good food helped me to throw the virus. The vet said she thought I was probably a false-positive on the ELISA. Mom isn't so sure I didn't indeed throw the virus 
Purrs,
Pippin |  |  | |  |
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