*** First of all, before you read this, please understand that I have thought long and hard about all of my decisions. Please do not post to tell me how infectious FeLV is and that my other cats can catch it from Tommy - believe me, I know this, and I have thought of little else for the past week. I have made decisions (what I believe are the correct decisions for my particular situation) after consulting with people who have been through this, after researching FeLV, and after a lot of tears. I have learned a lot in the past week. And always remember, what may be right for one person and their cats may not be right for another person and their cats. Thanks! :) ***

I took Tommy to the vet last Wednesday for a check up and to have him get his vaccines. We ran an FeLV/FIV "snap" test which came back positive for FeLV. At this point, the vet told me I could either euthanize him immediately, or send his blood out for a confirmatory IFA test. I chose the latter. I waited two very long days for those results, which also came back positive.

So I was again given two options - I could euthanize him, or I could keep him separate from Tucker and Tessie. Euthanasia did not seem to be an option for us. He is a healthy, happy, playful, adorable, loving kitten with a tremendous appetite! It also didn't seem practical to keep him separated from Tucker and Tessie. (This is the part where some may disagree, so please re-read my note at the top of this post.) This is what I based my decision on:

~ Tommy had already been with them for 2 weeks.

~ Tucker and Tessie have been vaccinated against FeLV. Tessie just got her booster last month, and Tucker is going tomorrow. They are adults with mature immune systems.

~ Separating Tommy would cause more stress for him, which is the worst thing for a cat with a compromised immune system.

~ And although I do not have proof of this, I am starting to wonder if Tabby was positive for FeLV based on her chronic infections. If that is true, then Tucker was exposed to it a long time ago.

I found an FeLV support/info group. Some of the members of that group told me about holistic medicine and how it has helped their kitties with FeLV. They also told me that most of them do not separate their FeLV positive kitties from their other kitties. After getting a good review about holistic vets from a friend of mine, I decided to go for it. I sent out a long e-mail about our visit to some friends, and I am going to post that e-mail here for you, just so I don't have to type it all over. :)

We're back! She didn't even mention PTS. :)

First of all, we tried the Solid Gold Indigo Moon dry food yesterday. It is 46% protein and Dr. Nan was very happy with it. She had me give him some while we were there so she could make sure he's eating okay. He was nervous at first, but I let him eat it out of my hand and he ate it all!

Then she examined him. She felt his "boy parts" and everything is good there. She said if she couldn't feel one of them, it would make his neuter more stressful on his little body. She recommends 6 months for his neuter. She also said to minimize his vaccines. One more set of FVRCP, no FeLV (it would be a waste of money since he's positive) and NO RABIES!!! Joilyn (Ginger, Smokey, and Toby's mom) had told me the same thing since rabies vaccine is a live virus. She said if the vet wants to give him a rabies vaccine when he's neutered, that I should see if I can sign a waiver. She also said, after this next FVRCP that I shouldn't give him any more vaccines. Why stress his immune system? I am reluctant to take him back to the regular vet and pay yet another office visit just so he can get one vaccine, so I am planning on taking him to a clinic up at the pet store on Thursday - $14 for the vaccine, no office visit charge, and it's administered by a vet.

As far as treatment, we have two medicines. One is to boost his immune system, and is called Vetri-DMG. This is N,N-Dimethylglycine. I give this to him twice a day, and I can put it in his food. I tasted it and there is hardly any taste. Here is a website:

http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/products/Vet...DMG/125031.aspx

The other medicine is a homeopathic mixture - Engystol and Galium. These are anti-virals. If anything will make him flip to negative, it's these! I still need to research them. I have to give him 5 drops twice a day, but I have to drop it in his mouth because homeopathics work by being absorbed through the oral mucosa, not by being swallowed. I've already given it to him, and he took it like a good boy!

I tell you, I am learning a lot! She loved on him like crazy, too! I really, really like her.

I know this is turning into a book, and I am sure I am forgetting something ... but as for Tucker and Tessie? She said to vaccinate them for FeLV every three years. She said the vaccine will last that long! Quite a difference from what I've read - that the vaccine isn't that effective. My vet gives the vaccine in their back leg, and in their case I am willing to take the risk of VAS to vaccinate them every 3 years, since they ARE exposed to Tommy.

She wants me to call in a couple weeks, let her know how he's doing, and we'll go from there. And that's it! :)

Lisa!!! :hug: So glad to see you here, but also sad about the news of Tommy.

I'm glad you found a holistic vet and I look forward to hearing updates on Tommy's progress. I want to say that when I was little, we had a cat with FeLV (we had no idea and the vet said she had had it a long time) and the other cat (her daughter) never contracted it. She wasn't even vaccinated against it.

But the ill cat had it so long she eventually became lethargic and deaf. It was then we took her in and she tested positive for FeLV. And those were her first symptoms! So I'm confident that since Tommy is getting the proper care, he'll be able to live a good life. :)

Thank you for sharing, Liz! :hug:

Exactly! :thumbsup: You've just reminded us all of what a wonderful meowmie you are. :hug: Tommy's a cutie pie.

Lisa, great to see you back! :thumbsup:

First off, I applaud you for choosing to treat him and give him as good as a life as you can give him. :hug:

Second, I agree with you letting him stay with the others...like you said, they were already exposed to him for two weeks so the damage is done if there is any. And keeping them vaccinated will hopefully keep them safe. The new FeLV vaccines are every 3 years - they used to be yearly - my cats are all on them now.

I know very little about FeLV so I'm very interested in learning along with you. :D

Welcome back and I'm so glad it looks like things are working out. As a mommy to many "broken" kitties, sometimes regular treatment works perfectly and you have no issues. I hope that's the case for you.

Thanks ladies! :grouphug: It's just been a while since I've had a "sick" kitty, but he isn't even acting sick! He has more energy than Tucker and Tessie combined!!

Tucker went to the vet today (he was a VERY good boy, by the way) and he got his booster. The vet told me he's due in 2 years. :wha: Anyway, I feel a little better having him protected a little more. Oh, and my vet said that neutering Tommy isn't a problem, but he's pushing the rabies issue a bit. So we shall see.

NICE! Lisa :hug: Sounds like you know what your doing! :thumbsup:

Thanks Kenny! :hug:

Tommy is doing wonderfully! He's playing with his starchaser right now. He's such a lovebug! :luv1:

Lisa, how's Tommy this week? :)

Hi everyone! :wave: I just wanted to give you an update on Tommy! He is doing GREAT!!! He's not taking his anti-viral anymore, just his Vetri-DMG, which is the immune system booster. He was neutered on January 29th, and did great. I chose to pay extra for them to use a laser, and I'm glad I did. He's growing up to be a purrfect, loveable kitty!

I will try to post some updated pictures soon. :kittyluv:

HOORAY!!! :jump: We've missed you and your kitties, btw. :)

Thanks Liz! :hug:

I forgot to mention, I am going to have Tommy retested soon. Kittens can sometimes "shed" the FeLV virus from their bodies, especially with proper care. I've talked to many people that had negative cats that were previously positive. I'm hoping that is the case with Tommy! I hope to have him retested next week.

That's AWESOME to hear! :thumbsup:

Just an update - Tommy has an appointment to be re-tested this Thursday at 12:30 pm ET. :)

I just wanted to give you an update on Tommy's visit with Dr. Nan today. He is still positive for FeLV. Dr. Nan says that he looks wonderful, and his mouth looks good, which is really important. She wants his teeth to stay healthy, so I am to watch that very closely. There are some treats or some stuff I can put in his food I can give him for tartar control.

She told me to keep giving him the Vetri-DMG. Good thing I found that 4 oz. bottle for $28! :) We have a ton of it left. Also, she gave me some capsules called Moducare. I still have to read up on it, but it works on the immune system. They use it in humans for such things as rheumatoid arthritis and HIV. I think it stimulates the T-helper cells in the immune system. FeLV is a retrovirus, as is HIV, which is why Dr. Nan thinks it's worth a try in Tommy. I'm supposed to open up the capsule and give him 1/4 to 1/2 of the powder once a day to start, and increase it to 1 capsule daily. I can put it in his food.

Finally, she wants me to consider a new product called Imulan LTCI. I mentioned this a LONG time ago, but here is the website again:

http://www.imulan.com

It sounds very promising - the downside is the cost. It costs around $80 per injection. Tommy would get one injection weekly for one month, then one injection every other week for two months, then one injection monthly for 4 to 6 months. I am still considering this!

Aw, fingers crossed he continues to do well!! Glad he is right now, too! :hug:

Lisa, that's great to hear - it sounds like you have a wonderful vet. :thumbsup:

They also have great tooth products you can mix in with their water, I put some in our fountain each time I wash it.

:wave: Hi, Liz... I'm glad to see he's doing so well... I sure would love to see a picture of him... :)

I'll post pictures soon! Hopefully Photobucket will cooperate with me - I've had trouble with it. :pullhair:

Good luck with Tommy. :comfort: Sounds like you know what you are doing and are doing a great job. :hug:

Just an update ... Tommy is still taking the Vetri-DMG and Moducare. He's doing GREAT!!! I recently had a friend over who met him for the first time, though I talk about him on Facebook all the time. She couldn't believe how strong and healthy he was, and how his coat is just the softest thing ever! I must be doing something right! :)

Last year, around mid-November, I was told by Tommy's first vet that he likely wouldn't make it to his first birthday. We had a HUGE celebration this past July 31st! And he's still going strong, and I believe he will be around for many years to come!

This is wonderful, Lisa!!!! :jump: :jump: :hug:

I love reading Tommy's status's on Facebook. He always has fun things to say. So do you of course ;) :luv1:

:)

This is Tommy's fan page, that Jen is referring to ...

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tommy/82341091559

Hi, Lisa. I am Caryn from Malaysia. My 6 yrs old male cat was tested FELV positive yesterday (the test showed very fade positive band and my vet told me it still considered positive, but he doesn't show any symptom and stay healthy. My vet advised me to give 0.5ml Vetri-DMG once a day. I felt very worry about him and tried to search around and came across this product LCTI from Imulan. Have you used this product before? How's the effect?

Just read Tommy's status on facebook, very cute and i love it. Thanks!

Many vets consider Imulan's Lymphocyte T-Cell Immunomodulator (LTCI) to be controversial because it has not been tested according to accepted standards. I belong to an on-line feline leukemia group and there are some members who are trying it and reporting to the group every so often. Here is the link if you are interested:
http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo...ineleukemia.org
I have two FeLV+ cats, one is 12 and the other is 3. Currently I am just using Mega-C plus as an immune booster. It's too bad the LTCI is so expensive. :(

Hi, thanks for the info.

How long have your cats been tested felv+? How the condition now? I have 2 cats at home, 1 tested felv+, the other one hasn't tested yet. The felv+ cat is the son of the other one, so i think the mother might be +ve as well. Both I give them immune booster (vetri-dmg) now. Will retest both again in 3 months time.