FeLV

January last year we encountered a terrible disease,
called FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus)
Menes started to lose weight, which we first thought
could be due to his bad relationship with our Blue Oriental girl.
The two just did not get on with each other, and we believed
Menes's weight loss was due to depressions
(yes, cats can get depressed, too..!)
We decided to take him to the vet, just to make sure
there was no underlying disease present,
and when the blood results came back - it was FeLV.
I have lived with cats for 20 years, but never before had I encountered FeLV.
I had heard of it, yes, of course, but never considered it a threat
to our own cats, as only one goes out, who is already older,
and we were under the impression older cats will not
contract this virus anymore; that it would only be a danger to younger cats.
So, when Menes was diagnosed with FeLV we found ourselves
in utter shock and disbelieve...

I do not want to go into all details here, as they are still too
upsetting to write down, but in Menes's case there was no hope,
and we made the decision to have him put to sleep.
But it has to be stressed that not every cat diagnoses with
FeLV has to be put down!
Menes was very ill already, his weight loss had turned rapid,
and he would not have survived for much longer.
We were told he was a so called 'text-book' case.
But many cats infected with FeLV can live on for years,
if the virus has not started to effect their immune system yet.
So please never do rush into any decision,
unless there is definitely no hope, as it was in Menes's case.

Since we lost Menes, we have lost two more of our cats to FeLV.
Beloved Pepper was 5, and little sweet Kenja did not even reach
2 years of age.. both had to be put to sleep to end their suffering...
We have 4 cats left who seem to be fine, but we keep testing to
make absolutely sure the virus has left our home for good.
We still don't show any of our cats and we do not breed,
neither will we do so unless we can be certain FeLV is not present
in our home anymore, and we urge every breeder to act
the same should their cats have contracted FeLV.
Should your cats ever encounter FeLV - please do not keep quiet about it!
As devastating as such news are, to show and breed
with FeLV present in a cat group is irresponsible if not criminal!!!

But I must add here that all our cats came from responsible breeders whom we
know well, and so non of them can have been the source to our tragedy.
What the source was we more than likely will never know...

 

 

What can you do to protect your cat(s)?

Vaccinate!
We did not, because we thought older cats and cats indoors
are safe from this virus, and we still don't know how it
managed to enter our home, but it did,
and if we would have vaccinated, we would not have to live in
fear now...

We were advised to test all of our cats 3 months after Menes's death,
having the blood send away to a proper laboratory
(not just the vet test)
Not every cat subjected to FeLV will become infected,
even though it is a highly infectious disease.
Some cats, depending on their immune system, will fight
the virus off, with younger cats being more vulnerable,
and of course cats that are already unwell due to other circumstances.

 

VACCINATE YOUR CATS!!!

PLEASE!!!

It is the only way to protect and to prevent the spreading
of this disease further....

 

Should you be visiting our site to look for a kitten,
well, as mentioned above, we will not have any babies,
unless all our cats show that they are free from the virus.

But you are of course welcome to explore our site regardless.
Poetry and Quotes, Advise and Animal Welfare
can be found on our pages!

Just close this window and feel free to continue your journey
through our cat's webhome...

 

Or - if you want to find out more about FeLV?
Below are some links that might help:

http://www.animalhealthchannel.com/FeLV/

http://www.felineleukemia.org/

http://www.fivtest.com/aboutFIV/

 

 

Thank you, Luna, for the beautiful graphic of Menes on his way to heaven.
You have proven to be a real friend in this time of sorrow and pain...