FELV

[Prudie]

One of my cats has become suddenly ill over the last 3 days, most notable symptom is all his glands (lymphnodes) are up. I took him to vet this evening and she took blood for testing. She thought it could be many things but her first choice was feline leukemia virus (FELV). I'm a bit shellshocked after listening to her and the next steps/prognosis , do any of you have any experience of this in cats and what the outcome was?

[ladybirder]

I thought that was covered by the annual injections.

[wolf63]

I am sorry to hear about your puss cat - this link will take you to my favourite site on the subject of felines and should answer some of your questions

http://www.fabcats.org/owners/felv/index.php

[boxtops]

Prudie, I'm so sorry - best wishes to you and your cat, if this does turn out to be the diagnosis. Fingers crossed that it isn't - let us know when you get the blood results back. ♥

[Prudie]

Thanks ladies, it's knocked me for six a bit, all so sudden. I get the results tomorrow lunchtime. It also causes concern for my other cat. I've looked at your link wolf and have been searching tonight on the web, none of it encouraging.
I know this is part of standard vaccination but didn't think people had it done as often as they used to. I have been at the same vet for over 10 years and they've never advised me to have top-ups.

[boxtops]

I can't find the catz' vet cards at the moment, but I'm sure they have FelV as part of their annual boosters.

[CatGirl4]

Hope the result's not bad,i always have top ups on mine,i'm surprised your vet didn't advise this.

[China Doll]

When you say top ups do you mean the yearly vaccinations or top ups on top of the yearly vaccination?

Let us know how your cat goes Prudie!

[Prudie]

Well have some sympathy with me - I've been at work with stomach in knots all day. As it approached lunchtime every time the phone rang with an outside call I felt sick but it wasn't the vets. Finally plucked up courage at 2 to ring myself. Nurse said results are in but vet must discusss and she'd just popped out for a minute, would call me on her return. 10 to bloody 4 till she rang, I was in bits. Anway he has neither FELV nor FIV but he is anaemic and there must be a reason. Have to see how he goes and take him back next Monday.
BTW after the shots and the blood test last night I had to pay £152 - there was a time when I couldn't afford that.
Sorry for the long post.

[China Doll]

Well fingers crossed it is something simple that can be sorted out. Is your cat insured in case it's a chronic illness? £150's a lot of money.

[ladybirder]

Oh Prudie I bet you are relieved. Has the vet given you something for his anaemia?

[Prudie]

No china neither of them are - mainly because one of them (Prudie in fact) is too old I think to get taken on and this one because he was a stray until 3 years go, I have no knowledge of his background or age.
It is a lot of money and I expect it will be more next Monday, no wonder people don't take their pets for treatment sometimes.

[China Doll]

Crikey, I bet someone would still take the stray on though. Eric came from battersea and he's insured with pet plan, it might be worth looking in to just in case.

Hopefully it'll be a really simple thing though and he will be fine :c)

[China Doll]

<Nudge> How's your cat?