LoveToKnow Cats:AllComments

From LoveToKnow Cats

Comments

Hi Brianne,

I'm so sorry to hear you're going through this. The only way to know for sure is to have all of your cats tested. Hopefully, it hasn't spread, if he even has it. Please keep us posted.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

We sent one of my cats to the vet today to get fixed...but they think he has leukemia. We've had him for about 6 or 7months, and I have 6 other cats. If the disease spread then they might all have to be put down. Now I just need a meteor to hit my house and I'll know that I'm not meant to be happy. (Keep in mind that this is mearly days after my Dad lost his job).

-- Contributed by: Brianne

Hi Gemm,

I'm sorry to hear about Tegan. That is a really hard thing to go through, but especially so when the cat is so young. I hoe Smudge stays healthy and is with you for a long time.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

hiya michele

i'm sorry about your cat

my cat Tegan was diagnosed with feline leukemia and had to be put to sleep today 16.04.08 i loved him so much :'(:'( <333 he was only 1-2 years old and i have another cat Smudge which is now on his own

i love them with all my heart x <3

-- Contributed by: Gemma

Hi Kim,

The usual way this virus is spread is through cat to cat contact. The disease is in the tears and saliva of the infected cat, so the minute this dries the virus is pretty much rendered moot. However, to be on the safe side, I would make sure that he washes his hands thoroughly and that his mother is aware of the situation. You may want to print out some info on the virus from online to put her mind at ease as well, so she understands that as long as her cats don't come to your home, it is likely okay.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

My cats have leukemia, I babysit a four year old and he loves them, plays with them holds them, etc., he also has cats at his home. My question is "after handling my cats can he take the disease home to his own cats?"

-- Contributed by: Kim

Hi Michele,

I'm sorry to hear about your cat's diagnosis. It must be very stressful.

Unfortunately there is no cure for feline leukemia. The best you can do is try to prevent it through vaccinations. The good news is that it doesn't have to be an immediate death sentence. With good care your pet might survive for several years. And yes, you should have his mom checked too if they live together.

I actually believe that a home cooked diet is better than any commercial cat food. Less allergens, no chemical preservatives and you know exactly how fresh the food is. You can cook chicken, salmon, turkey or beef. Simply boil the meat or steam the fish with some brown rice. You will need to add a few drops of fresh fish oil to the meal unless you're serving the salmon. You'll also need to provide a good cat multi-vitamin to make sure your cats are getting the taurine they need.

Your vet may be able to provide you with actual recipes and more nutritional guidance when you take your femal in for testing. If cooking doesn't seem like a workable option, I believe Science Diet has a prescription formula for cats with leukemia.

My very best wishes for you and your pets~~ Kelly

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Michael,

I found your question on the Ask the Cat Experts page before I also found it posted here. You'll find your answer listed under "Could it be Cat Flu?"

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Now you just freeked me out. I found out my male cat has luekimia. There's nothing they can do. I just want to know what's the best food I can give him? Is his mother infected too? Must I get her tested? If I find out that she is a carrier how can I cure her. Please help.

-- Contributed by: Michele

I have 5 Cats and 6 kittens, it is almost imposible to separate them to the point of their own litter box, and food trays,. of the 11 cats there is 1 cat (6mo old) that has had the same symptoms as the others but no longer shows signs of the illness, he is around the other cats constantly and cleans them as well. According to the symptoms, they have Cat Flu. Possibly Leukemia Is there an antibiotic?

symptoms: Some weight loss, blocked nasal passage, sneazing, watery eyes, and soft stool/diarea.

-- Contributed by: Michael Valentine

I appreciate your opinions, but I'm going to respectfully disagree with you on a few points.

Feeding cats raw foods is not only good for them, it is natural. Before cats were domesticized, they hunted and ate raw prey to survive. This seems to have worked for thousands of years, otherwise the species would no longer exist. In light of the massive recall on many commercial cat foods, these products cannot always be relied on as safe nutrition for our pets either. Just to be clear, no one is advocating feeding a cat spoiled meat.

I do agree that cat owners considering switching their pets to a raw diet should consult with their vet to establish a menu that will provide balanced nutrition.

As for the use of the words "symptoms" and "signs", they are often used interchangeably. I do agree that the symptoms listed above by the original contributor should be organized into primary and secondary categories.

Thanks for your input.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Some of your information is helpful, but some of it is misleading. Most of the "symptoms" you list are from secondary disease due to FeLV infection, but they are not caused simply from having FeLV. (PS animals don't have SYMPTOMS, they show SIGNS. Symptoms are subjective) Also, if a vet says "there is nothing you can do", they are right! FeLV is incurable at this point! It is also true that secondary problems can and should be treated, but this is not clear from the webpage. Finally, while natural or homecooked diets can be beneficial, it is crucial that owners seek the help of nutritionists when formulating a diet. Otherwise, they may be dooming them to malnutrition. Raw diets are never recommended, because the risks to pets and their people are extraordinary. Raw diets can kill our animal friends and make us sick as well! Please, before you publish information on the internet, make sure you have all your facts straight. Some people believe everything they read.

-- Contributed by: Angie Cadenson
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