Feline Leukemia...Can anyone offer advice?

[Contrary1]

My buddy Bob has been diagnosed with Feline Leukemia. The vet suggested I put him down since I have several cats, but I have opted to keep him, at least as long as he is comfortable. He has been segregated from the other kitties, so he does not pose a threat to them.

Bob came to me as a stray about five years ago. At first, he sat in the back yard, well out of reach, watching me feed the other strays. The neighborhood kids told me that his owners had moved, leaving him behind to fend for himself.

After a few days, we reached an agreement. I would feed him, and he would allow it. Now, he is the sweetest, most lovable lap cat I have had in many years. I can't bear to let him go...just yet.

Bob has chronic diarrhea. That seems to be the only symptom of the disease that is showing itself. I have tried a couple things...just dry food, just canned food. The best thing so far has been ground turkey with oatmeal, but even that doesn't work for long.

Has anyone had experience with Feline Leukemia who can offer some advice on the best way to approach this? Maybe someone has an idea as to what diet would be best? I am willing to do whatever I have to.

Thanks in advance.

[SeattleGirl]

1. I'm sorry about your cat. I don't have advice, but a suggestion.

Since you want your sweetie around for a little while longer, did you ask the vet if there is a special food or diet that might help the kitty, where the diarrhea is concerned?

[barb162]

2. check all the major vet school sites such as Cornell, U of PA

http://www.cvm.uiuc.edu/petcolumns/showarticle.cfm?id=517
snip
Maintaining a cat on a well-balanced, high-nutrition cat food will help keep your cat healthy. Cats infected with FeLV should receive wellness exams a bit more regularly to monitor the perhaps subtle changes in a cat's health. An infected cat is more susceptible to various other diseases and a good vaccination program should be kept up to help your cat fight off other infections. snip

Good luck to you; I understand the cats can in fact live a long time with this.

take a look here too
http://www.felineleukemia.org/

[Hell Hath No Fury]

3. Thank you for not putting your kitty down!

If he is not in contact with the other kits and he seems happy, there is no reason for him go right now. My neighbor had a cat with Fe-luk and he was fine for at least a year after diagnosis (which came pretty late). You'll know when it's time.

Check with your doctor to see if there is an anti-diarrhea medicine that you can put him on. I have used such meds on a short term basis in the pst with one of my cats. You can also try a diet with rice in it -- rice can act as a "binder" in cats.

Be sure he is getting lots of fresh water daily - he can risk dehyration with his poop problem.

Good luck -- you are a great kit parent! :hi:

[matcom]

4. are you locking him in a room for the rest of his life?

you have other cats. he MUST be separated permanently

[Contrary1]

6. No...

I have a large dog kennel in the garage, and he seems content. Most of the time he is loose in the garage. I only close the cage when we have the overhead door open, or at night so he doesn't get into trouble. I take him outside several times a day. He gets a chance to feel the sun, scratch his favorite tree, or roll around in the dirt. Once the weather gets bad, it will be a bit more difficult.

He may have already infected other cats in the neighborhood. Evidently, he had the disease before I had him vaccinated. He didn't start showing any symptoms until a few weeks ago.

[matcom]

7. well if there is ANY chance he will come in contact with other neighborhood cats...

put him down.

THAT is the responsible thing to do

[flamingyouth]

5. So sorry about the diagnosis.

I had a cat with chronic diarrhea and I gave her human baby food in small amounts (cats love it). Turkey or chicken work best. See if he tolerates it. It worked for Tiffany. Bless your heart for taking care of him. :loveya:

PS - The shelter in my profile has a whole section devoted to Feline Leukemia+ cats who live together.

[Kashka-Kat]

8. I had a cat who died from it at 16

She just became progressively weaker and thinnner over several months. I put a cushion for her in this warm spot next to a radiator in one of the kitchen cupboards, like a warm dark den. I worried about whether I should euthaize her but you know...she never seemed in much distress, still purred and liked me to pet her until the end. I wanted to be sure that if I did it, it would be only because it was honestly best for my cat... not because it would make my life easier. This vet I had turned out to be AWFUL--she accused me of mistreating my cat because I wasnt in a rush to have her euthanized. So I found vet who was WONDERFUL-- she knew her job was to help ME as much as it was to help my CAT. She listened to me for an hour and 1/2 and was available to talk to me by phone periodically thru the next couple of weeks, and we planned that she would make a house call if/when the time came when my cat was to be euthanized. That time never came, my cat died one night with me nearby.

My advice is play it entirely by ear, your cat will let you know when he's had enough. And get yourself a good vet that you can talk to who isnt pushing an agenda but genuinely has yours & your cat's best interest in mind.

[China_cat]

9. Ask your vet about using Imodium or Kaopectate

to control the runs. Ours allows a 1/4 tab of Imodium or 1/2 teaspoon of the ORIGINAL formula of Kaopectate every 6 to 8 hours as needed.