FeLV scare...info please

[Jen]

One of my cats is being re-tested for FeLV due to reoccurring mouth pain. I am worried because I personally know someone who had a cat DIE of leukemia who originally tested negative.
What do I do if she tests posotive??????
I have 12 other cats.
Any help, info or prayers for a negative testing will be much appreciated.

[Traci]

Jen, try not to jump to conclusions just yet. Any immunological disorder can affect any other part of the body. Your vet may suspect stomatitis at this point, but he should be able to reasonably conclude this from gauging the amount of bacteria in her mouth, diseased, loose teeth, or ulcerations, etc. FELV testing is a common approach when diagnosing stomatitis because for some cats, it's a common associated disease.

The FELV/FIV snap tests done in the clinic are fairly reliable and accurate, but if he suspects immunological stress, he may opt instead for a specific FELV ELISA done from an outside lab. This would be a feline serology, that can also include hemobart, coombs, RNA, and other causes of immunological problems, he can break them down or narrow the tests to include only what he wants to test for.

FELV is not necessarily a death sentence. Many FELV+ kitties are leading long, healthy lives. One must take precautions and extra care of course with an FELV+ kitty, and get more frequent checks and followups, but with good care and vet followups, life can be extended several years (providing no other primary disease or bacterial infections exacerbate the FELV, etc)

On the offchance she is positive, you may want to test your other kitties as well. But again, let's not make assumptions until your test results are back.

Curious, what other diagnostics were done to rule out other oral health problems?

[Jen]

No other tests because he wanted to start by doing the FeLeuk test.
And I am less worried about Amber living long/healthy (because I KNOW they can live with it for years) as I am the threat to the others.

[Jen]

Amber is Negative. I have a tendency to jump to conclusions. But I prefer to be prepared for the worst.

[jason]

Amber is Negative.

great news, thanks for the update.

[LisaLisa]

Jen,

Nice to hear some good news

I bet you are relieved.

[Tina B and crew]

Well that is a relief!!