Okay, all, I have had about all I can take with FeLV....

Just when I thought that it couldn't get any worse, I got another blow this evening. Our beloved Bailey, Jake's son....has to be retested for the dreaded disease TOMORROW of all days...this is being highly recommended by our vet. Bailey cannot eat, his mouth is full of sores, and his coat is dull. Because he is Jake's, even though he was tested twice, the vet thinks there is a good possibility that he also has the feline leukemia virus. I guess it could be laying dormant in Bailey--or was laying dormant in Bails.

Last year, 11/22/05, at 1 pm was when I received the phone call from the vet that Jake had feline leukemia. Bailey is going in for his test at 1pm tomorrow, 11/22/06. My mother-in-law's cat, Taz was diagnosed 2 weeks ago. (I know some of you have seen my threads, so you know). Needless to say, I am a mess.

Todd and I have suffered enough loss this past year, with Jake's passing, and then my father-in-law passed away in May. Just days before Jake died, dad's little Eskimo went to Rainbow Bridge. Now Taz, and maybe Bailey. We take such good care of our furkids, we always make sure they are up-to-date on their shots, we had them neutered/spayed (with the exception of Jake, who was about to have the surgery when he got sick)....WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?

I know, maybe the test is negative. This waiting STINKS. I just want to know for sure. my friends, I am scared. And I NEVER dreamed that I would have to go through this a year to the DAY that our "son" Jake died. I have to go to the same vet. I have to be in the same room that Jake was in. I have to hold Jake's son in my arms while they draw the blood. What am I going to do if the test is positive?

I held Jake in my arms...I whispered words of love until the very end. I felt him go limp in my arms. I saw the life go out of his eyes. It still haunts me..although I am glad that Jake's last breath was with his mommy right there, and not just a stranger. Todd and I found Bailey on the side of the road, loaded with fleas, severely dehydrated...he fit in the palm of my hand. I loved him immediately. He looks almost EXACTLY like Jake...he sounds like him when he meows, he runs/walks like Jake. Bailey acts like Jake.

The first time was hell enough...then our family cat Taz...which is a day-to-day event...I can't keep going through this. I am praying so much that the test will be negative...but the vet didn't sound so convincing.

Thank you for listening once again. I am so glad that this site is here. I'm just so scared...
Sandi

The big pic is a photo of our Bailey, and Jake is my avatar...

Sandi, I am praying that Bailey's test comes back negative! What a sweet, expressive face he has!

Thank you. He is a sweetheart--and much bigger now than in the pic. Your prayers are greatly appreciated. That's all Todd and I have been doing. I've hardly slept. I'm so scared. We'll know in less than 4 hours. No matter what the outcome is, I have to work this evening, and I have to go in right after our appointment. As soon as I am able to, I will update. I pray so much that it will be good news.

I will pray really hard tonight for your pet. You and I have more in common than we'd like. My heart literally sunk when I saw this post. I hope the ELISA is negative and if any doubts you can do a PCR. Please email me, I really want to be here to support you.

EDIT: wait, it's been 4 hours! what's the news??

Hello Sandi

I am so sorry you are going through this again. My heart is just breaking apart. I know we dedicate ourselves to taking such good care of our babies and it just doesn't seem fair when they get sick. I am praying hard for you, Todd and Bailey. How horrible for you to have to go through this exactly one year later with Bailey and so close to Taz. When you were describibing your last moments with Jake, I felt all over again those feelings I had when I lost my T.C. It was the hardest thing I've ever done but I was so thankful he gave me the gift of letting me be with him so he was not alone it was the last thing I could ever do for him.
I don't post very often anymore but I wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you.
Hugs, Kathi

UPDATE!!!

I have finally had the chance to respond--I had to work this evening....BAILEY'S TEST IS NEGATIVE!!!

He has a mouth infection. but we are treating it with antibiotics--and, Diane...Our vet mentioned feeding Bailey canned cat food "soup"!!! to try to entice Bailey to eat and gain some strength..

I had to wait until 4pm my time to find out the results of the test...and the vet sounded as happy as I am...I cried, all--tears of joy and relief. He is curled up in my lap as I am posting this..he is glued right to mommy!

Everyone, thank you so very much for your thoughts, prayers, and, most of all, your support. Todd and I have found something to be thankful for this holiday. I made sure that I told Jake that his boy was going to be alright.

Taz is having a pretty good day. He jumped up on the table when I went to see him and mom before the vet appt. We will continue the "soup" with him and the powerade/water mix and the vitamins. We are still hoping and praying for a cure.

I am ready to drop from being so tired, so I will close for now. I hope, for all of you that have responded and those that read these threads, that I can be of at least a little help to you if needed as you have been for me. Thanks again!
Sandi

Dear Sandi
This is truly wonderful news! Yesterday I was filled with sorrow that you and Todd may lose your precious Bailey but you now have put a little smile in my heart that you have been given this blessing for this Thanksgiving Day and giving me one too. Thank you Sandi Kathi

Oh Sandi- this is wonderful news! I'm so happy for you that Bailey's test was negative, and that Taz is feeling better. Hearing news like this makes my day!

God bless you guys!

Diane and Kathi,
God bless you too...Well, I am not able to eat Thanksgiving dinner with my family, as I have to work..(hospitals don't close for holidays..)..but, I was able to talk to Todd, who is at mom's house (and who is bringing me dinner later)..when all of a sudden, I heard mom..."TAZ!! You get off that counter..your're being a naughty kitty!.." I had to laugh...it's a typical Thanksgiving at mom's house...

I am thinking of all of you today, and wondering how everyone is doing. Please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers...

Sandi

I am so happy to hear your news. I have been reading the posts, but unable to respond with anything better than what others have said. It's wonderful to know the results are negative and your babies are doing better. My thoughts are with you and your babies.

I am happy it's just a mouth infection, what a relief. Bailey is a beautiful boy, I send you and your furbabies lots of love.

Jaz

Sandi,I am so happy that you had good news to tell us!!!! I started reading your post this evening and I was so scared to read your update but when I did it was good news..........I am sooooooooo happy for you!! After all that you've been thur this year you deserve some good news for a change.Your little Bailey is a sweety pie,such a cute face.I hope the medicine they gave him makes him better real soon.It's true that prayers really are answered......Enjoy that baby tonight and please keep us updated on his progress.It's so nice to get good news on this site as we have so much sadness here.Sincerely,Renee (Sox's mom)

Bailey is getting better...and he HATES his medicine...he is actually quite mad at his mommy right now, since he just got his dose for the morning..he hisses and the ears go flat back on his head and he runs away..and it takes about a 1/2 hr before he wants me to touch him. I guess the infection is kind of like strep throat...but the sores are going away, his appet*ite is returning, and, like I said, he HATES his meds...when we first started the antibiotics, he let us give them to him no problem...so, thank god he is getting better...I can't thank everyone enough for your support and kind words, prayers, and thoughts..

Sandi

Yaaaay- I'm so glad Bailey is getting better! He must be getting better, if he's fighting the medicine so much, huh? Is it liquid or pills? I used to crush Schtoobing's pills and mix them with something, because it was so hard to get him to take pills.

BTW Sandi, if you are trying the 'tuna soup' thing, make sure to use low-sodium tuna, or it can affect their blood pressure...

Thanks for the info.. Bailey has decided that he likes his dry food more now..which is good..(except we thought it would be easier to put the meds in his canned food---he still tasted it and hasn't wanted too much of it since...he has liquid anti's) Oh, yes, he is feeling better...how are you?

Sandi

I'm doing ok- it was 2 weeks ago today, that Schtoob died. I still feel like I'm in a fog, but I'm learning to live with it. Thank you for asking...

UPDATE....

Bailey is doing MUCH better, his appet*ite is back full force, he plays again, tears through the house, and curls up in my lap and next to me when I go to bed...

Taz, our "family" cat, is going to be retested--this time at a different vet..instead of mom's vet, we are going to take him to ours...mom's came down to her house, and she told him that he was the cat with FeLV, and he said that Taz didn't have leukemia, he has the feline hiv...after he told Todd and I that he had feline leukemia...Taz acts like a little kitten again, and is constantly getting up on the table, and begging for food, even eating a little hard food. We are so glad that we didn't have him PTS, but we are all upset, because this "vet" doesn't seem to know what is what with Taz. He can't even keep the diagnosis straight..and then told mom that we were the ones confused..I'm sorry, but Todd and I both know that the vet said that Taz has FeLV..doesn't he understand what he has put my family through these past weeks?? I am sorry, but I am angry ...but glad that Taz is getting better...
Sandi