[net.pets] feline leukemia carriers

annej (04/29/83)

Has anyone had an experience similar to this?

About 7 years ago, a cat in my household became ill and was diagnosed
as having feline leukemia.  She died, and the other 5 cats were tested
and found positive.

Shortly after that, the household disbanded and the cats and people
all lived separately.  Since then, one of the cats has died from a tumor
which the vet said may or may not have been related to the leukemia.
As far as I know, all the other cats are still OK.

My concern is my cat:  she has never been ill with anything.  When I told
the vet that about 2 years ago, he suggested I have her tested again
to see if she was one of the rare animals who developed anitbodies
and killed the virus.  But she tested positive again, so apparently
she's a carrier only.

I've read about the virus, and have followed the vet's advice
about not acquiring more cats, so please don't tell me all about that.

I'd like to hear from anyone else who has had a carrier cat.

-- Anne Jacko, Tektronix