Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: Notesfiles $Revision: 1.7.0.8 $; site trsvax Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxn!ihnp4!inuxc!pur-ee!uiucdcs!convex!trsvax!kasey From: kasey@trsvax Newsgroups: net.pets Subject: Feline Leukemia Message-ID: <58100014@trsvax> Date: Tue, 13-Aug-85 17:03:00 EDT Article-I.D.: trsvax.58100014 Posted: Tue Aug 13 17:03:00 1985 Date-Received: Sat, 24-Aug-85 02:41:29 EDT Lines: 32 Nf-ID: #N:trsvax:58100014:000:1736 Nf-From: trsvax!kasey Aug 13 16:03:00 1985 I took my 2 3-year-old cats to the vet this morning for their annual shots. While I was there, we got into a discussion about Feline Leukemia (FelV) and I thought I would clear up some miscopnceptions of the disease that were pertepuated in this newsgroup about 6 months ago. Feline Leukemia IS cancer. But it sounds more like AIDS in cats. It decreases their immunity to other diseases, viruses, and infections to the point that the cat usually dies of something else before the leukemia kills it. Because it is a blood-borne disease, fleas can transport the disease. The reason that I said it sounds more like AIDS in cats is because it attacks their immune system, it is most frequently transmitted through body fluids, and it is always fatal. It is the leading cause of pet cat deaths. Statistics state that 1 in every 10 cats die from the disease or the associated immune deficiency. My vet charges $25 per cat for the blood test to determine if they already have it and $15 for each shot in the series of 3 shots the first year ($45 per cat for shots + $25 for the test). After that, they need a shot once a year. I got lucky! Because I took both of my cats on the same day he only charged me $30 to test both cats. He said that it takes the same amount of effort to run 1 test as it does 2. So he only charged me for the additional serum. Kittens that are less than 13 weeks old don't need to be tested. You can start right in with the shots. The vaccine is so expensive right now because it is only available from one company (Norden Laboratories) and has only been available since January. He anticipates that the vaccine price will drop by this time next year. Kathy Ladewig (aka kasey @ trsvax)