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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)