Hello,
I have a problem with my 1 1/2 yr old, indoor, neutered, male cat. He was JUST diagnosed with FeLV.(He must've been born with it)The 1st sign that there was anything wrong was this year in Feb. then March, and now. The first 2 months that this happened, each episode lasted for 5 days, then he was back to normal. He was sleeping a lot, not drinking much water at all, and he was having problems urinating,(with very little outcome). So,I was thinking kidney stones, not FeLV. Well, now he has regressed and his symptoms are even worse. He first started showing signs (little water intake, sleeping alot, lethargic, wobbly rear end) about 11 days ago now. On 05/30, I took him to the Vet. because he would start to growl, for no apparent reason. He obviously was in pain. An X-ray showed that he had dried feces in his colon that he apparently was having trouble pushing out. So,they gave him an enema. Since then, he has only defecated once. He is dehydrated, and getting worse since he will not drink anything at all now from his bowl.

Starting 06/01,I started giving him Pedialyte & water, via/syringe (often). He is dehydrated, much thinner, and has constant dry mouth. I tried feeding him all his favorites for 2 days & he wanted none of it. So,yesterday I started mushing up wet cat food, and feeding him 24ml. every 5 hrs. via/syringe. In his feeding session, I also give 12ml. Pedialyte. With the syringe, he laps up the food like he is very hungry. And, yet he won't eat any other way. Why do they stop eating? do you know?

My question is this, have you ever heard of a cat with FeLV, that went downhill so quickly after they FIRST started to show signs? From what I've read, cats don't usually show signs of FeLV until they are 3 yrs old. Why would mine start early? When the Vet called w/his blood test results, he told me he had the virus, but did not say it was in a severe stage, or give any inclination that was where he was quickly heading. So, I'm in a panic because he is deteriating so quickly. Would baby food have better protiens, than wet cat food? Should I give him that? And, how much/often? Also, will I be syringe feeding him for the rest of his life? What makes them bounce back? I figure that if I keep him fed and hydrated, that secondary diseases won't form, like kidney failure & so on. Am I wrong in thinking this? What secondary infections can still occur if his body has nutrients & fluids?

To me, he is my son. And, I will be devastated if he dies before I can get a handle on this situation. Any advice that doesn't come w/a price tag, seems to be more honest & helpful. When I pay for it, advice becomes misleading. I don't need a Vet. to tell me I should hospitalize my cat, when there is less than a 50% chance of him coming out of this. Also, I don't feel right leaving my cat at a place that does not have staff to monitor him overnight. From previous experience, I've come to the conclusion that Vets give advice based on money, and not with consideration to my animals outcome. If my lil guy doesn't have a chance, then further Vet care is just more suffering on his part. So, some honest answers would be very helpful at this point. Please give me your thoughts, I am totally lost here. What would be your next step?

Thank you, - to anyone that responds.
Dandilion

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