Having lost a very beloved near adult cat on April 6th to FELV infection, I had her siblings tested immediately after. One tested negative, was vaccinated for everything then spayed, the other was not so fortunate and tested positive. I was advised to do a follow up test on the positive one, Thomasina, in three months. When I asked the vet if I should get her the FELV vaccine I was told it "was not recommended" and was led to believe that it could harm her even more.

Two months passed. Thomasina ate from a separate dish, used her own litterbox, but otherwise was not quaranteened from the other cats. Then the adult males started pursuing her, and on several occasions I discovered them only after penetration was achieved. I called the vet's office, VetMed in Bay City MI, to discuss what should be done. The place has many vets, but this particular one, Dr. Murray, seemed to speak my language and quite thoughtfully went through my list of options. He recommended testing again, vaccinating her regardless of the outcome, and if pregnant, spaying her. When I confronted him with what I had been told by the prior vet, that it was not recommended to vaccinate her, he said "many vets just think it's a waste of money. It doesn't hurt the animal or compromise their health, and there is some evidence that it may help in some cases." I was stunned. I made an appointment (thinking I would be seeing him) and took her in.

The vet I saw, a different one, again refused to give her the vaccination (but had no problem charging me $110.00 for not giving it). First he said it was because she was pregnant, then after feeling her abnomen, said she's suffering from acites (fluid retention). After returning home I thought about the contradictions in advice I received from the two vets and called back. I made an appointment to specifically see the vet who advised vaccination.

I just returned from that visit. Doc Murray confirmed the acites diagnosis, but stated it could not be conclusively confirmed w/o an X-ray and more blood tests. I understood, but lacked the 156.00 for the tests. He explained that his prior position for vaccination was contingent on her not being symptomatic, that now that she has acites, that he seriously doubts that it would be anything more than a waste of money. He said that had she been vaccinated back in April, success may have been possible, albiet slim. Now, there was very little hope baring a miracle. He then instructed the nurse to only charge me 16.00 for the office call. I then asked if the 26.00 I was quoted for today's visit and vaccination included the 16.00 and he said "yes." I then said "well let's give her the shot and pray for the miracle." He agreed but cautioned me to not get my hopes up. I knew that, but held out for that one in a million chance anyway. I'm not bitter for the previous advice I received, but wish I had been told in no uncertain terms that their not recommending the innoculation was to spare my pocketbook 10.00 instead of making it sound like harm may come to her.

I admit I feel cheated out of the better chance we had last April. I would have gladly wasted the money back then just as I did today just for that chance. She is a very loving cat and has personality plus.

When she still felt good and had lots of energy, she loved my computer. She discovered that the mouse moves the cursor across the screen and could actually operate it. One time she even booted up a game that I never play. She even loved to watch TV, and her favorite movie, of all things, was "Thomasina."

Thomasina is mad at me right now and is hiding under my bed. She never stays mad very long though and soon she'll be wanting on my lap. What a precious cat I'm going to lose. If she starts showing signs of stress, that life is no longer enjoyable, I'll do the right thing, but for now, she's going to get every moment of quality I can give her.

Just last week she brought me two mice she caught outside.

Thomasina (left) lounging with her cousin Ross (right) who died April 6th of complications from FELV.