Nameless Kitty

**areias** · 08-27-2006, 02:12 PM

I don't post over here, as I haven't had cats in a very long time. However, I recently moved into a new place, and the past 3 nights I have had a visitor scratching at my door to get in. I figure maybe it is the previous tenants cat, and she got left behind. So, I grabbed a crate from work and let her in last night, with every intention of taking her to animal services-she has a better chance there than to be exposed to all of the hazards of being an outdoor cat. For some reason, I let her out of the crate after about an hour of listening to those soft meows. Her and my dog got along famously, and my dog kept bringing her toys to play with

. She is one of the sweetest cats I have ever met...so at about 12 am I went to walmart and picked up some litter and some food. Well, she's still here-I didn't have the heart to bring her to Animal services. She has gorgeous golden eyes.

So, I brought her to work with me this morning (vets office) while I did kennels, and decided to pull some blood to check for aids/leukemia, and if negative to give her some shots and such. She is that laid back that I was able to draw the blood without holding her down. Unfortunately she tested positive for feline leukemia.

I know some of you must have experience with it-I talked to a friend of mine who rescues cats, and she said that they can live a full life. I was looking at different websites on it too, and some suggested that it might be curable with different drugs. But what is the price of using the drugs vs. not using them? Will she have kidney problems in 5 years versus living with the leukemia for 10? I can see signs of it in her that are mentioned in various material-the only time she was actually sort of active was when we first got up this morning. She dosen't drink much and she hardley has an appetite, all she ate since I've had her is about 3 bites of wet food. Although I suppose it could just be the new environment. She seemed to have very thin blood too, she bled a lot when the needle went in. I'm going to retest her (and officially) on Wed just to be 100% sure, but any advice would be greatly appreciated. She appears to be between 6 months to a year. It's a hard situation for me.

She is nameless, I can't think of anything that suits her yet. Suggestions accepted.

She is grey with black stripes, and white legs/belly/muzzle. I have pictures but I can't find my cord to upload them.

**Dorothy39** · 08-27-2006, 02:20 PM

How very fortunate you are to have the resources and the knowledge to do the blood work on this cat. I am sorry that you learned the results are feline leukemia!!

While I don't have any cats, nor have I ever been through treating a cat in this condition, your willingness to comply with all that it demands of you is marvelous.

As for a name, I just thought of one , Tolarance!!

I wish I could offer you more information.

**Karen** · 08-27-2006, 02:40 PM

Founder? As she found you? Keeper? As in 'she's a keeper!'

Really, though, pictures will help with name suggestions, fo some reason. Find that chord! Because she and the dogs instantly got along, gosh, its meant to be, right?

Sorry she tested postitive for Feline Leukemia, but at least you know now, and can decide how to proceed.

**Lizzie** · 08-27-2006, 03:29 PM

Since you don't know how long she has been out there on her own, she might have been without food for several days at least. As you know, that can impact the liver and cause her to lose her appetite. In your place, I would force feed her A/D - you must have experience doing this if you can draw blood. You may want to give one run of sub-q fluids also. Once her body has balanced out, she should be fine.

I had two cats with feline leukemia, they were born with it. Roo was the runt of the litter and his digestive system was not fully developed; he lived only 8 months. Seshat lived for 7 mostly healthy, very happy and rambunctious years. She did get tired a little more quickly than her FeLV- brother and she did take a few days longer to recover from the couple of viruses they got over the years (he got them first and passed them to her). She died over five years ago and I'm sure there have been advances in caring for cats with this disorder, so you could have 10 years with her.

I'm very glad you are looking into keeping her, she sounds like a wonderful cat and a great companion for your dog. I'm no help with names since I'm having a hard time coming up with new ones for my own.

**Laura's Babies** · 08-27-2006, 03:43 PM

It sounds to me that this kitty showed up on the RIGHT door step.. Your dog has already fell in love with her

Her and my dog got along famously, and my dog kept bringing her toys to play with

The fact that the dog kept bringing her TOYS to play with, sharing his toys with a "stranger"... well, sounds to me like doggie NEEDS a playmate and has already accepted this one!

**catmandu** · 08-27-2006, 05:09 PM

Moose Angel would not mind a Moosette named after him.
That way the Big Fellow could be her Guardian Angel.
He could look over her, and see that shes well.

Moose Angel, Ready For Duty!

**areias** · 08-27-2006, 09:55 PM

Update--I took Zoie to the dog park for a while, and left Ms. Nameless with a small can of food. When I got back-it was all gone! Maybe she just needed rest. She's been much much more active, and she was meowing and rubbing on me, so I gave her some dry, and she ate all of it, and came back to me for more! I don't want to shock her system so I didn't give her much more, but when my pizza got here she was all over me trying to get at it. I am so happy she is doing better.
Lizzie-I was def going to give some fluids tomorrow if she hadn't eaten anything by then. My vet practice dosen't carry Hills, unfortunately, they carry the purina prescription diets. She seems to be doing well though.

I would never even think about turning her out, or putting her to sleep while she has quality of life. I had already made the decision to keep her, healthy or not. She did wind up at the right doorstep. Although I'm not totally financially well off, I can provide for her and give her a chance that I'm sure no one around here would give her. True that I don't have $5000 to spend on experimental drugs and such, but I can afford the antibiotics and things to make her life a good one. And how could I take her away from Zoie- they are literally curled up together, next to the pizza box.

You know, almost every animal I meet, I usually say heeey there honey, or hun, and this one was no different-but although it's kind of common name, it really seems to fit her, and her eyes are this gorgeous color of honey. So I think her name will be Honey.

And to Moose, Honey says she will take your name as a nickname, Moose Honey...hmm, I wonder what that is!

She would love to have you as her guardian angel. Maybe he already is...Moose, did you guide her to my door?

EDIT: I really wish I could find that cord to upload pics, but she looks a lot like Jessika's 007.

**kt_luvs_kitties** · 08-27-2006, 10:41 PM

I think that is great that you are keeping her. She sure is one lucky kit. I am so glad your pup is nice with her, and that she already trust him as well. What kind of pup is he? Has he ever been around cats before?
Thank you for helping her! I like the name Hunny, and the name Moose. Maybe you can combine them. Good luck kitty kit.
*HUGS* Katie and kitties

**Lizzie** · 08-27-2006, 10:46 PM

That's wonderful that she is eating and more active. Honey is a very lucky cat, finding you, although it sounds like both you and your dog are lucky also.