5/6 month old kitten lost his spark

[Jyotsna_indu]

My mom had to take Marcel to the vet while I was at work, and she ordered blood tests for me... He has leukemia. Life expantancy is two years, but that's with tumors, illness, and infections left and right.

What the hell?!?! First Jasmine, my best friend of 9 years, then a couple months later, marcel?f! what. the. hell. i've had him for barely even three months!!! This is ridiculous!!!!

The vet told me I should probably put him down... I will in a day or two.

Thanks, guys, your help meant a lot to me.

[Moesha]

Oh dear! That is sad news. I'm so sorry for all that you've been through with your kits. Could the outside cat be infected and be transferring it? Has he been vaccinated? If not, then has he been exposed to Marcel?

[Jyotsna_indu]

No, Marcel had his leukemia vaccination...It's most likely from his mother. Buster is vaccinated as well.

[Catty1]

Jyotsna - read this thread first. Some cats can survive well with feline leukemia (FeLv), even though their immune systems will always be compromised.

Please feel free to send a message to anyone on this thread.

http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthre...light=Leukemia

Hug to you - and hope that perhaps Marcel can enjoy some good time with you yet.

[Jyotsna_indu]

Putting him down is the LAST thing I want to do. I can't take away his life at such a young age... I had just come home from work, and my parents told me it was that, or vet bills, which I definately can't afford. I might look into the steroid shot though, thanks!!

I got another opinion from someone else, and they told me that some people or shelters adopt and specialize in cats with leukemia. If I can, this might be the best route for me. He'll still be alive, I can visit him (maybe)... Ugh I don't know. I'm hoping that he doesn't have it and that their lab test failed at life....

On the other hand, I can't imagine poor Marcel being this MISERABLE all the time!! I know what it's like to be constantly sick, and it's awful!! (I had a really stressful job at one time and was sick for two months straight).

I'm going to let him get better, hopefully he will... Then I'll be forced to make the decision I suppose. Ugh.

I didn't mention that the only reason why my mom took him to the vet without my knowledge was because he was having an extremely difficult time breathing and was trying to meow at mom but couldn't even catch his breath... He's sicker than we thought.

[Medusa]

I'm so sorry. Perhaps talk to your vet about your options. S/he may have suggested having Marcel PTS because of his breathing issues and there may be other complications of which you're unaware. I'm sure your head is spinning right now and you don't want to make a rash decision. I surely can understand that. I do know that, as Catty1 said, cats w/leukemia can live for quite some time under the right conditions and maybe when you're not in shock you can do some research and see what your vet has to say. Whatever your decision, you've come to the right place for help and encouragement. Little Marcel is lucky to have found you and your mom. He at least will get the best care no matter the outcome. (((HUGS))) to you and your mom and gentle pets to Marcel.

[kb2yjx]

I am so sorry to read about Marcel having feline leukemia! We just lost Baby Annie on August 5th to feline leukemia. Annie was about 5 weeks old and only weighed 8 ounces. She was so sweet and so much fun!! It was such a hard decision to put her to sleep, but we thought about Annie and how she would have suffered! Our vet was very supportive of our decision. BUT, you have to do what is best for Marcel. Whatever YOU decide, it will be the right decision. The decision will be made out of love for Marcel....you are very angry right now, and you have the right to feel that way. It is as if you(like us)are being cheated by finding out that Marcel is so sick. Take a deep breathe. It is so unfortunate that the ones we love, cannot stay with us forever....there is a great poem, Lend Me a Kitten....it might be of some comfort to you right now....Take care, Sandra