I can't stand it!

[Odonata]

He's a cuteness who made his presence known to me Tuesday night in the parking lot at work. I was concerned that he wasn't truly orphaned, but after an hour of incessant mewing with no sign of a mama or litter-mates, I decided to take him home. My parents were going to adopt the little guy, but I'm fostering for the moment while they go visit a friend for a few days. He still needs to be bottle fed every 3-4 hours, burped, and genital/anal stimulated to eliminate.

He weighs ~10 oz, so I'm assuming he's around 3 weeks old. I've been keeping him completely separated from my other kitties because I'm paranoid that they might get him sick, or vice-versa. He's certainly hadn't given me any reason to think he's sick -- he's nursing, burping, eliminating, sleeping, and purring like a champ. I haven't even been able to find a flea on him!

I just took him to my vet for an exam, and he tested positive for feline leukemia. :cry: :cry: :cry: I now have to find him a home where he's an only cat or a home that's already feline leukemia positive. I'm looking at the strong possibility that I'm going to have him euthanized.

I can't stand it. I can't stand it. I can't stand it. I can't stand it. I can't stand it. I can't stand it. I can't stand it!!!!!!!!!!

He's SUCH a sweetie too! So purry and affectionate.

[crispini]

1. Have you discussed interferon treatments with your vet?

I had a cat once who tested postive for FeLV and the vet treated her with interferon and she subsequently tested negative and lived a long long life.

Edited to add: cuuuuuuute! cute cute cute!

[Odonata]

2. I should have also mentioned

I have three kitties who are FeLV negative, so I'm not able to keep him. I will ask my vet about interferon tho. Thanks!

[Odonata]

3. Arrrrrrrrrrgh!

On Edit: fixed typo
I find out from other vets, not mine, that there's a good chance this is a false positive. Most vets won't test for FeLV until a kitten's 7 weeks old because of false positives in younger kittens.

I was sitting here crying my eyes out thinking that I was going to have to euthanize him. I know there's still a chance he really is positive, but I'd like to at least let him live till he's 7 weeks old. I just have to find a place to keep him until then.

[gypsy11]

4. He's so cute

Give him a chance, it very well could be a false positive. I hope it is. Keep him away from your other cats though, just in case. Such a cute little guy!