Stronger Together
Awareness for Feline Leukemia Virus
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) is an infectious retrovirus in cats that suppresses their immune system. Named after our cat, Mimosa, Mimosa's Mission was created to raise awareness about FeLV and share how it can be spread as well as how can be prevented. We also wanted to create a support network for those who currently have cats with FeLV. We hope help advance research, find a treatment options and to one day see a world where FeLV no longer exists.
Mimosa's Story
His Beginning
Mimosa was found by himself as a kitten and brought to a rescue. He was in rough shape when they got him, but he made it through the night and continued to grow. Once we was strong enough, we were able to adopt him and bring him home. We fell in love with him instantly. He was full of energy and as sweet as could be. We brought him to the vet to for what we assumed would be routine tests and vaccines. He was tested for FeLV and it came back positive. Our hearts sank and we were filled with grief. We could not believe what the vet had just told us. Everything we had pictured with him and his life just changed. We no longer knew what our future with him would look like.
His Journey
At the start we cried a lot. We new very little about FeLV, just that it wasn't good. We had another cat, and so we got her tested and she was negative. We kept him quarantined while we looked into what it was. After his initial SNAP test, we had a second test done - PCR. That one came back negative meaning that he was not shedding the virus. Although the vet informed us that he definitely has FeLV, this was the best possible scenario we could ask for, because he could convert it. He still had a long road ahead of him, but it was good news for what the situation was. He was sick most of the time and we were administering many different medications. We had to wait on getting vaccines as well be cause he was not strong enough to get them. We continued to do everything we could and what the vet recommended. At six months h old he was tested again and both the SNAP and PCR tests came back negative. We were then told he no longer has FeLV.
His Today
Mimosa's story is not the norm for cats with FeLV. We are extremely lucky that he was able to clear the virus. We are so incredibly thankful we get to see him grow up. We know this is not the case for all families going through this. We want to share his story to bring awareness to it, to hope for a better future and to provide a place for people to share their story and find support from others. Mimosa turns five this year. We are so fortunate to have these years with him. He is such an incredible kitty with so much personality. He loves to snuggle and sun bathe. He favorite toys are springs and pom poms. He loves cheese and will come running for anything that sounds like the cheese bag. He is a talker and wants to always let people know where he is at.
Courageous Kitties
