21 Apr 2004
Now we know...

Just in case anyone's following it, Hagen tested positive for feline leukemia virus (FLV) today.

Damn.

We're trying to figure out what we can do, but at this point, doing nothing seems like our best option. It was a weak positive, and he's showing no symptoms whatsoever. He's also eight years old, and, according to our vet, may never develop the full disease until he's ready to leave Midgard anyway.

Treatment would consist of dosing him with Interferon, which is mercifully cheap (less than $10 for a six month supply). But starting treatment, before his immune system breaks down, could actually trigger the changes that would cause a breakdown.

We can't have any cats around him, of course, and he'll be indoors for the rest of his life. But he will be around for at least a little while longer, so I'm not ready to write his obit yet.

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