Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 8/28/2008

Question
I bottel fed three kittens.  They never go out of the house.  The one in question I had declawed and spayed at about 4 months of age.  About 1 1/2 weeks after getting her home she I noticed she had a small sore on her neck.  I thougt it was from playing.  It grew very rapidly and she lost her fur around it.  I took her to the vet he gave me some topical medication and a pill for her to take.  He said if she wasn't better in five days he wanted to test her for feline lukimia.  She eats well and she fur is like velvet.  She is such a little baby.  I am so concerned and worried.  Can you put my fears to rest or not?

Answer
There are so many things that may have caused this lesion, it is hard for me to be specific. IT may take a week or 10 days for this to heal, so don't worry unless it doesn't heal.  All kittens should be tested for feline leukemia and if they are negative, they should be vaccinated against it if they are going to be in contact with other cats or if they go outside.  Kittens get Feline Leukemia virus infections from their mothers. Cats with FeLV have depressed immune systems and that's why things don't heal as well.