Before the Beginning

Looking back, it's hard to remember what life was like before learning that Chiana had FeLV. In 2022, we were fostering kittens/cats through a local rescue (all incoming animals were SNAP tested for FeLV) and our resident cat (FeLV vaccinated), Talyn seemed to like them.

Yet, my husband wanted me to have a cat that bonded with me. While Talyn is a great cat, he tends to hang out with my husband and not me. My husband also wanted me to have a cat that was most dog like. With his fondness for Great Danes, he loved the gentle giant nature of Maine Coons as well. It took some time but we found a breeder we connected with and when I saw Chiana's picture, I fell in love with her. I'm happy to say, the feeling is mutual and she is my shadow. Chiana was born on 8-11-22 and brought to our home on 12-22-22 as a Christmas present. She came with all sorts of papers and tests had been done. As per the agreement, we brought her into the vet to be SNAP tested and that test came back negative. After she came into our home, we had one foster cat that SNAP tested negative as well. That cat and Chiana were very close, grooming each other and hanging out together. She had a urinary tract infection while at our home that was treated. She was eventually adopted. During this time, we also "cat sat" the cat that came to the rescue with the one we were fostering as well. That cat SNAP tested negative as well. Because we planned to continue fostering, we wanted Chiana to be FeLV vaccinated as well. 

Our lives changed on Saturday, 2/18/23. We brought Chiana to our vet to be vaccinated. We handed her to the tech who took her back into another room. The tech eventually handed Chiana back to us saying that the SNAP test came back: Chiana was FeLV positive. We would need to contact the vet later in the week to discuss next steps. We left: completely stunned. 

(Later, my husband complained about our treatment at the vet during this time. Because of this information, they later changed their protocol in how they handled such situations). 

My husband knew that positive SNAP tests can read false positives 33% of the time so we searched for a vet that could see us on that following Monday. We found a different one and had the SNAP test repeated. To our dismay, the test again came back positive. We were then faced with the reality that Chiana may have this illness. 

Chiana & Me

Chiana: The Unluckiest Luckiest Kitten: A Welcome to Her Blog

When I first learned about Chiana’s FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) diagnosis, I felt a whirlwind of emotions—mainly fear and confusion, and a deep desire to give her the best life possible. If you’re here, maybe you’ve experienced something similar, or maybe you’re just curious about this extraordinary cat. Either way, welcome. This blog is my way of sharing Chiana’s story, raising awareness about FeLV, and showing the world the beauty and resilience of cats like her. It's also about our deep desire to "push science" regarding this illness. Impossibly little is truly known about the virus and understandably so, fighting it is a daunting and expensive task. In creating this blog, I hope that it'll provide the basis for true research because at this point: every cat counts. My role models are the FIP Warriors® who, in the summer of 2024 managed to get their black market treatment legalized in the USA. I want their story. I want a treatment that fights this virus and am willing to do my part to make that happen.

Chiana is also so much more than her diagnosis. She’s a quiet and mostly calm kitten that vocalizes in chirps and grunts. She's an emotional support cat and knows when I'm feeling blue and sticks to my side as a shadow. From the moment she came into my life, she’s shown me what it means to live fully, no matter the challenges. We consider her the “luckiest unlucky kitten around.” Her story is one of joy, courage, and the unbreakable bond we share.

FeLV often comes with a lot of misconceptions. When I first heard the words “Feline Leukemia Virus,” I was overwhelmed with questions and worries. Would she have a short life? Would she suffer? Could I care for her properly? Over time, I’ve learned so much about this condition and, more importantly, about what it doesn’t mean. Cats with FeLV can live happy, love-filled lives, and Chiana is proof of that.

In this blog, you’ll find a lot of data. Most of the posts are about viral loads on raltegravir and other drugs. There's also wellness test results. It's not exciting stuff but I believe is important for anyone considering this journey or looking at it regarding possible research.

Thank you for being here. Whether you’re navigating life with a FeLV-positive cat, considering adopting one, or just here to celebrate Chiana’s journey, I’m so glad you’ve found this little corner of the internet. Let’s celebrate the joy, resilience, and love that our pets bring into our lives—together.

Warmly,
Dawn