Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

[livingwith]

I adopted a fully grown stray male cat, bought him a heated house, fed him for 4 months. Now that he would let me pick him up, I took him to the vet to have him neutered, to get his shots, etc.
2 hours later, the vet calls to tell me Grayboy tested positive for FIV I was blown away. I have three other cats, 16, 13, and 12 years old. My vet told me that my only choice was to put Grayboy “down” to prevent my other three from contracting the virus. I trusted my vet. Now I feel ...Read the full article

[ETomkins]

I have not had this happen to me, but the last of our 3 cats who grew old together was just diagnosed today with FIV. He is 16 yrs, 8 mos old and has been with us since he was 6 mos old. The other two suffered from kidney failure and I had to have them, both over age 16, put to sleep (2 yrs ago & earlier this yr) when their conditions could no longer be controlled--having to do that was 2 of the toughest things I've ever had to do; I felt a little like a murderer. Rusty (the one with FIV) was neutered soon after we acquired him and all of our pets have always had every shot, etc., known to veteraninary medicine. Our cats have been indoor-outdoor cats and Rusty seemed to attract aggressive male strays, coming home with the wounds to prove it. He hasn't had any of those encounters for a few years, but I'm certain that is how he contracted FIV. After reading what is in store for a cat with FIV, I think your veteranarian was right, and you've saved your other cats from a deadly disease for which there is no cure. Our plan is to watch Rusty, and when we feel it is time, we will have him put to sleep. We do not want him to suffer unnecessarily.