Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

[livingwith]

My first FIV+ cat, Comet, wandered into my backyard when he was about7 years old. He was beat up, had a severe upper respiratory infection, giardia, coccidia, roundworm, tapeworm and a severe case of conjunctivitis. His eyelids were swollen inside out. He was also FIV+. For those who think all of this would be hard on any cat, much less an FIV+ cat, think again. Comet got over all of this and was an indoor/outdoor cat for the next 9 years of his life. Although many FIV+ cats never go into ...Read the full article

[mlincoln]

Dear Nancy,

I am the owner of 8 indoor cats and take excellent care of them. I live in a home that can accomodate them. My 8 range in ages from 2yrs.-16yrs. I recently discovered my oldest has small cell lymphoma and I am treating her with a steriod and at this time, considering Leukeron ( chemo pill).

A few months ago, a stay showed up on my backyard patio and each night would look in my windows as I was feeding my other cats. Last Sunday my husband started feeding him and he ate three cans of fancy feast and was even trying to lick the bottom of the bowl. At that point I made the decision to bring him into my garage because we had high winds and rain that evening.
My husband took him to the vet this past Wednesday and he was examined. The vet said he looked great very healthy looking about 1 year old and a wonderful disposition. I have never encountered such an affectionate boy.
Anyway, when the FIV/FELV tests came back ( in house test) he was positive for both. My cousin planned on taking him today and when she heard this she said she did not want him. I had the blood tests sent to an outside lab and in a day they came back FIV positive and FELV negative. I was so happy that he was not FELV positive!
He was neutered on Friday, Rabies shot given, deworming pill given, mite meds, nail trim and a mini wellness blood panel done which was all normal!
He would have gone to a one cat household, but my cousin just lost her 17 year old cat to renal failure and she said she is afraid to take him fearing that he may die soon. She is devastated that he is FIV positive.
The vet said that we should keep him separated from our other cats and we are not able to keep him. I live in a subdivision that only allows 3 indoor cats and I am hiding my 8 as it is. SO I am trying to find him the best home possible.
I am in Michigan and have been asking everyone I know. I will drive out of state if I have to to find him a great home. He is beautiful! If you know of anyone who would be willing to take him please let me know. My name is Margaret and my email is [moderator note: e-mail address has been removed]. I live in Michigan. I think it is wonderful that you have so many FIV cats and are providing them a great home! Thanks for reading. Margaret

[countrygritsrt]

We just found a stray (Francesca) that tested positive for FIV and I was so worried. But your story has helped me to feel so much better!! I hope more people are able to read it and find comfort in your experience!
Thank You
Alisha

[Srushing29910]

Thank you for sharing your experience with others. I hope that people like you can educate others with FIV+ cats. My cat, Abu, was diagnosed with FIV 7 years ago when I took him to the vet with an eye issue. He had Uveitis, which is an inflammation of the uvea, or middle layer of the eye. I ended up making 3 trips with Abu to a veterinary eye specialist my vet referred me to 100 miles North of where we lived. Dr. Hennessey said Dr. Jameson was the best in her field, and I wasn't taking any chances. Come to find out, along with uveitis, Abu had a cataract and glaucoma in that eye. Now, Abu is 14 years old, and is getting along just fine with FIV AND his silicone implanted eye. He still shows none of the classic symptoms of FIV I am so glad my vet told me that he could live a happy normal life as long as I took good care of him and kept him inside. Bless you for fostering FIV+ cats and helping people to understand it's not an instant death sentence!!!

[ERINEG]

I have a few questions about FIV and it seems that you do know alot about it. About two weeks ago, someone drove past my house and litterally threw a cat out of his truck onto my lawn. Of course I felt horrible for the cat and decided to start feeding him and giving him water. This morning I took him to the vet and they tested him and said that he does have FIV. I am terrified to bring him into my house and do not want to take the chance that my 10 year old house cat will contract it. On the other hand I cannot see putting a seemingly healthy cat down because it is an inconvenience to me. I really do not know to much about FIV except for what either the vet said to me or what I've read on the internet. I really feel that this cat could live a long healthy, happy life, but I really need more info. I would really love to try to find someone who knows enough about it that might take him in. The reason I say that is because my indoor cat is not the nicest to other animals, she is pretty much set in her ways and from reading your story, fighting is not a good thing.