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FIV?

5 replies

HowsTheSerenity · 29/10/2014 02:13

Well we are back from the vet to investigate Breena's hairlessness etc
The vet is testing for FIV.
Anyone experienced this?

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thecatneuterer · 29/10/2014 02:36

I've had/have lots of cats with FIV. It can be useful to know if a cat has it, as it can help with diagnosis and treatment of any particular problems they might have, but I wouldn't be particularly worried if the test comes back positive.

Cats can live with FIV with no symptoms or ill effects whatsoever. I have had many, many cats over the years that I've known to have it (and undoubtedly many more that had it but were never tested). Not one of them (of probably 10 or so) was ever affected by it in any way. All went on to live long lives and die natural deaths from something totally unrelated.

It is also sometimes recommended that you keep FIV positive cats inside so that they can't infect any other cats. Well, unless your cat is a big fighter then I think you're fine to ignore that advice. It's really only passed on through fighting. None of mine that had tested negative ever became positive after living for many years in the same house as a large number of positive cats (I had some tested out of curiosity).

So let's hope the result is negative. But if it is positive then it's not that much of a big deal

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thecatneuterer · 29/10/2014 02:37

If you're asking if I've experienced a link with hairlessness and FIV though, then the quick answer is no.

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HowsTheSerenity · 29/10/2014 06:43

The cats are indoor cats but have an outdoor run.
Breena did escape a few times (she figured out how to open a window) and was attacked quite badly a few times.
Lately she has lost weight, has hair loss, poor hair condition and increased lethargy.

Glad to know it's not a death sentence.

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Lonecatwithkitten · 29/10/2014 08:06

As TCN has said no experience linking it with hairlessness, but it would be part of the screening process with lethargy and in appearance.
The one thing though that it does put in my mind and I am afraid it's not a very nice one is paraneoplastic syndrome, but only if the loss of hair is on the abdomen.

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HowsTheSerenity · 30/10/2014 08:24

Hooray! It's not FIV.
Vet thinks she is just a skinny cat who has some hair loss. No masses, bloods are perfect.
Thanks for the advice!