A tale of hope if you have a FIV+ cat

[CeliaFate]

My cat was diagnosed FIV+ back in June. The vet said because he was so anaemic and weak that he'd probably have a couple of weeks left to live. He gave him antibiotics and an injection to boost his bone marrow.
I don't know what was in that injection, but he's gone from strength to strength! He's gained weight, his fur is fluffy and in good condition, he's eating well and is full of life!
I was so sad when he was diagnosed, thinking we'd lose him soon. Now I cherish the time he has left and enjoy him all the more.
HTH someone who maybe going through the same.

[SingingTunelessly]

Ahh that's good. I shouldn't be too worried if I were you although I know it is terrifying when you first get that diagnosis. My sister re-homed a HIV+ cat and he also has kidney problems which I think is par for the course. BUT this was 3 years ago! He's still going strong and is a wonderful, adorable cat.

[ColdSancerre]

There is a mner with kittens who are poorly with suspected FIV - I will link her to here if she hasn't already seen it.

[Claw3]

Celiafate, that is great news, so pleased for you. I have 2 kittens who are very poorly at the moment with suspected FIV. Vet gave them injections of antibiotics and pain killers yesterday to help them fight off mouth ulcers with are severely infected and im having to feed them with a syringe every 2 hours. Back to the vets tomorrow, i will have to ask about injection to boost their bone marrow.

Its so sad, even if they do make it, im then going to have to rehome them, as i have 2 other cats.

What advice have you been given about your cat mixing with others? do you have to keep him indoors now?

[CeliaFate]

I was told to keep him indoors, but this has proved impossible. I feel guilty about it, but prior to him adopting us he was semi-feral. After his diagnosis I did keep him in, but he just sat at the doorway and yowled, or would escape through any door/window that was inadvertently left open.
It is preferable to home them as indoor cats. I believe they can live with non-infected cats as long as they're not fighters and you have separate food, water, litter trays etc. Infection occurs through bite wounds, so if they get along it shouldn't be a problem.
I found this site an excellent source of information.
Good luck to your little ones!

[Claw3]

Thanks Celia, i have read that site and already have it bookmarked, i quoted something from that site on the thread i started too!

Seems advice is conflicting, vet is telling me they cannot live with the 2 cats i already have as they will infect them. That site says something different.

I think it would be impossible to have 2 outdoor cats and keep the other 2 indoors, they would escape at some point. They really want to get outside.

Still i will cross that bridge if and when they recover. Thanks.

[QuietTiger]

Your vet is talking complete rubbish and it really winds me up when vets don't stay current with research.

Quite apart from the extensive studies dones by Dr Diane Addie and Glasgow University and also the Celia Hammond Trust, I've successfully kept FIV+ and FIV- cats mixed in my household. Providing you don't have fighting (because I am assuming everyone is neutered) with deep bite wounds, the likelyhood of the FIV- cats catching FIV from the +ve cats is very small, as in negligable - 1-2%.

The main risk to FIV+ cats, is the risk of infection - you have to be hypervigalent because obviously their immune systems are compromised. That means that it's straight to the vet at a minor sniffle or cut. You also need a vet that will treat the cat and the symptom rather than write off all the symptoms as FIV. Dr Diane Addie is the leading expert on FIV/FeLV and the cat chat website you have been given is a good one.

Also, could you concievably cat proof your garden so that they can't escape anywhere else? That will cut down the risk of fighting with neighbourhood cats and the FIV+ babies coming into contact with other cats carrying diseases.

I would suggest that if you have any serious questions, contact Glasgow University direct. They have always been exceptionally helpful to me. And depending on where you are, it may also be worth looking at a specialist feline vet - I can give the names of a few via PM if you want.

[QuietTiger]

BTW, CeliaFate - my post is directed at Claw3 - that'll teach me not to get wound up about FIV and make sure I direct my post properly!!!