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Original poster

Please tell me what it is like to adopt an FIV+ cat

8 replies

tomorrowisanotherdate · 30/03/2024 19:22

I know they have to be kept indoors, but what would you expect, apart from that?

Any experiences or opinions gratefully received, thank you

OP posts:
Timeforachocolate · 30/03/2024 19:24

Family members have had expensive vet bills, lots of worry and loss of pets. But they still take them as someone has to,

Original poster
tomorrowisanotherdate · 30/03/2024 19:28

Timeforachocolate · 30/03/2024 19:24

Family members have had expensive vet bills, lots of worry and loss of pets. But they still take them as someone has to,

Thanks - how bad are the vets bills? How bad is the insurance? How much is life expectancy shortened? If you don't mind me asking. Thank you

OP posts:
DrCoconut · 30/03/2024 23:45

We adopted a FIV+ boy last year. Advised to keep him in. So far so good. I can't really get insurance for him though. The cat rescue have agreed to help out if I end up with a huge vet bill. I'm aware that he may not live as long as a non FIV cat and accept that.

CatusFlatus · 30/03/2024 23:50

Have had no problems so far with our adopted FIV+ cat. Had him 3 years. Kept him indoors for the first year or so then cat proofed the garden so he can go out there.

No vet bills and he's not insured. We decided it was a waste of money but we do have the means to pay large bills if they do occur in future.

Puppylucky · 31/03/2024 21:14

We have an FIV+ cat. He's fine on that front although insurance is expensive - Many Pets will cover for a pre - existing condition which is what FIV is classed as. He's got other health conditions (CKF) which are expensive and stressful to manage and will shorten his life, but that's just bad luck. Illnesses apart he's a loving and lively cat who is a pleasure to own.

user1471548941 · 31/03/2024 21:32

We had one FIV+ boy and it’s going so well that we now have 2!

We haven’t insured them because it just wasn’t worth the premiums and we have good disposable income/savings available to pay vet bills.

We do do “Healthy Pet Club” with our vet though which covers worming, fleas, vaccines, 2 x yearly health checks for £15 a month per cat. This is super helpful for knowing they get vet checked regularly.

I’ve had my 7 year old 3 years and the only issue we’ve ever had with him is conjunctivitus- cost us about £150 for vet check and eye drops which solved the problem. He also got a UTI which cost us £300 in midnight on a Saturday vet call out, painkillers and treatment but we think it was caused by stress from us moving house- bladder problems in male cats are not to be messed with.

My 10 year old I’ve had a year, has FIV and a heart murmur and the most he’s had done at the vets is a scale and polish!

The biggest different with FIV cats is if they seem under the weather or not quite right you don’t hang around to “see how they are in a few days” you take them straight in- a good vet will understand this and see an FIV cat straight away- ours are FAB!

But I’m really happy, 3+ years of FIV cats and really only 2 vet issues (we won’t count the one that got too fat and had to go to fat camp, that was my fault….).

My boys are both indoor only, one has been fine with this from day 1, the other has taken some more getting used and means we need to be careful with doors and windows (FlatCats and a porch!!!!). They are also both the cuddliest boys with bags of personality and I get SO many comments on how interactive my cats are. I think it’s because they are indoors 24/7- we are their world- they both get playtime every time, very important to keep them moving and lively. They both bloody love boxes so my kitchen is a brown plastic parcel graveyard!!!

Cat tax- 2 beautifully healthy very playful FIV seniors!

Please tell me what it is like to adopt an FIV+ cat
Original poster
tomorrowisanotherdate · 31/03/2024 21:37

user1471548941 · 31/03/2024 21:32

We had one FIV+ boy and it’s going so well that we now have 2!

We haven’t insured them because it just wasn’t worth the premiums and we have good disposable income/savings available to pay vet bills.

We do do “Healthy Pet Club” with our vet though which covers worming, fleas, vaccines, 2 x yearly health checks for £15 a month per cat. This is super helpful for knowing they get vet checked regularly.

I’ve had my 7 year old 3 years and the only issue we’ve ever had with him is conjunctivitus- cost us about £150 for vet check and eye drops which solved the problem. He also got a UTI which cost us £300 in midnight on a Saturday vet call out, painkillers and treatment but we think it was caused by stress from us moving house- bladder problems in male cats are not to be messed with.

My 10 year old I’ve had a year, has FIV and a heart murmur and the most he’s had done at the vets is a scale and polish!

The biggest different with FIV cats is if they seem under the weather or not quite right you don’t hang around to “see how they are in a few days” you take them straight in- a good vet will understand this and see an FIV cat straight away- ours are FAB!

But I’m really happy, 3+ years of FIV cats and really only 2 vet issues (we won’t count the one that got too fat and had to go to fat camp, that was my fault….).

My boys are both indoor only, one has been fine with this from day 1, the other has taken some more getting used and means we need to be careful with doors and windows (FlatCats and a porch!!!!). They are also both the cuddliest boys with bags of personality and I get SO many comments on how interactive my cats are. I think it’s because they are indoors 24/7- we are their world- they both get playtime every time, very important to keep them moving and lively. They both bloody love boxes so my kitchen is a brown plastic parcel graveyard!!!

Cat tax- 2 beautifully healthy very playful FIV seniors!

wow, they are gorgeous!

OP posts:
user1471548941 · 31/03/2024 22:01

Honestly they are the best things ever. I don’t think about the FIV unless I think they might be ill. The vet pointed out to me that they actually don’t think life expectancy is impacted by FIV, it’s very very misunderstood and poorly researched. He thinks that outdoor cats have a much shorter life expectancy due to their likelihood of being hit by a car and most people don’t think twice about letting their cat outside so that keeping them in due to FIV could actually be a positive!

If you are considering it, I genuinely cannot recommend it enough. I think having a great local vet. The other thing we do is that when we go away they go to a cattery rather than have a sitter- I’m not confident a 30 min visit twice a day would notice any health issues whereas the cattery live next door to the run so watch them much more closely. We paid £10 per night for 1 cat, now £14 for 2.

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