Siamese Rescue needs help for a Lynxpoint

[rosethecopycat]

SRC has mistakenly taken in a cat the now turns out to be FIV+

Toohey is an adorable lynx and very 'front and center' kind of guy.
(he may no longer be on the website for viewing)

If you know of anyone that has a FIV+ cat home please ask about him.
SCR will need to place him in a sanctuary if no home is found, as we cannot adopt him out to a non FIV+ home.

Some one out there willing to give Toohey a second chance?

PLEASE:(

[critters]

From mumpkees:

Lee, you can copy/paste below.

FIV stands for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a lentivirus, meaning that it progresses very slowly, gradually affecting a cat's immune system. The most well-known lentivirus in humans is HIV, but the two are not the same. You can't get FIV from your cat, neither can your children, your dog or parrot. It is not 'kitty aids' and likening it to this should never happen because it pretty much ensures a cat will be killed. The virus is only passed from one cat to another by blood transfusions or via serious deep bite wounds - the type that are sustained by two unaltered male cats fighting or by an aggressive male biting the back of the female's neck during mating. It would take prolonged close continual mutual grooming, sharing of litter boxes, food and water dishes for even a remote chance of passing the FIV virus. The virus isn't transmitted via bodily secretions as it can be with feline leukemia.

FIV+ cats do not have to be in an FIV+ only household. Because the virus is transmitted via deep bite wounds once a male is neutered they lose the urge to fight and mate and as such are not a threat to FIV negative cats. FIV+ cats are routinely being adopted by negative households and sharing living space with negative cats. FIV+ cats are immune compromised so one needs to be alert to things like a URI and not delay treatment, but then you wouldn't delay treatment of a negative cat either. FIV+ cats are healthy, just immune compromised, and as with all cats should live in a safe indoor environment and have regular vet check ups. FIV+ cats can and do live normal length lives, succumbing to the same geriatric conditions that FIV negative cats do.

One of the best articles written to dispel the myths of FIV is:
http://www.bestfriends.org/theanimals/petcare/cats_fiv.cfm

A google search will bring up many articles with the updated information, dispelling the many myths that far too many veterinarians are still not aware have been laid to rest. There are a couple of excellent yahoo groups that are devoted to FIV+ cat care also. Spending a little time getting the latest information and doing a write up stating the facts will help this cat find a home. /mari