My adopted stray has FIV...

[CatFancy33]

I just took Mr. Raggs (the neighborhood stray my husband and I decided to adopt) to the vet this morning to get him tested, all his vaccines and to get him nuetered.
Well it turns out that he's allready nuetered, wich means someone abandoned him.
But he tested positive for the FIV virus, (negative for Feline Lukemia). I've had cats with Feline Lukemia before but never FIV. The vet told me some information on the disease but i'm still worried about the guy.
If anyone has had a cat with FIV, please let me know...I need some reassurance

Thanks.

[Lallypop11]

OH NO NOT MR. RAGGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What does that mean for him? Poor baby.

[cubby31682]

I don't have any advice for you but I hope things will get better for you and your new addition. Maybe others will be able to help you, for some reason I can not remember what FIV stands for.

Katie

P.S. Welcome to PT, there are alot of great people here who can help you.

[luckies4me]

FIV is Feline AIDS. It is almost always fatal, although some cats can live a long time with this. You need to decide if you are going to euthanize him, or take him inside to be an inside ONLY cat, or else he will just infect others, and help spread this terrible disease. Do you think you can take him inside? I am so sorry he tested positive.

[amoore]

I'm so sorry about that poor sweet kitty having FIV! I know that is bad.

[CatFancy33]

FIV simply put is the cat equivalent to HIV or Aids in humans.
I have three other kitties who are strictly indoor kitties...I don't want to bring him inside because they will definately fight, and FIV is transmitted from kitty to kitty through bites.
The vet said that most cats who have FIV can live just as long as a normal kitty, but are more likely to get sick easier.

[catcrazylady]

I have heard of rescues and foster homes that take only FIV positive kitties. Maybe you could find one in your area and they could help Mr. Raggs. Then you wouldn't have to worry about others being infected or have him get sick because he is exposed to so much while he is outside. I'm sure there is a fountain of info on this subject from a lot of the members who deal with rescue groups. This sounds like the best alternative to me because he couldn't infect others and he could live a good life inside where his health could be easily monitered. I hope someone else has info on this and can be of help to you.
I hope you have a very long and happy life Mr. Raggs!! We will be praying for you!!

[luckies4me]

Originally posted by CatFancy33
FIV simply put is the cat equivalent to HIV or Aids in humans.
I have three other kitties who are strictly indoor kitties...I don't want to bring him inside because they will definately fight, and FIV is transmitted from kitty to kitty through bites.
The vet said that most cats who have FIV can live just as long as a normal kitty, but are more likely to get sick easier.

Did you read my post?

[Kirsten]

Oh no, I'm so sorry... How scary!

I don't know much about it, except that it's the feline form of AIDS (feline immunodeficiency virus) and that a cat can live with it for years before it's showing any symptoms.

Here's a link: http://www.thecatsite.com/cat_health/health.php?a=fiv

Kirsten

[CatFancy33]

Thanks for the ideas everybody...I really appreciate all your thoughts on this.
I'll let you all know any updates when I go to pick him up tonight.

[PayItForward]

We had the same situation recently with Caramel, our nearly cat.

I had seen him around and feed him a few times and when we finally managed to catch him and get him to the vets it was bad news

He had full blown aids and tumors in his mouth that were cancerous. He was suffering and even with treatment would have continued to suffer, so we made the difficult decision to have him put to sleep *cries*

It upsets me to this day but I know we did the right thing for him.

I really feel for you to be in this difficult situation.

[Randy_K]

FIV does not mean your cat will die soon. He may live a long, healthy, happy life... but only as an indoor cat. An outdoor cat will infect others (NOT good and totally irresponsible) and will get hurt. The latter injuries may hasten an early death from infections that can't be controlled. If you can't commit to keeping him indoors, find a FIV shelter for him!

[PayItForward]

CatFancy33....Any update ?

[jenluckenbach]

FIV is not a death sentence nor a reason to euthanise, but if your cats fight, there is a real danger. He should be allowed to go some where where he will be safe from fighting (and therefore infecting others). Can you contact rescues in your area? someone might take him in or in the least help to place him.

[PayItForward]

Originally posted by jenluckenbach
FIV is not a death sentence nor a reason to euthanise,

Jen is right, we have Caramel put to sleep because of the combinations of problems he had not just the Aids. Though in England very few shelters, take in positive cats.