I have a very sick kitty!

[aTailOf2Kitties]

FIV is like the cat version of HIV that humans get. Infected cats can live for quite some time if maintained properly. I used to work at a vet and one of our regular clients had a FIV+ cat that came in once or twice a year for bloodwork. This particular cat was being treated with a medicine generally used on humans but I'm not saying they all have to be. I know they had this cat for years and years and he was fat, happy, and healthy.

[kaycountrygal]

I am sorry to read about your cat Gabby. I've never had a cat with FIV but others have suggested that he can live a somewhat normal life. Maybe you would consider holding off on the PTS and see how it goes. Kay in NC

[momcat]

I'm so sorry to hear this. After reading the posts from other PTers familiar with FIV, please consider getting a second opinion.

[smokey the elder]

If the secondary infection is dealt with properly, an FIV+ cat can live a long time. I agree: please get a second opinion.

[BarbPond]

Thanks to all of you who answered my post and gave me advice. I really do appreciate it! And I am sorry about such a long post.

And NO we will not rush into this!!! That is one of the reasons I did not get it done right away. I never rush into something like that. The condition that he was in yesterday just made me feel like I should put him out of his misery but he has improved over night. Therefore we will not have him put to sleep! I have been reading up on this problem and learning more about it.

We of course want to keep him with us as long as possible and will do so! We dearly love the little guy! He has been through so very much especially surviving the hurricane and flood when just a few months old.

Gabby is 6 1/2 years old. The photo I posted is years old and taken before he started getting real sick. At this point he weights he only weights about 5 lbs and is very skinny and boney even though he eats. I have been trying different foods and stuff to help him gain weight for over a year now. He has not gained any that is noticable. Laura has met him and can verify how skinny he is. She is out of town right now so I couldnt consult with her.

He is very weak and does not play anymore. Just not his old self. He has been running low fever on and off for the past month or so and the other night his fever was much higher. Also he was not drinking water or urinating. That really made me worry but I gave him water with a syringe. That seemed to help some.

I think that I mis-stated the importance of Doc checking his stool sample. Sorry but I was upset and not thinking right. The doc also checked his gums and mouth and showed me the red areas in back of the mouth and behind the teeth. Not the type of red associated with a tooth infection. And both me and the doc knew already that he was anemic. The doc said that he really didnt see much use in a blood test due to the fact that Gabby was showing so many of the symptoms of FIV unless I want him to do it. I didnt see much sense it doing that while he was already feeling so bad.

I have been reading in my cat medical book and these are the symptons that the book lists for FIV that Gabby has had:
anemia
mouth & gum disease
long standing diarrhea
lost of appetite and weight with emaciation
fever
eye discharge
ear infection (mites that I cured)
infection from scratching a flea bite that the doc cured with an antibiotic cream.


Some things about me since most of you dont really know me yet......

I am 66 years old and have had and loved cats all my life! I have raised (sucessfully) 4 children and now have 6 grandkids. I divorced my X after 40 yrs of marriage for lots of reasons but one of the reasons was his hate of cats! He would not let me have but one cat at a time and I didnt like the way he treated them! Oh he knew better then to physically hurt them but he still tended to scare them.

And then I met Wayne who adores cats. I actually met him on a cat site! We have been married for 7 yrs now. Wayne had never been married before! He drives a big-rig and hauls chemicals all over so isnt home but about 5 days out of 7. Therefore I have to make lots of decisions when he isnt home and I cant reach him on the cell phone. He is from Canada. I was able to talk to him briefly last night and again this morning and he also wants to give Gabby a chance.

We have only had 3 of our cats put to sleep and all 3 were due to old age and kidney failure. Their names were: Tic, Tac and Kiki who were all at the age of 13-19 years at the time. Tic and Tac were Wayne's cats before we married and he had them since they were kittens. Kiki was my cat that I raised from the time she was 6 wks old. We now have 10 cats! It seems that the good Lord sends us new kitties to help ease the lost of the others!

I have another kitty here that has medical problems. His name is Grumbles. He is kind of grouchy, hence the name, but also at times he is a big love bug. He has problems with kidney stones and is on special food.

I worked at Lamar-Dixon in Gonzales, La. to help feed and tend to the cats rescured from Katrina. It was both a heart warming experience and at the same time a sad one! Fact is we have 4 cats that lost their homes in New Orleans.

As stated above anemia is common with FIV cats. I am well informed on anemia as I am anemic myself. A few months ago I had to go get a blood transfusion. Three pints of blood! And I take some extra strong iron pills! So I know what that makes you feel like!

I have not been here much due to my health and eyes. I had catarat surgery in November on both eyes and they are still trying to get my new glasses right due to the fact that they had to correct some other eye problems at the time. I go on next Monday to get my computer glasses! That will help with the posting on here.

Here is a link to our cats web site in case anyone wants to see them all.
http://www.eatel.net/~meme/OurCats.html

[pomtzu]

Thank you for elaborating somewhat on Gabby's condition. Hoping that he will continue to be with you for some time to come.

I enjoyed meeting all of your kitties on their website. I just love the name Grumbles too - so funny - yet he did look like he fit the name!

[Taz_Zoee]

I'm glad Gabby is getting another chance. I know how it is watching them lose weight and there's nothing you can do for them.

I looked at your site and got to see all the pictures of all your babies. They are beautiful! Lots of orangies!! And the two newest additions are just adorable.
It's wonderful to hear you found the man of your dreams that shares your love of cats. I am lucky enough to be with someone that shares my love of dogs and cats. We have two of each.

I hope your eyes are better soon so we can keep updated on Gabby and the rest of your crew.

[Laura's Babies]

Barbra, is that why I haven't heard from you?...you thought I was out of town? Nope!! I been right here.. Took some "treats" to Dr. Van's office today when I went.. (Experimented with a recipe and it came out good so I took them some of them).... CALL ME!

I SO hope Gabby bounces back and gets over this hump.. He is already so pitiful looking being as skinny as he already is so any set back would scear me to death... If you need me, call me!

[BarbPond]

Laura.... I will call you in a little while. Waiting for Wayne to call me right now. I even stopped by your house but the driveway was empty and nobody at home. You must have been at the Chiropractor when I came by. It was sometime between 2:30 and 3:00 pm.

Yeah Laura it scared me to death also! That is why I really couldnt think straight today!

Thank you Pomtzu and Taz_Zoee for your latest posts. I am surprised you could view my cat page as I have been working on adding Wayne's two cats (Tic and Tac) all day.

LOL... about Grumbles.... it took us a solid year for me to be able to even pick him up and about another year before he would trust Wayne. He was so very mistreated and scared. He still fusses sometime but now I think he does it just to see if he can scare us!! It dont work as I just tell him to shut up!

[kaycountrygal]

BarbPond, I just went to your site and read about all your lovely cats and how they ended up with you & hubby. I'm glad you now have a hubby that appreciates & loves cats. Yes, You certainly do have a lot of experience with cats. I do hope Gabby gets to feeling better. It sure sounds as if you know what to do and how to take care of him.

I hope your vision gets better and that the computer glasses help. It was good to read about you and your cats. Kay in NC Th 1.28.11