Adopting a cat that has a health concern is never easy however if you love cats and are a nurturing type of person then you will save a cat with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) life.
There are so many homeless and stray cats that test positive for the antibody for feline immunodeficiency virus however because these cats are strays there is no way of knowing if the cats were vaccinated and thus the blood test could be a false positive.
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| FIV cat plays with dogs on the bed |
Many animal shelters are euthanizing cats that test positive for FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency virus). However, studies show that there is no need to euthanize these cats.
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| Normal as Sam can be, he has FIV |
FIV cats that carry the antibody can live long and relatively healthy lives in households where they are the only cat. Or they can live with cats that are not infected provided they get along and do not fight. I have three FIV kittens that were raised with two healthy cats. The two healthy cats have never been infected with the feline immunodeficiency virus.
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| My cat Sam had FIV since 2008 / he is a rescue |
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| FIV cat Sam sleeping in Water container |
Getting Home Read for your Adopted FIV Cat
The cat owner would have to provide a sanitary lifestyle by keeping the home spotless and litter boxes clean. You would not want to weaken your cats immune system by exposing them to unnecessary germs.
The indoor temperature would need to be an average temperature of 72 degrees. You do not want your cat to be cold or hot. You would also need to feed an FIV cat a quality high protein diet with low carbohydrates. Canned cat food that is supplemented with antioxidants. Supply the cat with filtered water and provide a stress free environment and your FIV cat should live a long life.
A cat that is infected with FIV cannot go outside unless it is to an enclosed shelter that is safe from interaction with other cats.
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| FIV cat plays with toys |
No Kill Animal Shelters
I have noticed many cats that test positive for feline immunodeficiency virus at the private no kill shelters and these cats appear well groomed, in good healthy and happy. While the virus does not have outward symptoms one will be able to note if the cat is lethargic, or has a weakness.
The no kill shelters will offer cats that have the FIV antibody for adoption because the cat is healthy enough to live in a household with no other cats, and will live a relatively long life. All these cats need in their life is a forever home where they will be loved. I believe that adopters are passing by these cats because they are afraid of the virus and feel that the cat will infect humans or the cat will be sickly.
A cat that is infected with the FIV antibody has the same mannerisms as normal cats: they play with their toys, they love, and they cuddle with their people.
The only difference that I can see is that Sam and the two kittens sleep more than the other cats. Sleeping more is not an issue for me, and it should not be an issue with adopters.
Long Term Care for FIV Cats
Your FIV cat will need to go to the veterinarian for a wellness check up as soon as you adopt them.
The veterinarian will exam your cat and he may test their blood. Thereafter your cat will have yearly preventative check-ups. If you cat shows signs of cold; sneezing , runny nose, tear staining then you must contact your veterinarian for medical care.
The no kill shelters will offer cats that have the FIV antibody for adoption because the cat is healthy enough to live in a household with no other cats, and will live a relatively long life. All these cats need in their life is a forever home where they will be loved. I believe that adopters are passing by these cats because they are afraid of the virus and feel that the cat will infect humans or the cat will be sickly.
A cat that is infected with the FIV antibody has the same mannerisms as normal cats: they play with their toys, they love, and they cuddle with their people.
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The only difference that I can see is that Sam and the two kittens sleep more than the other cats. Sleeping more is not an issue for me, and it should not be an issue with adopters.
Long Term Care for FIV Cats
Your FIV cat will need to go to the veterinarian for a wellness check up as soon as you adopt them.
The veterinarian will exam your cat and he may test their blood. Thereafter your cat will have yearly preventative check-ups. If you cat shows signs of cold; sneezing , runny nose, tear staining then you must contact your veterinarian for medical care.
I recommend that you do not turn your back on a cat that has the FIV antibody. If you have a household that does not have any other cats then this situation is ideal for an FIV cat. It would be stressful to try to socialize an FIV cat with other cats simply because they may fight.
Note:
- A cat that is vaccinated for the prevention of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus will show a false positive for the rest of their life. Many veterinarians do not vaccinate cats for this reason.
- There is no cure for the feline immunodeficiency virus.
- Spay or neuter your cat and treat them with flea preventative as the biting fleas will cause infection.
- Keep all veterinarian appointments.
- To date, I have adopted 5 cats that have tested positive for FIV. To look at them they appear as normal healthy cats.
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4 comments:
Thankyou so much for this information. I have a cat that is currently at the vet under treatment. He was diagnosed with feline aids. I bought him 2 months ago from a non kill shelter in Temple Tx. Your website gave me hope and was very informative on what I can do. I love my cat. Thx again.
Sam was diagnosed with FeLV and AIDs in April of 2009. When he went in for his wellness exam 2010 I was told that he no longer had FeLV but was still AIDS positive. Well I am happy to say that when I took Sam in for his wellness exam in 2011 I was told that he had FIV. Miracles happen every day.
Does your AIDs cat have symptoms, is the virus active? My friend has two AIDS cats and she says they sleep a lot but other than that are fine. Her cats are in their teens and she thinks they will die from old age and not from the AIDS virus.
Thanks for commenting and I am glad this blog was able to help you.
I have 4 cats, all now have feline aids, as a result of buying from a registered breeder who didnt inform me he was sick. None the less i love them all, and have just introduced another baby into the household, i'm glad that feline aids cant be given to my new baby unless bitting...Well all my cats are sterilised bar the 7 week old, i know 7 weeks should still be with mum, but she was giving them away for free, and i didnt want the last one going into the wrong hands. im also looking into fostering, but i'm buying a big cage to house them in, ive informed the ppl im wanting to foster through. I have lost one puss, my cats kitten, that how i found out i had sick pusses, i took them down to be sterilised. and they tested them, although all had been vaccinated, and read false positive, My Cashmere boy had this virus, and tried to stay around for 3 months after being diagnosed, but it was too much for his little body, I lost my darling Cashmere at the tender age of 9months in september 2011, i miss him so much, but i know he was loved everyday he lived his short life, from birth to the end.. i still have his brother and sister they are now 15months old, and i wouldnt change any of them for the world. I love them all to bits, and they love me, you can just tell..they follow me everywhere.. What a great innings your little puss had, i hope mine live just as long.
Laona
Laono: We do what we can for the fur-babies. Right now I have 5 FIV cats and their condition is stable. I love them all equally and do what I can for them. Sam was diagnosed in 4/2009 and he is fine, sleeps a lot and I need to keep him on a high protein diet because the fillers in the other cat food makes him sick but other than that he is a cat angel.. I think these sick kitties teach us all how to love.
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