My FIV Cat Got a Pass on His Wellness Exam

This year when it was time to take my FIV cat named Sam in for his annual wellness exam he got a pass and did not need to go in for wellness checkup.

His veterinarian checked his last records and told us that we did not need to bring him in, but I should continue to watch him for any signs of illness.

Sam my FIV cat - Christmas 2013

Sam is as healthy as an FIV cat can be.  I am sure his nurturing environment; along with his healthy diet is a plus. Although he still longs to go outdoors to roll in the grass, so my husband intends on planting an indoor grass garden for him in the spring, something large enough to lie flat on the enclosed sun porch floor where Sam can lay in the grass and have some kitty fun.

Our veterinarian told us that Sam could very well live a long life and we are pleased with his diagnosis.

KH Heated Cat House is Ideal for Cold Homes or Porches

The KH insulated cat house will keep outdoor cats toasty warm, however it also is a comfortable and cozy bed for porches and drafty homes that tend to feel cold.

My cat Sam has FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) and we need to keep his temperature comfortable.  If he gets too cold he will feel stress and that could make him ill.   Our historic home is drafty and can be cold throughout the winter months.  The average temperature in the house at night is 69 degrees and that can be a little chilly for our cat.

Siamese Cat lying inside KH heated cat house

I bought Sam an insulated outdoor house and it is the perfect temperature to keep him warm.  

The house was easy to put together as all pieces adhere with velcro.  The insulated floor pad is thick and has a cushion feel.   The floor pad is covered with a fleece top that my cat likes.  

Testing the warmth:

1. Once the cat house was set up we plugged the low voltage cat bed it in to test the heating unit.  The description on the box says that the internal thermostat warms the floor pad to a comfortable 102 degrees.    We touched the bed with our hand and it did not feel like it was heating up. Then we removed the fleece top and felt the warmth.
2. Sam was reluctant to go inside the cat house so I sprayed catnip lightly on the fleece pad covering.  I did not have to coax him; he went right inside lay down and started to purr.  
3. The KH heated cat house is designed to keep a cat that is lying on the heated floor pad warm. 

The only time Sam came out to visit us was to get his toys.  One by one he brought all of his toys inside the cat house. 

If you have a cold drafty house, porch or garage where your cat frequents then I would highly recommend this heated cat house.  I also have one outdoors under my porch overhang for a stray cat that I am caring for.

Learn more about outdoor KH cat house by viewing this You Tube video:

FIV Cat Gets a Chance to Have a Feline Buddy

This week I adopted an FIV kitten and I intend on socializing my adult FIV adult cat Sam with the kitten.   When it comes to kittens the success rate for socializing with an adult is greater. The reason is because adult’s cats realize it is a baby cat and are watchful and caring.  My veterinarian approved that I could try to socialize Sam with the kitten and if it works then Sam will have a feline buddy to play, sleep and grooming with.

FIV Cat playing in zazzle box 

Whenever you introduce an FIV cats there is stress and this stress may weaken their immune systems so I have started the socializing by putting the kitten in the adjacent bathroom to my office. (Sam lives in my office) There is an open space bellow the door where the cats can sniff each other and play paws.

see Buddy in the back, they are keeping their distance 

The kitten is a female and she loves Sam and I so far Sam as been very sweet to her. Today Sam passed her one of his catnip toys under the door and this act of kitty kindness melted my heart.  The kitten will stay in the bathroom an entire week before I attempt to introduce Sam to the kitten. 

I am hoping that the socializing process will go well.

Stimulating Rescued FIV Cat Appetite

Feline Immunodeficiency cats that have been rescued usually are depressed and have poor appetites.   When this occurs I stimulate the depressed cat’s appetite with arknaturals.com Nu-feline granular antioxidants mixed with a savory canned cat food.

I coax the cat to eat with 1/2 can of Friskies special diet Salmon pate food mixed with three tablespoons of water and the recommended dosage of Nu-Pet feline granular antioxidants.  All of the FIV cats with a depressed appetite like the taste of the food and stay hydrated due to liquid additive. 

Instead of feeding the cat a large meal, I feed the cat ½ can in the morning and at night.  Then during the day I lure the cat to me with  the bonita tuna fish flakes, a wholesome and nutritious cat treat that all cat love.  When I do this I am bonding with the cat and making the rescue transition easier.

Tips:

The Nu-Pet supplement improves cat’s appetite, improves energy and benefits cat’s coat and controls hairballs.  Active ingredients; wheat grass sprouts, fish protein, alfalfa grass, dried citrus pulp, ascorbic acid (vitamin c), vitamin A supplement, taurine, vitamin E supplement, cysteine and selenium.

Related Blog Articles by Author

Wellness Checkup for FIV Cat – What to Expect

Adopting Cat with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

Cat Survived Feline Leukemia - 4th Anniversary

On August 9th we celebrated my cats fourth year anniversary for surviving feline leukemia and it was a happy occasion.

When we rescued Sam in 2009 his lap tests showed that he tested positive for feline leukemia and AIDS.  The attending veterinarian recommended that we put Sam down because he felt our cat would suffer and that his life expectancy was short.  Four years later I am playing with Sam on the floor and he does not have feline leukemia or AIDS, he did test positive for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).

My husband and I are so happy that we did not follow the recommendation from the veterinarian who tested Sam for the cat viruses. We waited seven months and had Sam retested and the new veterinarian said that our cats first test was a false positive or that Sam did not have feline Luekemia 

It is very important to get your cats retested if they show a positive for Feline Leukemia.  Never accept the positive results from one test only.

On Sam's anniversary we let him have full run of the house and he was allowed to play with the dogs.  He had a fantastic time.  Here are some  photographs.

Sam playing with dogs on the bed

Sam playing with New toy

Sam breaking in New Cat Tree

Healthy Cat Treat- Bonito Flakes

For my FIV cat I award him with Bonito Flakes a nutritious cat treat with real animal protein and no artificial flavors this treat appeals to my (feline immunodeficiency virus) cats special dietary needs.

I like this cat treat because it is natural dried bonito fish. The flakes are moist and tender which is good for my mature cats.  My cat Sam likes the bonito flakes also.  I offered the fish treat in my hand and he grabbed it out of my hand without hesitation.

The fish flakes are packed into a stay-fresh container that does not need to be refrigerated.  I keep the treats in my pantry. My cat Sam watched me put the container away and he will sit staring at the pantry door; as if it is mind over matter and the fish flakes will appear if he stares long enough.

Your cat will benefit from Cat Man Doo fish flakes because it contains natural fish oils.  These oils will reduce hairballs, aid in maintaining a healthy urinary track and your cats coat will get a healthy luster.

There are no fillers and no artificial flavors.   I bought cat man doo bonito tuna flakes for my FIV cat because it is a healthy high protein treat that my cat loves.

Watch this youtube.com video and see cat is crazy in love with this tuna treat.