FIV takes Another Cats Life

For three days I had to make the decision to end my cat's life.  A cat that when checked in August by the veterinarian showed no sign of illness. However, this cat got a cold and never recovered. Did not respond to medication and further examination indicated mass and the diagnosis was cancer.

Over the years my husband has taken in 6 FIV, feline immunodeficiency cats. All of them showed no signs of the illness as this virus is known to lie dormant for a long time.

We were told that some cats are carriers of the virus and may never become ill, while other cats may get sick starting at age five.  That it all depended on the lifestyle of the cat.  A cat with no stress may never get sick.

Photo of Sam diagnosed with FIV in 2008 he is a survivor

Out of the six FIV cats that we have cared for, three of them needed euthanasia due to a cancer diagnosis. They were aged 6, 13, and 14.  These three cats have abandoned adult cats that I had rescued and all had a happy and stress-free life with us for several years before becoming ill.  

Then three days ago FIV took the life of another cat and even though we knew that the cats would not live a full life we are still sad because all of the cats were taken so quickly and our hearts are broken.