FIV Cats Sleep More Than Normal Cats

When you own an FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) infected cat you tend to read books and search online for information regarding this feline disease.  Then you do everything that you can to keep your cat healthy and happy so that he does not get sick.

My cat Sam sleeping on the sofa.  He sleeps 90% of the day

All the information that I have read indicated that cats that are infected generally do not show signs of the disease for five to seven years. I rescued Sam in 2008 and he was diagnosed with Feline AIDS which was reduced to FIV since he had no symptoms. Sam has been healthy and happy for seven years and now he is sick; renal failure and possible cancer.

The veterinarian said that the renal failure is due to the FIV and he suspects that he may have cancer also. My cat is slipping away from me and there is nothing I can do to stop his illness from progressing. We had hoped that we could spend one more year with him but I do not know if that is possible.

Sam is still happy, talks to me daily plays with the dog but overall he sleeps more than before.For now, we are keeping all veterinarian appointments.  He has had a B12 shot and that has helped some.  His weakened immune system cannot fight off the diseases and for now, I have my Sam even though he sleeps 90% of the day, the 10% is still quality time spent with my cat Sam.

Sam's 2nd Anniversary Living with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

Sam celebrated his Second Anniversary by spending a long afternoon with Benny Blue my pitbull puppy.  While this may seem very odd to you it is not odd at all to Sam and Benny.  They are quite fond of each other and will even sleep on the chair side by side. 

To start Sam's anniversary party  I invited Sam into the main house, he enjoys having free reign of the entire house without worrying about the other cats.  The first thing that Sam did was charge to the sun porch to sit on the ledge and look out at the birds that were busy eating from the feeder that hung from a branch on the tree.  

Sam did his kitty dance; two steps forward, two steps back, hesitate and pounce close to the glass and then he was content to talk to the birds by mimicking their chirping.  After the bird watching, Sam ran back inside and into to every room.  He was searching for something and while on his search he was talking rather loudly. When he finished his search he jumped up on my desk and rubbed his face on my cheek and then began to talk even louder.

I gave him some food and fresh water but that was not what Sam wanted.  So I decided to groom him because he always enjoys that.  

Sam was fussy and did not want to be groomed and I was getting worried because he seemed overly anxious and then we both heard steps coming from the kitchen and Sam lifted up his head and then leaped off my desk and ran as fast as he could to the kitchen.  Then I heard Sam cry out in excitement and I heard Benny bark and the two buddies were together again and Sam was as happy as he could be.  Sam chased Benny out of the kitchen and then they wrestled on the floor.  Sam got the upper paw and taught Benny to sit and stay until Sam said it was okay.

Sam and Benny played until it was nap time and then the puppy pit bull and the Siamese cat lay on the sofa and went to sleep.  It was the end of a perfect anniversary day.

I was blessed when Sam crossed my path two years ago.  He has given my family and I so much happiness.  I am so glad that I was able to rescue and save his life by boosting his immune system, had I not I know Sam would have died of Feline Leukemia, cold and alone in the woods.