DU cat owners- any experience with Feline AIDS?

[arcane1]

one of mine has FIV, nad has lost a lot of weight over the past several months. Going back to the vet today for a follow-up, but I have yet to run into anyone who has had this experience. Any idea what I should expect? What about life-span? (I hate to ask that part... :evilfrown: )

[FireHeart]

1. It all depends.

I lost a dear friend to FiV some 10 years ago. We found out way too late that he was infected. :(

If caught early and treated aggressively, I understand an FiV victim can live quite awhile. But from what I know, it's always fatal in the long run. Sorry I cannot offer you more hope. But make sure you stay in contact with your vet and let her/him give you the real lowdown.

Good luck to you and your friend!

[commander bunnypants]

2. Sebastian Cattbutt lived for 15 years

with FELV. But it did catch up with him.

Good luck and let me know

DDQM

[commander bunnypants]

3. Sorry

I misread for FELV

DDQM

[zanana]

4. I'm no expert, but...

I think that a cat with FIV is supposed to be separated from other cats. You said that "one" of your cats has it; I'd have the others checked out, just to be sure. Can you take your sick cat to a vet? I know it's obscenely expensive, but I think that in your cat's case, it's important. Hope kitty feels better soon.

[arcane1]

7. yeah, the vet talked to me about the 2nd cat

both are indoor cats, and don't really fight or anything, so the risk is low both for illnedd in the sick cat, and infection in the well one

fortunately he acts pretty much normal, if he wasn't so skinny it would be almost impossible to notice there is anything wrong with him

of course, that makes it harder to make that final decision :(

as long as he's still happy I'll do whatever I can to keep him fed and healthy. Going to the vet today for a follow-up and additional advice... wish us luck!!!!

:toast:

[La Lioness Priyanka]

12. i think it depends

a lot of cats lived just fine and others start getting sickly quickly...i think your vet will be able to give you a better estimate..also i think fiv has a low risk of transferring between cats

[FireHeart]

14. From what our vet told us...

There is a high risk if the cats fight or even play rough. A bite even if playful, can cause infection. As most cat owners know, if you allow your cat outside and it fights with other cats, abscesses can occur--and FiV transmission is easy. :( :(

We had to keep Buddy isolated from the others from the day he was diagnosed. He was a friendly, loving fellow, and this really disturbed him a great deal. In a relatively short time, the vet recommended we put him to sleep. Man, did that ever hurt. He was, at that time, my best and only friend.

To those owners who allow their cats outdoor access. PLEASE do whatever your vet recommends as far as vaccination, etc, go. I know it costs a great deal, but...it's better than the alternative.

It's been 10 years, and I still mourn.

[Shoedogg]

5. I used to work at a vet's....

...I wish I could tell you something different, but it's not going to be good.

We always recommended that the animal be euthanized - it's going to be miserable and it's not going to survive.

I feel bad just typing it out like that. It seems so cold in black and white.

(FYI, if you have any other cats...or are even around any other cats...please be careful...the disease is highly contagious among felines. We kept the animals quarantined and had to wash ourselves down with bleach before even touching another animal.)

I'm very, very sorry.

[watercolors]

16. experience the same , extremely contagious

she had to be put to sleep. We were told not to bring another cat in for at least 30 days. Had to bleach and clean, and got rid of her toys and catbox and bed. Vet said some one could have even brought it in on their shoes. It was a heartbreaker. No more cats for us.

[Warpy]

6. Weight loss is a late sign

....and not good.

Cats can live with the virus for a long time, but it's like HIV, once it kicks in and the immune system is gone, it's a grave and miserable illness, and it may be best to put the kitty to sleep. People with AIDS have medications. As far as I know, there aren't any feline antivirals out there.

Another thing to consider is whether or not the kitty can pass the virus on to others. Make sure your other cats are immunized early, and keep the infected kitty indoors.

[arcane1]

8. yeah, the suspicion is that he's had this since birth

or in his first year, as a stray. Symptoms just started kicking in recently

poor guy :( he doesn't know any better :(

as if this year wasn't going to be depressing enough :evilfrown:

[ChickMagic]

13. I adopted a kitten with FHIV

She lived about 7 months and when she became symptomatic (loss of weight, coat dull) it was only about a week when she developed a thoracic tumor. The vet said that they could remove it, but it would just grow back. A couple of days later, she was having trouble breathing so she had to be put down.

I don't know if that's how it goes for all of them, but that was Voodoo's story.

[dkf]

9. They have FIV Immunization now?

n/t

[adriennel]

10. yes, with warning!

the vaccine *may* cause brain tumors. I discussed this with the vet who recommended I vaccinate my cat because he's indoor/outdoor. He's received it for several years now with no problem.

[adriennel]

11. my aunt adopted a cat with FIV

several years ago. She's pretty small, she does not go outside anymore, and she is an only cat. I am sure she takes medicine to keep her healthy, but I couldn't tell you off the top of my head.

[geniph]

15. Do what you can to keep your other cat safe

and keep this fellow as happy as you can for the time he has left. Do NOT adopt another cat until this one is gone and you're quite sure the other cat has not contracted the disease. Don't even let other cats in your house; it'll need to be thoroughly sterilized before any other cats can safely be brought inside, or you'll go through this again.

It's not supposed to live that long in the environment, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

I'm sorry for your little fellow. The outlook is fairly poor, but try to treasure what time you have left together.

[liberalitch]

17. too much...

It is heart breaking..... as long as their in good health and in no pain give the cat a good life..
Miss kitty lived to be nine... but elvis died right away.... it all depends on the cat... just like people with AIDS.
Some can lead normal, productive lives for years and others.... well you know.

[liberalhistorian]

18. I just had to put my four-month-old

kitten to sleep in January because of FIP. I also had one many years ago that had FIV. Normally, most cats can live for awhile with FIV, just like humans can with AIDS, depending on how old they are, their state of health, what kind of treatment they get, etc. The one I had with FIV I ended up putting to sleep because he just got too sick to do anything, I'd only had him a few months. He was about three years old. Other cats can live for years with it, though, it just depends.

[arcane1]

19. Well, we're back from the vet..

thyroid is ok, he had some blood work done, and we talked about food. He has some meds to try for making him stop throwing up as much (which was bad for a little while but it's 100 times better)

Calling tomorrow about the blood results, take it from there

I realize too well that I'm basically just keeping him happy and comfy for as long as possible, delaying the inevitable :evilfrown:


he came home and revenously devoured a can of cat food, as if to make me feel better... it did :)

and thanks to you, DUers, for your advice and input. It's nice to have a support group :loveya: