Our rescue kitty tested positive for feline AIDS

[era veteran]

Vet said his cat did too and he was healthy. I have heard this is not as deadly as it first was.
Anyone with first hand knowledge?

[JaneQPublic]

1. My sister's cat has had FIV for years and years

In fact, she got him knowing he had "Kitty AIDS." She was volunteering at an animal shelter and took him because otherwise he'd have been euthanized.

"Sam" is doing fine; the only issue is he has to be indoors and kept away from other cats without the condition."

Of course, the situation would vary from cat to cat, but your cat might do as well as ol' Sammy is doing.

[pipi_k]

2. Had three kitties

with it.

One was a carrier who never showed symptoms.

The other two, a brother and sister, didn't live as long as he did. The brother died at the age of two or so, from FIV.

His sister died at the age of 6 or so, but not from FIV, and the carrier kitty also didn't die from FIV.

This was back in the late 1980s, so I would imagine, although I don't know for sure, that there are better survival rates.

[NV Whino]

3. You might want to test again a little later

They sometimes test false positive.

He can have a long happy life as a positive FIV, but if he is positive, the important thing is to keep them away from other kitties who test negative.

[hamsterjill]

4. I've had several FIV kitties with varying degrees of the illness.

I don't think the disease is viewed in the same way that it has been in the past. There is more general information and acceptance around about it now than say five years ago.

The most important thing you can do for your FIV-positive kitty is to keep him as healthy as possible. That means taking him to the vet at the FIRST sign of any illness, since his immune system is already compromised. Sometimes it is necessary to treat FIV kitties more aggressively with antibiotics, etc. when they get even slight illnesses.

A good diet is essential, and you might want to become knowledgeable about certain illnesses that tend to strike FIV-kitties, like stomatitis. This kitty should be an indoor only cat, both for his own safety and the safety of other cats.

Above all - THANK YOU for being willing to allow this guy to live. There are many people who choose to have positive kitties put down, and sometimes for individual reasons, that is the correct thing - again, depending on individual circumstances. I appreciate the fact that you are willing to help this kiddo, and I wish both you and him the very best!

[fizzgig]

5. our big male lived with it for years

he was diagnosed in oct 2001, at the age of six. he was happy and healthy until mid-2009 when he started to lose weight and slow down, we helped him across the bridge that september. but i'm sure every cat is different.

thank you for caring for this kitty.

[era veteran]

6. Thanks everybody, spent his first night in the house.

At home.