FIV, the short form of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, is a virus that weakens the immune system of cats. Since then it has been found that many big cats (more than 80% of Serengeti lions, for instance) also harbor this virus. Caretakers are rarely given the option of having the cat altered and returned. Infection with FIV, also known as feline AIDS, is not a valid reason to euthanize a cat. You may also hear of pets being ‘put down’ or ‘put to sleep’. This is an extremely difficult situation for both the cat and the owner. One vet told us that if you had 1000 cats with FIV, 1000 cats without FIV and 1000 cats of unknown viral status – and you tracked them through to the end of their lives, you would not be able to tell which cats died from the results of FIV infection and which did not. She took him to the vet earlier this week and they have concluded he has FIV. If your cat shows any signs of congestive heart failure your vet will need to carry out extensive diagnostic tests to be able to monitor the response of medication doses. In big cats, the disease seems to be benign and rarely causes overt signs. We are just a little more prone to common cat diseases than others. Im still grieving and now wonder was the advice to have him put to sleep the right thing to do- I think anyone who advises having an FIV cat PTS is out of their mind , Tiggy got 14 years in this world not all were good but he fought every step of the way and FIV or not id give anything to have him home FIV is transmitted through saliva and can be through litter boxes(vet told me that one.). Lifestyle 8 Useful Cat Products to Put on Your Shopping List I’d always promised my sweet Siouxsie that if she needed help to leave her body, I would do that. Many FIV-positive cats lead normal, healthy lives. Put less emphatically, you shouldn’t avoid adopting a cat simply because he or she has FIV. A cat with FIV can live many years without getting sick. Some lifestyle changes will probably be needed now that you know you have an FIV+ cat. What is euthanasia? The symptoms of the virus do not show up during the early stages of FIV. If he feels good, it is hard to want to put him down. Studies detected FeLV in 4.3% of cats; FIV in 3.5%. He was inside/outside and was a real cool badass. What is FIV? But here’s what you—and every cat owner—should know about the disease. Fortunately, with proper care, an FIV cat can live a long and happy life. Some infectious diseases that an FIV-infected cat might develop or carry could be transmitted to humans. Feral Cat FOCUS does not support the euthanasia of healthy cats that test positive for FeLV and FIV. If accommodation is available away from other cats it may reduce the risk of your cat catching a secondary infection. FIV is not a highly contagious disease, but it can be passed from cat to cat, primarily through bite wounds. Well you need to make the same sort of judgement with an FIV cat. We didn’t really do anything special for his condition as far as I was aware. Unless the cat is suffering tremendously with end stage Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, there is usually no instance where the cat will have to be put down. In the meantime, I think you have done a lot of good -- that little home looks quite cozy, and her putting on weight is a good sign that she is happy and doing well where she's at. Feline Immunodeficiency Virus just as HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. When the kidneys cannot efficiently remove toxic waste from a cat's body, the cat is considered to be in renal or kidney insufficiency, which is the first stage of kidney disease. A feline hyperthyroidism diagnosis can be overwhelming. It is uplifting to remember that most cats can live happily with dormant FIV. This is similar to the rate in owned cats. You should also watch your cat's eating and drinking habits since dying cats tend to stop eating and drinking in their final days. My cat first showed signs of illness in 2002 when we took him to the vet and he tested positive. The mere thought of losing a pet can bring a pet parent to tears, but it’s a reality we must all face. You can put them together – understanding the risks, keep them separate, or find someone with another FIV positive cat that may want a companion. However, the immune system of FIV-positive cats may be poor and infections caught while in a cattery could be more serious for them than for an FIV-negative cat. A healthy cat will take 20-30 breaths per minute, so if your cat is breathing a lot less than that, it could be a sign that something is wrong. The word euthanasia comes from the Greek meaning a ‘good death’. However clinical signs often come on suddenly and can be severe – and correct decisions need to be made quickly to prevent death. When to put down a cat with FIV. The caretaker may feel her otherwise healthy-appearing cat was wrongly put to death and the TNR program usurped her right to decide what was best. It can’t be transmitted to humans. I’m guessing his age was between 15-20 years old. Although the virus is slow-acting, a cat’s immune system is severely weakened once the disease takes hold. If you have other cats living with your FIV-positive cat, the other cats should be immunized. Since FIV can cause immunosuppression and, in theory, can increase the risk of a cat succumbing to certain infectious diseases, it is important to have the cat receive twice yearly veterinary care. Nigel tested positive for FIV Aug 2008,I had to put him down dec 5th 2009. Re: RSPCA put down FIV cat Post by Lilith » Mon Apr 17, 2017 5:56 pm Another appalling thing is - it's not just the RSPCA, but some vets; I'm reminded of a friend's father who adopted a stray who, when taken in for neutering, was found to be FIV+ and pts without his owner being consulted. The extra risk of an FIV cat going out is very, very small - it's not zero - but it's very small. If you don’t have a humidifier, place the cat in a warm bathroom with the shower running for 10-15 minutes. Kittens may show false positives because of antibodies gained from the mother cat through nursing (if the mother cat had an actual active FIV virus ) This last point is double the tragedy, because so many healthy kittens have been put down just because they showed a positive test. By Jean Hofve, DVM Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is a relatively “new” cat disease; it was first discovered in domestic cats around 1975. He was an adult rescue. This is a difficult situation. Humans cannot catch FIV: It is exclusively a feline virus. Until this diagnosis, her cat has seemed healthy and without issues. I had to put my most wonderful cat, Hudson, down yesterday morning. An article that might be helpful to you is Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV… I had him for 12 years. There is also a small risk of disease transmission associated with sharing food bowls, mutual grooming, and other activities that could expose an uninfected cat to an infected cat’s saliva. I had a cat with FIV growing up. alternative, to allow your cat to die in peace and dignity is the kindest decision. Cats can only spread it to other cats by blood: This means a deep, deep bite down to the gums or a very deep scratch down to the claw cuticle. 7 Things You Need to Know About Hyperthyroidism in Cats. It is a sad fact that there are still many vets out there who have a poor understanding of the virus and will tend to put any problem the cat faces down to the FIV, whereas in reality the virus will usually be no more than an extra aggravation. Here are a few things to know about hyperthyroidism in cats and how to manage it. Just a joy everyday to have. Nope, nope, nope. There is absolutely no reason to put a healthy cat down, and a cat with FIV can be healthy for a long time. After losing my own cat to FIV, I had done a lot of research on finding ways to extend the lives of cats when they get infected. As long as they get along all should be well. He started slowing down a few months ago, began … *Hugs* I'm so sorry to hear this, I feel for you. I'm going to share my experience. I brought Nigel home. Here’s everything you need to know to prepare for putting a dog or cat down, from deciding when it's time to costs and where to go. Humidity helps to break up mucus and soothe inflamed nasal passageways loosen up congestion within the nasal passages. Over the past month, her cat's eating has decreased and he's lost two pounds. FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) is a disease that affects a cat's immune system. “What can be tricky about FeLV is that the disease can vary greatly between cats,” Dr. Reinhart explains. FeLV breaks down a cat’s immune system, leading to symptoms that include pale gums, yellow color of the mouth and whites of the eyes, weight loss, and poor coat condition. This makes the cat susceptible to various secondary infections. Feral Cat FOCUS does not support testing feral cats for FIV and FeLV: The percentage of feral cats infected with either FeLV or FIV is low. Also known as Feline AIDS, FIV weakens the immune system and makes a cat more susceptible to infections in various parts of the body (skin, digestive system, respiratory system). FIV is a virus that causes AIDS in cats; however, there is a long asymptomatic period before AIDS occurs and our job is to prolong this asymptomatic period. The primary purpose of euthanasia is to relieve suffering in a way which is as painless as possible. They have told her it is best to put him down to keep him from suffering. Of course all cats are safer indoors, but most people think that the risk of going out is worth it for the improvement in quality of life it brings. If you have an infected FIV cat, your cat is a risk to other cats and should be kept away from them Infected FIV cats can lead long and happy lives – but they should be kept indoors FIV in cats is a condition similar to the virus that causes AIDS in people, although there is no risk of people catching AIDS from infected cats. He lived to be about 19-20 years old. I know of people that have a FIV+ and a FIV- cat living together, but I'm not an expert on that or even know if it's advisable. 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