FIV - just diagnosed

shelbysmom

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Feb 4, 2008
Messages
3
Purraise
0
Location
Aston, PA
My 13yr old Siamese was just diagnosed with FIV. I got her when she was 2 yrs old from the SPCA and she has been an inside cat ever since. I am unsure how she could contract this since she has not been outside in 10 yrs and the other 2 cats have never been out either. So I will be taking them to get tested this week.

So....what do I need to know? Special food? Immune boosting Supplements?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 

yayas_mom

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Jun 24, 2004
Messages
174
Purraise
1
Location
Bay Area CA
Keep her as unstressed as possible and on a high quality food. My FIV+ cat had to be PTS due to cancer. she was 17. FIV+ can live just fine with no issues, and not pass it to the others either. Good luck to you and your girl.

Originally Posted by Shelbysmom

My 13yr old Siamese was just diagnosed with FIV. I got her when she was 2 yrs old from the SPCA and she has been an inside cat ever since. I am unsure how she could contract this since she has not been outside in 10 yrs and the other 2 cats have never been out either. So I will be taking them to get tested this week.

So....what do I need to know? Special food? Immune boosting Supplements?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3

shelbysmom

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Feb 4, 2008
Messages
3
Purraise
0
Location
Aston, PA
Thank you.

Right now she is on Felidea dry food with a little canned (Wellness) in the morning. Should I be giving her Fish oil or anything like that?
 

yayas_mom

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Jun 24, 2004
Messages
174
Purraise
1
Location
Bay Area CA
I didn't do anything special with my girl except keep her indoors (she'd been indoor/outdoor prior to that) and keep her healthy. Any little illness can be worse for them. That and we didn't introduce any new cats into the mix.

Originally Posted by Shelbysmom

Thank you.

Right now she is on Felidea dry food with a little canned (Wellness) in the morning. Should I be giving her Fish oil or anything like that?
 

blaise

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
Apr 9, 2007
Messages
598
Purraise
2
I have found that most people who are dealing with their cats' chronic illnesses get most of their practical help/info from other people who are/have been dealing with the same issues...as an example, I am a member of a group which focusses on chronic kidney failure. The wealth of knowledge and practical advice I've seen exchanged there blows me away. These people really do know more than many Vets....with FIV, which is a fairly new "discovery", it's probably more true.

You can find a list of such groups here http://groups.yahoo.com/search?query...&submit=Search

Then, someone there will probably recommend one/some really helpful websites as well.
 

bonnie1965

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 25, 2007
Messages
3,973
Purraise
3
Location
Portland, Oregon
Seb is FIV postive. The only thing I have had to do is watch out for any signs of illness. If I see him sniffle, its off to the vet for antibiotics. Their immunse systems cannot fight off infection as well as an FIV- cat. Otherwise, he is healthy and happy


Good luck and let us know how it goes.
 

buzbyjlc10

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 14, 2005
Messages
1,981
Purraise
5
Location
State College, PA and Haddon Township, NJ
Originally Posted by Bonnie1965

Seb is FIV postive. The only thing I have had to do is watch out for any signs of illness. If I see him sniffle, its off to the vet for antibiotics. Their immunse systems cannot fight off infection as well as an FIV- cat. Otherwise, he is healthy and happy


Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Exactly how I handle Oliver's FIV+... he was a street kitty and tested + when I saved him... it's not really known if he was previously owned and vaccinated, but he was intact when I rescued him and if he originated from Central Pennsylvania, a vet wouldn't have vaccinated an intact male cat... I'm not all that worried about it, so I didn't have the more extensive FIV test done that can like possibly tell you more about your specific cat's infection (I never really understood what exactly that test shows you....)... but yeah, you'd never know Ollie was FIV+ to look at him... he's a happy 6 year old fat cat (ok, not fat, big boned - and those are my vet's words!)
 
Top