Bad news:(

Hello everyone:

I feel sad, I feel angry I feel lost. My cat Lucas was diagnosed with FIV today and I don't have words to express how awful I feel. It isn't enought that he has Lupus, he has to have FIV too. He has suffered so much and I love him so much that i can't even describe it. He is doing well and everything, but I decided to take him to a new vet to get some tests done on him, he had never been ested for FIV or Leukemia so I decided to ask the vet to do them and he laso took blood smaples for other rutine tests.

When the vet gave me the bad news I just cried and cried, is not fair

But well, at least now I know and I will do everything in my power to help him and take even better care of him. love all my kitties, but this one is special to me and we are so close.

Now I have to loom for information about FIV to be able to help Lucas.


If some of you have kitties with FIV or know about some meds or treatments that help please let me know. I need all the help I can get.

HUGs, Tamar

Oh, I'm so sorry, Momto4kitties. <<<<<Hugs>>>>> to you. I don't have any experience with FIV, so I haven't any advice, but I will keep you and Lucas in my thoughts.

And many, many vibes for health!

poor Lucas, he sure has been thru the ringer, hasn't he? I know more about FeLV, but I do know that cats with FIV can live a long life. It is not contagious to your other kitties as long as they are not mating or street fighting best wishes for you and Lucas!

the stray I took in about 5 weeks ago( Callie) is FIV+. All the professionals including my vet said it is highly unlikely that she will infect my other 3 unless she bit them deeply. I don't think that'll happen. She is fairly healthy, eats well etc. but I was told they are more susceptible to issues if they get sick. I decided to take a chance. I paniced the 1st day and put her back out but felt really bad and took her back in the next day. I introduced her to the 3 boys very slowly and she sleeps in a closed room at night. She hisses if they rush her but so far no really bad interactions. I think it will be ok. Vibes for your kitty.

Oh Tamar, oh no I am so sorry to hear this about Lucas. I love him too!

Well he's had it all this time and has been doing well. Just be extra cautious about bringing any stray germs in the house. Take your shoes off before you come in, wash your hands, you know.

I know you will continue to give him the best of care. Will this affect the treatment he is receiving for the lupus? Is that why you went to another vet, you wanted to see if there was something else besides the steroids you could do for him? Do you like the new vet?

We are here for you.

xo

I'm so sorry to hear the bad news, Tamar. Poor Lucas.

At least kitties with FIV can still live long healthy lives with good care, and I know you definitely provide him with that.

Sending lots of for you and Lucas.

Hi Tamar, I just wanted to tell you my FIV story. Over the summer my husband rescued a kitten from a storm drain that tested positive for FIV. My vet said there is no reason that she can not have a long healthy life with just a little extra care. He said the most important thing is if she shows any signs of illness to bring her in right away because quick treatment is important for them. My vet also has an FIV+ cat living with FIV- cats and says it is very hard for them to spread the disease to each other as long as they do not give deep bite wounds to each other. He also said they can groom each other and share bowls without spreading the disease. We paniced at first too but the more we researched the better we felt. The thing I want to stress to you is there is a lot of wrong information out there about FIV, it is I think confused with FeLv and now I am amazed how even on some vets websites there is so much wrong info. I want to recomend to you on yahoo groups there is a couple of FIV groups and I was able to get some good info there. I know how hard it is to hear your beloved kitty has this virus but the thing the experts kept telling me is it is not a death sentence! My kitties are all getting along great and I am in some ways greatful my FIV kitten found us because if she were to be found by animal control they very likely would have put her to sleep. If you have ant other questions please ask, and check out the yahoo groups they have so much information that will help. Good luck, Jenn

Ditto on the "FIV is not a death sentence". Just get ALL the information you can on it. Knowledge is power. You will feel so much better the more you know about FIV. They can live long, healthy lives. Just a little more attention if they come down with something. Early intervention is key. But you sound like you sure love your cats and I don't doubt you will take the best care. Here is to a long, healthy life for Lucas!

Originally Posted by farleyv

Ditto on the "FIV is not a death sentence". Just get ALL the information you can on it. Knowledge is power. ...

Here is to a long, healthy life for Lucas!

Click to expand...

Here, here!!! To both sentiments!!

Thank you all for your words of support, that really helps!

I've been doing a reseach on FIV and I'm learning about it. I need all the info I can get. The vet also told me not to panick because he can live a long life, but he also told me that the prednisolone Lucas is taking for the Lupus will weaken his inmune system even more, so he lowered his dose to 2.5 mg everyday (he was taking 5 mg everyday). SO, I hope that dose works for him.

I'm just worried because he has two diseases now

I've been taking a lot of precautions now, I've alwasy kept a clean house, but now I'm even doing what otto says in his post, I've been telling everyone to take off their shoes or to at least clean them with Lysol before coming in, I don't want to take any risks, I don't want my baby getting sick.


Thank God, the new vet is wonderful and they treated Lucas very well at the clinic. I have to go there again on Monday to see the results of the other group of tests he did on Lucas. I'm just praying there are no more bad news.

Thank you all

Tamar

I was thinking about the prednisone weakening the immune system, too. Maybe the vet can find an alternative to control the Lupus.

(PS I'm a she The name came from the beginning letters of two of my cats, Ootay (rb 5/09) and Tolly. I didn't think about it being gender confusing at the time!)

OOpsss I'm so sorry!

Tahnk you so much for always been so helpful and for worrying about my Lucas.

HUGS !!