Feline AIDS (FIV)

I was wondering if anyone could share any stories or tips for living with a cat with FIV/AIDS. My cat Mikey was diagnosed a couple days ago and I'm trying to find out as much as I can about it. I've read some articles on the internet but I'm kind of on information overload.

It's been a tough couple days around here. Within 2 hours MIkey was diagnosed with AIDS, Patsy (another cat) was diagnosed with a heart condition, begining stages of kidney failure and a possible GI bleed. Plus Princess already has mild kidney failure and chronic UTI's (she gets 1 about every other month and stay on antibiotics for at least 2 courses) on top of other things. I was at my vet 3 out of 5 days last week and spent over $1000.

Bless your heart for taking care of these kitties!

FIV is not a death sentence. You just need to be sure to have well visits to the vet and hopefully catch any health problems early as their immune system is not so good.

Feed your cat a good quality food, canned would be best. Do some research and talk to the vet regarding what he should eat. There are FIV + cats that have lived long, happy lives.

Does he get along with your other cats? No fighting? The way FIV is spread is through biting. So if they get along, everyone should be ok.

The secret is preventative medicine. Regular scheduled check ups and keep him as an inside cat. Hopefully, he will be with you for many years.

FYI, I have a diabetic, a cat prone to urinary blockages and a hyperthyroid cat. It can get overwhelming sometimes.

to you for doing the job you do for your cats!

Originally Posted by farleyv

Bless your heart for taking care of these kitties!

FIV is not a death sentence. You just need to be sure to have well visits to the vet and hopefully catch any health problems early as their immune system is not so good.

Feed your cat a good quality food, canned would be best. Do some research and talk to the vet regarding what he should eat. There are FIV + cats that have lived long, happy lives.

Does he get along with your other cats? No fighting? The way FIV is spread is through biting. So if they get along, everyone should be ok.

The secret is preventative medicine. Regular scheduled check ups and keep him as an inside cat. Hopefully, he will be with you for many years.

FYI, I have a diabetic, a cat prone to urinary blockages and a hyperthyroid cat. It can get overwhelming sometimes.

to you for doing the job you do for your cats!

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Mikey was a stray/semi feral cat that showed up all beaten up and severly under weight (you could feel every bone in his body). He was also VERY aggressive. If he seen me with another cat he was ready to attack. I'm happy to say that is no longer the case and he is all fattened up. I'm in the process of making him stay in the house but he isn't giving in without a fight. He wants to go out to "do his business" then he's ready to come back. Mikey and my other cats get along for the most part. The worst thing that happens is a little slapping war with Patsy but the vet didn't seem to concerned about that. Patsy was tested and she is negative and I will test Princess when she goes for her recheck next week. Right now Mikey has a really infected mouth and needs some teeth pulled. He is on antibiotics now. I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to come up with the $1800 for the dentals right now. I've almost spent all saving I had left. I was injured in 2 car accidents a few years ago and am still fighting to get disability benefits so I have no income.

Try Care Credit. Lots of vets belong. Hopefully your vet does. You can apply online, by phone or at the vets office the day you need it. You can be approved right away for the total amount.

It has saved me many times. I just had a 900.00 vet bill. As long as I pay it up by the end of the promotiion deal, I don't pay any interest. So, I try to pay more each month to get it paid up quicker.

It sounds like your little group will get along just fine. You have a good heart to take all this on. Let us know how the dental comes out.

Here is the site www.carecredit.com.

Originally Posted by farleyv

Try Care Credit. Lots of vets belong. Hopefully your vet does. You can apply online, by phone or at the vets office the day you need it. You can be approved right away for the total amount.

It has saved me many times. I just had a 900.00 vet bill. As long as I pay it up by the end of the promotiion deal, I don't pay any interest. So, I try to pay more each month to get it paid up quicker.

It sounds like your little group will get along just fine. You have a good heart to take all this on. Let us know how the dental comes out.

Here is the site www.carecredit.com.

Click to expand...

Thak for the info. I will ask my vet if they belong. I've also found out about a few possible grants that might help. I know those are a long shot but it's worth a shot.

Mikey went back to the vet this afternoon for another PEN-G injection and the vet checked his mouth and said it looks better. He still will need the dental work but at least there was some improvement . He goes back for an appointment on Saturday.