FIV+ cats: thoughts/experiences?

As some of you already know, I'm currently fostering an adult male cat, Bridge, who tested postive for FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus). Bridge is the fifth cat with FIV that I've fostered in the past few years, and the second this year. He's a sweet, sweet boy and quite a lap cat who'd likely be adopted quickly if not for the stigma attached to the disease.

For example, many people think FIV+ cats are unhealthy. That's not the case. Most FIV+ cats can live long, happy, healthy lives with good care. A lot of folks also think that FIV is easily spread between cats. Also not true. FIV is almost exclusively spread through deep puncture wounds, so as long as all the cats in a household get along, it can't be passed between them. FIV isn't spread through casual contact (sharing of food and water bowls and litterboxes and mutual grooming).

Many people I know have FIV+ cats living with those who are negative and it's not an issue. My previous FIV+ foster kitty, Danny Boy, was adopted by a wonderful young woman who has since adopted two adorable, healthy kittens (both tested negative). Danny grooms the kittens regularly and they share food/water bowls and the same litterboxes. Neither Danny's adopter, or her vet, feel the kittens are at any risk whatsoever for contracting the disease My FIV+ foster cats have direct contact with my own kitties, who are negative, and I have no concerns.

Here's the most concise, accurate info I've been able to find about FIV:
http://www.bestfriends.org/theanimal...e/cats_fiv.cfm

Because of the experience of fostering these sweet cats, I'm determined to educate other folks about the disease and clear up some of misconceptions. Far too many FIV+ are overlooked for adoption or needlessly euthanized. I've written an article for the rescue's newsletter, but would like to do more. So, if you're willing, please share your thoughts and experiences with FIV+. Thanks so much!

Eileen, I think it is SO GREAT that the group you work with is willing to give these kitties a chance.

We just rescued an FIV+ kitty (see my siggy LOL). We are loosely affiliated with a foster network/adoption group that takes the adoptables and kittens out of our feral colony when they have space. Chumley was SO aggressive outside - but friendly to us because we provided his food. We could tell he was a really sweet kitty that with some fostering would make a great pet.

We trapped him and got him neutered - and had him inside for about a month when the foster network called to say they could take him. We didn't have him tested for FeLV or FIV because in almost 10 years of rescue, we've never had a cat test positive. So we dropped him at the vet for his test and his distemper vac and the woman from the foster network was going to pick him up.

Instead of getting the call that said "He's HERE!" we got a call from the vet saying - he's FIV+, and if the foster group registers him, they have to euthanize him. !!!!!

Obviously they have to concentrate their time and resources on more easily adoptable kitties - but when researching FIV (thank you for your help!) and in talking to several of the many vets with whom we work, it became apparent really quickly that if these kitties are indoor-only, there is just no reason why they shouldn't be a part of any cat lover's home as they pose so little risk to other kitties! Each of the vets have numerous clients with multi-cat homes with FIV+ and FIV- kitties, and none of them have seen one of the FIV- cats contract the disease. Of course they have to caution, "it can happen." But sadly, it seems many vets are not well educated about the disease, and that doesn't help dispel the myths.

Of course how it affects every kitty is different, but overall FIV is such a slow acting virus, many cats will just not suffer from it at all. If they eat a good diet, you keep their dentals current, and aggressively treat them any time they get sick - there's no reason they won't live a long and happy life with you (and your other kitties!)

With Chum, his hormones cycled out of him, and we made slow introductions - and it turns out he's just not aggressive at all. He was just hungry when he first turned up! He's been nothing but a lover to the other kitties in our home.

In talking to people locally about it, "FIV" always elicits some kind of reaction. I say - it's just like HIV but for cats. If you needed a roommate, would you not share an apartment with someone because they were HIV positive? It's transmitted by sex or needles, not by sharing a water glass. It's just the same for kitties. Only sterile kitties don't have sex, and cats don't share needles. The "cat equivalent" is a deep bite wound. If they're not outside fighting over females or food... how's that going to happen if you take the little extra time to make proper introductions?

Just thought I'd post a picture. I put a thread up in Cat pics about Billy and Chumley becoming chums. Billy has always been extremely cat friendly, and Chum just needed a chum!

My darling Fred was FIV+ and we have no idea how or when he contracted the disease. He was a lover, and we never had to worry about him biting any of the others, and also our alpha, so he was never bitten by the ones he raised from infants, which was every one that ever came into the house. He lived a healthy life for 18 years until he began to show signs of age and deteriorating health.
We think he had a stroke, and when he got so sick, we had to let him go to the Bridge. It was a hard decision, but it was best for him to just let him go.