OMG GUYS!!!! Snowwhite tested + for fiv!!!!

mzjazz2u

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jun 6, 2003
Messages
10,133
Purraise
4
Location
The Beehave State!
I'm very sorry to hear about Snowwhite. I have to go read about this because I don't know anything about it. But I'll be thinking about you and your babies.
 

mzjazz2u

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jun 6, 2003
Messages
10,133
Purraise
4
Location
The Beehave State!
I found this information. Look toward the middle.... it says cats can have a false positive if they are heavily vaccinated. Not sure what that means but it might be worth checking into??

Q: Can my infected cat give it to my other cat(s)?

Yes, but only if your infected cat bites another of your cats. He can't infect your other cat(s) by sharing food bowls or sharing litter boxes or playing or sleeping together.

Q: How long does my cat have to live?

If you keep your cat strictly indoors and in a healthy environment (i.e., away from any sick cats) he/she can still live a happy long life. Our cat is 13, he caught FIV when he was 5, and he is as healthy as a cat can be.

Q: Is there a cure?

No. There is no cure for this virus yet but testing is ongoing.

Q: Do false positives occur?

Yes. False-positives do occur especially in heavily vaccinated cats. Have your cat tested again with another type of test- an indirect immunofluorescent antibody assay (IFA); or Western blotting. These rarely give a false-positive reading when properly conducted.
Q: Should an FIV-positive cat still be given vaccinations?

Yes, your cat should still be vaccinated though FIV+. The reasons are twofold. One: your cat is now more susceptible to these diseases and does not have the luxury of the vaccinations guarding him as well or as long as a healthy cat. Usually, there is an "overlap" with the booster shots so that the cat is always protected but in the case of FIV+ cats the boosters don't last as long in their systems ergo they are open to the diseases sooner. For this reason you should have your FIV+ cat vaccinated regularly (on time). They WILL offer him protection from these diseases. Two: There is a rabies quarantine in effect. You must have your cat, regardless of FIV, vaccinated against rabies. We don't want a rabies breakout. On the other hand...see Tom Hapka's article below for a reason NOT to vaccinate.

Christina from a veterinary clinic writes:

An FIV+ cat should definitely be vaccinated, but only killed virus vaccines should be used. These are vaccines that will not challenge the cat's immune system as much and prevent them from becoming sick from a simple vaccine.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #23

princess purr

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 5, 2003
Messages
4,964
Purraise
2
Location
NJ
thanks everyone, this is so hard for me. I always thought it would never happen to one of my cats. Espeical not her! She seems so healthy and strong, now when I look at her I just feel like crying.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #25

princess purr

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 5, 2003
Messages
4,964
Purraise
2
Location
NJ
Originally posted by Mom of 10 Cats
Did you get the kittens to the vet to get tested tonight? (I'm just worried for them, not trying to be a pest).
Your not a pest sue! I took Marble, Nimby, stormy, & Blizzy in. I figured that would cover my bases. if marble test negative, that everyone else should be fine. If nimby, stormy, and blizzy test negetive I'm going to be so happy. I spent my whole weeks pay on the vet this week
I'm so torn, if they all come back negative I want to rehome some of them but then I really really don't want to, but I feel like it is the right thing to do. If I rehome a few I can keep snowwhite in her own speical room, she loves it in there anyway. I think blizzy and marble would be the easiest to adopt out
 

mom of 10 cats

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 6, 2003
Messages
5,643
Purraise
4
Location
Longmont, CO
When will the test results be in? The vet just did a test on Sasha this past Saturday, the results took 10 minutes.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #27

princess purr

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 5, 2003
Messages
4,964
Purraise
2
Location
NJ
it normally takes ten minutes but they ran out of the test and I have to wait until thursday for the results. I thought something was funny last night when I didn't get the results right way. This is going to be the longest two days of my life. I'm really dreading calling on thrusday.
 

mom of 10 cats

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 6, 2003
Messages
5,643
Purraise
4
Location
Longmont, CO
((((((((hugs))))))))))

Sending you and the kitties tons and tons of good, healthy vibes, from me and Tybalt and the kitties.
 

krazy kat2

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 14, 2001
Messages
8,085
Purraise
41
Location
Somewhere in Georgia
I am so sorry to hear you are going through this!
This is my Fred's story, I hope it will make you feel better. When my sister introduced a Feleuk+ cat into my household after she swore it had been tested and everything was fine, I had Fred, Pearl, and Leo tested. Unfortunately Leo contracted leukemia and has gone to the Bridge. Fred tested positive for FIV, Pearl had a clean bill of health. I rescued Georgia out of the road shortly after that, and had no choice but to keep her, otherwise it was a kill shelter. I have had Georgia and Pearl tested regularly, they are still fine as of 2 weeks ago. Fred is still kicking, and is a happy, fairly healthy 14 year old cat. All this happened nearly 3 years ago. The vet told me that since Fred is not a biter, the girls will likely be ok. Fred has lived to a ripe old age, with a few mishaps along the way. At this point, every day I have him is a blessing, and would be at his age, even if he weren't FIV+.
I know it is easier said than done, but try not to stress too hard until you know the results. They can live just fine with FIV, and not pass it along. We are all praying for you and your babies.
 

okeefecl

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Apr 22, 2002
Messages
4,926
Purraise
2
Location
Sparkleball ranch
Val, I'm so sorry to hear this. Big (((hugs))) for you right now. As Hissy said, the test can give false positives so I'd get Snowwhite re-tested, with the more sensitive test. And if she's positive, it doesn't mean she'll have to be PTS. You may have to make some changes, but Snowwhite can have a long and happy life with you and your furkids. There is a lot of good information available on the 'Net about FIV, so please research it fully before you make any decision.

Sending angels to look over you and Snowwhite
 

sandra

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 1, 2001
Messages
3,571
Purraise
1
Location
in my backyard with the goggies
Val.... I am in tears right now about you and the babies and Snow White. I am gonna send lots of prayers and good thoughts to you and the kids so they will live and live with you. And also that Snow white has a clean bill of health.
 

blondiecat

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
May 29, 2003
Messages
3,956
Purraise
4
Location
So far out in left field I got lost
Val I am so sorry to hear this
I know that it is tearing your heart out. I can't tell you anything that hasn't already been said. Hang in there I will be praying for her, you and all of the babies.

{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}
 

dragonlady

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Oct 22, 2002
Messages
3,502
Purraise
2
Location
Citrus Heights, CA
I say retest too. It couldn't hurt to have a better test done and the kittens as well. Keep your chin up, you are doing a great job, and they couldn't have a better mommy!
 

hissy

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Feb 19, 2001
Messages
34,872
Purraise
76
As I shared with you in email Val, there are two tests to run on infected cats. I would hold on to your hope until you have both those tests run on Snow and any other cat that might also test positive. If the kittens are under 6 months, you will get inaccurate results, so don't waste you money testing the younger kittens (sorry I can't remember their ages) But again this is a blood/saliva transmission of this disease, and I do not recall you ever posting that your ferals fight?
 

pat

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 1, 2003
Messages
11,045
Purraise
58
Location
Pacific NW
We wish you, Snowwhite and the kittens all the best. Hold on to how healthy she is, and the knowledge that many fiv+ kitties have long, and delightfully full of play and love, lives.
 

crazy-cat-lover

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Oct 22, 2002
Messages
1,852
Purraise
1
Location
Surrey, BC
Val, I am so sorry! I can't believe it! She looks so healthy to have FIV! I hope the kittens are alright, and all of your other kitties. Sending prayers over to you and your babies...
 
Top