FIV+ cat 'Dooley' having trouble with mouth, some bleeding

Brought in a stray about a year ago.  He had pneumonia and when I took him to the vet she did tests and found that he was FIV positive.  As he is a young cat, she recommended  neutering him to avoid the risk of him getting into fights and getting an infection that he couldn't fight off due to his compromised immune system.  

He has been doing very well until just about two weeks ago.  He seems to have a problem with his mouth, as when he eats he sometimes 'yelps' , but continues to eat.  Someone told me that cats with FIV sometimes get ulcers in their mouths.  Would anyone know more about this and what can be done to help him?   Any information would be very much appreciated.

Thanks so much!

Christine

My understanding is that you really need to keep on top of things with FIV+ cats, so if he was mine I'd take him to the vets.

Thank you for the advice.  I was thinking of making an appointment with the vet.  'Dooley' is a cat who is very attached to me, but is a 'cat from hell' with anyone else. Believe he was a cat who was born in a field or barn and so is not really 'socialized'. It is quite a battle at the vets, but worth it if it prevents him from suffering.   Many thanks again. 

Christine

My friend who socialises a lot of feral kittens for Cats Protection says that's usually the way with them - they are one person cats.  Good luck at the vets, hope it's nothing serious.

Have you looked in his mouth to see if there appears to be anything going on in there?  I don't really know anything about FIV cats, but we do have a few people here that have them, so hopefully they will chime in shortly. 

Thanks again. A vet friend of mine (who is now in Fiji working temporarily) mentioned that FIV+ cats do tend to get ulcers sometimes and I have a feeling that might be the problem. She also mentioned that they sometimes use cortisone injections for this. I'm not sure if my own vet has heard of this, but I will soon find out - if I can ever get my boy in the carrier!

Christine

Thanks so much! I have tried to take a look in his mouth, but he hates being handled and I have a feeling it will take me, the vet and the assistant to really have a good look. He is not a mean cat, but he panics so easily being somewhat feral. I'll keep everyone posted. Thanks again.

Christine

Yes, he needs to see the vet. I have an FIV+ rescue kitty, Chumley. He's doing well now, but was a wreck when we trapped him.

FIV+ cats often have trouble with their mouths and teeth. They need at LEAST annual dentals, though it's recommended they be done every six months. :nod: As overall health and mouth health are so related, it's pretty important to stay on top of that. :rub:

Here is a site with excellent information on FIV cats: http://www.fivtherapy.com

I am no expert in FIV at all.... But I do have a cat with stomatitis.... and I think the "ulcers" they are talking about might be it. When Bugsy first got diagnosed with it, it was the first question I was asked - where he came from, and if he was FIV positive, as apparently Stomatitis is quite common in FIV+ kitties.
It is also a very (put VERY on this one) painful condition. I have a feeling this "Injection" you are talking about is depo-medrol, a steroid...... There are treatments for stomatitis.... I would bring this specifically to your vet or your dentist

Thank you so much!   This is what I was wanting to know - if others had had the same problem with their kitties.  This is the first time I've had a FIV+ kitty, so it is 'unknown territory' for me.  Thanks again for your kindness. 

Thank you LDG for the post and also for the GREAT reference!  I have bookmarked it and will keep it close by.  Glad that Chumley is well now.  Thanks to all of you for the advice and support.  I appreciate it so much.  

It is the BEST site out there for learning about FIV. :nod:

Please keep us posted!

Thanks so much LDG! Have just been reading it. Also went on the net 'at random'. Quite a lot of information out there. Will definitely keep you posted. Thanks again!

Christine

Hello LDG and all the kind folks who helped me with suggestions regarding 'Dooley', my FIV+ kitty.

I did take 'Dooley' to my vet. They sedated him a little so that they could look into his mouth. I turned out that he had severe gingivitis, even though it had not been long since he'd had his teeth cleaned. They also discovered that he had a serious heart murmur as well as the beginning of a fever. The vet said the only option would be to remove what was left of his remaining teeth and even then with the serious heart murmur there was no guarantee that he would have much quality of life. It was a very hard call, because I had really fallen in love with this beautiful orange and white kitty with the huge double paws. Anyway, after agonizing over a decision I finally decided that it would be very selfish to keep him going just for my own benefit. His prognosis was not at all good. My head tells me that I made the right choice for him, but my heart doesn't agree! As a stray, I was the only one he trusted and I feel like a 'Judas' to have done that to him. - Heart breaking.

Christine

I'm so sorry for your loss. I will now close this thread. When you feel up to it, please start a tribute thread for Dooley in our Crossing the Bridge section.

Rest in Peace, Dooley.