FIV+ cat needs a good home in GA

aholt18

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I rescued a cat a customer found stuck under someone's truck where I work. He was badly injured and the owner of the truck said he was a stray from their neighborhood. I took him to an emergency vet office to have his neck (where he was hurt) looked at. They cleaned the wound and I am currently treating him with antibiotics they gave me. He was pretty badly hurt, so he will most likely have a scar. He also had round worms, tape worms, and heart worms. I'm treating these as well. He's very sweet and I'd love to keep him, but they told me he has FIV. I already have two cats, so I can't keep him without exposing them. He's a 5-6 year old ginger short-hair. VERY loving and friendly. I'm not looking for any money for him, just want to find him a good home. I can send pics if anyone is interested. :)
 

minka

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If the only reason you aren't keeping him is because of FIV then no fear! It is perfectly fine to keep FIV cats with other cats as long as they are all spayed/neutered. :nod: It is only deep wound injuries that can spread the disease, so unless they are A. unfixed or B. bitter enemies, there is no threat for your existing kitties.

Here is some more info for you, written by a very famous shelter/sanctuary that rescues thousands of animals each year. :clap: http://www.bestfriends.org/theanimals/petcare/cats_fiv.cfm
 

ldg

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Minka and I both have FIV+ kitties living with other cats. I have 8 cats indoor-only, and one of them is FIV+. If you have any questions, let us know!

And thank you for rescuing him, even if you can't keep him. :heart3: :hugs:
 

eilcon

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Add me to the list of TCS folks who has an FIV+ cat living with negative cats. I've fostered several FIV+ cats over the years, all of whom had contact with mine. I recently became a failed foster with Louie, a big, sweet, goofy black kitty who tested positive when he came in off the streets in Dec.

There are a number of sanctuaries/rescues that take in FIV+ cats if space allows, so if keeping this sweet guy isn't an option for you, I can provide a list. There's also some special needs websites where you can post FIV+ cats for adoption.
 
 

feralvr

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I think you absolutely could keep this cat without ever having to worry about your other two. The above posters are great examples of this. This cat sounds very, very sweet and loving!! :rub: He might just make a wonderful new addition to your kitty family :heart3: :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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aholt18

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Thank you guys do much! The emergency vet I went to made it sound as if him being in the same house at all would infect my other cats, but after reading your posts I did some research of my own. I'm so glad that I won't have to give him away. He is such a love bug and the thought alone broke my heart. He will be going to my regular vet soon to figure out his diet, get shots, and set a time to get neutered.

Do you guys have any suggested food that's best? I know they need a very healthy diet. Or any other suggestions in general?

Thanks again!!
Ash :)
 

ldg

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Yes, not all vets are FIV literate. :( It's so sad, because so many wonderful kitties are being passed over for adoption.

This is the BEST site for caring for FIV kitties: http://www.fivtherapy.com

Basically, the healthiest diet you can feed him to help keep his immune system humming. :nod: I feed our cats raw food, and Chumley (our FIV+ boy) is doing really well with it. But any high protein, low carb wet food diet would do a lot to help him. :nod: Don't know if you can afford it, but EVO, Before Grain, Nature's Variety Instinct stuff, and By Nature 95% are great to have in rotation.

I do support his gut health, and have since the suggestion by our holistic vet, with a probiotic. I just use a human acidophilus supplement, one with 10 billion active cultures. :nod: (I buy them from the refrigerated section at the health food store). The (holistic) vet explained to me that the GI system is the gateway to immune system health. So I actually have all my kitties (and my hubby and me) on a probiotic now. :lol3:

FIV+ kitties also tend to have dental problems, so an annual dental (under anesthesia) is a REALLY good idea. :nod:

Other than that, just slow, proper introductions to your other kitties! Chumley (our FIV+ boy) is a very cat-friendly kitty (once we got him inside and regularly fed!). He and our Billy just sit there and groom each other for hours on end. Chum loves cleaning his ears. :lol3:
 
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aholt18

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Thanks!!

Will look for those on my next petsmart run. He's at my normal vet now. Didn't trust the emergency vet's decision to send him home with an open wound and hope it heals well. Normal vet agreed and Kitt will be there for the next few days getting his shots, neutered, and all sewn up.
 

ldg

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I don't know if Petsmart sells those. I think the only food I've ever found at Petsmart that I sometimes buy is some of the Wellness grain-free. I'm not in love with Wellness Core (wet), but it is very low-carb. One of the lowest there is, outside of feeding raw food. :nod:

You might have to order online (shipping is usually free if over a certain amount is spent), or see if there are any local pet stores. Our local pet shop carries GREAT food - and for less than they sell it at Petco OR online. :nod:
 

ldg

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Oh - the probiotic? The one I get is Source Naturals acidophilus + bifidus. It's a capsule, I just sprinkle it on his food. Even my pickiest cats like it. :)
 

feralvr

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:clap::clap::clap: SO happy you are keeping this little guy!! Yes, as Laurie said, sad that most vets are so FIV - illiterate. I often wonder how many cat's are not saved or adopted out because of ignorant advice on FIV. I am glad you found TCS and are getting the correct information and did your own research. :clap:

Petsmart also carries Wilderness canned foods, high protein and grain free as well as Wellness as Laurie mentioned. Petco does seem to have a better selection on the grain free brands. Good luck with your new kitty :rub: :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes: for his surgery.
 
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minka

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Petsmart carries Wellness, Blue Buffalo, Avoderm, Innova and by Nature, so there are definitely many good choices there. :)
 
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