Help, 6 year old cat was diagnosed with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus and Feline Infectious Anemia,

Hi,

Today my cat, Kero, was diagnosed with FIV and FIA. He is a 6 year old outdoor cat and our veterinarian believes he must have contracted it from another stray cat (our neighborhood has a lot of them) or from fleas (which he did have as well). He had been lethargic for the past few days, but didn't worsen until Tuesday. I only know what my mom has told me (I am in college and was only home for the weekend) .We are all worried and feel extremely guilty for letting my cat get to these conditions.

He is very sick and cannot walk or eat, so as a result we have been syringe feeding him and cleaning him and his bedding at least 2 times a day. We cleaned the entire house and his bedding to try to eliminate fleas. He has received medication and antibiotics for his fever and health, but our vet recommended he get a blood transfusion which is very costly ($1200+) and has warned us he may not even survive with the transfusion due to FIV. I want to give him the blood transfusion, but I don't want my cat to suffer any more than he has too. Plus knowing that he will be a permanent carrier with FIV and FIA, he will have to be an indoor cat as I don't want him to infect any other cats.

Therefore knowing my parents don't exactly have the money,  he may still die, there is a possibility of him transferring the virus and parasite, suffering from FIA,  and being forced into an indoor cat, makes me feel as though I am making an extremely selfish decision. Due to the vet hours, he cannot go in to get the transfusion until tomorrow or Monday, depending on his status tomorrow, and he just looks plain miserable and weak. He can barely move his tail.  I am unsure of what to do next, so I was hoping there was someone here with experience that could give me a bit of their advice or just let me know what was their experience. Is there a possibility of him even surviving? And if not should I put him to sleep? How quickly should I even decide? It is all happening so fast and I feel as if I am not coherent enough to even think at the moment. 

Thank you in advance

Gladys 

shoot...I don't know why no one's helped u yet

I hope @catwoman707  or @StephenQ  will be here to help shortly

I don't even play a vet on tv but it sounds like you're doing everything possible and if he starts improving then you can worry about further measures. Sorry, that's all  I got, have to head out to work now.

I am sorry your cat is so sick.

He is actually, very sick and in need of help NOW.

Please tell me he is neutered........

I have a big feeling he is not.

Because of this, he gets into fights, and now has fiv and fia.

Such a shame, poor guy.

You must excuse me if I am wrong here and he is neutered, but the 2 illnesses he has are contracted from deep bite wounds, only caused by unfixed fighting males.

Fleas too, but not fiv, so putting two and two together tells me he is not neutered.

He needs help ASAP, or he will die. Period. It is not the fiv but the anemia. 

He needs blood badly, he needs doxycycline for a solid 3 weeks, and he NEEDS neutering.

It's imperative you care for this poor suffering cat, please don't euthanize him for convenience sake. He has already been compromised, at least allow him many better healthy years indoors, neutered, fed correctly, and cared for.

FIV is not so bad. Positive cats can live just as long as any other cat. As long as they are not neglected. Fixed cats don't fight.

I treated an eight week old kitten with FIA. So severe the PCV was 8. He was face planting when he came in. It took two transfusions and the right antibiotics and steroids and the kitten wound up doing just fine.

The FIV is something they can live with.

Have you used a flea control product on him now?

He must be kept inside. That is not a bad thing for a cat. How would you feel to spend the money and time etc only to have him hit by a car or worse?

It is not an impossible situation your cat is in and with proper care he should do okay. Of course this all depends on the blood work right now.

Can you tell me how they diagnosed the FIV? Was the test done in the hospital or was it sent to a lab? Did they mention western blot?

Thank you all for your advice,
catwoman707 yes is his neutered. He was neutered and vaccinated at 7 months old. We just live in a very bad neighborhood in LA where stray cats and fleas are common. It's also not too well off and as a result many animals are left untreated and some are dumped in the street. I used to volunteer at an animal shelter here, so I've seen how bad it can get. I feel responsible for letting kero be an outdoor cat knowing the dangers. But he was also just so insistent on being let out, it was hard to say no.

quiet yes he's always been given flea medicine and bathes regularly, well when I visited. And since he's shown signs of weakness he's been kept inside, and is still being fed regularly.

My mom can't really understand the doctor, so I am not sure how he was diagnosed, I am going to try to take the train back home and see if I can speak with the doctor myself as soon as my work allows me too. From what she said it was a simple analysis in which they counted the red blood cells and a blood test.

The reason why we've considered euthanasia is not simply for convenience, but simply trying to keep all options in mind. The vet we are seeing told us he doesn't think we should be spending any more on treatments as he can't give us a possibility of him even surviving the transfusion. Which is why I posted to see what other situations out there, there were.

On Monday we are seeing another vet to get a second opinion since the local hospitals here are closed during the weekend. Moreover my parents Work late nights on weekends so they can't make it before closing time at other city hospitals. And since I'm in college with no form of transportation, I can't go there and take kero myself

This is all very upsetting and depressing, but I can assure you all my cat was and still is taken care of. This was all so unexpected and not something foreseeable. I mean to give you all a good idea of the dangers of my neighbor-hood, an aggressive Rottweiler ran into my yard and killed my chihuahua 6 years ago. It's just really bad and now another one of my pets has been a victim.

I'm sorry I wasn't able to reply sooner, time zone issues mean some of us can answer sooner than others. @catwoman707 and @quiet have both offered excellent advice and I agree you should consult a second vet.

I know @LDG has a cat with FIV and I think she's familiar with FIA, maybe she might have some thoughts on this?

gladysor said:

Thank you all for your advice,
@catwoman707 yes is his neutered. He was neutered and vaccinated at 7 months old. We just live in a very bad neighborhood in LA where stray cats and fleas are common. It's also not too well off and as a result many animals are left untreated and some are dumped in the street. I used to volunteer at an animal shelter here, so I've seen how bad it can get. I feel responsible for letting kero be an outdoor cat knowing the dangers. But he was also just so insistent on being let out, it was hard to say no.

@Quiet yes he's always been given flea medicine and bathes regularly, well when I visited. And since he's shown signs of weakness he's been kept inside, and is still being fed regularly.

My mom can't really understand the doctor, so I am not sure how he was diagnosed, I am going to try to take the train back home and see if I can speak with the doctor myself as soon as my work allows me too. From what she said it was a simple analysis in which they counted the red blood cells and a blood test.

The reason why we've considered euthanasia is not simply for convenience, but simply trying to keep all options in mind. The vet we are seeing told us he doesn't think we should be spending any more on treatments as he can't give us a possibility of him even surviving the transfusion. Which is why I posted to see what other situations out there, there were.

On Monday we are seeing another vet to get a second opinion since the local hospitals here are closed during the weekend. Moreover my parents Work late nights on weekends so they can't make it before closing time at other city hospitals. And since I'm in college with no form of transportation, I can't go there and take kero myself

This is all very upsetting and depressing, but I can assure you all my cat was and still is taken care of. This was all so unexpected and not something foreseeable. I mean to give you all a good idea of the dangers of my neighbor-hood, an aggressive Rottweiler ran into my yard and killed my chihuahua 6 years ago. It's just really bad and now another one of my pets has been a victim.

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I am very glad to hear he is infact neutered!!

His very anemic blood right now is the big concern, it is capable of being quite life threatening, and even more so for a pos cat (fiv)

His behavior is screaming HELP! Asap.

Can you call the vet today?

They will know if he can wait until Monday night, if there is any other possible way, I would do it! Time is critical here, but he can pull through, and have many more years of life.

Also, vets err on the side of caution, so while there might be a small chance that he is too sick to get through the transfusion, the vet saying this is simply putting it out there, personally I wouldn't hold that to heart, I'm sure if he gets started right away he will be fine with this. 

So just a small update, Kero is seeing some improvement today.  He is now walking himself and is able to eat a small amount of solid food. We are still syringe feeding him, but he has enough energy now to put up a fight. Once I got home I took him out to relax in our yard for a bit and he seemed more content than before. 

He was prescribed doxycycline and  given some high vitamin drops, so it seems that is helping him a lot, although he is still very pale. I called Kero's vet again and was told he wouldn't be in until tomorrow and that is when they will take his blood to match him. Then on Monday they will begin the blood transfusion. @Quiet, the doctor told me he performed a CVC and chemistry exam on Kero. 

We also found another hospital opened later at night so we made an appointment to get a second opinion. 

Overall its comforting to see that bit of improvement, since before he looked absolutely miserable and lifeless. I am not sure how quickly improvements are shown with doxycycline, but its been a week so it has taken a while to see any improvement, but hey better late than never. 

Thank you once again for the advice, it has been helpful just to be able to keep the spirit up. 

yea! not that I think u need one, but are you getting a second opinion tonight, before you have to make a decision tomorrow?

mycatwasthebest said:

yea! not that I think u need one, but are you getting a second opinion tonight, before you have to make a decision tomorrow?

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Yeah, also we got it mostly to see what methods they though would be best, since the vet we were going to had two doctors who were giving us different prognosis, and treatment options. They would vary between prices and procedures involved as both have not experienced treating a cat with FIA and FIV. So that's why we got a second opinion. They still had to give kero some exams, so we won't know the results until tomorrow afternoon. But since tomorrow he is only going in to get matched and the procedure won't begin until Monday we still have time too add to the treatment if the second vet gives us another treatment plan.
We're also just being cautious because kero's vet was at first hesitant in prescribing doxycycline without my persistance, so I really want to make sure they are doing all they can. And because I've never experienced having a pet with FIA/FIV I don't know everything about it so I am trying to talk to as many people as possible to see what else I can do.

gladysor said:

Yeah, also we got it mostly to see what methods they though would be best, since the vet we were going to had two doctors who were giving us different prognosis, and treatment options. They would vary between prices and procedures involved as both have not experienced treating a cat with FIA and FIV. So that's why we got a second opinion. They still had to give kero some exams, so we won't know the results until tomorrow afternoon. But since tomorrow he is only going in to get matched and the procedure won't begin until Monday we still have time too add to the treatment if the second vet gives us another treatment plan.
We're also just being cautious because kero's vet was at first hesitant in prescribing doxycycline without my persistance, so I really want to make sure they are doing all they can. And because I've never experienced having a pet with FIA/FIV I don't know everything about it so I am trying to talk to as many people as possible to see what else I can do.

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I am happy to know he is started on doxy, AND feeling a bit better, at least the lifeless behavior is better a bit.

I am thinking of him and will be watching here for any updates.

They did give you the Doxycycline in the liquid version correct?

I don't know if maybe it is because I spent so many years working at specialty hospitals or what, but waiting a week or more to do a blood transfusion on an anemic cat seems.. well. Crazy to me. But maybe this is the normal for regular vets. I honestly don't know. I mean a blood transfusion isn't an optional treatment. Your cat is either so anemic he needs one ASAP or he isn't so just retest the PCV in a week. See if you can find out what his PCV/TP is. It is a very simple standard two minute in house test done. It shows how anemic he is. There are different stages that some vets will transfuse at and it can vary a little with hospital protocols etc. If I remember right it was something like under 20 transfuse and 20 and above, don't. But like I said it varies from hospital to hospital. Do you know why they didn't just type him when he was there last instead of having you come in again? is he a specific breed? Just curious. Always good to type.

I think that you are wise to get a second opinion on your cat. I wouldn't want a vet to treat my cat for a disease that they had not had experience treating.

I sure hope your kitty is doing better.

Me too. Hoping for some good news soon.

catwoman707 , quiet , and mycatwasthebest

Thank you all for your thoughts and well wishes. We are definitely seeing a lot of improvement in kero and expect very good out comes from the transfusion. So we're keeping our fingers crossed! >.

Then u are very far ahead of the game! Congrats and all the best

please don't worry about him watching from indoors...he WILL adjust

Hi;

You know, the best thing you can do is educate yourself as much as you  can and also try to get different opinions and then make an educated decision regarding what you do with your cat. Your cat, who is very beautiful, and hansom, I might add.

I have spent over 30 years working in small animal hospitals, emergency animal hospitals, cat only specialty hospitals, internal medicine and surgery, as well as seminars, conventions, and every thing I could read. So I am pretty comfortable with cats and cat medicine as well as dogs and dog training etc. Doesn't mean I don't learn something new every day.

When I got a horse, I took my vets word for it that my farrier (horse shoer was good) He was horrible and almost crippled my horse for life. I didn't know any better. I did however have a strong gut feeling that he wasnt' doing a good job and that her behavior problems were all pain related. I was considered a PIA and neurotic by the vet, and I ignored that thing inside me saying something was very wrong. I just didn't have the confidence in myself and I didn't have the knowledge to question anything. I should have listened to my gut.

So, what I am trying to say is that it is important to learn what you can about your cat and what is going on with him. It is also important to listen to your very immediate gut instincts and to listen to what your vet or vets say and really try to understand what they saying. Don't ever be hesitant about asking questions or calling with additional questions. Don't ever feel rushed to make a decision Think things through, get opinions, and alway make or try to make an informed decision about your cat's treatment. I have noticed that vets to often will just breeze over very important things or they just won't bother even stating what they are going to do next. Don't let them ever do that.

Veterinarians at least the ones In the US are only governed by other veterinarians. You cannot file a malpractice suite against a vet. Animals are not considered to have any rights so they are seen in the courts as only being a possession such as a car or a plate. At least that is how I understand it. I have seen vets make some horrible mistakes and not be held accountable, and the owner not have a legal resource. So always ask and if you don't understand ask again. Don't let them rush you or act impatient. It is their job. I know it helps me to write down all the questions I have when I go in and that way important issues are addressed and I don't lose focus due to the emotional impact of a vet visit.

What a handsome/beautiful cat!

He should never have been an outdoor cat after seeing he is pure white.

I have seen far too many white cats have to be pts because they have cancer on their face/nose/ears.

In fact one of my permanent residents of my cat room now is Destiny, who I rescued from one of my colonies I care for. I can't begin to describe her condition then.

Although feral, I bonded with her, mostly at first due to so much pity that any cat could still be alive looking like she did.

So rather than put her down, I had her fixed, ears removed, broken leg fixed, she had lice, a bad uri, eyes glued shut, bald patches and scabs, and a huge mat of fur stuck in her lower jaw that wouldn't allow her mouth to close.

This is her now and the day I opened her cage up for her to be free in the cat room


It's been several years now, and have never known a more gentle soul in a cat. Truly. So incredibly gentle, and can befriend even the bitchiest of females, so that they adore/bond with her.

Cancer in white cats is NOT rare, quite common in outdoor cats, so all the way around you are doing him a great justice by keeping him inside

Thank you! @mycatwasthebest   

@Quiet  thank you for your advice! I have definitely learned a lot simply from this post and plan to keep it in mind for a very long time. 

@catwoman707  Destiny is a gorgeous cat! And wow, thank you for informing me about cancer and white cats. I just finished researching it and didn't realize until now how dangerous it is, especially as an outdoor cat! I am definitely going to transition kero into an indoor cat. I find it ironic how skin cancer runs in my family and now it turns out my cat is prone to it too! Well I guess that's another family member to protect, i might even consider getting matching hats for us all for a family picture XD 

Also just letting everyone know, kero is doing much, much better today! The transfusion went smoothly and its effects on him are visibly. Kero is more alert, starting to ask for more food and water, and seems to have good bowel movements.He is going in for another checkup but I really think the worst is over- at least I hope. We are having a hard time litter-box training him, as he prefers to stand by the door until we take him out to do his business, but I think he'll get it eventually. ^-^

I do now have to focus my attention on my finals, but I really want to thank you all for your support, advice, and compliments to kero. I didn't realize how little i knew and I desperately needed to speak with people who are more experienced in cats. So, thank you!!!!!!! 

You are so very welcome!! I am happy to know we were able to help and give you some unknown info as well.

Excellent news about your kitty too, I would bet from here on it will continue to get better and better, and he will be a stronger cat in the end

Matching hats?? I'd love to see that! Make Christmas cards of the family portrait! Love it