Kitty Might Have FIV?

Hi!  I have a very sweet 5 month old kitten.  I've had him for a little over a month, and he was fostered before that.  He is very active, eating well, and gaining weight like a healthy kitten.  About a week ago, I noticed some swelling around his mouth.  It was first in his top lip, then his bottom.  I've had cats with allergies before, so I took him to the vet yesterday thinking that's what it was.  The vet noted that his lymph nodes were swollen.  The vet took blood work and ruled out allergies today.  

She said she wanted me to bring him in for FIV testing this week.  He was tested in late January, and tested negative.  He doesn't have any other symptoms besides the swelling in his lip and his lymph nodes.  He isn't acting sick at all-- still super playful.    

Are negative FIV tests done in kittens around 3 months of age reliable?  The foster he was living with only had his sister living with her and never let him outside.  

Thanks!  

"Kittens tested at less than 6 months of age, regardless of the test result, should be retested after 6 months of age."

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=1+2134&aid=213

I HIGHLY doubt it is caused from FIV.

The chance of your kitten having fiv are slim to none basically.

It is not inherited from his momma, and he would have had to be bitten by a positive cat, a deep blood drawing bite to have gotten it.

Did the vet mention the fact that kittens his age will start teething and cause swollen lymph nodes? 

That actually makes a lot of sense because he's been biting a lot more frequently.  Thanks for the advice!  He's starting an antibiotic tomorrow in case it's an infection-- his lip is still really swollen.  Hopefully it's just a mouth infection and teething! 

ibbykitty said:

 
That actually makes a lot of sense because he's been biting a lot more frequently.  Thanks for the advice!  He's starting an antibiotic tomorrow in case it's an infection-- his lip is still really swollen.  Hopefully it's just a mouth infection and teething! 

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The biting more is def. a sign of teething.

Sometimes they might get a bit of an infection when there are many teeth coming in at once for some reason, so the antibiotic certainly won't hurt in case.

But don't bother getting him tested for fiv again, like I said, slim to none on that one.

Good site for FIV info,   https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/feline-immunodeficiency-virus-fiv

and mommas with FIVs can pass it on to their babies.  I have a FIV baby and love him just the same..


Thats my GringoIII

 

http://www.v63.net/catsanctuary/fiv_kittens.html
Here's another quote-From http://www.catchat.org/fiv.html

FIV cats should always be neutered, however if a female FIV positive cat is allowed to become pregnant it is extremely rare for the kittens to become infected with the virus. FIV differs from feline leukaemia in that respect, in that it is not passed on from the queen to kittens in utero.

Update: 

Hi everyone! Thanks for your advice.  

So, he started antibiotics and the swelling wasn't changing at all- in fact, I thought it was getting worse.  So, I took him back to the vet last week.  I got the FIV test, because I was worried (he's negative).  The vet started him on steroids (prednisolone).  He only has one more dose before it's done.  His bottom lip immediately started looking so much better.  But, yesterday, I noticed the side of his lip was enflamed. Here's how it looks this morning:

  
Has anyone had experience with really persistent rodent ulcers?  The vet said that we should focus on getting it to go away before I start switching diets.  But, I feel so bad for the little guy and I'm worried that it's already started coming back while he's still on the steroids.  

Thanks for reading!! 

My experience with rodent ulcers has typically been caused by Herpes virus and Calicivirus. (For the herpes, it was the only symptom.) However, I have had 1 case where it was the result of a food allergy (pork).

How long has he been on the pred?

My food allergy case cleared up in a matter of days once the food got out of his system. He also had steroids (though his was via injection.)

I have to admit, I'd never heard of rodent ulcers - so I found this page which may be informative for you:

http://pets.webmd.com/cats/rodent-ulcers-cats

I have had cats that get "cat acne" (looks like coffee grinds in their chin) from using plastic bowls.

Once I switched to metal, the problem went away.

I realize it's not the same exact problem.

Perhaps a reaction to your bowls, or some other allergan, is contributing to his sore.

Might not hurt to switch, if you do use plastic.

Perhaps a proper dose of Benadryl to see if that calms it down better than the steroid?

I think steroids for calming skin issues is very effective, for myself though.

CatPack said:

My experience with rodent ulcers has typically been caused by Herpes virus and Calicivirus. (For the herpes, it was the only symptom.) However, I have had 1 case where it was the result of a food allergy (pork).

How long has he been on the pred?

My food allergy case cleared up in a matter of days once the food got out of his system. He also had steroids (though his was via injection.)

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Oh, wow, I haven't heard of FVR coming out as only ulcers.  I haven't noticed any sneezing or ear discharge, so I didn't consider that.  

It started about 3 weeks ago.  He's had 4 doses every day of the pred, then 2 every other day (so a total of 6 doses over the last 8 days).  Tomorrow will be his last dose. 

4catsNcounting said:

 
I have to admit, I'd never heard of rodent ulcers - so I found this page which may be informative for you:

http://pets.webmd.com/cats/rodent-ulcers-cats

I have had cats that get "cat acne" (looks like coffee grinds in their chin) from using plastic bowls.

Once I switched to metal, the problem went away.

I realize it's not the same exact problem.

Perhaps a reaction to your bowls, or some other allergan, is contributing to his sore.

Might not hurt to switch, if you do use plastic.

Perhaps a proper dose of Benadryl to see if that calms it down better than the steroid?

I think steroids for calming skin issues is very effective, for myself though.

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Thanks for the information!  I actually had a kitty who was allergic to plastic in the past, so I only use ceramic.  

I had an FIV + cat. He was such a love and got along very well with my other 2 cats. Don't be afraid of FIV. By the way, kittens can, and do get FIV from their mom.Go have the test and then you will know.

My Lola is FIV positive.


She was up for adoption due to it. I saved her. She is 5 and in very good health. I just make sure she is healthy as she can be. I just keep her in a healthy diet w/supplements and a probiotic. You want to keep the risk of your cat getting sick very low or any type of infection. She does NOT go outside. Also do not feed them any type of raw diet.. I take Lola for blood work every 6 months...  They can live a long time with FIV.

Fingerlakes said:

She was up for adoption due to it. I saved her. She is 5 and in very good health. I just make sure she is healthy as she can be. I just keep her in a healthy diet w/supplements and a probiotic. You want to keep the risk of your cat getting sick very low or any type of infection. She does NOT go outside. Also do not feed them any type of raw diet.. I take Lola for blood work every 6 months...  They can live a long time wit

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Fingerlakes said:

She was up for adoption due to it. I saved her. She is 5 and in very good health. I just make sure she is healthy as she can be. I just keep her in a healthy diet w/supplements and a probiotic. You want to keep the risk of your cat getting sick very low or any type of infection. She does NOT go outside. Also do not feed them any type of raw diet.. I take Lola for blood work every 6 months...  They can live a long time with FIV.

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I was wondering what supplements you give.

Snugglecat said:

 
I was wondering what supplements you give?

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Here are the ones I use.. I get both from Amazon.

Vetri-DMG by Vetri-Science and H2O PRO Probiotics Supplement Pet Spray by PetJoy Naturals.

They are both liquid..Just add to the food... very easy!