FIV and Feline Leukemia

juliamarie32

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Hello all! I've only posted here a couple times a long time ago but it seemed like a friendly & knowledgeable place so I thought I'd ask for opinions, experiences here.

We have 3 female indoor cats and recently found a male cat outside wandering (well he found us!) and we have decided we want to adopt him. He's getting tested on Wednesday for Feline Leukemia, FIV, and checking his general health. He seems happy and active, however, he seems to have someone swollen lymphnodes or swelling on his cheek/jaw, and he is quite skinny and disheveled. I've read that those are some signs/symptoms of Feline Leukemia. However, that could also just be from him being out on the streets for awhile and not sure how to take care of himself. He's a big cat though and is very sweet and friendly. I guess what I'm asking is, if he would test positive are there any options? Hopefully he won't, but I'd like to be prepared either way. Is it possible to keep him along side healthy cats with getting the other cats vaccinated? I've heard mixed reviews on the effectiveness of the vaccines. I definitely don't want to put my girls in any danger but I know either way we'll have to figure out something to do with him because I can't just put this sweet boy back out on the street.

Hopefully, all will go well and little (or not so little!) Murphy will be able to join our ranks as a healthy happy boy.
 
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juliamarie32

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Can't figure out how to edit my first message but I forgot to note - we have NOT introduced him to our cats yet. We are keeping him separated until we know his health status. Luckily we have a large empty garage with lots of shelves, nooks, and crannys that is a cats paradise lol. (well maybe not paradise but better than wandering the streets for now!)
 

ldg

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It could also be an abscess - that's really the most likely reason for that swelling. :heart2:

Aren't you a love for rescuing this boy!!!!! :hugs: :rub:

Let's hope he's not FeLV, because then it is best to keep him separated. You *could* consider getting your other cats vaccinated for FeLV and intermingling him, but the vaccination is not always effective. I do know several people that intermingle FeLV+ and FeLV- cats, but IMO, that's not a risk I would take with my pets.

As to the FIV, that's a different thing. FIV is only passed via deep tissue bite wounds. I just posted this to someone else asking about FIV. Well, here are the relevant bits and links. :)


...Most people with FIV cats don't separate them, as the virus cannot be passed casually. For disbelieving, misinformed vets, Dr. Litster (Purdue Univ, running Maddie's Fund) published a study with long-term follow up of shelter cats mixed, FIV+ and FIV- last year.

Here is the plain English version of the study: http://www.wivotersforcompanionanim...-can-live-harmoniously-with-fiv-negative-cats

Here is the summary page with links to video, presentations, etc. when the study results were released, but not yet published: http://www.maddiesfund.org/update-on-fiv.htm

Here is a link to the published report. We have to pay for it, your vet won't have to: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1090023314000847

We can see the abstract for free. It clearly states

"These results show a lack of evidence of FIV transmission, despite years of exposure to naturally-infected, FIV-positive cats in a mixed household."

FIV requires deep tissue bite wounds for infection to take hold. Normal nipping and scratches in play just aren't enough to transfer it. Just make proper introductions!

....

I have 10 cats. One is FIV+. They all live together. Chumley (my FIV+ boy) has been with us for five years now. He and Billy are best buddies, and Chumley constantly grooms Bill, including his ears, LOL. We got Billy tested for FIV at his annual last year, and he remains negative. We won't be bothering to test for it any more.


There is a great yahoo group for information and support. https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/fiv-healthscience/info

And the person who runs the group is the author of this comprehensive website - everything you ever wanted to know about FIV and caring for an FIV+ kitty.

I give mine lactoferrin daily for a month, one month-on, one month off. This is the most common supplement given to help slow the transmission of the virus. :)

Of course, it'll be easier if he's negative! Sure hope that's the case. :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes:
 

ldg

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Oh - I would never, ever recommend the FIV vaccine. There's just no need for it. And it is a live virus, so any cat given the vaccine will always test positive for it. Given so many rescues are just outdated with old information, many kill FIV+ cats - and it's expensive to tell the difference between FIV from a vaccine vs acquired FIV.
 
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juliamarie32

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Thanks for all the information! Truthfully, I just heard about FIV+ for the first time today so I am more worried about the Feline Leukemia and was referring to that vaccination. I guess there's nothing to do at this point but wait till the check up on Wednesday and hope for the best :/

Another thing that apparently could explain the hard "swollen" cheeks is testosterone since he is not fixed and we don't know exactly how old he is but I'm guessing over 5.
 
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juliamarie32

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Kind of but it's harder to tell because he has longer fur so I'm feeling it more than seeing it. And it seems to be bigger on one side than the other. My husband says it doesn't feel that weird to him but I felt it. It doesn't hurt him at all when you push on them, rub it, pet it. In fact it doesn't seem to bother him at all. It's really hard to explain but it feels like... hard but not rock hard. Firm like someone flexing a muscle or like scar tissue or something like that. Slightly uneven though - not smooth like a perfect bulge or anything. You really can't see it by looking at him but you can feel it especially in his left cheek.

BTW your cat is ADORABLE! :) I love the fat cheeks. And yes, Murphy has a very large fat head too lol. He's a big boy though compared to my 6-10lb females.
 
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juliamarie32

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Well today's the big day! 2:45 can't come fast enough. I'm so nervous for his test and check up :/
 
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juliamarie32

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GREAT news!! Murphy is in perfect health. He is roughly 2-3 years old according to the vet, NO fiv or leukemia. He has excellent teeth and the cheeks were indeed just jowls from testosterone. The only minor concern is tha he seemed itchy but had no mites and his eyes were a little red so he may have some allergies to keep an eye on. I am so thrilled!!

He was also a major hit at the vet due to how friendly and unique looking he is! They loved him!
 
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