2 y.o. Orange male cat with FIV and Heart condition

I recently rescued this abandoned boy and took him to my Vet. They ran all tests imaginable and found out he is FIV positive and also has a heart condition (they ran the BNP something test for his heart.) They vaccinated him for everything, de-wormed, etc. Gave him some booster shots. They neutered him as well. He is the sweetest cat, but it was next to impossible to find him a home.

With the help of many good people and some donations, I  found an excellent "cat resort" for him, they specialize in sickly kitties. We drove him there on Saturday, and it really is the best place for special cats. Their Vet was visiting Monday and she said that in her many years as a Vet, she never saw a cat with such a strong heart murmur. They probably will do ultrasound some time later to see more specifically what could be done to make his life longer.   That's how the Vet put it....

I am so sad, he had a very hard life already and I still hope that he has many years of a good and happy cat life in the care of this very nice resort.

My question is for those of you who had a similar situation and experience - what are your stories? bad and good.  Thank you.

Hi @fenya7, I have no stories about kitties with heart murmers or FIP, but I wanted to say thank you so much for doing what you could for this little boy.  Only two years old, and he's obviously had an incredibly hard life in those two short years.  I'm sure he wouldn't have lasted this long without you.

I adopted a little female tortie, Rena, who had been captured along with her two tiny kittens during a police raid on a meth house in a neighboring county.  She was not quite 7 months old at the time.  Her owners were actually cooking meth when the police raided the house, with those babies inside breathing in those horrible chemicals.  Animal Control took Rena and her babies to the high-kill shelter where, thank goodness, a local rescue volunteer was picking up some kittens.  While she was there, she reached into the cage and put Rena's kittens next to their traumatized, huddled little mom and petted them. She decided that little family had to be rescued and was able to find a foster home that very night.  She went to the shelter to get them the next day.  Rena recognized her voice and began yowling, climbing the bars of the cage.  Don't tell me cats aren't intelligent!  All three were infested with fleas and Rena was very sick.  When the two little kittens were old enough, they were adopted and now have loving homes.  Rena was still up for adoption a year later, still didn't have a forever home.  Everyone loved her but they were all afraid of the chemicals she had been forced to breathe.  

I had dashed into a local PetCo for some kitty litter and happened to see her in a cage on my way to check out.  I walked toward the cage and Rena walked toward me.  I put my finger in the cage and she reached out and wrapped one tiny paw around the end of my finger.  That was all it took.  At the time, I had no idea what her story was.  Once I found out, I took a few days to consider all of the possible health problems she could have; I already had three cats.  But the heart wants what the heart wants, and I called to say that I wanted her, only to be told that she had fallen ill.  It took a month of intense veterinary care to get her back to health.  I think Rena had given up.  I finally was able to bring that little one home.  Since then, we have had some health crises, and two dental surgeries, but she's been fine for almost a year now.  She is fat and sassy and I am her person.  I tell you her story to share with you what yet another little one had to go through before she was finally loved and cared for.  

They ALL deserve love, but not all of them get it.  Because of you, that precious little boy will know peace and comfort, however many days remain to him, and I hope and pray they are many.  You have a huge heart.  God bless you, sweetie, and all others like you who care enough to help a sick little baby.  All life is precious and sacred.  I wish more people realized that.  Below is a photo of Rena and her babies in the high-kill shelter.  The little yellow boy you saved will be in my prayers, as will you.

Dear MaggieMay
Thank you so much for the touching story of your Rena, she is so beautiful and she will be with you for many years. Your story brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for your support and kindness. I hope my Golden has a good life ahead of him. I will visit as often as I can.
God bless you and all your kitties.
Love,
Galina

fenya7 said:

Dear MaggieMay
Thank you so much for the touching story of your Rena, she is so beautiful and she will be with you for many years. Your story brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for your support and kindness. I hope my Golden has a good life ahead of him. I will visit as often as I can.
God bless you and all your kitties.
Love,
Galina

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Galina, we cannot save every one of them, however much we wish we could.  It's been two years since I adopted my Rena and she is a very special girl, very intelligent and loving.  She is the one who rescued me in many ways, it always seems to work like that.  I'm sure Golden is where he can get the very best care and much love and kindness.  It would be lovely if you could visit him, I know he will never forget you.  I will keep Golden in my prayers, sweetheart.  Hugs.

We cannot save them all, true. And you are so right when you say that they save us. I am so grateful I met my Golden boy...
Thank you for your prayers. He needs them.
With love
Galina [emoji]128525[/emoji]