Can Someone Help Me?!

Little history...

About two weeks or so ago- I had a pregnant stray cat PTS because she tested positive for what I *thought* was FelV. I wanted to keep her and took her in for medical care and to get her shots but the test came back positive and the short version is I left there completely not what I went there for

Then last week we found two kittens. I think they are 4-6 weeks old. I still haven't quite figured that out for sure. I took them to the vet today to be tested for FelV and was told they are negative for that but positive for FIV.

Now I am calling to double check tomorrow because I want to be SURE which Scary was- FIV+ or FelV+. I think I was confused when the vet was explaining the difference to me or maybe she mispoke- either way I'm making them check their records tomorrow. If these kittens are FIV+ and FelV- I'm pretty sure Scary would be the same. Anyway I'm not sure that's important lol

Maui is completely healthy... ONCE I"M SURE WHAT IS GOING ON I can safely put an FIV+ kitty with him?

What is the difference between FIV and FelV? I tried reading but I like how some people explain things in their own words- sometimes it just makes more sense than reading an article.

I guess you could say that FIV positive is somewhat like Hiv positive. The kitty may be ok and stay that way for a long time, but if it gets sick it may be hit harder than one who is negative. The cat has a compromised immune system.

Felv positive is Feline Leukemia. Those, (I understand), probably will not live very long. Feline Leukemia is a terrible thing and the cats that perish from it usually suffer terribly.

Now someone may come and correct me on that, but I'm pretty sure I read that Feline Leukemia at this time is always terminal.

ETA: FIV is not passed easily from one cat to another. It would pass during a fight maybe where one cat bites another. It soes not survive on it's own in the air.

Thanks- I think you are correct. I've been doing more reading and it all pretty much says the same thing!

Maybe I should change my question to- what are some others opinions on keeping an FIV+ and an FIV- together?

I'm torn because while I never want Maui to become sick/infected with anything I also don't want these poor babies to put to sleep. I know that any place I take them around here will euthanize them since they are testing positive.

I have an FIV positive cat in my brood. At this time he seems healthy and there is no reason for him to be anywhere but here. The vet told me that if I have a lot of aggression issues with my many, many cats that it might be a concern, but since I don't, there should be no problems with my FIV+ Yeller residing with the rest of the gang.

Is the main thing with FIV+ cats that you have to be extra precausious when it comes to making sure they are healthy? At the first sign of any illness, be sure to get them treatment to help their immune system be able to handle it?

If we were to keep one or both of these babies, I wouldn't be able to introduce them to Maui for a while. They're very scared of humans, especially hands. I think they would be likely to fight right now, they're little stinkers!

I would still like to know if there is a FIV+ rescue in Michigan... I will keep looking!

Do you know how Yeller contracted FIV? I have no ideas how these babies did if they are Scary's. Unless she contracted it while pregnant?

Hmmmm...

I have no idea how Yeller contracted. He is one of the many ferals that have adopted me. I just go with the flow with these guys. I've never thought about an FIV+ rescue in this state.

If you have trouble finding any info on the net, you may want to contact ally cat allies to see if they know of any.

lol I just realized you're from Michigan too! I'm near Flint

I'm in Jackson. That is halfway between Ann Arbor and Lansing.

Originally Posted by SarahBeez

Is the main thing with FIV+ cats that you have to be extra precausious when it comes to making sure they are healthy? At the first sign of any illness, be sure to get them treatment to help their immune system be able to handle it?

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I just want to make sure this question doesn't get missed!

Tru you are only about an hour & a half away