Cat Decision - need help (New update - pg 4)

Congats on the cat, I hope it works out. I really do like cats, the only negative to me is the litter boxes. I prefer natural litters to the scented stuff....even on a bad day it smells less like litter.

 Yea me too - I was thrilled to find out that Petsmart carries Swheat Scoop *and* World's Best in addition to the regular litters and pine based ones.  I bought a small bag of the Worlds Best to try out and if I don't like it, the Swheat Scoop is next on my list.

I don't know how my boss does it - she uses just plain clay vs. even the clumping and goes through about 40lbs a week!  Her house actually doesn't smell too "catty" but geez that's a lot of work (she has 3 cats).

I use clumping and if I scoop every other day, I probably only spend about $7 every 3-4 weeks.  I have three litter boxes.  I just pour a thin layer of fresh litter once or twice a week to replace what was scooped.  I was using Target brand for $4 but switched to Tidy Cat (can't remember which).  When I start I have quite a bit of litter in the boxes 4-6 inches thick so initially it takes a lot to fill three boxes but if I keep on top of scooping every day or every other day then I never have to actually dump ALL of the litter.

This is what I'm using now, it's 14lbs and about $7

 I just got a horrible call - he has FIV. :( :(  I need to decide what to do - and I need help.  His whole litter is being euthanized, but they are giving me an option.

I don't know what to do......

awww I am so sorry. I don't know anything about that illness...but I suspect it's fatal? If it's contagious keeping him comfy in your home til the end is an option but might affect keeping other cats in the future safe....if it's like Parvo and hangs around a while. Let me go read up on it. Again I'm so sorry.

stardog85

 I just got a horrible call - he has FIV. :( :(  I need to decide what to do - and I need help.  His whole litter is being euthanized, but they are giving me an option.

 

I don't know what to do......

FIV is not always a death sentence.  I know several people with FIV+ cats.  They either have one cat, or they have a cat that had/got FIV and only adopt other FIV+ cats.

I suppose I would feel differently if one of my cats that I've had for years got FIV.  I don't have any experience with the disease so I don't know what all it entails, but I would not think bad if you decided to pass on him and adopt a healthy cat as your first cat.  I do not think having an FIV+ cat means your house is contaminated, but to be safe I would not adopt or foster FIV- cats while having an FIV+ cat (it transfers through bites and blood, like HIV).

hmm in reading up management is certainly possible...but I couldn't find much on what this might mean to other cats you might have in future...seems blood/saliva was the major means of transmission which wouldn't be an issue in the future....

Special diet and care and the article I read said the lifespan could be near normal?

Aww, I'm sorry to read that.  I don't know about FIV, but I found a cat about 10 years ago out in a blizzard - he was feline leukemia positive, but had no outward signs.  I had no other cats and had no intention of letting him out, so I kept him.  He lived 5 years (to the age of 9) before the FLK kicked in.  When it did, he went fast.  But he had a good 5 years with me.

 This is what has me really conflicted:

• Infected mother cats transfer FIV antibodies to nursing kittens, so kittens born to infected mothers may receive positive test results for several months after birth. However, few of these kittens actually are or will become infected. To clarify their infection status, kittens younger than six months of age receiving positive results should be retested at 60-day intervals until they are at least six months old.(Cornell)

According to the above he might not even HAVE FIV since he's only 4mo but there's no way to tell until after 6mo of age.

I've called my vet's office and I'm having them call me back with info on FIV and this whole "kitten testing positive but not having it" thing.

FIV is basically feline AIDS.

http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/fiv.html

"Infected mother cats transfer FIV antibodies to nursing kittens, so kittens born to infected mothers may receive positive test results for several months after birth. However, few of these kittens actually are or will become infected. To clarify their infection status, kittens younger than six months of age receiving positive results should be retested at 60-day intervals until they are at least six months old."

"My FIV-infected cat died recently after a long illness. How should I clean my home before bringing in a new cat?
Feline immunodeficiency virus will not survive outside the cat for more than a few hours in most environments. However, FIV-infected cats are frequently infected with other infectious agents that may pose some threat to a newcomer. Thoroughly clean and disinfect or replace food and water dishes, bedding, litter pans, and toys. A dilute solution of household bleach (four ounces of bleach in 1 gallon of water) makes an excellent disinfectant. Vacuum carpets and mop floors with an appropriate cleanser. Any new cats or kittens should be properly vaccinated against other infectious agents before entering the household."

Until maternal antibodies have completely cleared from the system of the kitten (at least 6 months), the offspring of an FIV mother may test positive for FIV.

FIV cats must be kept inside to avoid spreading the disease and to keep them away from other infections. 

ETA:  Shelters and rescues may not be willing to expend resources on FIV-positive kittens younger than 6 months.  The kittens need to be in a home without other cats until their true status is determined.

Awwww.  Poor kitty. 

I have never had a FIV+ cat but my friend has 2.  She told me that the only difference SO FAR is that they are *S*T*R*I*C*T*L*Y* indoor only.  Escape to the outdoors is simply NOT an option - in case the cat infects other cats. 

Also, for now, if she wants to add more cats to the house, she has to pick FIV+ ones only, but due to her circumstances she can only have indoor cats anyway!  So, even if she COULD take FIV- ones.... she would still take FIV+ ones, because she knows they are likely to be PTS otherwise.  She has a niche if you like.... she knows she can help FIV+ cats, so when adopting, that's what she does.  There are LOTS of indoor/outdoor or outdoor homes for the "healthy" cats.  There aren't many homes like hers that can and will **guarantee** indoor only.

My friend has two FIV+ cats that she's had for 12 years, one is 12 and the other is 14...the 14 y/o has just gotten sick, actually this past week, for the first time. I know another person with an 8y/o FIV+ cat....it doesn't even have to mean a shortened life...it certainly can, but I'd read up on it and seriously consider taking him anyway, if you aren't planning on getting any more cats. It's sad though, tough decision.

Ok talked to work and they apparently aged the cats before making a final decision - they're closer to 6 months than originally thought and thus the risk they have it is greater.  They just euthanized the other four.....

I talked to DH while he was home on lunch and we both agree that logically it's not wise to adopt a cat with FIV, but since I'm already invested that we do need to take that into consideration. 

Bottom line is the decision still needs to be made and it'll be one of two choices: euthanize now or take the kitten home with the understanding that if vet costs go over a certain amount in a single year we'll have to sit down and weigh the costs and benefits for future treatment.

ETA: we aren't planning on ever having more than one cat and we only considered adopting a cat for this specific one due to his stellar temperament.  If there was an ideal home for an FIV+ cat, we're pretty close, though I really do want to know more about the immune suppression side of things since I wanted to do stuff with this guy.

I know this is a hard decision, but cats can live for many many years with FIV.  And I know of a few people who only adopt FIV+ cats, since it is so hard to find them homes.  If you do take him, in the years to come you may also be able to open your home to another FIV+ cat who may really need a wonderful home.