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My rescued stray is FIV+ — Brooklynian

My rescued stray is FIV+

caseopele
caseopele
edited November -1 in Brooklyn Pets
So last Sunday night I finally took in this stray cat I've been feeding for about 6 months. He's a total sweetheart and would wait for me to bring food and rub his head against my legs. He was obviously someone's cat at one point since he's not afraid of people at all. I kept him in my bathroom and he was so happy to have as much food as he wanted and little catnip pillows. I brought him to Kensington Kitties last night so he could get vetted today. When they called to tell me he was FIV+ I just broke down. He's only about 1-2 years old and just the sweetest boy but I feel like his chances of getting a home now are slim to none. He's going to be on the Kensington Kitties bus tomorrow on 7th Ave and they can probably keep him over the weekend. Someone I know said she may be able to foster him on Monday but for how long? And what will I do with him if she has to give him back?

Anyone have any experience with FIV+ cats? I know that they can live long and healthy lives if kept indoors and taken good care of. He likes other cats and for the 5 days I had him he never once behaved aggressively towards me or the other cats. (He saw them when I went in to the bathroom or through the 2 inch gap under the door.) I wish I knew who tossed this sweet boy outside so I could have 5 minutes alone with them. They threw him out on the street where he must have gotten into a fight with an FIV+ cat who bit him.

I'm hoping that maybe someone has an FIV+ cat who might like a companion. He's a grey tabby with a white chest and belly. The ladies from KK took some pictures and I'll post them as soon as I get them. I'm so sad right now, he was so happy to be inside and loved when I would just sit in the bathroom with him. All he wants is some companionship. I wonder if I took him in sooner if he would have been okay or if he was infected long before I came along. Any advice would really be appreciated. :cry:

Comments

  • jf22561
    jf22561
    FIV is passed through saliva (a bite), sex or if mom is positive, she can pass it onto her babies. We've had two FIV + cats - both tested negative intially and lived many years (one 9 and one 11 - not long enough but grateful for that time). At one point they started to develop these weird medical issues (similar to those seen in FELV + cats) and, not realizing what was going on, we were treating symptomatically. We finally tested for FELV and FIV which we thought was ridiculous - and they came back positive! For years they shared litter pans with the other cats, shared food bowls, etc. and never passed it on, of course (no bites, no sex). They're still not sure exactly how long the incubation period is for FIV. As I said, both of my guys intially tested negative. Please don't blame yourself for not picking him up sooner - he might have been born with it and there's nothing you could have done! You're right, of course, in that if he's kept safe indoors (which, IMHO all owned cats should be), he could live a long, happy life. Best of luck with this guy.
  • whatchuwant
    whatchuwant
    I had my baby for only 6 years- he was the best and dealt with so many vet visits. I would bring him out to my mother's house where he hung out with her two cats and everyone was fine. Still miss him terribly. :cry:

    On the flip side, I brought in a stray, got her tested, found out she was positive, tried to get some friends to foster her because I have two healthy guys, and no one would. Bid-A-Wee wouldn't take her cause of it.

    So, I had her in my spare room and my old roomie would be on the computer and hang out with her. Long story short- they fell in love, moved to Saratoga, he had her tested again, and she was NEGATIVE. This CAN happen, where either the first test was a false positive, but they've also heard of young cats just working the virus out of their system, or at least making it dormant. Or something. Who cares- she's healthy, happy, and living in the country. Couldn't have a happier ending if I tried.
  • caseopele
    caseopele
    Thanks guys, I really appreciate your comments. Sorry I didn't respond sooner I've been a bit under the weather and worked all weekend.

    I read up about FIV and learned quite a lot. I didn't realize it was only discovered 15 years ago and that there are still a lot of misconceptions about it (even from vets). Best Friends has a great info page about it that made me feel a little better. I'm going to email everyone I know about this sweet guy, he really deserves a good home. Here he is, the ladies from Kensington Kitties named him Percy.

    percy_1

    Percy

    Thanks again!
  • sidnora
    sidnora
    Aw, Percy is cute! I hope he finds a good home soon. I like his nose. I want to keees it
  • MOD
    MOD
    That looks like a very sweet and loving kitty. Sending good vibes out for a happy forever home.
  • vanilla
    vanilla
    what a handsome cat!!
  • darla
    darla
    I will keep Percy in my prayers. He's too young and cute to have had such a rough life already!

    I will also speak to my neighbor who's cat passed away recently to see if she is interested. But I think she may be done with cats for the time being. I will still try anyway.
  • caseopele
    caseopele
    Thanks guys! I'm working on an email to just about everyone I know, some of you included, with all of his info and more on FIV. I've just been sick lately so my brain ain't working too good. Hopefully I can get it out tomorrow. He's really a sweet boy.
  • maratl2
    maratl2
    I also just rescued an FIV+ stray.

    I've named my guy Rocky. He's also extremely friendly and I think he would be just fine with other cats. I rescued him last week after I found him laying in a large plant outside the door to my building. He was crying and crying but refused to eat.

    I was afraid he was sick, so I decided I would try to get him to a vet. As soon as I placed the carrier near him, he walked right in and proceeded to eat the entire can of cat food he previously refused!

    I brought him to Hope Vet where they did the usual tests. They said he's a young cat, less than 2 yrs probably, and besides a few small "battle wounds" and the fact that he's extremely thin, he's pretty healthy little guy. He's getting neutered tomorrow.

    Caseopele, let me know if you have any leads on fosters or adopters. Perhaps they might want 2 FIV+ kitties to keep each other company? We can only hope.


    rocky
  • bettyboop
    bettyboop
    Oh, Rocky looks sweet! You can't keep him, Marlat? Either way, thanks for bringing him in and having him checked out
  • maratl2
    maratl2
    Unfortunately I can't keep him. I already have 2 kitties of my own in a pretty small apartment! :-(
  • caseopele
    caseopele
    maratl2, where did you find Rocky? A few days after I took Percy in I saw a new cat that looked similar but haven't seen him since. I did finally find a foster for Percy, I'm not sure if she could take Rocky too but I could ask. Jenny from Kensington Kitties told me that Percy didn't like other cats but that could have been because he was in a cage. He didn't have a problem seeing my cats through the bathroom door and he was fine with the other strays. I'll find out if the woman fostering Percy would be willing to give it a shot with Rocky and let you know. Thanks for rescuing that cutie!
  • wheres my dog
    wheres my dog
    You found a home for Percy? Yay! (Another) good job!
  • caseopele
    caseopele
    Flexichick wrote: You found a home for Percy? Yay! (Another) good job!
    Don't congratulate me yet, it's just a foster home but it is better than a cage! I'm working on it though. :)
  • tajmb
    tajmb
    Is it just me or do those 2 look a lot alike?
  • maratl2
    maratl2
    They do totally look alike! Same coloring.

    Caseopele, That's great you were able to find a foster for Percy. Thanks so much for asking if they'd be willing to take in Rocky. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

    Rocky was living on the streets around Bedford and Greene Ave in Bed Stuy. Where did you find Percy?
  • caseopele
    caseopele
    Percy was living near my building on Bergen and Franklin which isn't really that far from where you found Rocky. Percy has a pretty distinctive meow, like "Hey, pay attention to me!", very forceful. Do you have anymore pics of Rocky?
  • maratl2
    maratl2
    I only have these couple pics I snapped of him while at the vet.

    I'm picking him up today from Hope, so I'll take a few more pictures tonight and let you know how he does with my two kitties.

    rocky 2
  • maratl2
    maratl2

    Subject: Update on Rocky

    Today Rocky was adopted by one of my coworkers. Yay! He's super sweet and I'm happy I was happy to find a home for him quickly. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he settles in to his new home and gets along with her other cat and dog.

    For those of you who are curious or want more info on FIV, here is a link to a great article:

    http://www.bestfriends.org/theanimals/petcare/cats_fiv.cfm
  • martah
    martah
    Yay Rocky! Good job Maratl2
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