| |
THE 411—
Facts about our FIV-positive furry feline friends
By Angie L., Dedicated Foster and Volunteer
Pet Rescue by Judy currently has four FIV-positive cats that are in need of loving forever homes. Before you write them off as possible new members of your family, please read the information below to gain a better understanding of the disease and its affect on our feline friends.
FIV stands for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. It is basically the feline form of AIDS and acts similarly to HIV in humans. The disease is not easily transferable, but when it is passed it is usually the result of a deep-tissue bite, which is not a common occurrence in neutered cats since they prefer to establish dominance through body language.
Can I catch it?
When I told my mom I was going to be fostering two FIV-positive cats, she was immediately apprehensive because she thought I could catch the disease. In fact, FIV cannot be transmitted from a cat to a human, or any other species for that matter, so an FIV-positive feline would be fine around you, your kids, your dog, etc. I repeat, you CANNOT catch Feline Immunodeficiency Virus – hence the “Feline” at the beginning of the disease’s name!
What are the symptoms?
FIV symptoms can include severe gingivitis (gum disease), frequent and recurring skin infections, weight loss, fatigue, and frequent and/or recurring infections of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract and uro-genital tract. However, FIV symptoms may never appear or may not appear for years, so that means the disease is not necessarily a death sentence and an abundance of these cats can live a happy, normal life when fed a high-quality/high-protein diet, stress is kept under control and plenty of love and care is given. Owning an FIV-positive cat just means that you need to be extra sensitive to symptoms of any illness, since these special cats have a compromised immune system and have a more difficult time fighting off sickness.
Can I let an FIV-positive cat go outside?
Absolutely not! An FIV-positive cat should always be kept INSIDE and should not be exposed to outside cats, as this could compromise its already weakened immune system.
Can I bring an FIV-positive cat into my home with an FIV-negative cat?
A few months ago, one of my co-workers rescued a stray kitten from a parking lot near our office. She planned to take him home, get him neutered and healthy and then try to find a home for him. Since then, she found out he’s FIV-positive and has decided to keep him. He is now the little brother to four older feline sisters. My co-worker said she wants to be sure he has the happiest and healthiest life he can have, and the only way she can be assured of that is to take care of him herself. (How wonderful is she?!) So, long story short, it’s really up to you. As long as your FIV-negative cat always stays indoors at all times, bringing an FIV-positive cat into your home as a companion should be fine. Remember, the risk of transmittal to a healthy cat is low. However, there is still risk involved, so we recommend you do what you feel comfortable with.
The bottom line…
Pet Rescue by Judy is about helping animals, which means we take in dogs with heartworms, pregnant mommas and even FIV-positive cats. And thanks to Judy and all of her other fosters and volunteers, these animals can be cared for and loved until they find their forever homes. The FIV-positive cats we are currently caring for are just like any of our other cats… They just want a safe and loving home in which to enjoy all nine of their lives! These are WONDERFUL kitties – won’t you give them an opportunity to love you?
Enjoy this Video of Stripes, one of our FIV cats!
Meows and purrs to all!
| |
