Stop with the FIV+ discrimination!
This is a Sunday Sound-off post, in which CatCentric team members get personal with you, dishing out opinions, rants, book reviews, and so on, straight up and uncensored! Today’s post is brought to you by Laurie Goldstein.
I don’t know how many of you are familiar with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus positive (FIV+) cats, but they do not need to be separated from other pet cats in a stable social environment. Thankfully, more and more are becoming aware that this is the case. And that is due to people working HARD to dispel the separation myth. This is supported by long-term research published last year and conducted by the Director of Maddie’s® Shelter Medicine Program at Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Annette Litster.
Transmission of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) among cohabiting cats in two cat rescue shelters.
Update on FIV: What Every Shelter Needs to Know.
Study Shows That FIV Positive Cats Can Live Harmoniously with FIV Negative Cats.
This is a cause near and dear to my heart as I have had an FIV+ cat for five years living with my other 8, then 9 cats. I’ve added seven relocated feral cats to our home, and three of them are FIV+.
I just saw a post (somewhere else) by someone practicing TNR, but bringing in a fairly friendly feral – and when that cat tested positive for FIV+, they put kitty back outside with the, “Oh no, so disappointed about this.” attitude. It REALLY upsets me greatly that the vet doesn’t know better!
But a dear, dear, DEAR friend was sympathetic. I appreciate that – but at least write SOMETHING to dispel the myth that the FIV+ cat is some kind of threat to the indoor kitties! I was just shocked to my core, quite frankly. I feel those of us that know FIV is not transmitted casually have a duty to educate others.
As to vets that still recommend an FIV+ cat be killed just because of the FIV infection? Shame on you. This is not just an injustice to FIV+ cats, it is a terrible discredit to the profession whose oath is bound by a need to keep current on the science.
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Great post, FIV is not easily transmitted.
My FIV+ boy Brewster runs with the rest of my herd. Brewster showed up on our porch. Any kitty that shows up at our house not altered, we make sure they are speutered before releasing them. Brewster was super friendly, so we added him to our family and also had battle scars. Regardless of him being FIV+, he was no longer going to have to live outdoors. He now has a home and bed to call his own.
Shame on the vets and shelters that kill FIV+ kitties 🙁 Please continue to educate and keep others informed. FIV+ does not mean a death sentence.
Shame I didn’t know this 2 years ago. A feral was coming in and eating my cats’ biscuits. My other cats were okay with him coming in, so I decided to get him fixed and keep him. The vet tested him for FIV and he was positive. The vet said I should put him to sleep. I did what the vet said, but he was lovely and needed a home. I was heartbroken. He now sleeps in my garden =o(
How terribly sad. I’m so sorry, Janette! ((HUGS))
I feel your pain: about two years ago, I caught a stray kitten in my yard that I was going to adopt. Fell in love with her over the two days I had her before going to the vet. When she came back FIV positive, the vet convinced me that she would be a danger to my other cats. After trying to find another option (someone to foster her for 60 days until she could be retested) and failing, I decided to have her euthanized. It broke my heart, and now when I see articles like this, it makes me so angry at the vets and myself. She was such a cute, spunky girl. Isabeau/Izzy RIP. 🙁
I have had several FIV+ cats living with my negative ones for over 25 years now and none have ever contracted the virus. Key is to introduce them slowly so there is no fighting as FIV is mainly transmitted by a deep bite wound. ( not normal play).
I have had fiv cats living with negative cats and not one has contacted fiv. One lived for 13 years and did well then all of a sudden he came down with lymphoma and passed rather quickly. I have even taken care of a cat that had feline leukemia, of course she couldn’t be around the other cats but with good caution she live for 3 years which is about average. Her life was short but a good one.
We got an FIV+ cat from a colony. He had just been neutered and had an eye issue, that the rescue thought if he couldn’t be a pet and be looked after, might necessitate his ‘bad’ eye being removed.
We took him as a foster for a place to recuperate from being neutered. We liked him and wanted to keep him.
We even were told because he was FIV+, it would be best to keep him inside. We would’ve done that except he’s been an alley cat previously and missed being able to go outside.
Thankfully he was a ‘fraidy cat so he stayed on the front porch for the most part.
I’m shocked a ‘cat person’ thought it was ok to make an FIV+ cat an ‘outdoor only’ cat when they need a more controlled living environment since an infection can be deadly for them. 🙁
My cat lived to be about 14-16 years old when his hyperthyroidism stopped responding to his prescription. My vet said he felt a mass in his abdomen that might’ve been a growth or cancer and it could be what was throwing his thyroid off. We had to let him go. 🙁
Oh and he lived with several cats in his life. He was such a sweetie. He loved polar fleece pants and warm blankets. He became such a lap cat. It took time but he was a great cat.