♦ ♦ FIV Showcase ♦ ♦

(The information below should not be used as a substitute for consultation with a veterinary professional. If you have specific questions or concerns about FIV, contact you veterinarian.)

• FIV stands for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. The virus can suppress a cat's immune system, and may make them prone to other infections. The virus generally attacks the immune system over the course of many years.



• FIV was first identified in 1986 and has spread worldwide. In the US 1.5-3% of healthy cats have FIV. (according to Cornell Feline Health)



• Cats who are FIV+ can live long and healthy lives. It is not uncommon for FIV+ cats to live into their teens like cats without FIV.



• The primary way FIV is spread is through bite wounds (when saliva of the infected cat directly enters the bloodstream of the non-infected cat). Occasionally mother cats pass FIV on to their kittens. When re-tested a few weeks later, MOST kittens will have passed these maternal antibodies that caused them to test FIV+ in the first instance, and will now test correctly negative for FIV.



• FIV is NOT spread by sharing litter boxes or food bowls. It is also NOT spread by cats cuddling or playing with each other.



• FIV cannot be "cured". FIV+ cats do not require ongoing medication. Over time, however, FIV+ cats will become more likely to get secondary infections, as FIV suppresses their immune systems. On rare occasions, cats who have initially tested FIV+ will re-test Negative after several months have elapsed. Some cats are able to "rid" themselves of the virus and test Negative on subsequent tests. This is the exception, though, not the rule. When FIV+ cats are removed from shelter situations and are living in a home, there are very few times they will actually come down with illnesses simply because they are removed from situations where they are likely to be exposed to viral and/or bacterial infections, i.e. living in colonies, shelters and foster home settings.



• FIV cannot be transmitted to people or dogs (or any other non-cat pets).



• FIV is identified by a blood test. Young kittens may exhibit a false positive result for FIV due to transmission of antibodies from the mother cat even though the kitten does not have FIV. In these instances, the kitten should be tested again when they are six months old to determine if the result was a false positive or if the kitten really is FIV+.



• The best way to protect your cat from getting FIV is to keep them indoors. For outdoor cats, spaying and neutering reduces behaviors such as fighting that are more likely to result in the bite wounds that transmit FIV. If you bring a stray cat into your home, be sure to keep him separate from your resident cats until he can be tested for FIV (and cat diseases such as feline leukemia).



• FIV+ cats are sweet, funny, affectionate, and playful, just as any other cat. In fact, because they have truly experienced a tough life on the streets, many times these cats are extraordinarily grateful and affectionate for being given the chance to live indoors with an infinite amount of love, care, food and a warm place to sleep.

Due to a lack of understanding, rescues find it more difficult to place FIV+ cats into homes. This is a fact.

Now that you have the scoop on FIV, please consider adopting a FIV+ cat (or two so that they can keep each other company!)

Yes, these cats are not the "perfect" cuddly kittens. Most of the FIV+ cats that Stray Cat Blues rescues have lived very hard lives on the streets. These cats are TRULY grateful for a soft bed and regular meals. We cannot guarantee that your FIV+ cat will live to be 15, nor can we guarantee that the young kitten you adopt will live to be a year. Young kittens have no better chance of reaching their teens than an FIV+ cat. But we do know that your FIV+ cat will be a loving companion. These cats deserve homes, with families that love them.

Stray Cat Blues tests all cats in our care for FIV. Any cats that are FIV+ have been identified as such in their listings on Petfinder.com and Adoptapet.com. Stray Cat Blues generally recommends that FIV+ cats be adopted into homes either as only cats or with other FIV+ cats; however, on occasion we have had adopters select FIV+ cats to be companions to their non-FIV cats at home. The FIV+ cats they select are carefully screened as to their compatibility with other cats. Many FIV+ cats are gregarious, loving companions not only to their adopters, but also to other cats already living in the household. FIV is not spread by casual contact, mutual grooming or sharing litterboxes, food or water bowls. The primary method of transmission is when an infected cat bites another cat. Saliva from the infected cat gets into the bloodstream of the uninfected cat thereby spreading FIV.

As an added incentive to adopt a FIV+ cat, Stray Cat Blues charges no adoption fee for these cats. You would still need to be approved as an adopter through our regular approval process, however.

If you adopt a FIV+ cat,

1. Be sure to feed them a nutritionally complete and balanced diet.
2. Do not feed them raw foods such as uncooked meat.
3. Consult with your veterinarian. Make sure they know that your cat is FIV+. They may recommend semi-annual check-ups so that any secondary infections are identified early and treated.
4. Consider having a house-call vet - having a vet come to your home will eliminate the unnecessary stress of having to place your cat in a carrier and transport him or her to the vet's office where the cat could come into contact with other viruses.
5. It is vital to have your FIV+ cat's teeth cleaned at least once a year. February is Pet Dental Month. This is a good time to schedule your cat(s) dental care. Perhaps your vet runs specials during the month of February for dental care.
6. Keep stress levels down.
7. Be aware of any physical or behavioral changes in your cat. If anything concerns you, consult with your veterinarian.

ARE YOU READY TO ADOPT A FIV+ CAT?! TO SEE OUR GREAT FIV's READ ON...

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Houdini:

This sweet little man earned his name when he was first trapped, as he originally hid in the basement. Now you see him now you don't! I knew where he was as he would softly meow to me. He was sweet from the start. Houdini was rescued from a local farm where the cats were not being fed.

Houdini has tested positive for FIV. FIV can only be transmitted to other cats through a bad bite or scratch, and this sweet little boy would not hurt anything. He loves to be held and just purrs away.

Won't you please give Houdini the forever home he deserves? Houdini's estimated date of birth is March 2007.

Click here to go to my Petfinder listing!

Ready to adopt Houdini? Click here to enter an adoption application for me.

Like me, but have some questions? Send an email to savingstrays@yahoo.com. My foster mom is happy to answer your questions.

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Pawlina:

Pawlina was found on a farm where not only was she not fed, but she was also pregnant. When Pawlina was spayed, it was found that she is FIV positive.

Pawlina is a SWEET KITTY! She never lets me forget her at mealtime, and when I am feeding her, she makes sure I also pet her. She loves to be petted. She arches her little back.

Pawlina would love to be adopted with another FIV kitty for company, but can also be adopted separately.

Pawlinas estimated date of birth is 5/2008.

Click here to go to my Petfinder listing!

Ready to adopt Pawlina? Click here to enter an adoption application for me.

Like me, but have some questions? Send an email to savingstrays@yahoo.com. My foster mom is happy to answer your questions.

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Bugsy:

Our newest FIV+ rescue! Bugsy was severely injured, probably from being hit by a car. By some miracle, he showed up right on the doorstep of the home of our FIV+ cat foster mom, Linda. He desperately needed vet care. And of course Linda jumped right in to take care of him.

Bugsy will not be ready for adoption for a while. He has to recover from his injuries and also remain in quarantine for six months. To read about Bugsy's rescue, and his progress, though, you can CLICK HERE.

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WANT MORE INFORMATION ON FIV? CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINKS

Cornell Feline Health
Wikipedia Feline Immunodeficiency Virus
Best Friends Animal Society - FIV: Catching a Bad Case of the Rumors FIV Fact Sheet

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SO, ARE YOU SAYING TO YOURSELF - I'M ALMOST SOLD, BUT WHAT IS IT REALLY LIKE LIVING WITH A FIV+ CAT? READ ON...

The following are actual comments from people just like you who have adopted FIV+ cats from Stray Cat Blues -

CLANCEY
CLANCEY was roaming the streets of Schwenksville when a family took pity on him and brought him in from the cold January weather. They fell in love with him but their resident cat really resented the feline intrusion. So they contacted Stray Cat Blues for help.

Clancey's adopter -
"Clancey seems quite happy, especially by the window seat I have in the room that he can sit and bask in the sun, or watch the hummingbirds fly by." - Brian

Clancey and his owner recently moved to San Francisco, and Clancey is doing great!

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JIMMI-BETH AND JORGE
JIMMI-BETH was a stray that followed people around the neighborhood. People in the neighborhood wanted her to have a real home with the cold weather approaching. JORGE was a thin stray when he was trapped. He had a flea collar on, so must have once been someone's pet who was either lost or abandoned.

Jimmi-Beth and Jorge's adopter -
"We've had Jimmi-Beth and Jorge (George) for well over a year now and love them both dearly. They have become such a wonderful part of our family. Their FIV status is hardly noticed as they are extremely healthy and happy cats." - Patty

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QUINCY AND KIT CARSON
KIT CARSON was living outside a development and the people would have liked to bring him in, but he turned out to be FIV positive, and they were too scared to have him mix with their cats. :-( Kit could get along with anyone. QUINCY was pulled from the SPCA by another rescue group. They asked Stray Cat Blues to take him when he tested FIV+ because none of their foster homes were willing to take him in. When he came to Stray Cat Blues he was promptly adopted!

Quincy and KitCarson's adopter -
"Thank you so much for taking the time to get the word out about FIV+ cats. I have had wonderful luck with mine, all but one, living long happy lives. I have 5 FIV+'s. All but one came from SCBI (Stray Cat Blues Inc.)." - Kat

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TAPESTRY
The vet at an area SPCA contacted Stray Cat Blues asking us to take TAPESTRY. He said that she was way too nice to euthanize. (The SPCAs have very little luck placing cats known to be FIV+. In shelters, FIV+ cats are routinely euthanized.)

Tapestry's adopter -
"The FIV cat I adopted was a sweet little girl. Sadly I had to put her to sleep a few months ago. Sorry I can't give you a happy story." - Veronica

We won't kid you. Not all FIV+ cats are going to live into their teens. While not a long story, Tapestry did have a "happy" story - She was adopted into a home where she was safe and loved.

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MURPHY
Murphy was a stray cat running around the Hilltown Shopping Center when he was rescued.

Murphy's adopter -
"I adore Murphy... he is very gentle and very loving. He gets along well with my other cats, which include a new litter of kittens. He is a pleasure." - Melissa

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ELLIE
Sadly, ELLIE is no longer with us. Ellie was rescued in 2002 from an abandoned farm when she was approximately 5-6 years old. She was a gentle loving cat who loved attention and being held. Ellie's adopter, Diana, has since continued to adopt other FIV+ cats.

Ellie's adopter -
"I have adopted 5 FIV+ kitties (3 are still with me, Jaspurr after 8 years) (I am also fostering 3 non-FIV+ kitties and all 6 live together freely, although I took a long time introducing them.) With Homer, my first FIV+ kitty, after the unexpected test results, the vet initially recommended euthanizing him, which was the standard reco in January 2000; the vet had no prior experience with FIV+ cats. Now the veterinary practice has 35+ FIV+ patients, so we have been learning together." Diana

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BAHATI
BAHATI was born on a dairy farm in Barto. While conducting a Trap Neuter Return project at the farm, Bahati was taken to the vet, and it was determined that she had been stepped on by a cow! She had a collapsed lung, broken ribs and a severely fractured leg. We considered euthanizing her. However, her injuries were all fixable, and she was so sweet and she was a survivor.

Bahati's adopter -
"I have two other FIV+ cats in addition to Bahati. We are so much in love with Bahati and very grateful to her foster mom for helping her socialize from a barn cat to a wonderful little love. She is the most friendly of all of our cats (we have five) and everyone who comes to the house loves her. We later adopted two other cats from Stray Cat Blues who are not FIV+ and these three little ones are so good together you would think they all came from the same litter. We absolutely adore all of them.

We adopted Sylvester from Kitty Cottage in Blue Bell and he is now 19 years old and FIV+. He has not had teeth for as long as we have had him and has been given a new lease on life with Bahati because she loves to wrestle with him. He is a very large cat (16 lbs) and she is very tiny at 7 lbs but she represents a great challenge to him anyway. Our vets cannot believe Sylvester was 19 years old in May as he seems much younger. He takes a daily pill now for his lungs because apparently older cats start breathing from their tummies rather than their chests and he was making a lot of wheezing noise but the pill seems to work fine. Other than this we only take him yearly for his shots and every few months to have his nails trimmed. Aria is our other FIV+ cat. She is 8 years old and in perfect health.

I also want to tell you about our very first cat who was pregnant when we adopted her. Roxie was FeLV and FIV+ and delivered four large babies for her tiny (6 lb) body. ...Three of these kittens remained negative for both diseases throughout their lives (they will be seven years old on September 2nd) but the very first baby came down with FeLV last year and died from it. We had Roxie six years and loved every minute with her. She died from a secondary infection from the FeLV but not from her FIV status."
-Ann

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