Readers Respond: Living with a FIV or FELV positive cat

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and Feline Leukemia (FELV) are viruses that weaken a cat's immune system. While they can cause a multitude of health problems because of reduced immune system function, many cats can live a relatively normal life. Care must be taken to prevent bite wounds and keep your cat as healthy as possible.

Your cat's story
Has your feline friend been diagnosed with FIV or FELV? Please tell us about your cat, his or her history, what precautions do you take, and what living with a FIV or FELV positive cat is like.

FIV Cheeto Cat

Cheeto showed up on my doorstep at age 9 months. He was FIV+ and lived 10 years with mild health issues. His eyes seemed to discharge, Vet said it was an allergy? Then he developed an over active Thyroid and was put on Thyroid Methimazole Transdermal Gel. This went inside the ear, twice a day and he gained back some weight, but was always hungry and thirsty. Not sure if it was the Meds, he later developed diarrhea, but he always made it to the litterbox. His teeth should of been cleaned and he developed tarter and bleeding gums. (I never knew this was an issue with FIV). Felt the Rabies and other Vaccines caused his FIV to take off. I Do not suggest Vaccinating older cats who have FIV because of this. Why put more stress on their immune system. FIV cats do not have to live alone or be given a death sentence. So Adopt a couple FIV cats, they will change your life. Cheeto changed mine.

—Guest Linda Gross

Here we go again

About 10 plus years ago my fiv postive baby kitty Pete showed up at the door with an older cat I named Butch. Neighbors I never knew well moved suddenly and left them behind. Both were declawed (ick) and Both were unable to vend for themselves. I already had two cats and tried to adopt them out... I found out from our vet that Butch was maybe 15 and Pete was about 3 but fiv. When I called the no kill shelter they begged me to keep them even if it was just outdoors. I kept them and they did move indoors. I loved them (my other two cats did not). For awhile I was really angry and tried to track down the neighbor but then gave up. Well Butch died from old age but Pete was always a struggle. He lived a lot longer than our vet thought he would. He'd get sick from a tiny cut and we would take him to the best Vets. Then he'd be fine for years and then another tiny cut. He loved my Father and when my Father died he got sick and died from a heart attack a week

—PrettyOpal13

My little gift Cash who is FeLV +

9 mths ago I had a friend who was befriending a kitten. This kitten was a stray & had several siblings & a mother who neglected him. So he asked us if we could take him. So we did. We took him to the vet for his first visit in Dec. He was 2 mths old. Well I was very sad to find out about his FeLv. I had never heard of this before. He was only our 2nd cat. So we named him Cash after the man in black. He only gets the best food to keep well we feed him Royal Canin wet & dry and he seems to be doing well. He is 11 mths now and growing. His coat is shiny & he is full of energy you can't tell anything is wrong with him. He got retested mths ago and still had the virus so we know it's for certain. The only heartbreaking thing is that we have had to keep him seperated from our other cat Nugget. They love to play with each other but, now can't ever since we found out. He is a playful boy full of energy and life. We do hate to have to keep him from his half-sister. He is our special little guy

—sonyjean

2 ears old cat

My female cat is diagnosed with FIV. Her health is decline where she's been experiencing constipation, fever, coughing and flue 4 months ago. The doctor prescribed an immune booster to improve her health. I hope that she will have a long life because she is the first cat i had. Love her so much

—Guest Ira

My FIV positive boo

I adopted Winston almost 5 years ago from a woman I used to work with. She had him tested and neutered before I took him in. He was diagnosed FIV positive. I have never regretted adopting him. I have two other cats that are FIV negative. Winston has had one bout with allergies this past spring; otherwise, he is extremely healthy. He goes outside on occasion, but stays in our yard. Winston is so affectionate, and I feel lucky to have him in my life

—Guest Beth

outside cat

i just got a 2 year old cat from outside, seems someone threw him out because he's very friendly. I took him to the vet thinking nothing was wrong and he tested positive for being exposed to feline leukemia. I have 3 other cats and I can't put them together so i have been leaving him in my second bedroom. i am taking him back to the vet for a retest. he's the best cat ever. I'm trying to get him a home, but I have a feeling he will be living with us forever.

—Guest rita

felv+ kitties and negative kitties

we adopted 2 felv+cats,about a year old,when friends moved to a no-pets apartment and couldn't keep them.they live on our enclosed,climate controlled porch,it is indoors and they never are allowed out so as not to spread the illness.it works out well.they are isolated from direct contact with our negative cats,but see each other through the window that separates the porch from the living room.the felv+kitties sit on the bench on the other side of the window from where i sit and watch tv in the living room.so,they are next to me even when i cant physically touch them!we visit and care for them about an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening,on the porch.we use special shoes we keep on the porch so we dont track virus germs in the house.we shower after playing/caring for them.we feed blue buffalo,chicken soup and other premium brands.they have put on weight and look/seem happy and healthy.they have toys and climbers on the porch,and bird feeders to watch.so far,so good! :)

—Guest lyndsey

Two FeLV+ Cats

I have two cats; Eowyn, who is a six-year-old DLH, and Legolas, who is a five-year-old Russian Blue. My cats were both diagnosed with FeLV over a year ago. When I first got the diagnosis I was scared to death, especially since I was completely blindsided. My cats were not sick, they had been tested as part of a routine veterinary exam. Even the vet didn't know what to say, it was so unexpected. Although infected, they live happy, comfy lives. Both have the disease and could spread it, so they stay indoors. I even fostered a pair of FeLV+ kittens for a little while. Eowyn is a little more delicate than Legolas, so I watch her health like a hawk. She did get a minor throat infection a few months ago that she bounced back from nicely despite her suppressed immune system. Both cats eat well and play and snuggle. So, although not as easily treated as FIV, FeLV isn't a death sentence either.

—Guest RoseyPosey

Living with an FIV cat

I have a 5 year old little boy named Wilson. Had him since he was a kitten and tested positive when he was 1. He got very ill when he was about 4 months and then again when he was about 2. He was perfectly fine afterwards. Recently his health has started to decline. He is on antibiotics, appetite stimulants, fluids and anemia meds. I am hoping he pulls trough again like all the previous times before. He seems to be getting weaker but he stills seems to have life in him. I do have other cats that are FIV Negative and we have never had any issues. We also have a little rat terrier named Violet that sometimes messes with him. About 4 years ago we had another FIV Positive cat we had to put down because he developed a tumor for a second time that this time was inoperable. Besides the cancer, he was a healthy,playful,active cat with no apparent signs that he was sick. I would not trade any one of my cats just because of FIV. I love my little Wilson just as much.

—Guest Ruby Bahena

Live with multiple FIV+ cats

I live with 2 FIV+ cats of my own and currently 2 FIV+ foster cats. No health issues with any of them. They are seen annually by their vet and one even goes outside (he's not a happy cat when confined to an indoor space). He's had 2 mishaps with spider bites last year, and he always heals very well. They get Revolution monthly and are good eaters (mostly dry food, but some wet too). One does have a chronic weepy eye, but no drops have ever worked, so we all just live with it. There is no fighting either. I even had a kitten that was FIV+ for awhile (ended up negative when retested), that hung out with an older FIV+ male foster. They loved each other a great deal and never an unkind action existed between them. I know I must watch for upper respiratory infections and gum disease. And usually they need antibiotics with any invasive procedure (including a dental), but that need doesn't come up very often. One is almost 5 and the other is 3 yrs old. Fosters 4.5 2 yrs

—Guest Tammy L

FIV In my little guy

11 years ago my sister asked me if I would take in a cat she had been feeding for the past year. She was not able to have cats in her apartment and she was afraid he was going to die in the Nebraska winter. He is awesome. I took him in. Just months before I adopted a Lab|Akita mix. (big dog). At first they did not get along. The dog, Neko, terrorized Kitti. Then Kitti who has claws showed him who is Boss. Kitti was diagnosed with FIV. I was so upset. When he was two I almost lost him. I was devastated. He pulled through. Just recently (almost 13 years) he stopped eating. I took him to the vet yesterday and they are keeping him for 3 days. Giving him antibiotics and fluids. It broke my heart, So far he is hanging in there. He has brought me so much joy. Pray for him please. My dog Neko is lost without him. Neko is his protector. When they are out side Neko will not let anyone come near Kitti. Kitti was an outdoor cat until I got him. It is hard keeping him in. FIV is not a death sentence.

—nekokitti

FIV + kitten

My Pumpkin is a 10month old cat and he tested positive for FIV. I have 4 other females that tested negative and they all get along aside from some hissing and boxing with their little paws. I've read many articles trying to find the best way to care for him and give him a long life.

—Guest Pat Horn

An FIV postive cat

I've had Tommy for almost 6 years. He's an FIV postitive cat that showed up at my clinic as a stray around 7 years ago. Once we got his abscessed fight wounds healed, he was up for adoption. But nobody wanted him! So he came home to live with me and has been healthy and happy every since. He is the friendliest cat - he loves everybody! He's allowed out in the fenced back yard with supervision, and he never comes into contact with other cats. Tommy hasn't had any health problems since I brought him home. He's an awesome kitty, I wouldn't trade him for the world!

—Guest Metrovet

FIV+ is not a death sentence

Our old FIV+ cat was euthanized last month. He was estimated to be 17 or 18 years old. He was the sweetest old guy, and we'd had him for years after adopting him when he showed up as a stray. He not only lived a long, happy life, but he was very healthy, and his infrequent visits to the vet were for minor maladies and maintenance. In later years, like most geezer cats, he had a thyroid condition that was successfully treated with meds. Long story short, his health was virtually no different than that of any of my other cats. He had a brain tumor that led to our decision to euthanize him, but given his advanced age, if it hadn't been a brain tumor, it would have been something else that got him. It's really unfortunate that for cats who end up in shelters, testing positive for FIV results in a death sentence. With proper care (esp. dental checkups and maintenance), many FIV+ cats can live long healthy lives.

—Guest Karen Nichols

FIV cats

I have shared my home with FIV cats for years. They have all been gentle big sweethearts -- neutered males, who do not fight. My oldest one lived to be 19 and died of a stroke. Since my cats do not fight, there has not been any cross transmission to my negative cats. Good nutrition and occasional dental care is important. E. K.

—Guest E. Keleti