My cat gary has FIV what should I do???

Hi there...many cats who are diagnose with FIV can live a full long and healthy life if preventive measures are taken.

Consider joining a few free online support Yahoo groups for owners living with Cats diagnosed with FIV. Not only do these groups provide helpful answers on how to best manage an FIV cats lifestyle, but lend emotional support as well.

FIV Cats 427 members:

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/FIVCats/

A discussion group for caretakers with cats who are living with FIV or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. This group allows caretakers to discuss various treatments of both holistic and traditional medicine and support each other in the task of caring for these special cats.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus infects 2.5% of cats in the US. It is transmitted by deep bites and mating behavior. It cannot be transmitted by casual contact and it is not a death sentence.

FIV Positive Cats: 128 members:

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/FIVpositivecats...

Talking and sharing pictures with others about FIV positive cats. What to do to help keep them with us longer and just to talk about them.

FIV2 Cats: 153 members:

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/FIVCats2/

FIVCats2 is devoted to the free exchange of ideas and information relating to the care of cats with FIV, the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. Whether you are a seasoned cat-caretaker or a total 'newbie,' we encourage on-topic, lively dialogue in a moderated setting that offers security from spamming and other forms of intrusion.

For security purposes, messages by new members require approval. However, if there is an EMERGENCY post or response that must get to the list immediately, please contact one of the moderators and we can either allow the message to go out right away, or if necessary, send it out as a Special Notice to all group members. The moderators of this group may be contacted at the following email addresses:

Susan: susan_hoffman@yahoo.com

MC: tenhousecats@gmail.com (YM: TenHouseCats)

Alma: almahw@qwest.net

My mom;s cat was diagnosed with FIV almost a year ago. Don;t believe there are any med you can give him. He can live for a long time just be sure to keep him away from other cats. Not only can he give them the disease but if they have any kind of kitty cold he can get really sick and it could do him in. My mom's cat is doing fine and has not had any problems.

You can contact Dr. Jean Hovfe at www.littlebigcat.com by reading her article there titled "Living with FIV". Keeping Gary's immune system strong with good diet and not letting him go outside (which you are doing) are good steps to take. The FIV cat has a compromised immune system and may be subject to opportunistic infections throughout his lifetime. The vet can treat these as they arise.

I hope Gary continues to do well and have a happy life with you. Quality of life is more important than length IMO.

Most cats with FIV seem to do well without therapy directed specifically against the FIV virus itself. This seems to be a different situation than exists in humans infected with the HIV virus, although I am not familiar enough with the specifics of care for humans to be sure of that. A rapid progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome doesn't occur in the majority of cats, so most cats with FIV have a long period in which they are not highly immune compromised. For this group of cats, aggressive treatment of any other diseases that occur is usually sufficient to provide them with a good quality of life for several years. I do not know a published "average" time before clinical signs appear but many cats seem well for 5 to 10 years following infection, although many cats probably also have problems more quickly than that. It is very helpful to keep cats with FIV in an environment that limits the potential for acquiring an infectious disease, though. House cats with this condition are less likely to have secondary problems than free-roaming cats.

Keep him away from all other cats. You need to consult with your vet about the medication because they need to be prescribed. As far as how long will he live, it all depends on whether he gets an illness, how long he has had FIV and so on. This is something you need to contact you vet about. Other people can't help you.

If he is not showing any symptoms,he could live for years.make sure he eats the best cat food you can afford,and give him a good cat vitamin everyday.Ask your vet about giving him immune-boosting herbs and supplements.Do a web search to find out what herbs are used for FIV,and don't let him outside or near other cats,for his protection as well as to prevent him giving it to other cats.

I'm sorry to hear about your cat. But I think you should consult a vet instead of getting opinions on here.

this is another tricky illness. you never know how long you have. the best advice i can give is to keep him as healthy as you can. things that can trigger this is poor nutrition, fleas and worms. keep him free of fleas and worms and feed him a good brand food. sorry to hear about this, I've had a kitty w/ this illness and know how you feel! :(

just make sure your cat stays in the best of health, and it will help it to live a longer life.