Hi Pat, (the email at the bottom of your letter didn't work.)
I'm sorry I can't take this cat in right now, but I did just want to let you know that you CAN keep this cat with your own if you choose to do so. FIV is only spread through mating or through very severe fighting (the type usually involved in Toms fighting over a female to mate).
I have kept fiv positive cats together for many years with no problems, and know many others who do the same.
I even know at least 2 vets who keep fiv positive cats right along with their cats who test negative! I hope your vet did not recommend putting the cat to sleep. There is absolutely NO reason for that. If there is no home for cats they get put to sleep, of course, but NO vet should recommend it due to fiv status. If your vet said this you need to find a new vet as fast as you can!
I'm forwarding this to a leukemia list I'm on. Many of the listmembers also have fiv cats. They might have more ideas for you as well.
I have NEVER heard of a spayed/neutered cat transferring fiv to another cat who was also spayed/neutered.
And last, but certainly not least, FIV 'sounds' bad because we relate it to HIV. It is not the same. Most fiv cats live normally long lives. They might have more problems with gum or ear infections, etc.... but they typically live a long and normal life. I lost my fiv cat of liver disease at a very old age. He was a stray, so I didn't know his age for sure, but he was at least 15.
In the meantime I didn't even know he had FIV and he lived with TONS of my own cats and foster cats who never, in turn, came up positive for fiv.
I had had him so long (before they even tested for fiv. lol). When he got sick, we tested him for everything and found out, but he had liver disease, and did not recover.
I hope this helps, and I really hope you'll do some research and give this guy a chance. Unfortunately hundreds of negative cats are looking for homes right now.
tonya
Caroline <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Caroline <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Please contact Pet directly if you can help
--- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Date: Sun, 24 Jul 2005 19:59:31 EDT
> Subject: Your assistance is needed
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> I was able to catch a stray cat today and take him to Briarcliff
> Animal
> Clinic hoping to take him in. Unfortunately he was tested HIV + so I
> had to leave
> him there because I already have a cat at home. I told the vet that
> I would
> try to find foster care and/or permanent home in the next few days.
> I don't
> want to put him to sleep if at all possible. He got his rabies and
> neutered.
>
> I would appreciate your advice and if there may be someone to foster
> him
> until he finds a home. Can your center take him in or assist?
>
> Pat Heinzerling
> 404-299-3185 (h)
> 770-558-2505
> I live in Decatur.
>
> The email to reach me quickly is :pheinzerling.na.cokecce.com
>
> Thank you
>
