I've just joined the FIVCATS Yahoo! list and there has been a lot of discussion about "mixing". Quite a few members of that list allow their positives and negatives to mix freely provided there's no fighting, as deep bite wounds are the usual route of transmission. We took in an FIV+ cat, before we learned to be more careful, and took care of her until she died. We've had no problems and the cats who have been tested have tested negative.
We're taking our chances with sweet Buddy boy...we just couldn't send him away to live somewhere else. He chooses to stay in "his" room and eat from his own dish most of the time (we started leaving the door open after a few days of letting him make short forays into the rest of the house and watching his interactions with the others). He hasn't fought with anyone, in fact he retreats when picked on. No wonder he was having such a rough time of it out in the world!
Becca
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Hi Guys!
I'm so sorry I haven't been able to keep up with list as much as I would
like...seems I can't get a break lately!
I just have a quick question for those who care for both FeLVs and
FIVs...I just found out that a stray guy that we took in a bit ago is
FIV+! This actually wasn't surprising to me as he seemed to have a few
health issues that just weren't clearing up! He's been hanging out in
our spare room w/ all the amenities but I'd like to let him join the GP,
if that is at all possible! My vet wasn't at all concerned...she
actually has a FIV guy who mingles with her crew...but she says that she
separates food and water dishes as a precaution. Well, I don't know how
easy that would be for me...food is left out round the clock and
everybody shares the water bowl!
So I guess I'm just looking for a little advice from those who care for
both...do you mix? It would be some time before he'll join the gang as
we need to address his health issues first (bad stomatitis for which he
has a "dental" scheduled next week--I wouldn't be surprised if a few
teeth need to be pulled!)...But all-in-all, he's the sweetest guy...so
mellow and only asks that you pet him 24/7... ;)
Thanks so much, guys!
Jen
****************************************************
"But if you tame me, then we shall need each other. To me, you will be
unique in all the world. To you, I shall be unique in all the world; You
become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed..." --Antoine de
Saint-Exup�ry
"If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know
each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them, and what
you do not know you will fear. What one fears one destroys." --Chief Dan
George
