Marta - I have an FIV + cat that is like 12 or 13 yrs old (we don't know for sure but that's what I think) with no sign of "giving up the ghost" as my husband says. He used to live indoor/outdoor I believe. So these FIV kitties can live a fairly long life. My friend's FIV kitties have always lived into their teens. My cat, a former foster, had a really bad URI when I got him three years ago and the vet wasn't sure he'd recover since he had FIV. A two week round of Clavamox was all it took and he was fine.
Just thought I'd share in case anyone was worried about the lifespan of a cat with FIV. I'd rather a cat test positive for FIV rather than FeLV. His chances are better and he's not as contagious. “I am not interested to know whether vivisection produces results that are profitable to the human race or doesn’t….the pain which it inflicts upon unconsenting animals is the basis of my enmity toward it, and it is to me sufficient justification of the enmity without looking further.” – Mark Twain Date: Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:56:23 -0800 From: marta.gas...@yahoo.com To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Thanks for the replies Muscle weakness and muscle wasting on rear legs are the first side effects of long-term pred dosing. And long term for pred is not(as I thought)5 years but a couple or 3. I also think that his sitting not touching the floor is due to either arthritis and/or muscle pain. If his muscles are weakening he'll be in pain. I've two cats that do it and one of the rescue kittens did it recently(she hurt her back via bad fall, she's much better but it was scary) I also have another kitten that was dx with muscle wasting(birth defect) he doesn't sit normally either. I understand your feelings and am sorry for what you are going throught, a 15 year old is frail and lots of infirmities like an elderly person. So you are doing your best and giving lots of love to Buster, thats waht matters I believe. IMO if he had FIP(there's no test for FIP, the lady must have meant FIV?) he wouldn't be with you now and if he had FeLV probably not either. I do have a cat for adoption that is 10 yrs old and tested FIV+ twice, that to me is remarkable b/c he was a cat that owner kept outside, I wouldn't expect it to live this long being exposed to so much. Marta http://homelessnomore.webs.com/ --- On Thu, 11/17/11, danbin...@netzero.com <danbin...@netzero.com> wrote: From: danbin...@netzero.com <danbin...@netzero.com> Subject: [Felvtalk] Thanks for the replies To: Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Date: Thursday, November 17, 2011, 4:10 AM I really appreciate everyone who responded to my post. It makes me feel a bit more secure knowing there are others rooting for our success. I think that my keeping Buster on prednisolone is a requirement since he has been on it for so long. I am sure it has compromised his adrenals and that without pred, he will have Cushings (or maybe Addison's). Beth - Buster did have blood work done, in 2009, and it was all fine. ELISA was negative. Before I took in this older cat (her guardian died and the rescue group was unable to find anyone to take her), I asked to have the cat tested. I have 2 other, indoor only, cats and I wanted to make sure that I didn't bring disease into the house. I was told that the new cat tested negative for FIP and FeLV. I do trust the woman who asked me to take in the older kitty, but I have no paperwork to verify. Although Buster lived amicably with my 2nd cat, she hated the new cat. The new cat caused Buster a lot of stress. I tried everything, Rescue Remedy, Feliway etc. Finally, after about a year, things settled down. I never saw any wounds, on either cat, but I know there were 'minor' fights as I found tufts of hair around (including once or twice hanging out of Buster's mouth!) They still hiss, but mostly try to stay out of one another's way My vet didn't want to give me the prednisolone, but I was frantic, unable to pay for any more investigative work, and wanted my cat well. I live over 90 miles, one way, from my (any) vet, and I think she gave me the pred. out of kindness. Regardless of good or bad, Buster has been on 5mg for 2 years. I don't think Buster has stomatitis now, although eating does appear painful at times. Back in 2010, the vet did extract a couple of teeth. And, a tooth, or two just disintegrated when she was cleaning his teeth. Last time he was under (2010) she said his throat appeared inflamed, but I do pill him everyday and I am sure that caused that inflammation He doesn't eat a lot, and he eats small amounts many, many, many times throughout the day. Occasionally, he does stop eating and I need to syringe food. He doesn't/can't eat dry food any more. I will look at his gums tomorrow. Marta, I agree and appreciate your thoughts 'it is what it is'. I am trying my best, by myself, to keep Buster alive. At this point, my focus is only to keep him happy, comfortable and with me. I finally realized, he won't get well. I do think he wants to stay alive. Although failing, he sits with me, sleeps with me, communicates with me etc. He does have muscle weakness in the back end. He can't sit to groom without falling. One odd thing, that I have never been able to figure out, is when he sits, his bottom doesn't touch the floor????? And, now, to lay down he has to kinda settle himself carefully. Something is hurting I am sure. Not sure why this 'phone vet' thought FeLV except for the inappetance. But, when I looked at the Cornell site, Buster had more than half the symptoms. I do know that these are common symptoms for many illnesses. Maybe he doesn't have FeLV, and maybe he does..... It's a great comfort to me to have a sounding board and to hear how others are treating their kitties. Buster has just begun sneezing, just a bit, but no blood. In general, how long do FeLV cats live without Interferon etc? Can they be kept alive with the right drugs, or 3 years is pretty much it, plus or minus? Thanks! PS All my cats share common food and water bowls and litter box. debbie ____________________________________________________________ 60-Year-Old Mom Looks 27 Mom Reveals Free Wrinkle Trick That Has Angered Doctors! http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL3231/4ec489a9942c9157800st01duc _______________________________________________ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org _______________________________________________ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
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