Feline HIV?AIDS and Leukemia?? Help me please!?

Question

Ok so I'm taking in this swee little stray cat. Im having all his vaccinations and neutering, grooming, etc. I called the vet to ask prices and stuff and they told me he'll have to be tested for Feline HIV/AIDS and Leukemia before he can be vaccinated!

What should I expect? Is it highly likely or unlikely he'll have it? Im am very worried! And if he does what should I expect? Like treatments and money-wise? Also how long do they live with these things and are they curable? What does it do to them? What is it?

Answer 1

These are all questions to ask you vet - please do!

Feline AIDS (FIV) is basically the feline form of human aids (cats and humans cannot give AIDS to each other, and the leukaemia virus is exclusive to cats). It's a virus that attacks the immune system - the cat eventually dies from secondary illnesses because its immune system cannot fight them off.

Feline leukaemia (FIV) is a contagious virus that causes leukaemia (literally breakdown of blood) in cats. It is very similar to FIV - they're both viruses that attack the immune system.

It's wise to test a stray cat for FIV (feline AIDS) and FeLV (feline leukaemia virus) before vaccinating it. Both are fairly common, there's a 50/50 chance a stray cat might have one or both. If it does, it cannot be vaccinated as the immune system will not be able to handle the vaccine and it will just develop the diseases it's being vaccinated against.

FIV, like human AIDS, is not curable. However cats can live for years with FIV in their systems. Being diagnosed with FIV or FeLV is not a death sentence, it simply means the cat will have a shorter lifespan. How much shorter depends on how old the cat is and how old it was when it caught the disease (there's no way of telling).

Some shelters hold on to FIV/FeLV cats and home them to people with no other cats, who will keep them exclusively inside. That way the cat can live a happy life without risking infecting other cats.

If the cat is diagnosed with FIV or leukaemia, please discuss this thoroughly with your vet. If the cat is otherwise in good health, there is no reason you can't take it home and keep it inside.

Chalice

Answer 2

Many times cats don't have these but because of the fact that it is a stray cat, there's about a 50/50 chance of him being infected with one or more of these conditions. If the tests do show that he is infected with one or more of these conditions many of them are treatable or easily managed with medication or ongoing treatment. Many times these conditions effect their ability to fight off other viruses, so if he does have these, you'll need to be careful that he does not get sick and that his living spaces are fairly clean. I'm sure your vet will be able to elaborate a little bit more on the specifications of each disease. Usually if the cat was able to survive out in the wild, there are no really serious conditions that are ailing it, but i personally think that it's nothing to be worried about.

Answer 3

If you can, take the cat to the Humane Society.You don't need those test to be vaccinated.I have never had them tell me that before.
Unfortunatly, animals are a big busines and vets take advantage of us.I finally found one that doesn't lie or order unnecessary test or treatments.
I get people asking me all the time who I could reccomend as a trustworthy vet. I always reccomend the Humane Society for vaccinations.
Don't worry he will be fine!

Answer 4

Im pretty sure that it can not be cured.

My grandparents brought in a stray cat and had him tested, he was about 5-6 years old allready! He tested negative.

I think that your cat will have a low chance of getting it. Think positive!

I know that age does not matter when getting the dissease, but he was on the streets for so long and was healthy.

Think positive :) I think your cat will be just fine!!!


Also it depends on the severity of the leukemia. (Based on their life spand with the dissease)


i wouldnt worry.

Answer 5

I've rescued two strays and they've been wonderful companions for years. Sorry I can't answer your question though, neither of mine were tested before vaccination as it was over 13 years ago. I just wanted to say good on you - we need more people like you in the world!

Answer 6

my cat has FIV. been diagnosed for 4 years now. cost about $100 for the test (about that, was a while ago) i was told he could live 5 months or 5 years. if it weren't for the test, i would have never had known, because he is just the same happy, fat, lazy, cuddly, attacker of all crickets, hiding in the garage, purring in my lap kitty that he has always been. i have not done anything different medically. there isn't much you can do.