i view FIV in way that you may find harsh. in practice i watched FIV cats waste away, and succomb to disease. yes, they may live for a very long time (i knew one FIV cat who died at 18!) but they never die with any dignity. i feel very strongly about euthing those cats that are infected for 2 reasons- 1. it's the _only_ sure way to prevent the spread of disease. this cat fathered a litter? do you know the status of the mother and the kittens? 2. it's the only way to give them any dignity. usually they start to get respiratory infection after respiratory infection. what do cats who can't breathe do?- they don't eat, thus they waste. it is insulting to a cat from the cat's perspective to be medicated, bathed, force fed. looking at it from the cat's quality of life, i choose euthanasia every time. if my own cats tested positive tomorrow, i wouldn't hesitate for one second.
that all being said, there are rescues specifically dedicated to cats with FIV and FeLV. i guess in theory, that's great, and a possible option for those to whom euthanasia is not. it still un-nerves me however to think about the possibilities- what if one of those cats was sitting in the window, and a cat came up to it and got contact thru the screen? what if one of those cats gets out?- indoor cats escape everyday.
so all that being said- you need to search your own heart, and find what's the best option for you and your family. i know that love and care will take the front seat in your decision making, and i know that you are a very responsible pet-mama. i hope i didn't offend, just wanted to share my opinion and experience since you asked. luck to you and scraggly!
in practice i watched FIV cats waste away, and succomb to disease.
yes, they may live for a very long time (i knew one FIV cat who died at 18!) but they never die with any dignity.
i feel very strongly about euthing those cats that are infected for 2 reasons-
1. it's the _only_ sure way to prevent the spread of disease. this cat fathered a litter? do you know the status of the mother and the kittens?
2. it's the only way to give them any dignity.
usually they start to get respiratory infection after respiratory infection. what do cats who can't breathe do?- they don't eat, thus they waste. it is insulting to a cat from the cat's perspective to be medicated, bathed, force fed. looking at it from the cat's quality of life, i choose euthanasia every time.
if my own cats tested positive tomorrow, i wouldn't hesitate for one second.
that all being said, there are rescues specifically dedicated to cats with FIV and FeLV. i guess in theory, that's great, and a possible option for those to whom euthanasia is not.
it still un-nerves me however to think about the possibilities-
what if one of those cats was sitting in the window, and a cat came up to it and got contact thru the screen?
what if one of those cats gets out?- indoor cats escape everyday.
so all that being said- you need to search your own heart, and find what's the best option for you and your family.
i know that love and care will take the front seat in your decision making, and i know that you are a very responsible pet-mama.
i hope i didn't offend, just wanted to share my opinion and experience since you asked.
luck to you and scraggly!
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The cat he impregnated (Our cat Nubby) was tested for FIV and feline Leukemia and luckily tested negative! :)
Thanks for your comments!
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