Those w. FIV+ cats, have a little hope. It is not always an immediate death sentence. I have a story to share of 8.5 years with my FIV+ cat. It ended this past Tuesday. I am at peace with this and my decision to work for a longer life for my beloved Cayenne.

FIV proceeds in three stages: infection, latent, and final. With excellent diet, indoor living and vitamin supplements, plus quick treatment of upper respiratory infections (URIs) it is possible to prolong the cat’s life in the latent stage (Stage 2) when they are relatively asymptomatic and can enjoy life normally, or very nearly so.

Cayenne was a male/neuter flamepoint Siamese found as a stray (neutered, collar, no tag) and adopted at our local shelter. Due to his history it will never be known exactly when he was infected and thus when he entered the latent stage. From his overall excellent condition he was not on the streets a long time. By his dentals he was approximately two years old.

At the time the shelter was not testing cats for FIV before they were adopted out. This is not to criticize the shelter as in April 1999 so little about FIV was widely known. Shelters did not always have the resources to test every animal just to identify the 1-3% who might be FIV+. Due explicitly to the circumstandces of Cayenne’s adoption, their board, to their credit, decided to immediately begin testing for FELV/FIV+ .

When I took him to my own vet a few days later he was diagnosed w. FIV using both the Idexx Snap/Elisa instant test followed by the more definitive Western Blot test. The Western Blot should be used to confirm the diagnosis as the Snap/Elisa test can give a false positive for many reasons.

Sadly the Western Blot was positive.

In 1999 it was a choice of keeping him (with my two other cats) or having him euthanized. I researched a hundred or more websites in one weekend and decided, since he was a gentle animal, that the risk of fighting and penetrating bite marks would be low. So he stayed. I do not regret the decision, and all my other cats have been fine (healthy and here, or died of very old age)

At that time it was projected that an animal would not live more than 5 years in the latent stage. Cayenne’s stage was 8.5 years and maybe longer, since we do not know exactly when he was infected.

He was the most handsome, charming and intelligent Siamese, so very friendly and affectionate, as though he understood his special circumstances.

The final stage 3 is a very difficult time for cat and owner. In his last 12 months Cayenne went from 10.5 lbs to about 4 lbs. with a weak appetite and bouts of upper respiratory distress every couple of months. In his prime he was 13.9 lbs and very healthy and active.

I did bolster his caloric intake with Vanilla Ensure Protein shake which I highly recommend for digestibility and for all the trace vitamins and minerals it provides. It must be Vanilla flavor as chocolate is toxic to cats.

My vet also prescribed Iams Prescription A/D canned food, which was reasonably priced (80 cents per can) and could be combined w. the Ensure and/or other wet cat food. I also gave Cayenne COOKED chicken and salmon as the pure protein and omega oils in the salmon are beneficial.

Our vet saw him twice a year and ran full blood panels once a year. He also gave me a prescription for Clavomox and a cat specific antihistamine to keep ready so I could begin treatment ASAP of the URIs. I also used, w. our vet’s approval, human grade antihistamines like Chlor Trimetron, breaking the tablets in half and giving them with food about 12 hours apart. The ChlorTri worked very quickly and well, which made Cayenne more comfortable and freed up his sense of smell, thereby stimulating his appetite.

If you are interested in vitamin supplements, the ones I used daily were: Vitamin E, CoQ10, and buffered Vitamin Twice a week a Vitamin B complex, once a week a combined vitamin for Calcium, Magnesium and Zinc. I offered him about 1/6th the human dosage. Please proceed cautiously and do not overdo the vitamins, as too much can be more harmful than none. I stopped the Vitamin E for a week every two months just to guard against overloading, since that Vitamin is fat soluable and stays in the body longer.

Fortunately there was no appearance of any mouth or skin disorders, and his bodily functions remained regular. He was still playful and sociable until the last week of his life. He went rapidly downhill in less than two days. He collapsed at midday on Tuesday and within the hour he was euthanized. I must acknowledge the beautiful care and responsiveness of our veterinary hospital.

The disease took his beautiful voice away in the last two weeks. He made a gentle “whirrrrr”-ing sound that was most endearing. I will miss that. Of all the cats who might await me on the other side of this life, he should be the first to run and greet me. Some day, I’ll be listening for his sweet voice.

I do understand what others are enduring and hope some of this experience is of practical and reassuring help to you.

Sending you cyberhugs and prayers to do what is best for your cat,

sincerely,

Cayenne’s friend