Anyone else have a cat with FIV? Also - old cat + kitten?

[citylove]

My favorite old guy, Jobba the cat, has FIV. He was diagnosed almost ten years ago now, surely a result of his wild tomcat days. He is now nearing 16 or 17. I'd really like to get him a kitten (a friend of a friend's FIV cat just had kittens, too!) but I'm worried that any illness she might have as a kitten could pass along easier to him and shorten his already waning life. Any thoughts on this? Does anyone have anything new, research-wise, on the lifespan of FIV cats and any precautions I could perhaps take if we do get the kitten?

On a related note, I'm on the fence about weather to even get the kitten. I want my guy to live a happy selfish rest of his life, but he quite honestly seems BORED. He's taken to over-grooming lately, not to mention that he treats me like more of a litter mate than a human sometimes. By this I mean he stalks me, talks to me, and will get into all out wrestling and biting wars with my arm. I wonder if he needs a cat friend? I've been his only cat friend for the last 13 years (with a few occasional cats and dogs from temporary homes while I was in college), and I really don't know if I should disrupt his life. Any advice? I know I've asked about this before, maybe on WC, but now with these kittens just born it is a legitimate possibility. Thoughts?

My dad thinks I want the kitten to help ease the transition when my baby dies :( I don't want to get it to be selfish. But he's usually right about this sort of thing, even when I don't realize it.

Edited to add that Jobba is quite healthy, but he is definately aging. I'm not trying to pessimistic about his passing, but - he's old.

[greenbunny]

You mention your friend's queen has FIV, but I don't know if that means the kittens automatically do too, have they been tested? You are setting yourself up to have FIV+ cats indefinitely. That's a very noble thing to do, but if you feel it might become a drain (emotionally) then I'd say to wait and get a kitten after he passes.

[jesvet]

A few things-
FIV positive doesn't necessarily mean experiencing FIV. So you can be positive and still have a well functioning immune system. For years, as you know. There is a possibility of a kitten passing on diseases, but if the kitten is healthy it is less likely.

FIV positive queen may have FIV positive kittens. It can pass through the placenta but that doesn't mean it always does.

There is an FIV vaccine out there but I don't know of any vets who really recommend it. And once a cat has been immunized, they test positive for FIV even if they are not.

FIV is harder to spread than FELV, it needs a good puncture- like a bite wound- in order to spread. So a lot of times a FIV cat can live in a multicat household and not spread the disease.

I think if you want another cat, you should go for it. Just be prepared, if you are primarily doing it for the benefit of your other cat, for him to really not like an interloper- it could really be a source of stress for him. It could go either way. Good luck to you in your decision and with your kitty! 16 or 17 is a very respectable age ESPECIALLY for an FIV positive cat! :D

[Peppy]

Have you considered fostering an FIV+ cat or kitten? You can usually foster through shelters or rescue groups in your area. I am just thinking that fostering might be a way to "try out" how your cat would handle another cat in the home. Fostering relationships vary in terms of length--some last for a finite period of time, some are just a few weeks long, and some can last as long as the cat doesn't have a permanent home. Obviously you would need to find the right situation for you.

Or maybe you could just "borrow" your friend's kitten (the one you are considering taking) for a week or two to see how they adjust to each other?

I don't have the answers to your questions about whether having another FIV+ cat would affect the health of your cat.

[nnkgirl]

I have an FIV positive cat along with an FIV negative cat. They live in perfect harmony together too. I have heard that a kitten is better to bring into the house than another adult, or even a 2yr old is easier than another older mature cat. I'm all for saving the FIV cats however it can be draining. My FIV guy is about 8yrs old and is healthy as could be. I honestly wouldn't worry about the kitten transmitting anything to him. But maybe instead of adopting a baby baby kitten perhaps look at a 1-2 yr old who's still young but a little less high-strung. Do you definitely want an FIV+ cat?

[citylove]

Thanks for all the advice and ideas.

greenbunny and jesvet - after reading your posts about FIV not necessarily getting passed along, I did some research online and realized I was given the wrong information about FIV! Or, I remember it wrong from the many years that have passed. I was told that it was transmittable through saliva and bodily fluids, which is why I assumed that a mother cat would give it to her kittens. I now understand things a bit differently. Perhaps my old vet wasn't the only mis-informed one, because my FSIL asked her vet about transmission when she got her kittens (we spend a lot of time together and she wanted to make sure her cats wouldn't get my cat's disease) her vet said the same thing (saliva, not puncture wounds as I've since learned). I distinctly remember the vet telling me he DIDN'T have FeLV, but what I remember him telling me equate to the transmission modes of FeLV. Oy. Anyway, I've learned lots lately! Jesvet, I was hoping you'd chime in. Thanks for all the straight-forward info :)

Re: wanting an FIV+ kitty - I think yes, I do want to stay with the FIV+ cats. I figure, they need good homes too, why not with me?

Peppy - good idea about the trial period. I will think on it.

nnkgirl - I am so happy your cats are co-existing peacefully, but also I am angry because I had to give up my cat for a year and half because my wicked step mother didn't want her cats to get sick from my cat. UGH. Anyway, that is the past, but I am glad to hear your success story!

Thanks for your sensitivity, everyone - I was pretty emotional writing this post, and I still go back and forth about how Jobba may react to an interloper. I will think on it. I wish I could just ask him ;)