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[madcat]

It's nice to hear you are back to even better than before...

As for your comments about Jabs. In the USA there are jabs for FIV but they are not licensed for use over here as there is no proof that they work and are very expensive.

Our catteries make you pay for an extra pen. They put the infected pet in an end pen with our litter tray, food and water bowls and then keep the next pen empty so there is no danger of bites and infecting other animals. There is no way it can be passed on unless a cat is bitten by an infected animal, and therefore these measures are sufficient. At least then we know that they are being looked after and if ill, our own vet will be called. I havent put Jack in a cattery since he was diagnosed, but am looking around for November for both to be in for a week. I will let you know what they say in Lancashire.

MadCat

[hillsider69]

no proof that they work . Not only that, there are 5 types of fiv and the vaccine only covers 2 as the others do not for a stable vaccine; also the adjuvant needed to keep the product stable and effective has killed animals!

We are still going to look to keep them both here if we can, but also look to see if there is anybody that will take thim if we want.

[madcat]

I didn't know about the adjuvant... a bit of serious work needed on that one !

Good luck with your kennel building...

MadCat

[hotlips1975]

hi ive been trying to find some answers but i dont think im gonna get them you see until yesterday i never even heard of FIV on sunday my cat became really poorly and very very quick i took him to the vets yesterday mon 02 march 2008 and was told that my cat had FIV and that because he was so ill he had to be put down now i went from having a cat who i loved and thought i was brining back home to a great big whole in my heart .
i am just absolutly devastated that this has all happened so fast and i just dont understand please if there is anybody out there with some answers please post me back
thanking you
hotlips1975

[InLove]

I don't really know anything about FIV but Madcat really is the person to ask but I know that she's been ill lately and hasn't been online much.

My heart goes out to you it really does. I can't imagine what I would be like if my cat got ill.

Until Madcat comes back there are some details elsewhere on this website.

FIV Feline AIDS Virus

I hope this helps

[madcat]

You poor thing, I know how you feel. I originally took Jack to the vets as he had been bitten and after 3 courses of anti-biotics was making no progress. I went and asked for a blood test thinking he had blood poisoning to be told he had FIV. If it wasn't for the look of dead seriousness on our vets faced I would have laughed and asked if she was joking.

I also, like you knew absolutely nothing of the illness and therefore needed answers quickly.

When all was a bit calmer I asked the vet owner for FIV information to post on the site so people know a bit more about a fatal disease that effects over 40% of the cats in the UK but isnt routinely tested for as it is expensive. Mike has given you the link to the info that I was given.

We are luckier than you, as it seems Jack wasn't as bad as it seems your poor baby was, and although a carrier and ill often, Jack is still with us.

However, poor Ban who was Jacks companion is no longer with us as he also had FIV, and after 6 years there is still a massive hole in our house without him.

I will try my best to answer any direct questions you have that the page does not cover, I am not a vet but I care a lot and have an excellent ask and learn policy with our vet! I will try my best to help you.

I gain solace in the premise of Rainbow Bridge. I'm sure you can find loads about it on the web, but in a nutshell... the animals you love that pass on go to play in a big meadow by a stream with a rainbow bridge. They play there happily with the other pets until one day, you walk over the bridge and you are reunited. I believe that my past pets and my dad are there waiting for me.. I know it sounds daft to some, but everyone has to believe in something

Thinking of you, in what I know to be a really painful time.

MadCat

[fifi2004]

I am so very sorry to hear that Jack has that condition. It's very good to hear though that you and he are doing well though, despite the seriousness of the condition. He sounds like a very beautiful boy and I wish him all the best. Please keep us all up to date with whats going on with him. Let us know how he's doing. Thanks Jack for providing this MadMother with some insight that my girls are just as silly.....LOL

[madcat]

Jack is still a carrier, but thankfully he has not got any of the more serious side effects (like organs shutting down) yet.

I think in the right environment of love and affection all cats are playful and silly!

MadCat