Cat with FIV ok with Non-FIV cats with health issues?

Hello,

We recently took in a stray who turned out to be positive for feline aids. He's quite healthy otherwise.

We do have other cats in the house who are non-FIV but have health issues (one with irritable bowel syndrome and one whose eyes get runny that flare up now and then - we treat her with Viralys.)

The new kitty is separated right now, but if we let him hang with the other guys will he be at risk because of the other kitties' problems? I'm not worried about biting or fighting, all the cats get along and are very laid back.

Thank you!

[megsRN]

Gosh I really don't know for sure! This is a good question for your Vet! Do you know the method of transmission, like how it's passed on to another cat? If it's strictly from sex or blood then maybe it won't hurt to let em together (as long as each cat has been neutered/spayed). You are a very kind, big-hearted individual to give this cat a chance at life when not many would have!!!

[opus88]

hi and welcome, I will send you a link to a site with more information on transmission and care...click on the 'cornell university' link highlighted in blue on the page and it says 'bites are the major way of transmission' they recommend not bringing an FIV cat into a home with non FIV cats, however since you already have you will now need to enhance their immune systems and give as much protection for them as possible...

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_owning_an_fiv__cat.html

[DesireeR]

My vet thinks he was probably bitten, he had scars on the back of his neck. He's a big, luvvy dope and the vet was going to put him to sleep if I didn't take him home. They told me he would be immediately put down if I took him to a shelter and all the no-kill shelters had at least a 2 year waiting list for FIV kitties. I couldn't do it, he was sitting there purring on a pink blanket, so he's been in his own room upstairs for the past month and hasn't had any contact with the other cats yet. We had him re-tested after 4 weeks to make sure he doesn't have leukemia as well.

Everyone we spoke with who had FIV+ cats said they let them roam freely with their FIV- cats. I don't know if I'm comfortable with that, but I'm not against them hanging together if someone's home watching them, and if the risk is low.

The interferon alpha, should that be used as an injection or oral? I'm used to doing SubQ fluids every day for a kitty with kidney disease, so needles aren't a problem.

[teddybears4ever2]

http://blogs.dogster.com/vet_blog_information_advice/can-cats-infected-with-fiv-live-with-non-infected-cats/

Maybe this will help.

[nancyjac]

FIV cats do have compromised immune systems and therefore can have more of a problem fighting off other illnesses.  I would not be too concerned about the FIV cat in contact with the one with IBS since that is not contagious.  Is your third cat FHV1 positive?   I would recommend both l-lysine and probiotics as nutritional supplements for all of your cats.  Both provide general immune system support which is particularly important for both FIV and FHV1 cats.  The probiotics might also be helpful for your IBS cat.

[DesireeR]

This is great, thank you for the help!