FIV & FeLV info

We are saddened by how many people (and vets) don't know as much as they can and should know about these diseases.
THIS IS NOT A DEATH SENTENCE!!!

We aren't experts and don't claim to be....but we think people need to stop and think and do some research - we hope this helps people get started.

While both diseases may effect overall health, a normal healthy cat isn't going to die immediately just because of a diagnosis. Best Friends has FIV+ rooms and an entire building for FeLV cats. Our favorite vet tech Andrea had 2 FIV+ boys - one of whom she adopted from Colony Cats. 

The most important thing is that positive and negative cats CAN live together. So long as the positive cat is not aggressive to other cats, the risk of disease transfer is almost nothing. 

So, we decided to do some research. We have read a lot from several sites (Cornell Vet and AVMA) among them. The most interesting info has come from Best Friends. There is some medical "speak" but they put it in language we can all understand. And they make it clear that these cats should have a chance at a life!!

So, here are some articles you should find interesting. Forum Archive by Dr. Julie Levy (both diseases)
FIV
   Bad Case of Rumors
   Fact Sheet
   Happy and Healthy Reality

FeLV
  Fact Sheet
  Living with FeLeuk
  More Facts

Best Friend posted on 9/12 this article about article as well 

There is also a Q and A from a vet on Cat Wisdom 101

And a great rescue called Crashs Landing in Michigan takes in and adopts these kitties and has a great info sheet as well.

If someone tells you something, check it out! Just because they work for a vet or a shelter or have been doing this a while doesn't make them right. We don't claim to be experts - this is just to point you to more information.

Paws and Effect have a great post about FIV as well.

And now Catster has a great article about living with an FIV+ cat. And another article about vaccinations.

Our friends at Kitty Cat Chronicles posted a great article with back information about FIV+ cats living with those that don't have it.

Don't make a snap decision -
take a minute, step back from the immediate fear of diagnosis and come up with a plan.