Cat-O-Rama

I am worried that as a cat has mites they could bit the cat then me and give me AIDS. Instead a a cat should I get a catamite instead?

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a lentivirus that affects domesticated housecats worldwide. FIV is in the same retrovirus family as Feline leukemia virus (FeLV). FIV is not a death sentence for cats.

The primary mode of transmission for FIV is deep bite wounds whereas FeLV is easily spread by casual contact such as grooming and shared water bowls; experts disagree as to whether FIV can be spread by casual contact. FIV attacks the immune system of cats, much like the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attacks the immune system of human beings. FIV and HIV are both lentiviruses, however, neither can infect the other’s usual host: humans cannot be infected by FIV nor can cats be infected by HIV. Because biting is the most efficient means of viral transmission, free-roaming, aggressive male cats are the most frequently infected, while cats housed exclusively indoors are much less likely to be infected.

FIV infected cats are often unnecessarily euthanised. A vigilant pet owner that treats any secondary infections can make the difference. An infected cat can often live a nearly normal life span. The chance that an FIV infected cat will pass the disease onto other cats within a household is less than 2% as long as there is no fighting or biting. Keeping infected cats separated from disease free cats is the only sure way of preventing the spread of the disease.

FIV can infect other feline species, and in fact in some large wild cat species, such as African lions, the virus is commonly present. However, unlike in domestic cats, the virus does not necessarily cause disease in these species, perhaps because these species have acquired, during evolution, mutations that confer resistance to it.

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My other cat was a stray that I took in as a baby. My cat with aids has been an indoor persian cat her whole life. I have brought my other kitty home to my parents but as far as I know they have never come into close contact or shared food. The only thing I can think of is that they *may* have shared a litter box at one point. Basically, it is very mysterious that my older cat has aids, as it is more likely that the little stray kitty would have maybe been born with it and transmitted it to her. However, I can’t think of how the older kitty would have possibly contacted it from her. I’m really worried that my little kitty might have it and wondering what the chances are. When I brought her to the vet when she was a baby they told me she was healthy, but I’m not sure that included a blood test. The only other thing I can think of is that the test was wrong, or that she got nicked on uncleaned equipment either at the vet’s or at a groomer (she gets groomed yearly) or that the older kitty was born with it (she’s seventeen years old now). If I recall correctly, the older cat, though she was a persian, came from a place where there were a million cats in cages (and the lady seemed crazy). If anyone can give me an opinion or more information on feline aids to ease my mind or clear this up for me I would greatly appreciate it.

The key is to get your other cat tested, and if it proves negative, get it a vaccination. Cat AIDS is transmitted much like human AIDS, through body fluids, however, if your cats never got into altercations where they bit or drew blood, it isn’t likely it can be transmitted in the litter box. However, while at the Crazy Cat Lady’s, who knows what happened to your Persian, and I wouldn’t doubt that’s where she picked up the virus.

I’ve included a link that might answer more questions for you.

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I recently started volunteering in a no kill animal shelter. There are two separated cat rooms for the cats with feline leukemia and feline AIDS. I have two cats at home who are not infected with either of these diseases.

My question is: If I work with the infected animals and come home to my cats, can I pass the disease to them?

I know these diseases are not transferable from cats to humans, but I want to make sure I don’t bring the diseases home and risk getting my cats sick. I tried to do some research online, but didn’t see anything pertaining to this.

Please leave legitimate answers only. Thank you.

There’s no way to spread FIV to any cat by yourself. The virus lives less than 3 seconds outside a cat. It needs to go into a moving blood supply to infect a cat, and that takes deep bite wounds. You can’t spread this one, so don’t worry. There’s even research suggesting it takes more than one bite before it can be ‘caught’ by a non-infected cat. As diseases go, it’s not a bad one. Cats with FIV live normal length lives unless they reach a vet or place that euthenizes any that come up on the blood tests (our FIV cats were living with our non-FIV cats 24/7 for over 12 years and no spread of the disease occurred). It’s not an issue.

FeLV, feline leukemia, isn’t as easy to spread as once thought. While it CAN be spread via saliva and casual contact, most cats with healthy immune systems are not susceptible, it turns out. Even with regular contact. The owners over on the FeLV lists on yahoogroups have been discussing this a lot. FeLV is also a virus, and technically you CAN carry it on your clothing and hands if the clothing and hands are damp - and still have it sort of viable 20 minutes later, but once dry, the virus is dead. So even if a FeLV cat sneezes on you and you don’t wash your hands, once it’s dry, it’s dead and not an issue.

Check the vet sites. The Marvista vet site has good info. Doing a google search on ‘feline leukemia’ and getting sites that are not personal home pages (check for ‘edu’ instead of ‘com’) can get you good info. Watch the dates on the sites, very old information (ie: NOT accurate especially on FIV) is still up online. So much new research has happened in the last 8-15 years on both diseases that you need to look at the most current to be up on the new info.

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I really feel sick and don’t want my roast beef curtains to get tainted and fall off. Help!!!

Only if you you are breast feeding your puss cause AIDS can be transferred that way too.

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We just found out my 5 year old cat has feline AIDS, he somehow got outside yesterday and came home with a broken leg. We have an appointment with the vet for him tomorrow but I was wondering if anyone else has had this happen with their cat. Like if your cat has had AIDS and a broken body part and how it was dealt with. Thanks.
We found out he has AIDS a week ago from the vet during a regular check-up. We’re not positive his leg is broken, he’s just having a really hard time walking on it. We’re waiting until tomorrow because that’s when the vet told us to bring him in, I figure it’s not that big of a problem if they didn’t tell us to bring him in right away, meanwhile we’re trying our best to keep him off of his leg and he’s doing fine with it.

Many outdoor cats become infected with feline aids unless they are vacinated to prevent it. It is not always fatal as some become carriers and infect other cats but most cats who get it usually do die within a few months up to a year later often very painfully in the last stages. There is no way for you or the vet to know if the leg is broken without an xray. If the cat is limping and cannot put weight on the leg take him to the vet right now or find another vet who will see him. Just because he is not crying or howling does not mean he is not in pain.

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My 22 year old cat has feline aids. Is there anything I should do? Is there even a cure?

Is he deaf? I call him and he doesn’t respond. He has had ear mites for a couple years now, so bad that they were bleeding and all scabby. We got ear cleaner from the vet and only could only put it in once, now he runs off and scratches everyone. What should I do? Is he deaf?

What is the normal age for a healthy cat to die?

He is not fixed and sprays everything. Should I take the risk of loosing him in the surgery? Should he just be an outdoor cat?

Is it even ok to have that old of a cat outdoors with all of the dogs,raccoons,mountain lions, and cars?
HELP!!!! HELP!!!!
Is it ok for my other cats to be around him? I heard they will get aids too!
He had been outside for a while now. I’m am possitive he has feline aids. I can’t capture him to take him to the vet! Me and the family can’t bare have him die, we have just had a loss of another kitty :(. I can’t have him inside, he sprays to much. Does anybody have anymore ideas? I need as much help as I can get.

Does anybody have any ideas on how to capture him without hurting my self or him? Hes been through a lot and I want him to stay happy, and get healthy. What do you recomend on a REALLY bad flea problem?

Are you positive your cat has "feline aids"?
And you really,really need to get rid of those ear mites and get his ears cleaned out.I feel bad for your poor cat.Either take him to the vet to have it done or do it yourself,use overn mitts for scratches.About giving it to other pets: I don’t even know anything about feline aids,but if there really is such a thing,I would keep them separated.Even if it’s non transmittable,your pets could get the mites from your cat also I’m sure.It sounds like your cat really needs help.

Also,you may want to consider putting him to sleep.I know it sounds awful but I’m sure it’s a rough life for him,and most cats die before or around the age of 20.I think 13 is the average age.
EDIT: There is no cure to feline aids,and your cat will have multiple other problems arrive.The max amount of time a cat can live after having aids is ten years,but it will be awful for him.You really should put him to sleep,I’m so sorry,but it’s going to go downhill from here.Your cat will thank you.
EDIT AGAIN:
If he is going to be outside all the time,there really is no point in giving him flea medicine…because he will get them right back again.=(

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The doctor saw the ring when she shined a light in his eyes. It’s not visible otherwise. He is 15 and stays strictly indoors as do our other 2 cats. One time 15 years ago as a kitten he got in a fight with a neighbor’s cat. It was brief and he didn’t get bitten.

She thinks he could have AIDS. She said there were other diseases that could cause the red ring, but she couldn’t remember off hand what they were. What other diseases cause a red ring around the pupil? The tech in the office said if he had had AIDS for 15 years he would be dead by now.

The test is $30, and I don’t want to subject him to having blood drawn if there is something else that can cause the red ring.

Please tell me how you know your answer. Thank you!

Any doctor who tells you your cat has AIDS when there are other possibilities should be fired for needlessly scaring their patients. The fact that she doesn’t know/remember any other diseases that cause red eye makes me question her competence even more. The tech is right, feline AIDS should have killed her by now, but there are other very very light possibilities she has come in contact with the virus since (for example if you brought something into the house from outside a stray cat peed on). You should definitely get your cat tested and if this vet doesn’t know any other possible causes, take her to a vet who will!

BTW, I often find that vet techs are a better source of advice in situations like this. They do not get paid off of every test/surgery and often choose their line of work because they are big time animal lovers.

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