Comments on: Can my FIV-positive cat be saved? http://www.paws-and-effect.com/2010/01/24/can-my-fiv-positive-cat-be-saved/ Advice by cats, for cats and their people Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:03:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: David http://www.paws-and-effect.com/2010/01/24/can-my-fiv-positive-cat-be-saved/comment-page-1/#comment-14876 David Sat, 26 Nov 2011 19:38:54 +0000 http://www.paws-and-effect.com/?p=564#comment-14876 After losing my own cat to FIV, I had done a lot of research on finding ways to extend the lives of cats when they get infected. My cat first showed signs of illness in 2002 when we took him to the vet and he tested positive. After given some anti-biotics for the secondary infections, he recovered and lived 3 more years. He probably would have lived longer if I knew now what I knew then. There are herbal supplements called transfer factors that increase sensitivity and response to viruses, bacterias, etc.. I really believe in this supplement and I take it myself. Since being on it I have never gotten sick so I know that it works. It can get a little expensive, but it is definentely worth it. I thought I'd pass this knowledge and hope that it helps anyone looking for an answer. Here is a website with some info on it. http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/tf/s/pets.htm. After losing my own cat to FIV, I had done a lot of research on finding ways to extend the lives of cats when they get infected. My cat first showed signs of illness in 2002 when we took him to the vet and he tested positive. After given some anti-biotics for the secondary infections, he recovered and lived 3 more years. He probably would have lived longer if I knew now what I knew then. There are herbal supplements called transfer factors that increase sensitivity and response to viruses, bacterias, etc.. I really believe in this supplement and I take it myself. Since being on it I have never gotten sick so I know that it works. It can get a little expensive, but it is definentely worth it. I thought I’d pass this knowledge and hope that it helps anyone looking for an answer. Here is a website with some info on it. http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/tf/s/pets.htm.

]]> By: Joel http://www.paws-and-effect.com/2010/01/24/can-my-fiv-positive-cat-be-saved/comment-page-1/#comment-8196 Joel Tue, 06 Jul 2010 02:25:57 +0000 http://www.paws-and-effect.com/?p=564#comment-8196 Given the dates of the replies, I'm not sure if you are even "in the market" for additional commentary, but I can tell you that if your cat's only problem is gingivostomatitis -- and if there is nothing in its bloodwork (very high or very low WBC, low RBC) to suggest late stage disease, there is absolutely much that can be done to help your cat. You are welcome to consult my webpage on gingivostomatitis (www.fivtherapy.com/gingivostomatitis.htm) or to join the FIV group that I sponsor (http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/fiv-healthscience/). I'm only sorry I didn't stumble upon your site sooner. Understand that cats without FIV also suffer from stomatitis. FIV predisposes toward the disease and can also make it more difficult to treat. But stomatitis alone does not mean that a cat is dying or even approaching death. The accepted staging of FIV infection is borrowed from HIV medicine and is not always a good fit. Given the dates of the replies, I’m not sure if you are even “in the market” for additional commentary, but I can tell you that if your cat’s only problem is gingivostomatitis — and if there is nothing in its bloodwork (very high or very low WBC, low RBC) to suggest late stage disease, there is absolutely much that can be done to help your cat. You are welcome to consult my webpage on gingivostomatitis (www.fivtherapy.com/gingivostomatitis.htm) or to join the FIV group that I sponsor (http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/fiv-healthscience/). I’m only sorry I didn’t stumble upon your site sooner. Understand that cats without FIV also suffer from stomatitis. FIV predisposes toward the disease and can also make it more difficult to treat. But stomatitis alone does not mean that a cat is dying or even approaching death. The accepted staging of FIV infection is borrowed from HIV medicine and is not always a good fit.

]]> By: Trisha http://www.paws-and-effect.com/2010/01/24/can-my-fiv-positive-cat-be-saved/comment-page-1/#comment-7310 Trisha Wed, 17 Feb 2010 02:51:45 +0000 http://www.paws-and-effect.com/?p=564#comment-7310 I recently lost my beloved Francis, an FIV+ angel. I put him to sleep when it was clear to me that he had reached the limits of the disease. He too had stomatitis. He lived with it for years. About two years ago, the vet said Francis had less than a year to live, based partially on his stomatitis. About a year and a half later, Francis started suffering from horrible neuological problems. When medicine could no longer keep him pain free, I had to make the decision. I wanted to keep him alive so badly. But I realized, with my vet's guidance, that at that point of the disease, there was a lot more pain ahead with little to no quality of life. I never thought I could euthanize my little baby, but ending his horrible pain became more important than my need to have him with me physically. Keep in mind that this is a decision you have to be certain about. There is no turning back after euthanasia. If a vet is offering a reasonable pain management plan for the stomatitis, I would go with it. After all, Francis did enjoy a certain quality of life with the stomatitis until his neurological problems surfaced. Good luck to you and your little friend. I know your pain. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time. I recently lost my beloved Francis, an FIV+ angel. I put him to sleep when it was clear to me that he had reached the limits of the disease. He too had stomatitis. He lived with it for years. About two years ago, the vet said Francis had less than a year to live, based partially on his stomatitis. About a year and a half later, Francis started suffering from horrible neuological problems. When medicine could no longer keep him pain free, I had to make the decision. I wanted to keep him alive so badly. But I realized, with my vet’s guidance, that at that point of the disease, there was a lot more pain ahead with little to no quality of life. I never thought I could euthanize my little baby, but ending his horrible pain became more important than my need to have him with me physically.

Keep in mind that this is a decision you have to be certain about. There is no turning back after euthanasia. If a vet is offering a reasonable pain management plan for the stomatitis, I would go with it. After all, Francis did enjoy a certain quality of life with the stomatitis until his neurological problems surfaced. Good luck to you and your little friend. I know your pain. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time.

]]> By: Susie http://www.paws-and-effect.com/2010/01/24/can-my-fiv-positive-cat-be-saved/comment-page-1/#comment-7132 Susie Wed, 27 Jan 2010 01:27:36 +0000 http://www.paws-and-effect.com/?p=564#comment-7132 Hello J, Sorry about your cat being FIV+. Please, do NOT put him to sleep. In fact, I would stop going to the vet who recommended putting your cat to sleep. You are blessed with the love and companionship of a very special cat. My cat is also FIV+ and I sponsor several FIV+ cats at a no-kill shelter. If you talk to anyone who is familiar with cat rescue he/she will tell you that FIV+ cats are the most affectionate and wonderful animals in the world. It is as if they know their time on earth is limited so they decide to love everything and everyone with all their hearts. When we adopted our cat and found out he had FIV+ I started to do a lot of research on FIV. The conclusion I came to was that the best defense against FIV virus is a strong immune system. Give your FIV+ cat the most nutritious food you can find/afford. My FIV+ cat is on a raw diet with free-range and organic meats. Give your cat supplements to boost and maintain a strong immune system. Standard Process Veterinary Formula has a product called Feline Immune System Support. It is recommended by numerous holistic vets. Also give your cat Probiotic. It helps with his/her digestive, and also immune system. My FIV+ cat has been healthy and happy for 5 years. In fact, he is probably one of the healthiest cat I've known. All his vets (he has 3) say that he will be around for quite a while. Be vigilant about any symptom your cat is showing. Be thankful that you are chosen by this amazing animal as his family and best friend until the day he decides it's time to go. It is an honor, really. Susie Hello J,

Sorry about your cat being FIV+. Please, do NOT put him to sleep. In fact, I would stop going to the vet who recommended putting your cat to sleep. You are blessed with the love and companionship of a very special cat. My cat is also FIV+ and I sponsor several FIV+ cats at a no-kill shelter. If you talk to anyone who is familiar with cat rescue he/she will tell you that FIV+ cats are the most affectionate and wonderful animals in the world. It is as if they know their time on earth is limited so they decide to love everything and everyone with all their hearts.

When we adopted our cat and found out he had FIV+ I started to do a lot of research on FIV. The conclusion I came to was that the best defense against FIV virus is a strong immune system. Give your FIV+ cat the most nutritious food you can find/afford. My FIV+ cat is on a raw diet with free-range and organic meats. Give your cat supplements to boost and maintain a strong immune system. Standard Process Veterinary Formula has a product called Feline Immune System Support. It is recommended by numerous holistic vets. Also give your cat Probiotic. It helps with his/her digestive, and also immune system.

My FIV+ cat has been healthy and happy for 5 years. In fact, he is probably one of the healthiest cat I’ve known. All his vets (he has 3) say that he will be around for quite a while.

Be vigilant about any symptom your cat is showing. Be thankful that you are chosen by this amazing animal as his family and best friend until the day he decides it’s time to go. It is an honor, really.

Susie

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