Are you thinking of adopting an FIV cat but worried about what might be involved? Has your cat recently been diagnosed with FIV or are you already the proud owner of an FIV cat?
There are lots of FIV cat
owners slaves here on Purrs. The majority of these cats are living happy, healthy lives and don't need any extra care.
If you need any specific advice or reassurance then please start a new thread and feel free to PM (personal message) any of the owners listed and if they can advise you in any way they will. If your cat is ill then please consult a vet in the first instance, we are happy to offer advice, support and our own experiences of different treatments available but this can in no way be a substitute for veterinary advice.
So, the FIV Purrs roll of honour
Max is 8 years old and lives with
clarenmax
Alfie is 2 years old and lives with
LeighK
Frankie is 3 years old and is Alfie's 'brother' and also lives with
LeighK
Louis is 8 years old and lives with
LittleLijah
Boysie is 2 years old and is Louis' 'brother' and also lives with
LittleLijah
Mango is one and lives with
Mojo
Chutney is Mango's sister, she is also one and lives with
Mojo
Fizz is 5 years old and lives with
Turbogirlie
Tabby is 15 years old and lives with
Carole1b
Bobby is 3 years old and lives with his 6 year old 'sister' Buffy, 'brother' Biscuit and
Schmew 
Biscuit lives with his 'sister' Buffy, 'brother' Bobby and
Schmew 
Tatty is anywhere between 5 1/2 and 10 1/2 according to the vet! He lives with
Sylvia, Tabs and his friends Gizzy, Tommy, Sweepy and Suki, who are all non-FIV.
Tabs is around 10 and lives with
Sylvia, Tatty and his friends Gizzy, Tommy, Sweepy and Suki, who are all non-FIV.
Frank is around 5 and lives with
FrankNTessa All these cats are special cats who happen to have FIV, in fact Clare's Max, Leigh's Alfie and Tessa's Frank are famous
See their articles...
http://woking.cats.org.uk/index.asp?m=showNews&newsID=412 - Max's article
http://www.croydonanimalsamaritans.co.uk/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=5&MMN_position=6:6 - click on the link and scroll down for Alfie's story.
http://woking.cats.org.uk/index.asp?m=showNews&newsID=683 - Frank's article
Here is Fizz's story in the words of his owner Turbogirlie...
"We found out, purely by accident, that Fizz was FIV+ in February 2007. He was suffering from chronic anaemia and the vet did a blood test to see if he could diagnose the reason. Initially our world was shattered, he was only 4 years old and we knew very little about what was in store for him. Our vet was marvellous and helped us through those initial months. The vet thought that Fizz wouldn't last the week but made a remarkable recovery.
Fizz suffered another bout of anaemia 2 months after taking him off the steroids. Back to the vets and back on steroids. He then suffered from what looked like bleeding in his eye. We started to do more research on the internet when I came across the Purrs In Our Hearts website. We suddenly found that we were not alone and could talk to others who could relate to what we were experiencing. We posted pictures of Fizz's eye condition and the help on the site was fantastic. He was suffering from Uveitis - another member put a link to a site showing the condition which helped immensely. It is reassuring that there are others out there, who understand and can be the shoulder you need in times of trouble. They share in your joys and triumphs.
So if your cat is diagnosed with FIV, it is not a death sentence that you may think it is, or that some would have you believe. All members on here with FIV cats will help with advice on how you can live with this. It makes little difference, the cat is still the same lovable rogue you fell in love with at the beginning."
