Any point in testing ??

[Michelle (furbabystar)]

I need to update this .....
I'll do it later and move over to "health and behaviour"

[Desley (booktigger)]

Have you booked him in yet Michelle?

[Desley (booktigger)]

I think that is reasonable - only one of mine have ever been tested, and that was cos she had an unexplained fever (although I think the vet over-reacted and saw a way of getting some money, esp when they charged me over the odds cos I demanded a Glasgow test - he didn't even wait to see if her temp came down after ab's before doing it) .

[Michelle (furbabystar)]

Spoken to my vet and we are going to do a full bloods .....but won't be testing for FIV/FeLV

[Janeyk]

The last few weeks he hasn't looked his best, has lost alittle bit of weight and his coat not as nice as it used to be .....but he is still eating and hasn't changed personality or anything

Taking him to the vet is a HUGE HUGE ordeal ....(think because he was feral)
so not sure what to do

Def worth full bloods doing and thyroid bloods if coat is poor condition and losing weight but eating can indicate hyperthyrodism

[Desley (booktigger)]

I would actually get a full blood panel done on him, just to be on the safe side, as poor coat condition can be a sign of things like kidney and liver issues.

[clarenmax]

You wouldn't treat him any differently if you had a diagnosis, so ordinarily I'd say not to bother.

However, if he's not tip-top right now I'd say a general health check is worth doing, and maybe test if he's there anyway, as forewarned is forearmed as they say 

[Michelle (furbabystar)]

Hi Moira,

Vet thought he was 3/5yrs old back then .....so that would make him 7/9yrs old now maybe ....but who knows really, he could be younger or older

 I've never wanted him tested, hadn't wanted him labeled and didn't feel there was any need to test because what difference would it make to know.
He lives happily with my other 9 cats and I just keep an eye when he play fights


I'll wait for my vet to come back from holiday and then pop him along.

Thank you xx

[moira]

 I would take him to the vet (regardless of FIV status) if he appears at all unwell. I have one too that is not the best patient (and he's a big 7Kg guy) and I have to wear leather gloves when holding him for the vet to check but there really is no other way round it.

There is a possibility that he is positive given his history and you could have him tested for FIV (for a definitive answer he would need to be tested by Glasgow Vet School at a cost of around £30 as in-house testing is not accurate) but, personally, I would just care for him on the assumption that as he came to you as a long term stray his health isn't likely to have been the best and as he gets older he will need that little bit extra care. How old is he, by the way?

[Michelle (furbabystar)]

Can I ask what's driving the questions hun?  Hope all is well with you and the furries xx

Abit worried about Tramp.
He turned up as a untouchable stray Oooo about 4yrs ago, took Me 6mths to tamed him  had him neutered etc and he is now the most wonderful lapcat
but I've always thought the chance of him being FIV is pretty high.

The last few weeks he hasn't looked his best, has lost alittle bit of weight and his coat not as nice as it used to be .....but he is still eating and hasn't changed personality or anything

Taking him to the vet is a HUGE HUGE ordeal ....(think because he was feral)
so not sure what to do

[clarenmax]

I've always done annual vet checks, used to call it Max's MOT 

[moira]

Hi, I have a number of FIVs ranging from 2 - 13.  I don't give supplements but I do get them vet checked every six months and look out for eye/teeth problems in particular. I also take extra care to make sure they stay up to date with their flea and worm treatments. Generally, just that little bit extra attention.

[clarenmax]

I have to say Michelle, I never did with Max, and I haven't with Poot either.

As long as they are eating a good balanced diet, then that's the best thing.

Actually, saying that I do put Plaque Off in wet food as its supposed to help teeth and gums, which FIV cats are renowened to have issues with, but other than that, I can't think of anything specific!

Can I ask what's driving the questions hun?  Hope all is well with you and the furries xx

[Michelle (furbabystar)]

Once you know they are FIV+ is there anything different you do ?
Any suplements or anything ?