I am thinking about getting my cat a buddy and one of the candidates I've come across who seems like he would be a good fit personality-wise happens to be FIV positive.
My first question is safety for my current FIV- cat. FIV is only transmissible by deep bite wounds and Ciaran is not a fighter. Therefor, introducing an FIV+ cat with a good temperament seems pretty low-risk to me. However, given the degree of fear surrounding FIV in the pet owner community, I just want to make sure there isn't a risk I'm overlooking.
My other question is care of an FIV+ cat. My understanding is that day-to-day care is no different than their FIV- counterparts and FIV rarely progresses to full immune deficiency. I will be working long hours for the next couple of years and I want to make sure I can meet my cats' needs. Also, a concern more specific to my situation: I am starting a medical residency and therefor will have increased exposure to sick people. Will the possibility of zoonotic pathogens hitching a ride home from the hospital on my shoes or clothing constitute an undue risk for an FIV+ cat?
My first question is safety for my current FIV- cat. FIV is only transmissible by deep bite wounds and Ciaran is not a fighter. Therefor, introducing an FIV+ cat with a good temperament seems pretty low-risk to me. However, given the degree of fear surrounding FIV in the pet owner community, I just want to make sure there isn't a risk I'm overlooking.
My other question is care of an FIV+ cat. My understanding is that day-to-day care is no different than their FIV- counterparts and FIV rarely progresses to full immune deficiency. I will be working long hours for the next couple of years and I want to make sure I can meet my cats' needs. Also, a concern more specific to my situation: I am starting a medical residency and therefor will have increased exposure to sick people. Will the possibility of zoonotic pathogens hitching a ride home from the hospital on my shoes or clothing constitute an undue risk for an FIV+ cat?