Took cat to vet for through testing. Vets suspect he has FIV

[tml1991]

I took my 3 year old cat to the vet today, and was told he likely has FIV. Ulcers in his mouth, suspected to be caused by FIV were what was hurting his appetite, and making him feel uncomfortable. The vet also said he had a high fever too. I was given some nutrient rich soft food for him and an appetite stimulant. I tried to take him to the vet twice in the last week and a half, and each time he'd panic when brought to the cage. I finally managed to get him in this morning after tricking him. He was given some shots to help with the ulcers and doesn't seem to be in as much pain anymore, and is no longer having a buildup of brown saliva around his mouth like he did. He is still tired though. I will not know for sure if it's FIV or not until later this week, but currently, FIV is what's suspected. I feel so bad that it took this long to get him in, but between his reluctance to get in the cage each time and so many things happening, it took longer than I wanted. I just hope that time didn't make it much worse.

 

[jefferd18]

I took my 3 year old cat to the vet today, and was told he likely has FIV. Ulcers in his mouth, suspected to be caused by FIV were what was hurting his appetite, and making him feel uncomfortable. The vet also said he had a high fever too. I was given some nutrient rich soft food for him and an appetite stimulant. I tried to take him to the vet twice in the last week and a half, and each time he'd panic when brought to the cage. I finally managed to get him in this morning after tricking him. He was given some shots to help with the ulcers and doesn't seem to be in as much pain anymore, and is no longer having a buildup of brown saliva around his mouth like he did. He is still tired though. I will not know for sure if it's FIV or not until later this week, but currently, FIV is what's suspected. I feel so bad that it took this long to get him in, but between his reluctance to get in the cage each time and so many things happening, it took longer than I wanted. I just hope that time didn't make it much worse.

No it did make it any worse. If he had been hit by a car then I would have said the quicker you get him to a vet, the better, because time would not have been on his side. Cats always give us a hard time when going to the vet- they are not good patients. FIV is not the death sentence it once was- now with proper medication and adjustments in lifestyle cats go on to lead long and normal lives. I am so glad that his ulcers are no longer tormenting him- you are a good cat-parent.

 

[tml1991]

No it did make it any worse. If he had been hit by a car then I would have said the quicker you get him to a vet, the better, because time would not have been on his side. Cats always give us a hard time when going to the vet- they are not good patients. FIV is not the death sentence it once was- now with proper medication and adjustments in lifestyle cats go on to lead long and normal lives. I am so glad that his ulcers are no longer tormenting him- you are a good cat-parent.

Have you deal with FIV+ cats before? If so, how long before, or if, do they usually recover? He's resting comfortably right now, for the first time in days. These ulcers were the primary cause of his discomfort, and as said before, FIV was expected to be the reason for the ulcers.

 

[jefferd18]

Yes, I have. Recover from what? Their immune system is compromised so it is up to the owner to make sure that their cat does not go outdoors (fighting will only spread the virus and it can be sexually transmitted). The cat needs to be checked twice a year instead of once, and it is important to keep their stress level down. You are trying to prevent any infection or full blown AIDS from occurring.

 

[MissClouseau]

There is a fast test for FIV antibodies. They didn't do that?

Did he say "FIV" over just mouth ulcers or does he have other issues going on as well? I'm no vet and not aware of it if there is a certain kind of mouth ulcers that are more common among FIV cats. If there is no such thing, I'm confused as why he would strongly suspect of FIV. Periodental disease which is far more common among cats than FIV is one of the several different options why a cat might develop mouth ulcers.

You can check some of the other possibilities here: Mouth Inflammation and Ulcers in Cats - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost

I would get a FIV test done and especially if it's negative try to find a veterinary dentist. If it's not available where you live there might be a vet who only treats dental issues. (I say this way because in my country technically there is no veterinary dentist specialist either but there is one vet for example with his own clinic who only treats dental problems and follow veterinary dentistiry. He's like an unofficial specialist.)

 

[Mamanyt1953]

They don't really "recover" from FIV, however, they can become asymptomatic for months, I've known a few who went for YEARS without flare-ups, have one, and then be fine again. Flare-ups tend to be related to stress, so keep him on a regular schedule as much as possible. A dependable routine is very soothing for cats.

 

[tml1991]

There is a fast test for FIV antibodies. They didn't do that?

Did he say "FIV" over just mouth ulcers or does he have other issues going on as well? I'm no vet and not aware of it if there is a certain kind of mouth ulcers that are more common among FIV cats. If there is no such thing, I'm confused as why he would strongly suspect of FIV. Periodental disease which is far more common among cats than FIV is one of the several different options why a cat might develop mouth ulcers.

You can check some of the other possibilities here: Mouth Inflammation and Ulcers in Cats - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost

I would get a FIV test done and especially if it's negative try to find a veterinary dentist. If it's not available where you live there might be a vet who only treats dental issues. (I say this way because in my country technically there is no veterinary dentist specialist either but there is one vet for example with his own clinic who only treats dental problems and follow veterinary dentistiry. He's like an unofficial specialist.)

They suspected FIV because of his fever, and the ulcers, and the poor appetite and lethargy I said he had. Also, he's a tomcat that went outside sometimes and would get into fights. They did an FIV test, and its results are supposed to come this week.

 

[tml1991]

They don't really "recover" from FIV, however, they can become asymptomatic for months, I've known a few who went for YEARS without flare-ups, have one, and then be fine again. Flare-ups tend to be related to stress, so keep him on a regular schedule as much as possible. A dependable routine is very soothing for cats.

I should have worded it better. I was asking if this ulcer flare up would go down and he'd be like he was before it. They gave him some sort of antibiotic shot, and another type of shot, which have stopped his ulcers from hurting and him from having that mix of drool and infection. He's still lethargic, and not eating as much as before, but he doesn't seem to be in the pain he once was.

 

[tml1991]

Yes, I have. Recover from what? Their immune system is compromised so it is up to the owner to make sure that their cat does not go outdoors (fighting will only spread the virus and it can be sexually transmitted). The cat needs to be checked twice a year instead of once, and it is important to keep their stress level down. You are trying to prevent any infection or full blown AIDS from occurring.

I meant recover from this flareup. He doesn't seem to be in the pain he once was, but he's not quite his old self again, either. He sleeps a lot, but more relaxed, and when he's woken up from his sleep, he doesn't act as agitated. He yawns, stretches and walks around some.

 

[jefferd18]

I meant recover from this flareup. He doesn't seem to be in the pain he once was, but he's not quite his old self again, either. He sleeps a lot, but more relaxed, and when he's woken up from his sleep, he doesn't act as agitated. He yawns, stretches and walks around some.

I see nothing wrong with that, deep uninterrupted sleep is the best recovery that a body could wish for.

If he is diagnosed with FIV the decisions you make for him will determine his future. If he is kept intact and left to go outside, he not only will die an early death but he will take other cats with him.

 

[tml1991]

I see nothing wrong with that, deep uninterrupted sleep is the best recovery that a body could wish for.

If he is diagnosed with FIV the decisions you make for him will determine his future. If he is kept intact and left to go outside, he not only will die an early death but he will take other cats with him.

I have not let him outside at all since this began.

 

[jefferd18]

I have not let him outside at all since this began.

That's good, thank you, I just wish the person who owned the cat who infected your kitty had been as responsible. Just remember that if he is kept indoors and he is not fixed he may become really obnoxious, like spraying or yowling.

 

[tml1991]

That's good, thank you, I just wish the person who owned the cat who infected your kitty had been as responsible. Just remember that if he is kept indoors and he is not fixed he may become really obnoxious, like spraying or yowling.

I'll remember that. He just woke up after hours of sleeping and ate, and drank more than he has in quite some time.

 

[jefferd18]

He's gone through quite an ordeal and really needed that rest to recuperate. It sounds like he is on the mend.

 

[MissClouseau]

They suspected FIV because of his fever, and the ulcers, and the poor appetite and lethargy I said he had. Also, he's a tomcat that went outside sometimes and would get into fights. They did an FIV test, and its results are supposed to come this week.

If he's not neutered FIV is more likely unfortunately. Is there a reason why he's not neutered? Tomcats go through so much stress and fear both with fights and just looking for a mate, not finding a mate and all. Stress doesn't help the immune system. Especially if he has FIV.

And note that if he's use to going outside, it might be better to have some transition. Being indoor-only alone could be very stressful. My one cousin's cat got blocked due to stress like this after they tried to make him indoor-only when they moved and the new neighborhood wasn't safe to go out. Not to say let him outside now when he's sick. But he may need some extra support if he shows interest to go out.

 

[jefferd18]

If he's not neutered FIV is more likely unfortunately. Is there a reason why he's not neutered? Tomcats go through so much stress and fear both with fights and just looking for a mate, not finding a mate and all. Stress doesn't help the immune system. Especially if he has FIV.

And note that if he's use to going outside, it might be better to have some transition. Being indoor-only alone could be very stressful. My one cousin's cat got blocked due to stress like this after they tried to make him indoor-only when they moved and the new neighborhood wasn't safe to go out. Not to say let him outside now when he's sick. But he may need some extra support if he shows interest to go out.

I agree with everything you wrote except for the going out part. If he indeed has FIV, (fingers crossed he doesn't) he is now a risk to other cats. Yes, if he is fixed, he will no longer battle for the favors of certain young ladies, but he can, and probably will, fight a cat who comes into his yard. Not only will his immune system take a fall but it will most likely result in a death sentence for the other cat.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

I was asking if this ulcer flare up would go down and he'd be like he was before it.

Almost certainly, he will get over it, although it may recur in times of stress. But it should not be a permanent thing, at any rate.

And yes, he needs to be neutered, and transitioned to indoors only. This may help:
The Five Golden Rules To Bringing An Outdoor Cat Inside – TheCatSite Articles

 

[MissClouseau]

Not only will his immune system take a fall but it will most likely result in a death sentence for the other cat.

His immune system will take a fall more rapidly and harsher if he wants to go out but can't for a long period of time. As I've mentioned, my cousin's cat got blocked when he couldn't go out anymore. Twice actually, within a month. It really wasn't safe for him to go out there though but obviously him keep getting blocked wasn't good at all either, so they found the solution in sending him away to my cousin's MIL's house where he could go out in the yard. (They took him back couple months later when they moved to a safer area themselves. Although really the cat was doing great at the MIL's house too.)

So I'm not saying he should be allowed to go out necessarily but if he keeps showing interest maybe the OP can try things like a catio, or leash walks... like some supervised outdoor time. Or just the best they could for outdoorsy feeling like maybe new plants in a room and toys hiding there that feels like a garden.

 

[tml1991]

Vet called and said he has FIV, based on his bloodwork examination.

 

[jefferd18]

How are you doing?