Stomatitis and the Dumped Kitty - Nic graduates 2/10

[Alex_and_Bodie_s_Mom]

That’s so excellent! He looks SO happy. Of course, he is on drugs, but still.

I have one FIV-positive cat who is now 7, and shows absolutely no symptoms at all. But her brother was also FIV-positive, and he had stomatitis as well, which we could never get under control. The vet’s last option was to do a full mouth extraction, but he did not make it to that surgery. So Nic’s stomatitis could be caused by his FIV. Just keep an eye on him and know that a full-mouth extraction may be necessary at some point. It might not, too.

ETA - no refund necessary! Nic needs some catnip.

[Peggy]

He looks like a different cat.

[rubygirl1968]

What a sweet guy. I wish Snickers was easier to get along with, but at 16.5 she’s set in her ways.

Give that sweet boy a hug and a kiss for me.

[shiloh]

Ollie had FIV and stomatitis. Had to have all his teeth taken out and even though I pointed out it was not affecting all teeth, vet did say that it would prevent more problems later. She was right, though it did take several doses of steroids after the teeth went bye-bye to get his stomatitis under control. Ollie lived a pretty long life and in the end it was the cancer that got him. Not the FIV or the hyperthyroid or the cardiac issues.

I love Nic - he reminds me very much of my Ollie whom I’m missing very much right now.

Keep my $ and put towards food, transportation, a toy - whatever he needs or wants.

[Lusoluv]

Was so happy to help poor Nic. Glad to see him doing so well - thanks for the video updates!

[chestnutmarebeware]

Yay, Nic! I also had an FIV kitty within the household and there were no problems, other than her own not-great immune system that failed her at age 11.

Obviously I can’t speak for any other donors, but I’m willing to bet that using any balance for ongoing care costs would be fine. It is for me.

Can’t wait for another update!

[avjudge]

I also have one FIV+ cat. I had strongly suspected you would find that was the case with Nic. The fact that he has been living peacefully with a lot of other cats is to me a really good sign that he can be safely (peacefully) integrated into a household.

I took my Hammy in four years ago from my sister who could not have him in her house because of allergies. Living in her barn, he continued to fight even after being neutered. But his real personality is that of a teddy bear, so apparently that was due to the other wandering toms in the neighborhood. He was not young when he came to live in my sister’s barn, and he continues apparently healthy, as do my other cats.

I believe some vets still hold to the old line that FIV+ cats should live with other FIV+ cats, and it is true that the risk of infection to other cats in the household is not zero, but as long as there is no fighting, the vast majority of cases seem to present no problems (as you’re hearing here).

ETA: Oh, Nic looks sooooo happy in those videos!!!

[2DogsFarm]

Yay, Nic!!!
What a sweetheart

FIV is not a death sentence, but he might not be welcome in a household with FIV negative cats, even if transmission is not likely.
Friend has a barncat diagnosed a couple years ago & he’s doing fine except for an occasional, treatable (with pricy med)eye infection.

I hope Nic’s future home can still take him.
If I were closer he could come be my barncat

[clint]

Research has shown that cats only spread FIV to other cats through deep bite wounds, hence transmission by unneutered feral males. A study done recently with cats living in a house with an FIV positive cat had no transmission after a couple of years. Two vets that I know have had FIV positive cats in their practices that lived long and healthy lives. I asked my vet about whether he has seen an increase in stomatitis in FIV cats, and he hasn’t. My two cats with it both tested negative for FIV. One vet I spoke with feels terrible about past years when FIV positive cats were routinely euthanized.

[BrownDerby]

This is my understanding as well. The science has changed over the years. I am still open to take him, unless someone closer can.

[avjudge]

@clint

I asked my vet about whether he has seen an increase in stomatitis in FIV cats, and he hasn’t. My two cats with it both tested negative for FIV.

Oh, that’s interesting. I had only heard of stomatitis in relation to FIV+ cats, but that could well be because I haven’t researched stomatitis itself, just read about FIV, so I have a skewed perspective

[rubygirl1968]

I forgot to say that I don’t want a refund. The money can go towards his trip to Brown Derby if nothing closer happens, food, toys, catnip and all the other things kitties need.

[ThreeWishes]

Definitely put extra towards any costs especially a trip to live with Brown Derby!! Yay Nic!

[2DogsFarm]

I Triple the No Refund thought.
Spend Xtra on a toy for Nic to take to his new home with @BrownDerby

[clint]

Definitely no refund.

[irishchick]

Such a great outcome. Add me to the no refund chorus; he’ll have other needs as will his friends (and maybe even a token of appreciation for BIL for letting you bring him in to recuperate).

[Peggy]

No refund here either. Happy to see him doing well.

[vxf111]

I do not want a refund. As long as they money is used for this or other colony cats I am 100% pleased with that use of the money!

[BatCoach]

It’s been raining all day and Nic is snug in his beloved cat bed.

He hasn’t gotten the hang of playing with toys just yet, but the bed is his and will go with him to his future home. No more cold rainy days for this boy!!

IMG_2683

All thanks to you guys!!

[shiloh]

Oh he’s too kyoot! the big hambone…I want to hug him and pet him and squeeze him.

Thank you for making him happy. That’s why I like animals - so easy to please. Well, most of the time. lol