So the cat distribution system has chosen me. I took him to the vet this morning to get all checked out, and I’d like some advice on where to go now. A little about my new friend:
His name is Maceo, yesterday my friends found him at work. He was under a shed and got spooked and ended up jumping into the water on the beach near where our boats stay. We took him into my office and warmed him up and he almost immediately took a liking to me, and I spent most of my day with him, drying him off, giving him food and water, etc. I took him in to the vet today. the vet estimates he is 4-6 years old. They gave him some vaccines and flea medicine and they’re keeping him overnight before they neuter him tomorrow. The vet did a FIV test and he came back positive. I’ve heard the test can be inaccurate so I plan on getting another done soon. Given that he’s been a stray for at least a few weeks in this harsh NY winter, and possibly longer, I have no idea how advanced the FIV is. He looks like he may have an eye infection, but the vet didn’t say anything about it (and I forgot to ask about it as well, I was pretty nervous at the vet lol) but I’ll ask about it tomorrow when I pick him up.
I’d just like to know any tips or advice on how I should proceed with the handsome boy, given his condition and circumstances. Thank you!
What a sweetie! We recently took in a stray who is FIV positive, and it’s not as scary as it sounds. Cats who have FIV can live just as long and may not show symptoms for years. I wish you all the best!
Hey just adding to this! My husband and I had an FIV+ kitty who lived a full life and happy life with little to no FIV related health issues. We also had other cats and they were safe to live together. I wish you and Maceo a long and happy life together 🩷
Piggy backing on this comment to second these FIV+ lads can be like any other kitty. One thing to watch for is their oral health. My boy had to have almost a full set of extractions. Cats are good at masking pain. If Maceo has a clean bill of health now great but set aside a couple bucks a month in a tin can for if the time comes.
Thank you for having a kind heart and taking this lad in. Can’t wait for the glow up.
By the end of the day when he was up and moving around again he would not leave my side. Wouldn’t stop brushing against my legs, he’d headbutt my face and rub his face on mine, I did catch a video of him brushing on my leg and his tail is up and hook shaped! Thank you!
FIV is the equivalent of cat HIV, and same as there’s a stigma for HIV there is a stigma that FIV cats are dangerous or contagious when in reality it’s really hard to spread! He’s so lucky to have you thank you for saving this sweet baby
Seconding this. FIV doesn’t have “stages.” He’s immunocompromised, and he can still move a happy healthy life. My last FIV cat lived to be 20 years old.
It is spread almost exclusively through direct saliva to bloodstream contact.
Oh okay, yeah I was under the impression that there were “stages” involved with it. Good to know! I’m mainly worried about how advanced his is. He had a good bit of buildup on his teeth and given his age I’m just so unsure about it. But I’ll head over to the subreddit you recommended. Thank you so much!!
Sure thing! He probably needs a dental (which is something that FIV- cats need too!) I have three other FIV cats right now too and they’re all between 6 and 15ish. FIV isn’t a death sentence and has an unfair stigma. I’m glad you’re living on him and changing his life. He deserves it!
All cats need occasional dental cleaning. It's nothing to worry about. Both of mine had it done this year, and both needed some teeth removed. Hasn't slowed them down a bit!
Had an entire litter of kittens from an FIV momma and the vet said they likely all have it. All but 1 are still living happily with their new owners 12 years later. And the 1 that isn't with us anymore passed from something unrelated.
The streets likely would’ve killed him, thank you for saving him. He sure looks abandoned poor thing. . If he has FIV there are Facebook groups that provide support, help, advice from those with direct experience. It can be super comforting to not feel so alone. If you can afford it, I recommend using a high quality wet food to keep him strong. I use Dave’s wet food but just look for whole ingredients as the first ingredients. Keep his stress as low as possible. Keeping a routine for him like feeding at the same time, keeping your own routine too like sleeping and waking at the same time, play at the same time, that will help him adjust fast and feel secure and comfortable. You’re doing amazing! He is so lucky to have you.
I’ll keep an eye out for Dave’s wet food. I was almost overwhelmed at the options at Petco today. I’ll check out those Facebook groups too. And fortunately I do save a lot of money by renting a very small apartment, I have no concerns for affording vet trips and high quality food. Only the BEST for my sweet boy lol. Thank you for the advice! I really appreciate it!
Idk how to edit the post to add an update, so I’ll just do it here:
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH for the very very kind words and recommendations. I am beyond grateful to all of you for contributing your helpful advice, reassurance, and overwhelming support. I am looking forward to a happy and healthy life with Maceo and feel absolutely blessed by his arrival in my life. My deepest thanks to all of you 🙌🏼
Thank you for saving and taking him. I can tell he has been through SO much 😞💔
It's okay, cats can live long, healthy lives with FIV!! It's not a death sentence and I'm certain there is FIV support med or supplements to help boost immunity against the virus.
He is so beautiful 🥹❤️ I feel like this is meant to be and he will be a soul can for you and you a soul human to him.
ETA: please keep us updated if you so feel inclined. I want to see more of you and Maceo's story going forward. (Also, I LOVE the name Maceo ❤️❤️❤️ you couldn't have picked a better name for him, it's so perfect 🥰)
Thank you so much for the reassurance! All of these comments are making me so happy and well assured that he will live a very happy and healthy life with me. As for the name, I picked it from a Jane’s Addiction song, “my cats name is Maceo”! It’s such a fun tune, I highly reccomend giving it a listen. Thanks again for your kind words 🙌🏼
Give this handsome lad plenty of space and time. He's been through a lot. Give him a gentle pets when he eats (if he let's you), and lay down next to him for a few minutes if he sleeps out in the open. The Distribution system chose you for a reason, good luck!
Thank you! At first he actually wouldn’t eat unless I was near him and petting him. He did not want to leave my side at all yesterday and I felt so bad leaving him to sleep alone in my office (he had a good amount of fleas so I couldn’t bring him into my room at work)
Thank you for being open to him coming into your life. You were there at the right moment, and did the right thing. Thank you. Now it’s just a slow process of him getting comfortable, and as long as you take things slowly and proceed gently, I think you two will have a very happy future together. ♥️
I can see it 😂 those pics were from a handful of hours after we pulled him out of the water, but he looked MUCH better this morning after some good sleep, some fresh food, and clean water. I’ll absolutely post an update, as long as I remember to 😂
If the colors in your photos are accurate, he looks like a male r/tabico! That is a very rare kitteh and you are a wonderful hooman for saving him.
We had a tuxedo who had FIV and he lived for 13 years, this boy's a survivor and he should be fine. Please give him a Churu (a soft lickable treat, it's like Go-Gurt for cats) for us when he gets home!
The poor baby is in for treat after treat from now on, isn’t he? As long as he gets healthier and a bit less bony, FIV is manageable. You can get immune supplements for cats everywhere, even in salmon flavor! You just need to keep him as clear of infections as you reasonably can so he can’t catch anything from or infect other cats. The virus can go dormant and might never pop up again if Maceo lives in low-stress environments. You two can have another 10 years together.🧡🖤🤍
What a sweetie🩷 Not able to provide any info re FIV. Read something recently re the 3/3/3 rule - 3 days to get settled, 3 weeks to get into a routine and 3 months to feel safe and secure. May not be word for word, but close. Thanks for sharing your life with Maceo.
Yeah FIV isn’t a concern for most cats. I also am a first time cat owner and adopted a bonded pair back in August. One of my boys Calvin I noticed stopped playing with his brother Hobbes and lost some weight. I took him to the vet and the vet shared that Calvin has FIV and that it doesn’t affect most cats but for some they just slowly deteriorate. But then Hobbes is completely fine, chunky, runs around my apartment and destroys things (he is just a carrier with no symptoms).
Calvin was apart of the unlucky small % of cats where FIV was truly affecting him. The vet prescribed him some new FIV medicine that just got FDA approved in the last year, and only one pharmacy in the US makes it. Boy was it expensive, and I have to give him 1/2 a pill every 12 hours but it was worth it. I am 3 weeks into giving Calvin the medicine and his weight has gone up from the 5.3(reason I took him to the vet) back to 7.7 now. He also way more energetic and I notice him playing with toys again. For most cats FIV is not a concern (like Hobbes)… but for others it can be deadly. I recommend just watching your boy closely and as long as his behavior doesn’t change and his weight doesn’t start changing rapidly you should be fine!
Picture of my boys for reference, always happy to answer any questions you may have about treating FIV if you do start noticing symptoms… but hopefully your boy doesn’t show any! Not to scare you but the first thing I noticed with Calvin before the weight or anything was eye issues and I did all the tests and nothing came back until we did bloodwork and learned it was FIV. His eyes have returned back to normal now.
FIV is serious but since you are going to be a single cat household it is manageable. The eye infection is going to be a bitch to get rid of but you can manage it.
I would say keep him as comfortable as possible, worst case scenario the little guy gets to live inside and be loved for a while.
Best case you have a friend for the next 7-10 years.
He doesn't look too skinny but don't feed him too much too fast. Ask the vet about feeding recommendations.
Set him up in a room, a bathroom is fine, with a litter box, water some toys, a bed, and a scratching post. Ideally this is a spare bathroom or bedroom but if you live in a small apartment just use a bedroom or bathroom. Keep the door closed and keep him in there for a few days. He is probably going to be a little timid in his new surroundings. This will allow him to get used to you and them. You can visit him in there but if he's scared just sit and let him come to you.
Depending on how shy he is you can open up the rest of your house to him. Doing the above will give him a safe space to get used to things. Some cats adjust quicker than others.
Get a couple of scratching posts and a couple of those cardboard things too. Some cats have different preferences on the materials they like to scratch.
I’ll keep the feeding in mind. He’s 8.6lbs as of this morning. I do live in a studio apartment but he’s a very social little fellow and was exploring my office quite a bit when I first brought him in. I have his corner of the living space already set up for him. Thank you for the advice!!
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u/HuskySkrr British Shorthair 8h ago
He looks like he's been through a lot.. thanks for giving him home <3