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Hi fellow Cat Lovers! I have a male fiv positive 3 year old cat named Bookeedo. My Vet has the opinion that there are no treatments that really work out there and so trusting her have not treated my kitty.He has recently become very ill and feel I've failed him by not being educated on this.it started with the runny eyes,yeast problems on skin,rashes ,and hair loss and a recurring bad ear infection. She has me trying all kinds of antibiotics and pain meds but that's it. They are not working. He is unhappy and lost weight despite eating.His recent bloodwork shows mild anemia which she is treating with iron supplements. I need help! I'm losing my cat and am willing to try anything! Please help me. Should I start him on something else. I'm desperate!!!!! She currently has me giving him Gentocin 1cc sub q for four days and ear drops(Baytril). Buponorphine for pain and onciar for pain. Please help me. I keep wondering if he would benefit from allergy meds and holistic care. He was also just recently given some treatments (injections) of Convenia. Please Help Me Save My Baby!P.S. Willing to do anything and my vet is open to suggestions...We have an appointment with her today. I stopped all antibiotics and on a hunch gave him some Zyrtec he's already doing better. We are in the U.S. and in the country They put these cats to sleep around here. I'm unwilling to do that at this point.

Hello there,

I am sorry to hear about Bookeedo. Poor baby sounds utterly miserable. While there is no cure for FIV, there are ways of helping your cat stay fit. I may be reading it wrong, but it sounds like your vet is one of the unenlightened ones who generally wash their hands of FIV+ cats from the start.

I can't advise you on medication but I would advise that you get in touch with Bob and Barbara at Catwork - http://www.FIVcats.org.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

They have a wealth of knowledge on the subject and are lovely people to deal with.

I do hope you find a way to help your poor boy. Please let us know how you go on and don't give up hope.

Sue

Seconded - I've no direct experience of FIV save for one cat who had an indeterminate blood test and later died at 11 - might have been FIV, might have not.

But you've come to the right place - this site can supply a lot of support and knowledge re FIV+ cats.

All paws crossed here for Bookeedo! x

Thank You So Much!! I will contact them asap.Thank You for the support, I really needed it.I am frazzled. Been up all night worrying about him. My Vet is not experienced in this area,but led me to believe that she was. I am in th U.S.and while im not new to cats, I am new to this disease. Most people think im crazy saying"Why don't you just put him down" I will not give up on my Bookeedo !!

Poor souls, both of you. Please do take the others advice and contact barbara and bob. I did, and if it wasn't for them I possibly wouldn't have kept our pepsi the stray who we were feeding and got sorted out at the vets. Bloods showed he was fiv pos and i felt like it was a death sentence for him and my other cat. They are a wonderful couple with years of experience and totally approachable. Hope you get some peace of mind and kitty gets better.

Just reading back through your first post, your poor lad sounds like a walking medicine chest and your vet sounds like she is just throwing meds at the problem 'till something sticks!

What is his diet like? His allergies might be diet related. A lot of cat food has cereal in it. You could try a change of diet.

If the Iron 'supplements' are 'elemental' that's just like giving him Iron filings, it will go straight through him. I occasionally give my lot a little cooked liver. That's full of Iron and they love it!

I hope someone else comes along soon with all the help you need. Fusses to Bookeedo.

I wish I could offer something more helpful, but I'm new to FIV+ cats myself so all I can do is agree that Bob and Barbara at Catwork are wonderful and have a wealth of experience of FIV. And wish you luck. xx