Cat Question--FIV

Laurel

Laurel

Member
My neighbor asked me if I could take care of her cat while she's out of town. The cat has FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus). I have 2 cats of my own that are indoor only. I don't know much about FIV. Would it be safe for me to take care of her cat? What precautions should I take not to pass it on to my cats? Thanks!

Laurel
 
Poor infected kitty.

If the visiting cat is an indoor cat herself and the risk of your cats fighting with a new visitor are minimal then biting (primary way the disease is transmitted) is unlikely.

From what I have read the only way you can take her in and eliminate entriely the risk to your own kitties will be to place the visiting cat in quarantine, in a separate room by herself.

http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/fiv.html
 
Is her cat coming to stay with you or are you going over to her house? I sort of just assumed you were going to her house. Make sure you wash your hands.
 
Ask your vet for what precautions to take (they deal with FIV cats without spreading it to other 'patients')

IMO, kitty would be happier staying at home and having you visit (and it would be safer for your cats).
 
Everyone has been correct. First, I agree with Kathryn that perhaps the kitty would be better in her own home. Sometimes the stress involved with travel and being in strange homes can make FIV worse so I'd think it'd be in that cat's best interest to be in its own home and you go over to check on it daily. I think it would be much happier there than in a strange place.

Also, FIV is not that "contagious" in that you can't carry it on your clothes or give it to your cat after petting the infected cat. It is transmitted primarily via bite wounds and not casual contact. If you decide to keep the cat, I'd definitely quarantine the cat as cats that don't know each other and may have a tendency to fight.

Good luck!
Heidi
 
I agree with others that the kitty should stay in his own home. When I took a trip to Greece some time back I had a cat sitter and it was great. All my babies were home and the cat sitter came every day to feed them, clean their litter boxes, and hang out with them if they wanted (only my evil boy, Tangerine, wanted the company...). It was absolutely ideal.
 
This disease can be spread by saliva, blood, sexual contact, or using the same litter pan. Primarily though, it is spread by blood as a result of fighting.

I would not have the sick cat in my house. I would care for it in it's own home.
 
I will be going to the FIV kitty's house to feed him and clean the litter box. Is washing my hands enough of a precaution? I will take Kathryn's advice and also call my vet. Thanks for the replies ladies! Laurel
 
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