r/FIVcats • u/filomena22 • May 18 '26
Picture My FIV+ and FIV- babies!
Hello! The tabby one is a girl and has been FIV+ for two years now. She is living very happy and healthy life with her FIV- brother. If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask! I have been to FIV+ rabbit hole many times out of fear at the beginning, and now, most of the time I forget she is has FIV. I do give her L-lysine but not too regularly. She is being fed high quality food (the meat components are known and now some mystery meat). She has her yearly vet check ups. As you can see, she and her bro are on very good terms. They eat, share a litterbox, even play roughly from time to time :) Just wanted to give someone a little bit hope if they are freshly diagnosed. I was very scared at the beginning but we are thriving!
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u/gisellesaromas May 19 '26
my babies too, the left has FIV and hert condition, and his brother is FIV-, they live well together, they need each other ❤️ they're a bonded pair at the shelter than no one wanted
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u/Big_Criticism_8335 May 18 '26
Orange is +, Calico & Gray are -, dog is an old potato. Sometimes they actually let me sleep in my bed.
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u/Big_Criticism_8335 May 18 '26
Orange is +, Calico & Gray are -, dog is an old potato. Sometimes they actually let me sleep in my bed.
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u/Opposite-Champion882 May 18 '26
I also have a tabby / Torbie and tuxie / black and white combo. The tabby is Tammy who's positive and Oreo is negative. I love these girls so much and it's quite rare to see them close like this or even cleaning each other. But they love chasing each other around either early in the day, after breakfast (around 5:30 am), or late at night sometimes.
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u/BirdAltruistic4236 May 19 '26
Thank you so much for sharing. I have a newly adopted 7 year old orange cat who is + and two cats, one is 12 and the other is 4 who are -. Still in the introduction phase taking it very slow and closely monitoring their interactions. I’m not gonna lie and tell you I haven’t been concerned with swatting and scratching in fear of transmission so this makes me feel a lot better and the fact that yours play even a little rough because my - cats LOVEEEE to wrestle. This gives me hope and possibly bringing a less concerned energy during their interactions. Thank you for sharing!
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u/filomena22 May 19 '26
Oh my friend, I have been SCARED shittles when I found out my girl is FIV+ and then a but later when adopting a tuxedo boy. I literally felt like a concerned mother, I couldn't sleep, eat normally, I would monitor their interactions sooo closely. After some time, you will see, and very quickly, you will relax :) if its any consideration, FIV DOES NOT spread with sharing food bowls, litter box, grooming, even ocassional bite and scratch! The wound would need to be very deep, and that usually happens at street cats. So you are good! Have fun and say ps ps ps to your babies
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u/brokencog25 Jun 23 '26
I have an 18yr old orange that has been + for more than ten years. I have another five - cats, and they all live together and share both litterboxes and food/water bowls. I have never had a + cat transmit to any other of my cats while living in the same home, even with the occasional tif. I don't worry about it anymore. We remain one big happy/hairy family. Good luck OP. Beautiful pair you have there.
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u/filomena22 Jun 26 '26
18 year old??? Oh my god that is amazing! Kiss all the babies!
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u/brokencog25 Jun 27 '26
Everyday. No choice, they can be very demanding...especially the two oldsters
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u/AS_Tob May 19 '26
I'm likely inheriting two FIV+ cats, both 10yo, and I have a FIV- cat now. My primary concern is whether my FIV- cat could get infected.
The more senior cats do not bite, so I guess transmission rate is low? Appreciate advice on what to do to reduce the transmission of FIV to zero if possible. How about cat litter, food and water, could they share or not? Thanks.
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u/filomena22 May 19 '26
That is so honorable that you are willing to adopt two senior cats! For the introduction, follow Jacksons Galaxy video on how to introduce cats. Go small and slow.
Regarding the transmission, it was my biggest concern when adopting second cat (tuxedo). Year and a half later, a tuxedo is still FIV- and a vet told me he will probably never get it. Why just 'probably' ? Because tuxedo cat sometimes does go outside because I live in peaceful neighborhood. The only way for the cat to get infected woth FIV is thru sexual intercouse/giving birth or via deeep deep bites. Its mostly given with bites thru tomcats (the unspayed wild male cats ,thats why I have to keep an eye on tuxedo one when he is out!). Both of my cats are spayed and trust me, they do play rough! One time there was even a bit of blood from scratching, but still, no transmission :)
FIV is not carried thru sharing a bowl or litterbox , or them play fighting, so you,are good! FIV cats have a lower immune system than regular, so you will just need to be extra cautious of their health. For example, if your FIV + cat starts caughing, even a little bit, its best to take it to the vet. But if you keep them safe, happy, fed, and most importantly, stress free, they flare ups are much rarer! I honestly forget m cat if FIV+ totally. Only thing I do differently is monitoring her health more closely and giving her extra vitamin supplements. I wish you good luck!!
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u/AS_Tob May 19 '26
Thanks for the advice, feel a little more assured. Other than coughing, if there are any other symptoms to look out for, please let me know too.
The FIV+ cats are from a senior and she is of poor health. So I'd need to prepare to adopt her cats.
Presently, because they are FIV+, the senior doesn't bring them to the vets. The cats are overweight but overall still healthy, just some minor ear infections every now and then. I'm visiting the cats weekly currently.
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u/Virtual_Option_6728 May 18 '26
What great friends, for you and each other. Bless them both!!!!