My Story
Chompers-FIV+
(Feline immunodeficiency virus)
Age: 5 Years
Chompers has had a rough life. He has been an outdoor cat most of his life, fighting to survive. Chompers may look unfriendly, but that is his normal look. Chompers is looking for quite a home to live the rest of his life. Being FIV+ it is recommend that Chompers be the only cat in the house hold as FIV+ is transmitted to other cats. (NOT HUMANS OR DOGS) Chompers is great with people and kids, over the age of 10 years.
Chompers is laid back, loves to cuddle and sleep eat and repeat. He loves to be petted and loves scratches. Chompers has been treated for yeast in his ears and skin issues. He is scheduled to be neutered on December 5th. Please give this sweet boy a home for the holidays and lots of love he deserves!
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For more information on FIV, please read below:
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is one of the most common and consequential infectious diseases of cats around the world. In infected cats, FIV attacks the immune system, leaving the cat vulnerable to many other infections. Although cats infected with FIV may appear normal for years, they eventually suffer from immune deficiency, which allows normally harmless bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi found in the everyday environment to potentially cause severe illnesses. Though there is no cure for FIV, recent studies suggest that cats with FIV commonly live average life spans, as long as they are not also infected with feline leukemia virus.
Risk and Transmission
The primary mode of transmission for FIV is through bite wounds from an infected cat. Casual, non-aggressive contact, such as sharing water bowls or mutual grooming, does not appear to be an efficient route of spreading the virus. As a result, cats in households with stable social structures where housemates do not fight are at little risk of acquiring FIV infections. Only on rare occasions, an infected mother cat may transmit the infection to her kittens. However, if the mother becomes infected with FIV during her pregnancy, the transmission risk to the kittens is increased. Sexual contact is not a significant means of spreading FIV among cats.
FIV-infected cats exist worldwide, but the prevalence of infection varies greatly. In North America, approximately 2.5-5% percent of healthy cats are infected with FIV. Rates are significantly higher (15 percent or more) in cats that are sick or at high risk of infection. Because FIV is transmitted through bite wounds, un-neutered male cats with outdoor access, especially those who are likely to fight with other cats, are at the greatest risk for FIV infection. There is currently no vaccine commercially available in North America to protect against FIV, so the best way to reduce risk is to limit contact with cats who may be infected with the disease by keeping cats indoors and testing all cats within the household.
