Date of details/update: February 2018
Country: United States
Owner: Leira Pierce
Cat name: Poy Boy
Gender: Male
Neutered?: neutered
Colour: White with patches.
Character: Poy Boy is not the cuddliest of cats, but loves to romp about indoors and outdoors. He is only affectionate to his middle-aged owners and snubs the younger adults in the household. He fights other cats who enter his territory - the owners' yard and residence. He does not fight other cats unless challenged. He is never aggressive to humans or to animals other than cats. He does not let strangers pet him or approach him. He prefers to rest by himself and away from others in small confines like dark corners and unoccupied places such as couches or chairs. He easily conveys hunger, playfulness and discontent to his owners through facial expressions, tail-twitching and other body movements.
How does the cat live?: Indoor/Outdoor
Single or multicat household: Multi-cat (2 cats total in the household)
if multi cat, how many others: The other cat in the household has not yet been tested.
What do you feed your cat?: Combination of wet and dry cat food. No human food or raw meats are ever served to any of the cats.
Do you give any regular supplements?: He is given Frontline Plus for Cats 6 months out the year during the warmer seasons to prevent flea infestation.
When was the cat acquired?: May of 2015
Cat's age when acquired: Under 2 years of age.
What was the cat's condition when acquired?: The cat was scrawny, underfed and 'begging' at our doorstep daily and started walking into our residence with us. He was previously living with neighbors down the alley with 10+ cats.
What is known of the cat before you acquired him/her?: The cat was already neutered and as told by the neighbors, 'FIV-free.' The previous owners were also resigned to the fact that the cat no longer wanted to live with them.
Was the cat known to be FIV positive when acquired?: no
When was the cat diagnosed FIV positive?: January 26 of 2018 at approximately 4-5 years old.
Why was the cat tested?: The cat was tested for FIV at an animal emergency clinic when high fever, mouth sores/ulcers and urinary tract infection were present at time of visit. The vets were concerned he may also have FIP and recommended I put the cat to sleep. I took the cat home, gave him Clavamox for the UTI and he got noticeably better for the time being. I have noticed he is still losing weight and getting more mouth sores/ulcers. He had curiously developed twitches in his mouth and paws 3 months before his sudden illness.
Is the cat living (or passed away)?:
if passed away, how long did you have the cat?: N/A
when did he/she die, and do you know the cause of death?: N/A
How would you describe the cat's general health over the time with you?:
The cat was severely underweight when he showed up on my doorstep around May of 2015 when he was reportedly a year and a half old. A month or so later he gained weight and appeared very healthy after I accepted him into my residence, though he stayed as an outdoor/indoor cat. His regular vet said he appeared 'healthy with the exception of severe gingivitis.' About a month thereafter, he was diagnosed FIV+ by the emergency vet and was given a poor prognosis with a tentative diagnosis of FIP, which was never substantiated.
The following are details of the ailments the cat suffered
Health details:
My cat was healthy with a good appetite until I noticed a change in late 2017 when I noticed he stopped eating as much and growing sores and lesions in and around his mouth. He began to hide under my bed frequently and would cry when being picked up. I took him to the vet in December of 2017 and was told he was 'healthy with the exception of severe gingivitis' that could only be addressed with a minor surgical procedure of sorts. I since rushed the cat to the emergency vet almost 2 months later when I noticed he had stopped eating and stayed under my bed for 2 days straight. I was then told by the ER vet that he was suffering from a bad case of UTI and tested FIV positive. I was told to euthanize him as the ER vet suspected he also has FIP. I have also been warned by the ER vet that my cat is losing the battle and will continue to stay ill until he dies soon. The ER vet said that the cat will never fully recover as the virus continues to destroy his immune system.
General
Is there anything more you can tell us about your cat that might help us understand the overall picture?:
In May 2015, the cat was scrawny, underfed and 'begging' at our doorstep daily and started walking into our residence with us. He was previously living with neighbors down the alley with 10+ cats. The previous owners were also resigned to the fact that the cat no longer wanted to live with them.
and finally - does your experience of FIV match what you were led
to believe when you first heard about the virus ?: I feel cheated that my cat is so ill with FIV at such a young age. My father had a cat (that I gave to him in 1995) that lived to be 11 years old until the FIV and FIP killed him. My cat, Poy Boy, means everything to me. The uncertainties of this virus leaves me wondering if and when I should end his life with euthanasia. I wonder if my other cat has the virus or not. I wonder if all the cats in my neighborhood carry this virus? I first heard about the virus in 1990 when my uncle said he put his cat to sleep because of its FIV-related illnesses. In 2007, my dad's 11 year old, indoor cat became mysteriously ill and was diagnosed with FIV and FIP. My family and I take good care of our cats and routinely take them to the vet. My father spent $7,000 in his fruitless efforts to save his dying Siamese cat in 2007. I do NOT think I ever want to own another cat again if this is the predicament I will have to face with the next cat and the next cat?. What's the joy of owning a cat when it will eventually die of a slow and agonizing death stemming from an FIV infection that is currently incurable?
Is there anything more you can tell us about your cat that might help us understand the overall picture?:
In May 2015, the cat was scrawny, underfed and 'begging' at our doorstep daily and started walking into our residence with us. He was previously living with neighbors down the alley with 10+ cats. The previous owners were also resigned to the fact that the cat no longer wanted to live with them.
and finally - does your experience of FIV match what you were led
to believe when you first heard about the virus ?: I feel cheated that my cat is so ill with FIV at such a young age. My father had a cat (that I gave to him in 1995) that lived to be 11 years old until the FIV and FIP killed him. My cat, Poy Boy, means everything to me. The uncertainties of this virus leaves me wondering if and when I should end his life with euthanasia. I wonder if my other cat has the virus or not. I wonder if all the cats in my neighborhood carry this virus? I first heard about the virus in 1990 when my uncle said he put his cat to sleep because of its FIV-related illnesses. In 2007, my dad's 11 year old, indoor cat became mysteriously ill and was diagnosed with FIV and FIP. My family and I take good care of our cats and routinely take them to the vet. My father spent $7,000 in his fruitless efforts to save his dying Siamese cat in 2007. I do NOT think I ever want to own another cat again if this is the predicament I will have to face with the next cat and the next cat?. What's the joy of owning a cat when it will eventually die of a slow and agonizing death stemming from an FIV infection that is currently incurable?