Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

We recently adopted a 15 yr old female who was diagnosed with FIV when she was 2 yrs old. I’ve never dealt with FIV and it’s complications before, so I need to do some research before I take her to our Vet.

My main concern is that she has a slight fluid build up on her belly. I was told that she has had this fluid there for the past 4 yrs and it hasn’t gotten any worse than it was 4 yrs ago. I was told that her previous Vet didn’t ever tap the fluid off because he said as long as it wasn’t causing her any problems with breathing, etc, and wasn’t getting worse, he’d rather leave it alone. Although she’s not acting like it’s causing her any problems, is it safe to leave the fluid alone? If this fluid is tapped off what all does that involve? Then I assume this fluid will keep building up again, right?

Her only other symptoms right now are all that she has had for the past 5 yrs. Diarrhea (pumpkin doesn’t help), a dilated pupil, poor coat (doesn’t groom at all), and congestion (which I was told was allergies). Other than that her teeth are good, and she eats and drinks good. I’m not exactly sure what I’m in for here. We’ve had several FeLV cats over the yrs but never FIV.

Should I go ahead and start her on Interferon? What other meds are people giving for FIV?

Thanks for the help!

Hi,
>>
>>We recently adopted a 15 yr old female who was diagnosed with FIV when she was 2 yrs old. I’ve never dealt with FIV and it’s complications before, so I need to do some research before I take her to our Vet.
>>
>>My main concern is that she has a slight fluid build up on her belly. I was told that she has had this fluid there for the past 4 yrs and it hasn’t gotten any worse than it was 4 yrs ago. I was told that her previous Vet didn’t ever tap the fluid off because he said as long as it wasn’t causing her any problems with breathing, etc, and wasn’t getting worse, he’d rather leave it alone. Although she’s not acting like it’s causing her any problems, is it safe to leave the fluid alone? If this fluid is tapped off what all does that involve? Then I assume this fluid will keep building up again, right?
>>
>>Her only other symptoms right now are all that she has had for the past 5 yrs. Diarrhea (pumpkin doesn’t help), a dilated pupil, poor coat (doesn’t groom at all), and congestion (which I was told was allergies). Other than that her teeth are good, and she eats and drinks good. I’m not exactly sure what I’m in for here. We’ve had several FeLV cats over the yrs but never FIV.
>>
>>Should I go ahead and start her on Interferon? What other meds are people giving for FIV?
>>
>>Thanks for the help!

Can you get the name of the vet that had been treating the cat or do the former owners have her vet records? It would be best if you could get those and review them and your care questions about FIV with your own vet. I have never had an FIV cat, but I understand that keeping stress to a minimum is very important in avoiding aggrevating the disease, also prevention of exposure to other feline illnesses.

Hi! The problem we had is that the previous owner died. So the cat's previous health info is just what the neighbor could tell us. The new kitty has now seen our Vet and he said the same thing. The fluid isn't bad so he left it also. He did say it would keep coming back so as long as it wasn't bad he didn't want to put her through tapping it right now either. Otherwise she's quite healthy for a cat that's had FIV for so many years. Thanks for the help.