the_gneech | The Enlightened One is Pissy

...but at least he's still alive.

We took Buddha to the vet. The official stats are that he is an un-neutered male cat who still has his claws. His skin condition is just an allergic reaction to fleas and ticks. His eye is a simple infection that can be treated with antibiotics, and he also has an upper respiratory infection that gets the same treatment.

Unfortunately, he also tested positive for feline HIV. The vet's advice was to have him put down.

lythandra and I weighed the options and called the various other interested parties; one of them, our realtor, has friends who have a Himalayan Rescue Group (of all the specific things), who specifically asked us not to have him put down because they were convinced Buddha could be housed.

So anyway, he's in the garage with food, bedding, and a litterbox. He's quite vocal now and not happy; he's hissed at us twice today. But considering how he was poked, prodded, and yanked around at the vet, I'm not very surprised.

There are antibiotics in the food and "cat comfort pheremone" spray around the garage ... hopefully he'll calm down and start getting better. I don't think we can keep him -- my allergies wouldn't stand for him to be in the main part of the house -- but we can house him for now until a better solution is found.

-The Gneech

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Poor kitty. Hope they can find a home for him soon.

Take care!

Us too! :) Thanks.

-TG

On the positive side, Feline HIV (or FIV) is species-specific. So there's no infection threat to the human part of the family.

The question is, what stage is it at?

http://www.howtodothings.com/pets-and-animals/a3097-how-to-identify-and-treat-feline-hiv-and-aids-.html

We don't know yet ... his symptoms could be as advanced as stage three, but they aren't necessarily, given the rough-and-tumble life he was leading for a while.

-TG

and I think when the antibiotics kick in, he's going to be a much tamer kitty. I hope this all works...

MLD

Hope so ... he got his first dose last night and now is sulking in the corner. We'll see.

-TG

That's a shame, John. That breed can be great pets, and if he can be brought back to an otherwise-healthy state then the rescue group should be able to place him where he'll be loved and pampered for the rest of his days.

And I share your "cat allergies". We rescued an abandoned female Himalayan many years ago, but while Dad (years before he died) had no problem with her---and she LOVED curling up in his lap while he watched TV---Mom and I damned near DIED from allergies. I had to take her to the local humane society shelter...with the understanding (I called in some "political favors"---*heh!*) that she'd be kept until adopted, regardless of how long that took. She stayed there ONE DAY before a grateful couple snapped her up! };-)

I've heard rumors of de-allergized cat breeds, and I would like to investigate those someday ... but not just now. :)

-TG

They cost between $2K to $4K each, for a fuzzball kitten.

See this Website for info: http://www.allerca.com/

I hate to say this, but I find a small amount of amusement that the Gneech-lion is allergic to cats. ;)

I grew up with dogs ... but sometime when I went away to college, I got allergic to critters. *shrug*

-TG

I'm sorry to hear about that. If I got allergic to animals that'd mean I have to hang around with people and I prefer hanging out with the more intelligent of the two.

The vet wanted you to have the cat put down for FIV?! Gneech, what kind of crack is he smoking?! Even if he's an older boy, there's no point in euthanizing a cat just because of FIV.

...sorry, just a sore spot with me.

It's better than the Fairfax County animal control people, whose immediate reaction to any kind of animal of any kind is "ARRR! KILL IT! VICIOUSLY! HAHAHAHAAAA!"

Like, even the squirrels in the trees outside their offices.

It's scary. There's just this depopulated wasteland within a three mile radius.

-The Gneech

The director of animal control at the time we dealt with them was not too much later forced to resign because of public outcry at the way he was too enthusiastic about putting animals down.

http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/fiv.html

FIV positive kitties can have a happy life, and they can be adopted to households with other FIV positive kitties or into a single kitty household.

If you can't keep him, please do talk to the local rescue and see what they are willing to do. I know our local rescue adopts out FIV positive kitties as Special Needs cats. Their condition is indicated in their profile, and they're only adopted out if they're to be the only cat in the house, or if they're with others who tested positive. Perhaps your rescue does the same? In any case, bless you both for taking such good care of him. :)

And Lola still thinks Buddha is quite handsome and sends her love. ;)

Well, we didn't euthanize him, obviously, and we don't have any plans to. :) We're hoping the rescue people can come through for us.

Love the icon, BTW. :)

-TG

Well, if he's expressing his displeasure that's a good sign. I'm sorry to hear about the FIV diagnosis. Hopefully the rescue league can help find a person/family that will be able to welcome Buddha to a new home.

I'm glad you didn't say that the simple eye infection could be treated simply. Getting a cat to take medicine is like... well, there's nothing I can think of to compare it to, just now. But it sure ain't easy!

Have the best

-=TK

The Enlightened One is Pissy

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thinking good thoughts for the poor no longer starving ORPHAN...

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oh no, please don't euthanize for an FIV diagnosis. :/

Re: oh no, please don't euthanize for an FIV diagnosis. :/

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