FIV

Dr. Neely,

My 14 yr. old cat developed FIV 13 yrs. ago and 6 yrs. ago developed diabetes. Also, has calcium deposits on lower spine. 3 months ago developed hypothyroidism on medication. Also has a hemotoma of the ear. In the last month has been put on amoxicillin for urinary infection. 3 days ago started drinking a lot more water and urinating a lot more. Vet had to up his insulin from 2 units to 3 units of PZI, still is drinking more water. When he urinates he makes a loud growling sound, some times urinates a lot some times not.He is taking Amoxicillin again. Vet wants to put him on different insulin, says his kidneys are good, but this is really stressful, and I know it is on the cat also. Sleeps all day only to drink water and urinate and make that loud growling noise. Eating is off and on, depends on the day. I think we should put him to sleep, not a good healthy type of life. Seems to be coming down with some thing new every couple of months. Should he be put to sleep?

Hi,

I am sorry for your situation and I can really empathize. Several years ago, I found myself in the exact same situation. I had a 14 year old female cat that had shared her life with me for 13 years. When she first came to live with me, there wasn't a test for FIV. There wasn't much at all known about the disease.

When she was 14, she suddenly became ill with a kidney infection. I ran bloodwork on her and just for the sake of being complete, I included the FeLV/FIV combo test, never expecting it could be positive. I was shocked when the results came back FIV positive. Apparently, she had acquired FIV during her first year of life.

She continued to decline and it wasn't long until I had to euthanize her. It was a very sad day that I will never forget.

No one, absolutely no one, can make this decision for you. I can only share with you my criteria that I use to determine when I need to euthanize my own cats and tell you what I might do if I were in your shoes. Ultimately, the decision is yours. You live with him and have the most knowledge about his quality of life and that is the most important thing.

FIV is a virus that many cats live with for many years. Some of your cat's symptoms may be the result of the FIV infection, but not all. What I pay most attention to, whether a cat has FIV or not, are the following:

I always assess whether my cat seems to be in pain. I also pay close attention to whether he is eating and drinking and enjoying eating. I watch to see if he is sitting in a comfortable "cat position" when he lies down. I try to determine if he enjoys the little things he has always enjoyed - being petted or brushed, looking out a window, curling up in a basket or on my bed or in front of the heat vent. Basically, I'm assessing quality of life and trying to keep my own emotions and needs out of it.

Of all the things you mention, the ones that stand out the most to me are the growling while urinating, and the "eating off and on". Growling while urinating would certainly seem to indicate discomfort. Decrease in appetite is almost never a good thing in a cat. When my cat stops altogether and doesn't start again very quickly and has an incurable disease, I know that's as far as I want to go.

Other than those two things (which of course can be quite significant), everything else sounds like it's a lot of work and worry on your part, but may not be much of a problem for your kitty. That's not to say that the appetite and pain urinating aren't enough to make your decision.

Again, I can only tell you what I have done, how I judge, and how I see your kitty's condition. No one can make the decision for you. I just encourage you to think of your cat's best interests and try to put your own feelings aside. Too often we want to hold on to our pets for our own interests even though it is a disservice to our loved one.

You sound like a very caring, loving, honorable pet lover. I know you will find the answer in your heart and at the right time, whether it's now or in the future.

My very best to you, You are not alone,

Dr. Neely

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