Not Necessarily Typical

If you have an FIV+ cat, don't be distressed by the somewhat downhill progress I've disclosed about Shannon. Remember that he is 18 years old and most likely has had FIV for several years before its diagnosis. In my estimate, he's probably had it for at least eight to ten years, as it's been that long ago that he was actively defending his territory against other cats. Furthermore, many of his symptoms would be considered common in an 18 year old cat, even without the spectre of FIV.

Your younger cat with FIV most likely has many years of relatively good health ahead, as long as you are diligent in watching for signs of infection, and see that he or she has regular veterinary examinations and a proper diet, with supplements. As I mentioned in my earlier article, FIV is not a mandatory death sentence, nor do FIV positive cats necessarily have to be relegated to solitary confinement.

No Isolation Here

It is pretty much agreed that the FIV virus spreads more often through "deep biting," and that theory has been borne out in Shannon's case, since Bubba tests free of the FIV virus and he and Shannon have been sharing food and water dishes for 13 or 14 years. We have not made any effort to separate them at this point, since Shannon is long past biting, and they exist peacefully together.