Adopting a cat with FIV - sensible?

superstylin

Hi All, just thought I'd ask the opinion of the cat lovers on here.

I love cats and have wanted to own one (or be owned by one!) for some time. I've resisted before now because I haven't had a sufficiently stable address (I've rented here and there) and have felt it unfair to move any cat every 6 or 12months.

Anyway I'm about to move into my own place in a weeks time. Unfortunately the new place is a 2nd floor flat with a busy road out front (though with a large grassed courtyard out back). Because of this I'd been considering an indoor cat - now I know some on here have indoor cats and their cats are happy bunnies (so to speak) but I know I'd feel massively guilty keeping one inside.

This has led me to thinking of adopting an FIV cat since they're not meant to go outside anyway and this might assuage my guilt since it's for their own good. Has anyone got any experience of homing an FIV cat? Could I get pet insurance? Am I much more likely to have to pay massively on vets bills? Will a cattery take them if I go away on hols? Anything else I should be considering?

Sorry questions galore!

UKTigerlily

superstylin wrote: »

Hi All, just thought I'd ask the opinion of the cat lovers on here.

I love cats and have wanted to own one (or be owned by one!) for some time. I've resisted before now because I haven't had a sufficiently stable address (I've rented here and there) and have felt it unfair to move any cat every 6 or 12months.

Anyway I'm about to move into my own place in a weeks time. Unfortunately the new place is a 2nd floor flat with a busy road out front (though with a large grassed courtyard out back). Because of this I'd been considering an indoor cat - now I know some on here have indoor cats and their cats are happy bunnies (so to speak) but I know I'd feel massively guilty keeping one inside.

This has led me to thinking of adopting an FIV cat since they're not meant to go outside anyway and this might assuage my guilt since it's for their own good. Has anyone got any experience of homing an FIV cat? Could I get pet insurance? Am I much more likely to have to pay massively on vets bills? Will a cattery take them if I go away on hols? Anything else I should be considering?

Sorry questions galore!

Aww you sound great & what a good idea! I may be wrong but most insurance policies don't cover pre existing conditions, so you probably wouldn't be covered. However, some rescues will pay for any long term treatment any animals the rehome may need. The rescue I got Chay from had cats also, a pen of them with FIV. Not sure on catteries, I imagine they will take them as the cats can't physically touch each other & I think it's spread thru actual bites/sex etc may be wrong I know one disease is, you could call a few to ask.

If not you can get pet sitters to visit the cat in it's own home.

superstylin

Thanks Tiger. I might have to read that 'you sound great' reply the next time I'm feeling a bit flat! lol

I wasn't aware that some rescues would pay towards any treatment for pre-existing conditions. Do you know which do? (I will look into it as well, I'm not being lazy!). I might be ok for cat sitters since I won't be living too far away from my Brother - I'm assuming that mind, I don't think he or his OH are great cat fans so I best ask 1st.

I'm also concerned about the safety aspect of having an indoors cat - am I going to be able to open windows or balcony doors in the summer or is a cat likely to try a great escape? Is there anything I can do to prevent a cat falling or do they just use their sense and not bother with such things?

lilibeth

As far as I'm aware most decent Catteries that know what they are doing should have no problem taking an FIV + cat.

Also check out this thread this in a FIV owners section of a cat forum lots of people talking about their FIV + cats and what insurance they have what it covers etc.
http://www.catchat.org/discus/messages/3780/24774.html?1227692830

Direct Link to the FIV+ Owners Club subforum index page
http://www.catchat.org/discus/messages/3780/3780.html

UKTigerlily

superstylin wrote: »

Thanks Tiger. I might have to read that 'you sound great' reply the next time I'm feeling a bit flat! lol

I wasn't aware that some rescues would pay towards any treatment for pre-existing conditions. Do you know which do? (I will look into it as well, I'm not being lazy!). I might be ok for cat sitters since I won't be living too far away from my Brother - I'm assuming that mind, I don't think he or his OH are great cat fans so I best ask 1st.

I'm also concerned about the safety aspect of having an indoors cat - am I going to be able to open windows or balcony doors in the summer or is a cat likely to try a great escape? Is there anything I can do to prevent a cat falling or do they just use their sense and not bother with such things?

Mostly they can judge height & are sensible BUT not all & cats can & do fall & don't always land on their feet, also if they do they can hit their faces badly on the ground. It may well try to get out if it sees an opportunity to do so! There will be lots of smells & birds & such outside, so it might do. Then again it may have been kept in all it's life & be scared of the outside, my friend has three British Shorthairs & they're scared to go out!

The best thing if you can't cat proof the balcony is probably to keep the cat in, you might be able to get something to go up by the windows when open, Americans have screen doors, not sure if we sell them in the UK. I'm sure something can be fitted to stop it, or just open a tiny amount but don't over estimate how small a gap a cat can fit through.

If you get a rescue they'll home check & will make sure it's secure & suitable & help with making sure it won't get out & advise on how to have windows open & such. Well, i'm guessing it will be a rescue as breeders won't have cats with it!

I don't know who helps with on going Vet treatment, i've seen it on websites a few times where pets that may be not wanted due to the Vet bills can have them paid by the charity, probably because if the cat stayed with them they'd have to pay the bills anyway & the cat might not get a home if it comes with a huge Vet bill, but if they pay it can be rehomed & not live in rescue!

I really think it's a great thing you're doing & would like to myself but right now I don't have the room for indoor only cats, maybe when I move!

lilibeth

superstylin wrote: »

I'm also concerned about the safety aspect of having an indoors cat - am I going to be able to open windows or balcony doors in the summer or is a cat likely to try a great escape? Is there anything I can do to prevent a cat falling or do they just use their sense and not bother with such things?

Possibly get a pigeon net installer in to net the balcony. I still wouldn't let my cat out on it without being in the sitting room keeping an eye in case she climbs it.
It will withstand climbing no bother but if I let her hang from it she trys to chew it. So I spray her with water if she climbs it search of a passing birdie. Usually she is happy to sit on her scratching post and make chattering noises at them

superstylin

lilibeth wrote: »

As far as I'm aware most decent Catteries that know what they are doing should have no problem taking an FIV + cat.

Also check out this thread this in a FIV owners section of a cat forum lots of people talking about their FIV + cats and what insurance they have what it covers etc.
http://www.catchat.org/discus/messages/3780/24774.html?1227692830

Direct Link to the FIV+ Owners Club subforum index page
http://www.catchat.org/discus/messages/3780/3780.html

Thanks Lilibeth but the first link gave me a hell of a fright! there's one poster who says that her insurance covers FIV treatment which totals £7000 a year! She only gets cover because the cat was diagnosed after insurance was arranged. Good God I think I have to look into this a LOT more!

lowis

most of the big rescues will cover any vet expenses if you adopt an FiV cat, i think you have to get the cat treated at the vet practice that the rescue organisation use though as they will have deals in place and preferential rates I assume.

it is a GREAT idea to adopt an FiV cat - they can live long and happy lives, in some cases people don;t even know their cat has FiV and they can get to a ripe old age and die of another condition. the Cat Chat forums is a GREAT place to seek advice and ask questions - alot of people who post there work at or run rescue centres.

as for living on the 2nd floor...i live on the 11th floor and have completely netted in my balcony, i built a secure wooden frame and heavy-duty stapled wire fencing sheets to the frame. i let my two sit out there with me, they never go out there alone, even though i know they can't get past the fencing, i would rather be paranoid and safe than sorry.

i never open my windows, ever. luckily they have built-in vents which allow for air circulation. if i lived on a lower floor i would install screens, they are available from here in the UK http://www.cataire.co.uk/ - but living on the 11th floor i would rather just keep my windows closed and eliminate any danger!

i think it is wonderful that you are considering an FiV cat :T

spookylukey

superstylin wrote: »

Thanks Lilibeth but the first link gave me a hell of a fright! there's one poster who says that her insurance covers FIV treatment which totals £7000 a year! She only gets cover because the cat was diagnosed after insurance was arranged. Good God I think I have to look into this a LOT more!

Don't panic - that post was just saying that the particular policy would cover up to 7k per year of vets bills in general, not that the cat was costing 7k a year in bills!

FIV cats can live perfectly normal lives - see here for a few shining examples

http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/index.php/topic,8762.msg140374.html#msg140374

superstylin

spookylukey wrote: »

Don't panic - that post was just saying that the particular policy would cover up to 7k per year of vets bills in general, not that the cat was costing 7k a year in bills!

FIV cats can live perfectly normal lives - see here for a few shining examples

http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/index.php/topic,8762.msg140374.html#msg140374

That'll teach me to skim read! I'm gonna look into it a bit more tonight so I can get some info to hit my OH with. I got a weird look from them when I mentioned adopting a FIV cat lol

lilibeth

I didn't mean to scare you:eek:
I just thought you'd be able to see the experiences of FIV+ cat owners.