Cory is FIV+

Cory has tested positive for the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, the kitty version of HIV. Last Saturday we took Cory to the vet yet again because he'd had another relapse, starting to sneeze, sniffle and tear again after he'd stopped doing so for a few days. The vet suspected something amiss after five weeks of antibiotics, nourishing food and a safe and comfortable environment failed to cure him of his respiratory disease which the textbooks say will spontaneously resolve after 2-3 weeks. The good vet suggested testing Cory for the diseases that will delay his recovery that is, FIV and FeLV (which is feline leukemia). The vet didn't have the tests in stock and so we brought Cory to the vet again this evening (despite his mournful howls of protest) to be tested.

We were relieved when Cory tested negative for FeLV but a second line began to appear in the window of the FIV test kit, indicating the positive presence of antibodies. We'd half expected it, after the good vet emotionally and mentally prepared us for the possibility of it last week, and after having googled it myself. But being mentally prepared for bad news isn't even half the equation, is it?

The good vet assured us that Cory can still have quality of life, and the Internet did say that it is not a death sentence, but veterinary standards here have some way to go yet, and the average lifespan after diagnosis is 3-5 years. On top of that, Cory can't be left unsupervised with the other Spice Meows, in case of a transmission of the disease from an exchange of bodily fluids between them whether from bites, the sharing of food and water bowls or even mutual grooming. Good thing then that cats are solitary creatures. We'll have to prepare a room all for Cory, to keep him mostly separate from the other Spice Meows. We hope he can make the transition from being a free-range cat to a mostly cooped-up one.

To minimize the risks further, Cory will have to be neutered to curb both his wanderlust and sexual aggression. This is suppose to reduce the likelihood of his transmitting the disease to other cats and also to protect him from picking up other diseases his immune system is ill-equipped to fight. Although all surgeries carry risks, especially for a FIV+ cat who will take longer than normal to recover both from the surgery itself and the anaesthesia, surgery is yet the lesser of the two evils, and a risk we'll have to take.

Cory very likely picked up the virus in a territorial fight when he was a stray. That probably means that the virus is rampant in our neighbourhood and all those owners who let their cats roam outdoors better watch out and not be surprised when their kitties suddenly collapse from multiple-organ failure, the usual cause of death in FIV+ cats.

Cory is spending the night at the vet's, and will only come back when the vet deems him fit enough to do so, unlike Ginger who came home the next day after his surgery. We hope and pray that he makes it, and are willing to make the sacrifices for him to be able to come home, and one day die with dignity.

We've grown very attached to the wa-wau cat. For a former stray, he's very affectionate, and the only lap cat we have. He'd jump onto our laps, either on his own volition or when we pat our laps in invitation, and would nuzzle against my chest. He's such a sweetie. We miss him already, and hope he comes home soon.

I think the good vet felt bad for us, because he inundated us with free animal calendars and gave us a discount.

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart form the will of your Father" Matt 10:29