Five Things You May Not Know About Feline Leukemia

Feline Leukemia can be scary. it is the second highest cause of death in cats, and kills about 85% of persistently infected cats within three years of their diagnosis. HOWEVER, having or adopting a cat with feline leukemia doesn't necessarily mean you have to say goodbye to your furry friend. Here are five facts to help you better understand feline leukemia.


1.) It Isn't a Death Sentence
About 70% of cats who are exposed to the virus can resist infection or eliminate the virus all on their own. Cat's can be exposed to the virus multiple times, but they are often resilient and manage to fight off the infection.

2.) It is Transmitted Through Fluids
Like many viruses in animals and humans, Feline Leukemia is passed around through bodily fluids. This happens most often when two cats groom one another or get into a fight. Kittens can also become infected through their mother's milk. Since many cat's do well to fight off the infection it is possible that a cat can spread the virus around without showing any symptoms of their own.

3.) It Can't Survive Alone
Feline Leukemia is actually a very fragile illness. It doesn't survive more than a few hours outside of a cat's body. This means it is still ok to try walking your cat on a leash; it probably won't come in contact with the virus just around the sidewalk.

4.)Indoor Cat's Are Safer
This may be self explanatory, but a cat who lives indoors is much less likely to come across the virus than a cat who is constantly around other stray, outside cats.

5.) They Are Adoptable!
Cat's with Feline Leukemia require a little more medical supervision than other cats, but they can be just as personable as any other cat. They may even love the opportunity to build a forever home with a new person.

Spotlight: Harold and Sally

These two loving siblings have been residents at the Free to Live shelter for many years.

Harold

Harold is blind, but this doesn't stop him from being lovable and cuddly to new friends. Sally is just as friendly, and she just LOVES attention. She never fails to show off or snuggle up to someone new; she may even get a little jealous if her brother, Harold, is getting more attention than here.

Sally

Harold and Sally are Free to Live's only Rhino + cats. They are permanent residents at the shelter, and they have become very attached to Stacey, the resident cat-caregiver at the shelter.

Five Things You May Not Know About FIV

FIV or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus is a non-treatable virus that cats can have that is in the same family as HIV found in humans. HOWEVER, this does not mean that FIV+ cats are going to live short miserable lives before dying of cat AIDS. Here are a few facts you may not know about FIV+ cats.

Joei-FIV+ Domestic Short hair  Calico Female at Free to Live

1.) They are more prone to infections.

• While FIV+ cats don't often show symptoms of the virus, it can make them more susceptible to other medical issues. They can still live full lives, but it is important to pay attention to them to make sure that they haven't contracted any other infections, and get them to a vet as soon as possible if they get sick.

2.) They can live with other pets!

• FIV is a virus that effects cats ONLY. This means that they can live alongside you and your canine pets without fear of transmitting the virus. Most cats transmit the virus to each other through serious physical altercations and deep bite wounds with other cats, so as long as your FIV+ cat and your FIV- cats get along and don't fight they can live together without fear of transmitting the virus as well. As far as other cat-behaviors, like grooming and sharing water, goes it is possible but EXTREMELY unlikely that the virus will transfer. the virus itself is very fragile and can only survive out if the cat's body for a few seconds.

3.) FIV+ mothers don't necessarily pass on the virus to their kittens.

• While it IS true that  kittens born to an FIV+ mother could be born with FIV antibodies in their systems, they will often lose them in the first 8 months of their lives.

4.) The FIV vaccine will make a cat test positive for FIV

• There is indeed a vaccine for FIV, however it is not 100% effective and will make your cat test positive for FIV in the future. This can be a problem if your cat ever gets out of the house and is tested by a local shelter. Unfortunately many shelters euthanize FIV+ cats instead of finding them homes. Luckily Free to Live is a No-Kill shelter and focuses on giving all cats and dogs a comfortable life with all the care they need until they are adopted or live out their lives.

5.) They can live long and happy lives!

• Most FIV+ cats live long lives without showing any symptoms of the virus and most will die of old age, rather than virus-related symptoms. Feline AIDS is actually the 4th stage of the virus, and most researchers agree that most of these cats won't ever reach this stage

Welcome to the new Free to Live Blog!

Free to Live is a No-Kill animal shelter near Edmond Oklahoma. It is home to as many as 100 dogs and cats. Some animals at the sanctuary, due to some specific individual traits such as looks, personality, age, or health problems, become permanent residents at Free to Live. Over time these animals age and their chances of being adopted into a "Forever Home" continue to diminish.

Quaid: FIV+, Domestic Short-hair Tabby Male

The purpose of this blog is to showcase the specific animals who call the shelter home, increase awareness of the shelter, and document the efforts made to change the lives of these dogs and cats.
Welcome to the blog. Stay tuned to get news and information on the Free to Live Animal Sanctuary.