Jeffrey Katzenberg Domestic Short Hair Concord, NC

Jeffrey Katzenberg, International Cat of Mystery! This handsome boy is just a big ole pile of mushy lovebug and we just want to squeeze his cheeks every day. He is the typical "reformed" tomcat, choosing to spend his time lounging and accepting your admiration rather than carousing around. He gets along well with other cats of varying personalities and lets them do their own thing. Jeffery happens to be FIV+ but that is no big deal!

FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) is a feline only illness and can not be passed on to humans or canines. Kitties with this condition can live long and wonderful lives if kept indoors, spayed/neutered (which Jeffrey is) and fed a good quality diet. They can live easily with other kitties who do not have FIV as long as everyone is spayed/neutered and get along with other kitties. There is no reason not to consider a kitty with this condition for a pet, regardless of who you have at home.

Here are the simple facts about FIV:

FIV is a retrovirus that occurs worldwide, and virologists classify FIV in the same retroviridae family as FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus), but with one major difference: FIV is considered to be in the lentivirus. This type of virus is a slow virus that affects a cat’s immune system over a period of years. FIV cats most often live long, healthy, and relatively normal lives with no symptoms at all. FIV is not easily passed between cats; it CANNOT be spread casually. An altered FIV cat, in a home, is extremely unlikely to infect other cats, if properly introduced.

1) The Feline Immunodeficiency Virus is a slow virus that affects a cat's immune system over a period of years.
2) FIV is a cat-only disease and cannot be spread to humans or other non-felines.
3) FIV cats most often live long, healthy, and relatively normal lives with no symptoms at all.
4) FIV is not easily passed between cats. It cannot be spread casually - like in litter boxes, water and food bowls, or when snuggling and playing. It is rarely spread from a mother to her kittens.
5) The virus can be spread through blood transfusions, badly infected gums, or serious, penetrating bite wounds. (Bite wounds of this kind are extremely rare, except in free-roaming, un-neutered tomcats.)
6) A neutered cat, in a home, is extremely unlikely to infect other cats, if properly introduced.
7) FIV-positive cats should be kept as healthy as possible. Keep them indoors and free from stress, feed them a high-quality diet, keep and treat any secondary problems as soon as they arise.