Sox

Kittens Disclaimer
These kittens were born to a known FIV positive queen and may have contracted FIV from their mother either:
• Prenatally (i.e. in utero)
• Postnatally (through contaminated breast milk and/or vaginal fluid)
Due to the circumstances of the queens’ positive FIV status and the short amount of time that she reared the kittens, it is unlikely that she has passed FIV to her offspring during pregnancy. However, it is still possible.
What is Feline Immunodeficiency Virus?
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is one of the most common infectious diseases of cats world wide. In infected cats, FIV attacks the immune system, leaving the cat vulnerable to many other infections. This usually develops slowly over time. Cats infected with FIV can be healthy for years, but eventually suffer from immune deficiency, which allows normally harmless bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi found in the everyday environment to potentially cause severe illnesses. They can also be more likely to develop lymphoma. Though there is no cure for FIV, recent studies suggest that cats with FIV can live as long as non-FIV cats.
How is it spread?
• Bite wounds from an infected cat
• Rarely infection is transmitted from mother to kittens unless she becomes infected with FIV during her pregnancy however the risk is increased
• Casual, non-aggressive contact such as sharing water bowls or grooming DOES NOT appear to be an efficient route of spreading the virus
• If cats do not fight within a household, the risk of acquiring FIV is low
How will we screen our kittens?
• Need to be rechecked and tested at 6 months of age to determine whether they are truly positive for FIV. Until then, they must be treated as positive
• Queen was tested for FeLV and was negative – the test for FIV includes FeLV as well and so will be checked in the kittens at 6 months as well
If positive they will need to be:
• Indoor only cats so they do not roam and potentially infect other cats
• Single cat household (unless housed with another FIV positive cat)*
*If you chose to adopt one of these kittens with another non-FIV cat already in the household, any non-FIV cat needs to be vaccinated against FIV before introducing one of these kittens into the home
• CAN NOT be vaccinated with vaccine containing FIV
Whilst they have the potential to live full and healthy lives just like non-FIV cats, they are more likely to experience health issues and be more susceptible to multiple infections and health concerns, such as lymphoma.

If they are FIV positive and illness occurs later in life, Cremorne Vet does not hold responsibility for financially supporting the medical treatment and care related to their FIV positive status. By adopting one of these kittens, you are acknowledging that they may be FIV positive cats, and therefore accept the potential risks associated with this.
You also agree to honor adoption of the kitten even if they are found to have FIV at 6 months of age.
What have they had already?
• First kitten vaccination – will need series of three
• Microchipped
• Wormed regularly
What does adoption include?
Adoption fee is $300 which covers their care up to adoption and includes the following:
• Desexing at 4-6 months
• Next 2 kitten vaccinations in the kitten series (at 10-12 weeks of age and 14-16 weeks of age)
• Microchip
Further information
Cornell Feline Health Centre: Feline Immunodeficiency Virus https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feline-immunodeficiency-virus-fiv
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/avj.13166