This week we were alerted by a local temple that 4 Persian cats (3 males & 1 female) had been dumped there.

Being suspicious of watery eyes and runny noses, as well as the fact that these beautiful cats had been abandoned, we took them to Dr Tarn for a short holiday and health assessment.

Currently they are under observation and enjoying regular meals and clean living conditions but to be quite honest, as you can see from the pics’ they are looking bored stiff!

**This is an update on these feline four**

Further to our post about these gorgeous cats, we have good & bad news following their health assessment.

As you will have already read, we took all 4 of them for health checks with Dr Tarn because we were suspicious of their runny eyes and noses. Special test kits needed to be ordered and after a bit of a delay because of Songkran we finally got the results from two of the cats. One tested positive for Feline Leukaemia virus (FeLV), the other for Feline Immunodeficiency virus (FIV). As the test kits cost 500 baht each we made the decision not to test the other two as Dr Tarn said that as the cats had been living together, the likely hood was that all four would be infected.

Gill our Cat specialist, immediately started doing research on the internet and it very quickly became clear that contrary to our worst fears, neither of these diseases is automatically a death sentence for cats, in fact in the US there is a whole site dedicated to re homing cats in this condition.

This is what she has to say about her findings

About FeLV & FIV

Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are contagious viral organisms that infect cats. They affect the immune system and can cause increased susceptibility to many diseases and cancers (especially lymphoma). FeLV infection is also associated with bone marrow disorders and reproductive disorders.

Both viruses are found in cats worldwide and although they are quite different from each other, both are spread in a similar way, through exchange of body fluids, and both require similar management in your cat. The main requirement is that they are always kept indoors to avoid spreading the diseases to other cats, but they can live with other infected cats. They can’t live with fully vaccinated ‘fit’ cats as the ‘fit’ cats may bring diseases into the home or be carriers of other diseases which they could pass to these Persians.

The treatment for FIV and FELV positive cats typically targets the treatment of the secondary diseases and supporting the immune system. Good nutrition and management are important components of therapy. For more information check out this link at catvets.com

The good news.. Some cats can show false positive results for FeLV and some make full recoveries. Cats vaccinated with a current FIV vaccine will test positive for FIV antibodies. Each cat is different. Some living for a full natural life span, but others, sadly not. And after receiving antibiotics from Susan, a wonderful foster carer, all four are looking good, looking healthy and settling into their new life.

So if you think you would like to adopt one or more of these cats you may wish to do your own research so that you are fully informed of what you are taking on. But what is clear from all the sites is that a loving and responsible owner can successfully manage cats with these diseases and have a wonderful companion too. It would be a great idea for anyone interested to consider adopting two together for company.

If you are interested in adopting any of the cats or want more information please contact Gill direct on 0871 891623 or email here…