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Cats/Kitten Milk

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Expert: - 5/27/2009


Question
How long does milk from moms stay in a kitten? My vet says she has FIV, however I have gotten a lot of responses saying wait until they are 4 months. Why 4 months?

Answer
Lisa,

As far as I know the antibodies are what stays in the kitten's system, if her mother had FIV there's a good chance she does as well. I've never heard that waiting 4 months before testing a kitten is necessary and based on my experience I can't say that the results will be any different - if your kitten is testing positive for FIV now he'll be likely to have the same results after a few months because like HIV/AIDS in people nursing mothers can pass along these infections through their breast milk. Contrary to popular belief FIV and feline leukemia aren't automatic death sentences, these viral infections are similar to HIV/AIDS in people (they can't be passed between cats and people) - some cats will develop serious complications and require treatment throughout their lives while others don't show any signs of illness. It is best to keep your kitty inside to avoid the possibility of him passing along his FIV infection with other cats if he bites them or they otherwise manage to come into contact with his blood, saliva or other body fluids. If your kitten is mild mannered and doesn't fight with other cats you may find that bringing another kitty into your home is appropriate so that your little guy can have a playmate and companion when you're not home.

There are many good holistic options to treat the symptoms associated with FIV and increase his resistance to infections. You might be interested in reading The Natural Cat by Anitra Frazier and Norma Eckroate - it's a good book to introduce you to holistic ways of caring for your kitten and keeping him healthy. I'd recommend finding an experienced holistic vet in your area to offer information and possible treatments that aren't strictly geared towards using prescription drugs to treat any symptoms that might arise. A holistic vet is trained in conventional medicine as well as one or more alternative therapies which may include homeopathy, acupuncture, herbal medicine and massage to name a few options. My own vet is a holistic practitioner, she uses homeopathy in her practice and I've seen some pretty amazing results in my cats over the years.

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Ali

Expertise

I am the proud guardian of 5 mixed breed cats ranging from 12 weeks to 13 years old and one purebred ragdoll. I have 20+ years experience working with mixed breed cats from a variety of different situations. I have fostered cats/kittens with special needs/behavioral issues. I have rescued/rehabilitated/re-homed a variety of stray/abused cats. I can offer advice on managing feral cat colonies, rehabilitating strays and finding them forever homes. I can help you to determine whether a cat is stray or feral, there IS a significant difference. Improperly introducing a new cat/kitten can result in aggression between newly introduced cats because cats are territorial by nature and they don't like sudden changes in their environment. To learn more about a peaceful way to introduce a new cat into a home with other cats please check out my previous answers on this subject. Proper nutrition for cats can be confusing, I recommend checking out catinfo.org which was created by a veterinarian (Dr. Lisa Pierson) who takes a common sense approach to explaining feline nutrition. Cat behavior and instincts are different from those of humans, I can help you understand your cat's needs so that you can meet them adequately and have a balanced, psychologically and physically sound kitty. Cats vary in personality, energy level and intelligence, different approaches may be required to achieve results in terms of training and interaction with your feline companion. An intelligent, high energy cat must be kept busy or they will make their own fun. I am NOT a licensed veterinarian and I can't offer medical advice. If your cat is ill/injured my advice is always the same: get prompt medical treatment provided by a veterinarian. If finances are an issue I will try to find resources in your area that can help with medical costs or make other choices to ensure the welfare of your cat.

Experience

I have fostered feral and stray cats, rehabilitated and homed cats that many people recommended euthanasia for. I am willing to make an effort to do the research and ask questions because I care enough to find solutions to behavioral problems rather than giving up. I have an interest in the use of alternative therapies to help provide the best possible care for all cats and I can say in all honesty that I've seen some incredible things happen for some incredible cats and their human caregivers when the right alternative therapeutic modality is used by a qualified veterinarian with expertise and experience in the field.

Education/Credentials
I've earned my diploma as a veterinary assistant with honors.

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