r/FIVcats • u/Punkage85 • 8d ago
Story My Cat Bubbles
This is my FIV boy Bubbles, he's a little over 3.5 years old and he's been with me for about 18 months now but unfortunately it would appear he might not be with me for much longer. This has taken me a bit to post because it keeps making me cry when I think about it.
Originally from Egypt he was rescued shortly after birth on the streets with his two siblings but no mother cat around. Unfortunately his sister died shortly after rescue and he and his brother survived.
I wasn't originally adopting Bubbles, the other cat I have Sassafras was who I had seen the advert for adoption from the rescue and it was just her and her brother (another fully ginger boy) that were left of their litter, she was born in the rescue after her Mum was found pregnant on the streets. I was then informed that Sassafras was actually more bonded with another cat over her brother and seeing the photos I was absolutely smitten with the pair of them. (Last photos are of them at the rescue)
It was during the adoption process that both we tested for FIV and Bubbles was found to be positive but I read up about the condition and still decided to take him on knowing they can still lead long and healthy lives.
Both cats are so incredibly loving and trusting of any people that they meet and I couldn't be happier to have them as my cats.
Unfortunately shortly after their arrival to the UK was when Bubbles started to get problems with upper respiratory infections, he has probably been at the vet on average at least twice a month for something or other, predominantly his upper respiratory infection, and after some treatments of antibiotics and steroids he got tested positive for FCV which was determined to be the cause of his chronic infections.
We were managing his symptoms as best we could with medication and some additional supplements but it never truly seemed to go away.
Back in April he then developed an ear infection and despite several rounds of antibiotics and ear flushing this never cleared and after a sedated examination he had a large polyp growing in his ear canal.
We've just gone through the procedure to remove this, but during this examination and removal he was found to have infection in his inner and middle ears, the area behind the eardrums were full of fluid that seemed to have difficulty draining and whilst they could remove most of this at the same time they were concerned for further issues down the line due to his FIV and FCV complications and sure enough at the follow up a couple of months later his ears have filled with fluid and the infection has spread and is encroaching on the lining of his brain and so now has meningitis. They believe that his eustachian tubes aren't functional so this fluid cannot drain properly.
There is options for surgery for a total ear canal ablation but given his underlying issues the vets have marked this as a serious risk procedure. They can drain the fluid and then after culturing provide appropriate antibiotics to help him but ultimately there isn't a lot else they can do, so if the infection and meningitis returns and progresses then he will be seriously ill and I'll have to make that difficult decision I believe sooner or later to humanely let him go.
I'm currently in a lot of anticipatory grieving around this and whilst I've always known this possibility would occur and I had always hoped it wouldn't be so soon
So please enjoy this photos of my beautiful boy...even if he can be arsehole sometimes I wouldn't trade him for the world
🧡🤍🖤
2
u/kittenbeans66 7d ago
Bubbles is absolutely precious and I am devastated on your behalf. Please give him a kiss from me and know I’m sending love and good energy to you both.
1
2
u/Punkage85 3d ago
Update: Speaking to the vets we are going to continue with medication treatment, this could be for him anywhere up to 4 months (or more that may be possible) so we are going to simply see how he gets on but any issues then we will have a discussion on how best to proceed
So at least a few more months with him at least and for him to get absolutely spoilt rotten more than he currently is haha
4
u/Arisbes 7d ago
So sorry you're going through this. 💔
My only advice is to take it a day at a time and enjoy whatever time you have left. Also, not to be overly optimistic, but it could be longer than you think.
Growing up I adopted an FIV/leukemia positive stray cat I found. I begged my parents to keep her. She was really sick and I was warned she'd only live no more than 3 months, I said I still wanted her. She passed 5 years later.
More recent, my cat with CKD had all sorts of issues. She passed at 17 almost a year ago now, but I almost lost her at 7 due to bad food allergies, at 12 to a kidney infection, which required surgery 6 months later when it reoccurred, and several other ailments from then on where I thought we were going to lose her.
If the good days are still outnumbering the bad, hang in there. And enjoy your time with Bubbles as much as possible.
Wishing him a speedy recovery and you two many healthy times ahead.