I am not a veterinarian, nor a vet technician. I am not a specialist of any kind, and I cannot give expert advise. All I know is what I’ve learned through caring for Pepper, through my research, by consulting with a homeopath, with the care of his terrific vet, as well as trial and error. And that’s what I’d like to share with you. My hope is that Pepper’s story and what I’ve researched will help shed some light.

When I adopted Pepper, I knew nothing about FIV. I didn’t even know it existed! Having two cats of my own, of course, I hesitated allowing Pepper into our family. So I began researching, and researching, and talking to people and organisations who help care for FIV infected cats, and I began separating fact from fiction.

Most surprising to me was the outlook most veterinarians have .. I was astounded and discouraged to learn how very few actually know about FIV specific treatment options and different measures to maintain good health for these cats. There is a general stigma surrounding FIV among veterinarians. Nearly all of the vets I spoke with view FIV as a death sentence and so what’s the point of treating Pepper? May as well just put him down. It’s the merciful thing to do…

Well, that’s not quite so. Depending on the symptoms your FIV infected cat has, as well as to what degree, this disease can be very manageable and your cat can live a healthy, happy LONG life!

Feeling defeated quickly turned into defiance! Pepper and I weren’t going down that easy! I did my research, documented it, and I sought out a veterinarian with genuine interest in exploring FIV care, (I actually provided them with a printed copy of my research). Along the way I was referred to a homeopathic pharmacist who was happy to get on board too! And together we began our journey to provide Pepper with the best practical care we could give him.

I learned that FIV resembles HIV. Similar drugs, cocktails that treat HIV can also treat FIV apparently, but it’s not widely available.

I also learned that FIV cannot be transmitted to other animals or humans, only between cats. It infects mostly the males, because male cats fight! They fight for food, for territory, and for females to mate with. FIV is transmitted by a deep bite, into the bloodstream. Very rarely can it be transmitted by a scratch. And so FIV is more common among feral male cats. It cannot be transmitted by sharing the litter, or food. So if your FIV cat gets along well with other cats in your household, the danger is pretty much non-existent.

Pepper became the adoring, protective big brother to ‘my girls’; Kiki and Mia. My girls have not been infected. They played together, slept together, shared the litter, as well as the water and food bowls.

There is a vaccine for non-FIV cats, however, it is very controversial. It is not approved by veterinary associations. NOTE: it only protects your cat about 70% or so. I had made the decision NOT to give it to my girls. And they have not contracted FIV.

Stage 1 is when your cat may begin to display FIV related symptoms. Pepper was fortunate in that he only had chronic diarrhea. It could have been a lot worse..

Drugs can be costly, and sometimes unnecessary. I looked to homeopathic alternatives for treatment as much as possible. That was my personal choice. You have to do your research. NOTE: A TREATMENT THAT WORKS FOR ONE FIV INFECTED CAT MAY NOT WORK ON ANOTHER FIV INFECTED CAT. You will need to find what works for YOUR cat, trial and error.

I was referred to a homeopath, who is also a pharmacist. He understands the effects of mixing natural medicine with prescription drugs, and he took great interest in helping to maintain Pepper’s health. It became personal. For Pepper’s diarrhea, the homeopath had prescribed 3 granules of Aloe Compose or Veratrum Album, and 1 yogurt capsule twice daily. I crushed the aloe granules with a pestle and mortar, pulled apart the yogurt capsule to add the powder, and mixed it with a few drops of water. At first, I administered it with a syringe by squirting it into Pepper’s mouth. Easy peasy. One day Pepper drank it right out of the mortar! He liked it 🙂 After 4 days his diarrhea disappeared. But it’s a chronic symptom and so I had to continue giving it to him once a day to keep it under control.

It’s important to boost his immune system. Like HIV, FIV attacked his white blood cells and rendered him vulnerable to colds, and illnesses. His homeopath gave Pepper UbiCoenzyme and a multi-vitamin in liquid form which I added to his food.

I choose to feed my cats high quality all natural food – dry and wet – rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to help maintain good health. This is especially important for an FIV infected cat! Their food also contains quality protein (the level of protein needed for dogs is different; make sure to read the label) and it should be the first ingredient! Cats are carnivores. No corn, or grains, or artificial preservatives.  Pepper ate a bit of wet food every morning and in the evening to boost his protein, as well as add some moisture to his diet to helps to maintain a healthy urinary tract, as well as a bowl of high quality all natural dry food. Fresh water every day is vital! If your cat isn’t fussy on water, there are tricks to get him to drink more.

Finding food that all 3 agreed upon was challenging. I tried nearly everything it seemed! They very much enjoyed GO! Natural’s chicken with fruits & vegetables, which provides them with all the nutrients they need for a well-balanced diet. There’s a large variety of good quality food out there; read the ingredients, and find one your cat enjoys. Today my cats enjoy Fromm’s Hasen Duckenpfeffer and Farmina’s N&D Venison, apple and pumpkin formula.

Stage 2 FIV is the dormant phase. A FIV infected cat can live several years symptom-free. From 2009, when Pepper entered my life, until 2011 he was symptom free, aside from chronic diarrhea. Being a feral cat, I don’t know when he had contracted FIV.

In August 2011, he became anemic and his kidneys began to fail. He was put on an IV and hospitalized. He was very sick. After 3 days, with little improvement, I made the decision to bring him home. I was not going to let him die in a cage all alone; I wanted his final days to be in the safety and comfort of his home, surrounded by his loving family. His vet understood. It became personal for her too. She came to love Pepper. She prescribed pain killers to keep him as comfortable as possible. The end was near.

One evening, as he was resting on my bed, I was stroking him, quietly watching him.. with tears in my eyes and a shaky voice, I told him that it was OK .. he stared back at me as if he understood .. I said if he was tired and didn’t want to fight any more and wanted to let go .. not to worry about me.. I would be alright .. that he could go, in peace ..

And a MIRACLE happened! The very next day he began to improve, just like that. His vet had no words. From a medical standpoint it was impossible! He should have died .. But no. He wasn’t ready to give up just yet. Pepper was a fighter. He had a will to live. He wasn’t leaving me. Not yet. He recovered from the brink of death, his blood work was normal, with a high white cells count. Although he was still in kidney failure, he had stabilized. He became his usual amazing Pepper-self once again.

But that surge of renewed life was short-lived. He was entering stage 3.

In April of this year, Pepper passed his annual check up with flying colors! His white cells count was normal, his red cells a bit elevated, but not enough to raise concern; just had to keep an eye on it. His kidneys had not worsened since August 2011. He remained stable. Great news! Happy and optimistic about her patient’s progress, Pepper’s vet prescribed Fortekor to help maintain good kidney function. Pepper had already surpassed all of her expectations; this cat was in charge of his own destiny it seemed.

Stage 3 FIV took him very quickly.

In August 2012, almost a year to the day later, my youngest, Mia, tipped me off that something was wrong. Pepper seemed perfectly normal, nothing out of the ordinary in terms of behavior or appetite. No reason to suspect anything was amiss.
.. It’s amazing how animals are able to sense things we cannot ..
Mia was very close to Pepper, she absolutely adored him. Where Pepper went his little sister always followed. But she began never leaving his side, ever, and she slept not only near him, as she often did, but right next to him. She was constantly hovering around him .. I didn’t take any chances and brought him to his vet for a check up –

Both kidneys were black. How did it spread so fast? .. And he became anemic again, severely this time. I had options. I could have taken invasive measures. Daily injections of fluids, medications, etc. It would have granted him only a couple more months. Maybe. What would have been his quality of life?.. This wasn’t My Boy anymore. My Pepper was not weak and frail and hopeless. He was big and muscular, majestic, beautiful, charismatic, funny, soulful, and proud. Tough as nails. A survivor.

.. I would never take away his dignity ..

After much consultation with his vet and a lot of soul-searching .. with a very heavy heart I made the excruciatingly difficult decision to end his suffering. It’s not about me. It’s all about Pepper. And what’s best for him. No matter how devastating for me .. I loved him with all my heart and soul, and there isn’t anything I wouldn’t have done for Pepper. Even if that meant letting him go.

Pepper passed away very peacefully in the comfort of my arms, wrapped in love, purring softly .. until his heart stopped beating.

“Au Revoir Mon Beau Pepper d’Amour.”

R.I.P. my beautiful Boy –

This is Pepper’s story.

In loving memory of Pepper
(Around) 2005 – 2012
Being his person 2009 – 2012

Montréal –