Adorable Luca & MaryNury

Tommy the tomcat has had a rather eventful week, and I have been finding out all about FIV in cats, because when Tommy had his blood-test I was given the news that he was positive. This is the equivalent of being HIV in humans, although I now know that less cats develop full blown aids, so it is definitely NOT a death sentence.

The problem however with cats and particularly toms is that they have a tendency to fight and as Tommy doesn’t know he can pass on this potential fatal condition, his life outside is now over.

The first I heard of this was on Tuesday when Gisela called me from the vet’s and I was being asked to agree to have him put down. Having made this difficult decision I was then told that he could be reprieved if I could find him a home alone or with other FIV positive cats, which the girls in Germany confirmed was possible. SO we are now working together to save this lovely old chap and give him a new more relaxing life.

Tommy first went back to Gisela’s cat rescue, where he spent the night crying in a cage … not a good solution. Thankfully my new neighbours agreed to help the next morning and since Wednesday afternoon Tommy has been reclining on various sofas, and the balcony, in their very pleasant apartment, playing with their yorkshire terrier (who cannot catch FIV) and stuffing his face!

We were worried that he may not adapt well to being inside after his years on the rocks but so far he appears to be loving it, so life after FIV is definitely a possibility for him. On Thursday he will go back to the vet to be sterilised, chipped, vaccinated etc. and if a home in Germany can be found in time, he will have the luxury of flying to Munich with one of his new housemates in early june.

Here’s hoping this one will have a happy ending; meanwhile we are slightly concerned about the FIV status of his old fight buddy on the rocks, so we will be taking chivers for his test this week. Fingers crossed for a negative result this time.