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My kitten has chronic URI and FIV. Is there hope or just euthanasia?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Male | 3 months and 9 days old | 2.5 lbs

My poor kitty has had a URI for a couple months. He has been through 4 rounds of oral antibiotics and a convenia injection as well as tobramucin, erythromycin and terramycin ointments. He was getting worse instead of better so we had bloodwork done. He has FIV and the vet recommends euthanasia for his sake, saying he will never get better. Is there truly no hope for him? Nothing I can do to help him? Is euthanasia really what's best for him?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By David Darvishian

Veterinarian

Published on October 14th, 2017

Please consult this website for more information regarding FIV- https://www.catvets.com/guidelines/practice-guidelines/retrovirus-management-guidelines https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/feline-upper-respiratory-infection

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    Answered By David Darvishian

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! So sorry to hear about Buster. Positive FIV results are not valid in kittens under 6 months of age. This is an antibody test and he may have circulating antibodies from his mother causing the test to be positive. So, I definitely would advise that you have him retested when he is 6 months of age or older. That repeat test will tell whether he is truly positive or not. By 6 months, moms antibodies are gone and the test will be more valid. So a few things to look at here would be- I would advise trying Famvir or famciclovir. This is an antiviral drug and is indicated for herpes virus infections. Most of these URI kittens are infected with herpes and this medication helps many kittens who are infected. The second thing I would look into is to see if Buster might have a nasopharyngeal polyp. The presence of these polyps will cause chronic URI signs in kittens also. I would advise finding a veterinarian who would prescribe famciclovir and see if the infection doesn't improve. If the infection doesn't improve with 3-4 weeks of Famvir, then I would start looking for a polyp. Again, please don't euthanize due to one positive test result especially because he is under 6 months of age. Good luck with Buster.

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    Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

    Veterinarian

    Published on October 14th, 2017

    Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I wouldn't recommend euthanizing Buster. FIV + cats can live long healthy lives before the virus would make him immunosuppressed. FIV is like HIV in people. Sadly it is not curable. A lot of kittens have URI's from viruses and secondary bacterial infections that do not have FIV. With supportive care they can recover. I would be sure that Buster is on an antibiotic and an eye ointment if needed. If he is eating hopefully this will run it's course. If he is not eating, see if your Vet can prescribe an appetite stimulant and teach you how to do fluids under the skin at home. I hope this helps and feel free to post again with any additional questions or comments. I have my fingers crossed for a speedy recovery for Buster!

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