Calvin

Aloha, Let me introduce you to Calvin. He is such a sweet and darling cat. When we first met him, he was being fed by a good Samaritan on the corner of a busy street next to a dumpster in Kailua, HI. Calvin turned up every day for food along with another younger orange kitty named Hobbes (also rescued). She reached out to us at AKTNR to fix them but when Calvin was caught, he was already fixed, and it was clear he had several significant health issues and needed medical attention. Calvin was taken to the vet the next day and it was determined that he had an upper respiratory infection, a bacterial infection in his blood, stomatitis (infection in the mouth), corneal scaring and unfortunately, he tested positive for FIV. With all that said, antibiotics went a long way to help this little one, and within a couple weeks his URI and bacterial infection significantly improved. He also had surgery on his mouth because of the severe inflammation, it was recommended that the treatment was full-mouth tooth extraction surgery. While this may seem like a drastic measure, it is currently the best way to achieve substantial and long-term comfort for Calvin. It also significantly reduces Calvin's ability to spread FIV as FIV is transmitted through biting. To be clear though Calvin he does not have a mean bone in his body, so it's very unlikely that he would bite anyone regardless of his teeth, human or cat. Calvin is doing really well, and his health issues are under control. So about FIV... it might sound scary but it's not as bad as it sounds. It is an auto immune disease which attacks the immune system, this leaves kitties vulnerable to other infections. Though there is no cure for FIV, recent studies suggest that cats with FIV commonly live average life spans, as long as they are not also infected with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) which Calvin does NOT have. It's recommended that great care is taken to limit Calvin's exposure to other illnesses and that he receives regular medical care, especially if he is not eating, sneezing or coughing. Finally, as a reminder FIV is transmitted through bite wounds, blood to blood transmission, from an infected cat, and it cannot spread to humans or other animals. But great news Calvin is the furthest thing from aggressive, he does not hiss, bite or growl, and casual, non-aggressive contact, such as sharing water bowls or mutual grooming, does not appear to be an efficient route of spreading the virus. As a result, Calvin could go to a home with another friendly cat, though it might be better for his health and maybe peace of mind for him to be an only cat or to go to a home with another cat with FIV or even a home with friendly dogs. Calvin is just the sweetest boy; he loves being scratched and petted. He loves to give head bumps and he loves to cuddle. Calvin also gives hugs. He is probably the friendliest cats we have ever seen! Calvin is litterbox trained, neutered, vaccinated for Rabies, FVRCP, FeLV, and microchipped. As a reminder he is FeLV negative, so that is great news. All Calvin needs now is you and your family to take me home! If you are looking to really change a life but are also ready for your life to be changed by the purest love on earth, then give us call or shoot us an email! As Winnie the Pooh said, "Sometimes the smallest things take the most room in your heart." Calvin is a small thing that will soon take up the most room in your heart! Sometimes Petfinder emails go to spam or junk mail so if you have reached out and are waiting on a response, please check your other folders. Or give us a call or text! Thank you! ~ AKTNR Information about Calvin's Medical Concerns: (Stomatitis) https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/mouth/c_ct_stomatitis (FIV) https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feline-immunodeficiency-virus-fiv