Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) led to the demise of Vincent, an orange tabby cat who died of complications from FIV in October of 1997. Although Fel-O-Vax® FIV was not available in time to save his life, the FIV vaccine can prevent other cats from suffering Vincent’s fate.
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| A healthy Vincent. |
Debbie Tice adopted Vincent in the spring of that year from a group trying to place homeless pets. She chose Vincent because he was “beautiful, he had a very sweet temperament and was affectionate.’’ Vincent was only two years old.
Once home at Tice’s Maryland residence, Vincent adapted to his new environment as if “he lived there forever.” Vincent even claimed his territory, sleeping at the foot of Tice’s bed.
Within the first month, Vincent went to the animal hospital to have his teeth cleaned. His gums bled profusely.
By the second month of Vincent’s arrival with Tice, he suffered from an abscess on his right cheek. The cyst had to be lanced and drained. Vincent was the perfect patient, seeming to understand he was loved and cared for.
“No matter what you did to this cat, he didn’t complain,” Tice said. “He just laid there. They said he was the best patient they ever had.”
About two months later, Vincent developed ringworm. One complication led to another. And only five months into his new life with Tice, Vincent died on the operating table from cardiac arrest.
Having received the bad news, Tice sat down at her desk to absorb the loss of Vincent. Although she only had Vincent for five months, Tice had spent about $2,000 trying to save his life.
Indeed, at some point during that time, Tice was well aware Vincent suffered from feline immunodeficiency virus. Tice applauds the Fel-O-Vax FIV vaccine, which is approved to aid in the prevention of feline immunodeficiency virus.