Mikayla and Ike

In late May we found two tiny kittens near the Sunken Forest at Amelia Island Plantation. They were only a week or two old - still had their eyes closed. We raised them and now they're about 10 weeks old. They are very playful and sweet. Mikayla (originally Mike) is a girl, black and white, and Ike is grey and white.

A couple of weeks ago these two tested positive for antibodies of FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus). It is similar to HIV in humans but is not transmittable to humans. It spreads mainly from deep bite wounds - which occurs mostly in un-neutered male outdoor cats.
From http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/fiv.html: Infected cats may appear normal for years. However, infection eventually leads to a state of immune deficiency that hinders the cat's ability to protect itself against other infections. Infected mother cats transfer FIV antibodies to nursing kittens, so kittens born to infected mothers may receive positive test results for several months after birth. However, few of these kittens actually are or will become infected. To clarify their infection status, kittens younger than six months of age receiving positive results should be retested at 60-day intervals until they are at least six months old.

Mikayla and Ike are about 10 weeks old now and ready to be adopted. They will need to stay indoors, but should have long and healthy lives. They will be re-tested for FIV and hopefully will not be infected. Please research FIV before deciding against adopting a kitten that tests positive. These loving kitties deserve a good home, too!