Training Tips
My Cat is FIV+, What Does That Mean?
What is FIV and what does it mean if a cat has it? While the acronym may look scary and intimidating, FIV does not have to be as frightening as it may look or sound.
FIV stands for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus and is exactly that: A feline-specific virus that attacks a cat’s immune system leaving them more vulnerable to secondary infections. But wait. That still sounds pretty scary. Let’s take a look at some common questions about FIV, what it looks like, and how it gets transmitted.
Can humans or dogs get the virus?
No. FIV is purely feline-specific. There is no evidence that FIV can affect any other species than cats.
I just found out 1 of my 2 cats has FIV, does that mean my other cat has it too?
Not necessarily. While it’s a good idea to get your other cat tested, there’s also a good chance that your other cat could be negative. The virus cannot survive very long outside the body, therefore mutual grooming, sharing food and water dishes, etc. is NOT a mode of transmission. The most common mode of transmission is through DEEP bite wounds. Therefore, housemates with a stable social structure with limited to no fighting are at very little risk of transmitting the virus to one another.
How do I know if my cat has FIV?
Diagnosing FIV is done through a simple blood test that tests for the presence of antibodies. Otherwise, it’s difficult to tell if a cat has FIV just from clinical signs. Some clinical signs you may notice and may want to test for FIV include chronic or recurrent infections, inflammation of the gums, severe dental disease, weight loss, and neurological disorders are also possible. Most illness related to FIV is not directly from the virus itself but from these secondary infections or problems with the immune system.
So an FIV+ cat doesn’t live very long?
More often than not, this is NOT the case. Recent studies have shown that cats with FIV commonly live average life spans. Management including annual or bi-annual vet exams, keeping your kitty indoors, with a well-balanced diet will help ensure a long healthy life for a cat with FIV. Many FIV+ cats can live years with no symptoms.
How do I treat or cure FIV?
Unfortunately, there is no definitive cure for FIV, nor is there a vaccine that’s commercially available in the U.S. The best treatment for an FIV+ cat is management, including prompt treatment when signs of illness occur. Sometimes treatments for FIV+ cats may require longer or stronger courses of antibiotics than cats without FIV so it’s important to tell your vet if your cat has FIV.
How prevalent is FIV?
The prevalence of FIV infection varies. Approximately 2.5-5% of healthy cats are infected. However, rates go up to 15% in cats that are sick or at high risk of infection (i.e. un-neutered male cats with outdoor access who have the highest tendency to roam and get into fights). Mountain Humane typically sees only 1-2 FIV+ cats per year.
You see, FIV+ cats are not anything to fear and deserve happy, loving homes just as non-FIV cats!
Resources for this information were found at https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feline-immunodeficiency-virus-fiv, https://resources.bestfriends.org/article/fiv-cats-faqs-feline-immunodeficiency-virus, and https://www.alleycat.org/resources/feline-immunodeficiency-virus-fiv/
Additional resources
Mountain Humane Dog Training Classes and Private Training
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