FIV - It's No Big Deal!

FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) is a feline only illness and cannot be passed on to humans or canines. Kitties with this condition can live long and wonderful lives if kept indoors, spayed or neutered, and fed a good quality diet. They can live easily with other kitties who do not have FIV as long as everyone is spayed or neutered and gets along with other kitties. There is no reason not to consider a kitty with this condition for a pet, regardless of who you have at home.

Understanding Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

FIV is a retrovirus that occurs worldwide, and virologists classify FIV in the same retroviridae family as FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus), but with one major difference: FIV is considered to be in the lentivirus. This type of virus is a slow virus that affects a cat’s immune system over a period of years. FIV cats most often live long, healthy, and relatively normal lives with no symptoms at all. FIV is not easily passed between cats; it CANNOT be spread casually. An altered FIV cat, in a home, is extremely unlikely to infect other cats, if properly introduced.

Adoptable cat at Princeton's Meow that has FIV.

The facts:

Slow Virus, Long-Term Effects: FIV is a retrovirus, similar to Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), but classified as a lentivirus. It gradually weakens a cat's immune system over several years.
Exclusive to Cats: FIV is strictly a cat-only disease and poses no risk to humans or other animals.
Healthy Lifespan: Many FIV-positive cats live long, healthy lives without showing any symptoms of the virus.
Limited Transmission: FIV is not easily spread between cats through casual contact such as sharing litter boxes or food bowls. Transmission typically occurs through serious bite wounds, blood transfusions, or rarely from an infected mother to her kittens.
Prevention: Neutered FIV-positive cats are highly unlikely to infect other cats if introduced properly into a home.
Health Management: To support the health of FIV-positive cats, keep them indoors to minimize exposure, manage stress levels, provide a nutritious diet, and promptly treat any secondary health issues that arise.

FIV - It's No Big Deal!

Understanding Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

The facts:

Past & Present FIV+ kitties!

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