FIV

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus is a lentivirus, or “slow virus” and is in the same retrovirus family as Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) however the viruses differ in many ways. FIV interferes with immune systems of infected cats and can be potentially fatal. Like HIV in humans cats infected with FIV can become more susceptible to common infections and have more trouble fighting them.

FIV is usually spread through deep bite wounds such as those during aggressive outdoor fights. Healthy cats are infected when they are bitten by cats carrying the FIV virus as the virus is in high levels in saliva. Occasionally mothers can pass FIV to their kittens across the placenta or milk. Cats living harmoniously together in a household seem to have low risk of spreading disease. It is uncommon to spread FIV through bowls and litter boxes, social grooming, sneezing and other causal contact.

Infected cats may appear normal for many years. However after an unpredictable length of time infection will eventually lead to a state where the cat’s immunity is unable to protect the cat from other infections. Bacteria, viruses, protozoa and fungi that can be found in the environment and usually do not cause disease can cause severe illness in these immune-compromised cats.

Cats infected FIV can have periods of illness interspersed with periods of normal health. Some of the symptoms they show include…

No, there are no reported cases of FIV spread from cats people (only from cat to cat).

FIV is diagnosed by blood testing. The most common type of test looks for the presence of antibodies to the virus in the blood. No test is 100 % accurate and the result needs to be interpreted in conjunction with your pet’s history and circumstances.

Unfortunately there is no specific antiviral treatment for FIV. Cats can carry the virus for a long time before symptoms occur. Treatment is based on supporting cats through secondary infections.