Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

Feline immunodeficiency virus, FIV, is a contagious virus among cats. The feline immunodeficiency virus is also known as feline acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or feline AIDS. Cats infected with feline immunodeficiency virus can live long lives before succumbing to complications of the disease.
Feline immunodeficiency virus is most often spread by cat bites.

This virus may be spread from a mother cat to kittens during pregnancy, during birth, or through the mother’s milk. Some believe that the feline immunodeficiency virus can be spread by casual contact or sexual contact between cats, though these methods of transmission have not been proven and are not widely accepted. Humans cannot become infected with the feline immunodeficiency virus.

A cat that becomes infected with the feline immunodeficiency virus may develop infections easily due to the impairment of the immune system. Infections of wounds or of the gums are common. The infected cat may become anemic. A cat with feline immunodeficiency virus is at high risk for developing cancer or neurological diseases.

Veterinarians diagnose feline immunodeficiency virus by blood test. Cats that spend time outdoors are at higher risk for contracting feline immunodeficiency virus. Therefore, outdoor cats should be tested annually. Though there is a vaccine for feline immunodeficiency virus, it is not commonly recommended.

The vaccine does not effectively protect all cats. The feline immunodeficiency virus vaccine has been linked to some cancers and false positives for feline immunodeficiency virus. A false positive could put a vaccinated cat at risk of being euthanized if it is surrendered or captured by an animal shelter. Kittens younger than six months of age can have false positives on the blood test for feline immunodeficiency virus.

The veterinarian may recommend vitamins or dietary supplements for a cat with feline immunodeficiency virus. The treatment for feline immunodeficiency virus consists of preventing complications. Cats with feline immunodeficiency virus are at risk of serious complications from infections. If an infected cat gets a wound, it may be treated a little more aggressively than usual to prevent infection. Fleas and flea bites are treated and controlled to avoid infection of flea bites or parasitic infections.