FIV - Removing the Stigma. Facts and Information

What is Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)?
As its name suggests, this is the cat equivalent of HIV, the cause of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Being FIV or HIV positive is not the same as having AIDS. AIDS describes the terminal stages of disease which may not occur for many years. FIV positive only means that your cat has been infected by the virus.

FIV is transmitted primarily by biting. Cats with a known history of fighting, causing injury, are at elevated risk. Normal social interactions such as grooming and sharing a litter box does not transmit FIV. It is not possible for an owner to transfer the infection to their own cat if they have touched a cat with FIV.

Kittens born to an FIV mother will inherit her antibodies, but not usually the virus. A mother cat with FIV will have FIV antibodies which are produced by her immune system in response to the virus. When pregnant, she will pass these antibodies to her kittens through the blood, but she will not pass the virus, which will not cross the placenta.

Because the test for FIV actually looks for the antibodies and not the virus, a kitten from an FIV mother will show positive on the test without any virus being present. As

the kittens grow, they will gradually lose their inherited protection, and will then test negative. This can take several months, the actual time varies between kittens, so any FIV positive test is not safe until the kitten is at least six months old, and possibly older.

How long will my FIV cat live?

Potentially, as long as any other cat. Surprisingly, there is no proven shortening of life expectancy with FIV cats, although you do need to keep on top of any infections it may pick up, as neglected illness will not help! It is not FIV that causes the problems, but the secondary infections it may pick up. So if you are vigilant, your cat should live a normal length of life.