FIV – Separating Myth from Fact
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is an often misunderstood condition. According to the Feline Health Center at Cornell University, the virus affects approximately 1.5 to 3 percent of healthy cats in the United States, with slighly higher rates in cats that are sick or at high risk for infection. FIV is a lentivirus, which means it moves very slowly, and it gradually affects a cat’s immune system. It is passed from cat to cat through blood transfusions and serious, penetrating bite wounds. FIV cannot be transmitted to humans.
There are a lot of misconceptions about this virus, and contrary to what many people believe, FIV cats can live long, healthy lives if cared for properly. My former office cat, Virginia, lived to be 14, despite her FIV positive status. This article hopes to dispel some of the myths surrounding this virus and provide a better understanding both for those who live with an FIV positive cat, but also for the many FIV positive cats in shelters and with private rescues who are looking for loving homes. The fact that a cat has the virus should not automatically eliminate her from being considered for adoption!
Myth: FIV can be spread through casual contact, such as cats sharing the same food or water bowls, or cats grooming each other.
Fact: FIV is transmitted primarily through deep, penetrating bite wounds. Casual, non-aggressive contact of cats living in the same household does not spread the virus. On rare occasions, the virus is transmitted from the mother cat to her kittens, usually during passage of the kittens through the birth canal, or when they ingest infected milk.
Myth: Cats infected with FIV show symptoms immediately.
Fact: Infected cats may appear normal for years. The only way to diagnose FIV is through a blood test. A positive test indicates the presence of antibodies. Since there is the possibility of false positives, veterinarians often recommend retesting, using a test with a different format. In kittens born to an FIV positive nursing mother, antibody tests will most likely show positive results for several months, although these kittens are unlikely to be infected. The kittens should be retested every two months until they’re six months old.
An infected cat may not show any symptoms at all, or his health may either deteriorate progressively,or show a pattern of recurring illness followed by long periods of good health. Once FIV positive cats become symptomatic, you will typically see poor coat condition, loss of appetite, fever, inflammation of the gums and mouth (gingivitis or stomatitis), chronic and recurring infections of various organ systems, persistent diarrhea, slow weight loss, and various cancers and blood diseases. Since all of these symptoms can be indicative of any number of other conditions, it’s important to work closely with your veterinarian if you have an FIV positive cat. A case of “just not doing right” in a healthy cat that may resolve on its own in a day or two could be a precursor to a more serious condition in a cat with a compromised immune system.
Myth: There is no treatment for FIV.
Fact: While there is no cure for FIV, the disease can be managed by keeping FIV positive cats indoors, providing a healthy, balanced diet (due to the compromised immune system in these cats, raw feeding is not recommended), and regular, at least bi-annual veterinary check ups. Vigilance and close monitoring of health and behavior is even more important in these cats than it is in other, healthy cats.
Myth: Cats with FIV don’t live very long.
Fact: Many cats with FIV live well into their teens if they are receiving proper care and monitoring throughout their lives.
There is a vaccine available that is supposed to protect cats against contracting FIV, but the effectiveness is poorly supported by current research, and there is also a small risk of the cat developing sarcomas at the injection site. Additionally, cats will always test positive for FIV after receiving the vaccine, so if they become ill later in life, there will be no way to eliminate FIV from the diagnosis.
An FIV infection does not have to be a death sentence, and it is not necessary to get rid of a cat who tests positive. It also shouldn’t preclude adoption of an FIV positive cat.
That is great information. Many many years ago, I had two cats come up with FIV and they were really sick. I don’t think vets at that time wanted to bother with treating them so we just put them to sleep. It was all very sad. And the other cats that lived with the three that had the FIV did not get sick. So it doesn’t spread all the easily. Anyway, great post. Have a great week.
Very helpful information. Thanks for sharing and explaining the facts from the myths.
Mason
Thoughts in Progress
Excellent!
Love this post. Great information. I was under the false impression that sharing a feeding bowl would spread FIV, so glad to learn that is not correct. All cat lovers must spread this good news.
I’m so glad the information is helpful to everyone!
Great post Ingrid! We have 2 happy, healthy, thriving FIV+ felines that eat our raw diet. They’re mainstreamed with our other cats and we follow a separate feeding protocol (designated dishes), more to avoid any of the cats passing anything to each other. Thanks for spreading the good word!
Thanks for stopping by, Carole, and so glad to hear both of your FIV+ kitties are doing so well.
Ingrid, very good post. Thank you. It is still recommended that FIV + cats not share a household with FIV – cats?
That’s an outdated recommendation, Daniela – unfortunately one that many people still believe. FIV+ cats can share a household with negative cats becuase the only way FIV is transmitted is through deep, penetrating bite wounds – something that’s not likely to happen in a household of cats who get along with each other.
[...] it) helps. The first step, though, is separating the facts from the misinformation. Ingrid at The Conscious Cat has given us a readable, easy to understand post on what’s true about FIV and what’s [...]
Around three years back we were doing TNR at my husband’s work and one of the first was a young male. We had him desexed and were about to return him when he developed a huge abscess on his neck. After surgery the wound did not knit very well and when the stitches were removed it fell open.
There ensued a long road of problems and uppermost in my mind was that he was really FIV positive.
The vet suggested we euthanise if the test was positive but we were adamant we would not.
The wound became infected so many times and I took so many photos of it in its various stages, tried everything we could think of or research besides the antibiotics so often required. The last comment by another vet was that we might as well try everything within reason as we were looking down the barrel of a gun. The wound was two years in the healing and it finally closed.
We have a multi multi cat household and this guy is such a character, he stands out amongst the others and gets on well with them all.
We don’t know what’s in store for him or us in the future but at least he is having a life that is happy in the meantime.
He does eat raw, won’t tolerate anything else and fingers crossed will continue to thrive.
In fact we have to lock him in a cage with his food at night so he can’t go and eat everybody elses!
Thanks Ingrid for this information, much appreciated!
I’m so glad you hung in there with your guy, Margaret, and so happy to hear that he’s doing so well after what he (and you!) went through.
Hi Ingrid!
Thanks for posting the latest facts about FIV.
Our 18-year-old cat Zooloo became FIV+ approximately 10 years ago. We tried to separate him and our other cat, a female named Cleo, when he was first diagnosed. We realized quickly that was not going to work… at all. Zooloo was never so vicious as to bite Cleo to where his teeth broke the skin so we took a chance and continued having them live together. Of course, it was difficult at first since Zooloo was used to going outside but he eventually got used to being confined indoors.
For the first 8 years since his diagnosis, I administered interferon daily through the mouth for one week and off the next. If he was doing well, I’d give him a break from the meds. If he seemed a bit sluggish, I’d resume his regimen. Zooloo does not take well to pills, needles, etc. but the oral liquids are not a problem. Interferon, at least in his case, would perk him back up.
I realize now that I could write volumes so I’ll be brief. Suffice it to say, our little Cleo lived to be 13 years old and died from pancreatic cancer. We had her tested for FIV and she never contracted the virus.
Today, Zooloo’s kidneys are beginning to fail so he has lost weight but he is still so vibrant and full of life! He is truly a fighter. We call him the Magic Johnson of Cats. Interferon is too much for his little system to take at this point and giving him fluids via needle is simply out of the question. Ultimately, FIV is probably not going to be the main cause of his demise. We may not have much more time left with him but we’ve been wrong about that before.
I’m sorry to hear Zooloo (love the name!) is starting to decline, DeAnn, but it sounds like you’ve given him a wonderful, full life despite his FIV status. It’s hard when they get to this stage where there’s not all that much we can do for them medically. It sounds like he’s still enjoying life. Treasure every moment you have left with him!
[...] FIV: Separating myth from fact [...]
[...] was estimated to be about ten years old. She was FIV positive. FIV is the feline version of the aids virus. It is contagious, but is primarily [...]
[...] FIV – separting myth from fact [...]
I can’t thank you enough for this information. We adopted a shelter cat yesterday and when we took her to the vet for her check-up we discovered she was FIV positive. I’ve never heard of this before and didn’t know what to do. If she goes back to the shelter, they will put her down. We have 3 other cats and the vet said we might have to find her a home with no other cats, which would be almost impossible. After reading this, I think we will keep her with us and introduce her slowly into our household. The vet mentioned a test that might be able to tell if she tested positive because of the vaccine, or if she really has FIV. Have you heard of a test like that? Thank you again.
Kind Regards,
Cindy
I’m sorry about your kitty, Cindy, but as you can see, FIV+ cats can live long, happy lives with the right care. If your vet hasn’t already done so, I would recommend retesting with a different test just to be sure. False positives do occasionally occur. Unfortunately, I don’t believe that any of the available tests can distinguish between the virus and the vaccine. Best wishes to your kitty!
This information is extremely helpful to me. I have been a nervous wreck. Long, long story short- my boyfriend took in an outside cat a few years ago that was hanging out around his parents house…turns out he is FIV positive. He is now an indoor only cat. He is extremely sweet. The only chronic, ongoing terrible problem is that Buddy (FIV + cat) has open wounds often. He scratches his back- from infections (he gets antbiotic treatment and sees his vet often) and from stress, I think. Some of his scratching appears to also be behavioral. He never can heal up because he keeps scratching, it’s a cycle. We have decided to have his back claws removed, after exhausting all other options. We really need his back to heal because I won’t allow him around my cat- mainly because of the open wounds. Here is our current problem. My boyfriend is 39, I am 28. We want to move forward with our lives and with our relationship. I have one cat who is FIV negative. My cat is extremely rambunctious and playful, he can sometimes play rough, and likes to chase. I am terrified of having them together- I know i’ve read (and you have written) that casual contact cannot spread the disease. But I keep hearing “there is always a chance” from other sources. I feel like I don’t want Buddy in the home unless his back is healed- then I will feel better, so that is what we are working on now. But I am worried how I will manage my stress level..I’m afraid that if/when the boyfriend and the cat move in that I will be constantly worried about the cats interacting. I don’t know what to do. If there were no open/healing wounds do you think it is safe for the cats to be living together? I am usure of the proper way to introduce them. I have a two bedroom apt, so I can try keeping Buddy in the spare room for awhile…but I still am distraught over this. We both love our pets, and want the best for them. I know this might sound ridiculous but it is causing a great strain on our relationship.
It’s not ridiculous at all, Marcia. I completely understand that you want to do what’s best for you cats, and that can be stressful, given the situation you’re dealing with.
There’s a chance that the FIV is responsible for Buddy’s slow healing wounds, and the fact that he keeps aggravating things by scratching is, of course, not helping. Casual contact does not spread FIV, but if you have a rambunctious cat who may bite during rough play, there’s always a chance that you’ll end up with a bite wound, and possible transmission.
If you decide to introduce the two cats, I’d make sure to go very slow. Here’s a great article, written by Jackson Galaxy, on how to do it right: http://consciouscat.net/2011/08/15/cat-to-cat-introductions/
One of the best things you can do for your situation (all aspects of it), is to try and manage your own stress. I know it’s easier said than done, but cats are sensitive creatures who pick up on our emotions, and the more stressed you are, the more stressed they’re going to be.
I hope this helps.
Marcia, I was in your shoes about 5 months ago when a beautiful shelter cat we adopted tested FIV positive. You don’t say for sure, but it sounds like you don’t know the background of your cat, its possible that he is FIV positive from the vaccine and not have the actual disease. I believe that’s the case with our cat, once she recovered from her cold she caught in the shelter, she has been healthy. We have 3 other cats and they share everything.
You are making the right decisions, get him completely healthy and then introduce them slowly to each other. From what I understand, they have to have deep wounds to transmit this infection, so nipping and playing is unlikely to draw enough blood (if any). I’d be surprised if their playing together ever got to the point where they were actually fighting like feral cats.
You could begin to just let them see each other without contact too. I know how stressed you are feeling, its normal. Take this all in steps and once his back is all healed up, introduce them slowly. Two cats are often better then one. They will probably be very happy together and you’ll enjoy having them both.
Good Luck.
Cindy- thank you for the kind words of encouragement and advice also. Buddy is FIV positive because he used to be an outside cat and was fighting with other stray males. He had gotten in a fight, and his paw was infected. My boyfriend, being an animal lover like myself, took him to the vet, which is where it was discovered he had FIV. My boyfriend decided to keep him because he was very friendly. We think that he was not always a stray because unlike the other stray cats, he loves people. It’s estimated that he is about 5-7 years old. My cat is 5 years old, and has mellowed somewhat, but he’s into everything, I have had to “cat proof” my apartment. But I love him dearly, and he’s only really affectionate towards me. He “tolerates” other people. He does like other animals- he liked a chihuahua my old roommate had. I also lived in another apt a few years ago with a girl who had another cat. That cat hated all other cats, but of course, my cat (whose name is Lando) wanted to play with him and be near him. It would turn into a scuffle when Lando would chase him and pounce on him. The other cat would hiss and growl and make these terrible sounds and we would break it up. However, no blood was ever drawn from any of those incidents, but of course I would never allow that kind of contact with Buddy- want to avoid that. I have wondered if it would help to get a third cat for Lando to focus on – perhaps then he wouldn’t be interested in Buddy. Not sure if that would just end up creating an even more complicated situation. I also don’t’ think too much change is good for the cats at once. Lando is going to have to adjust to Buddy. They have met once – my boyfriend was boarding Buddy at the vet last weekend while we went out of town. He brought him over in his carrier and spent the night in the spare bedroom with Buddy,. (was easier to bring him to the vet in the A.M and we thought it would be good for them to sniff each other through the carrier). So Buddy was in his carrier, and I let Lando walk up and sniff it. Buddy did nothing but meow a couple times. Of course Lando, being the cranky kitty he is, hissed at buddy about 3 times over a period of 15-20 min. No growling, just hissing periodically. (maybe 3 times or so). Not sure if this was more territorial or if it was because Lando felt insecure and didn’t know what to do. Sorry that was a super long response. Thanks everyone!!
Oh I should mention, where buddy is from is my boyfriend’s parent’s property in Southern Maryland. He was one of a bunch of cats that showed up near the house…strays, I guess. His mother started feeding them. The law in maryland is that if you feed a stray cat, you become legally responsible for it. They had to get them all tags, but they still live outside. When my boyfriend would visit his parents house he’d always see the cats- especially Buddy, who was friendly and took a liking to him.
thank you! It does help. I do feel like my cat is more off the wall and misbehaves when I am stressed. I love Jackson Galaxy, and will definitely read it and take the time on introducing them. I also hope it will help to start playing with my cat more often and for longer periods of time. If he get out more of that energy, he will probably be less likely to go after Buddy.
Structured play therapy is definitely a good idea, Marcia. I would do that with both cats.
You may also want to consider some flower essences for both cats. Based on what you’re describing, I would use Peacemaker for both cats, Skin Soother for Buddy until his wound is healed, and possibly Hyper Helper for Lando.