Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, or FIV: A virus that, like HIV for humans, weakens the immune system of a cat and makes it more difficult for the cat to fight off infection. While the virus is definitely not good, it is not nearly as terrible as some may believe. There are so many common misconceptions and negative stigmas surrounding FIV, which unfortunately lead to the unnecessary deaths of many cats.
I am new to the FIV world. Like so many people, I didn’t know anything about it, until about five or six months ago when I rescued a stray cat that had been living around my apartment complex – Sassy. After taking her to the vet to get the necessary tests and vaccinations, I learned that she was FIV+. I had heard of FIV before, but didn’t know any more information other than it was a disease that cats could get. Upon learning that Sassy was FIV+, I naturally had a million questions, which I asked the vet. The answers that I got to my questions were not at all helpful. I was told that Sassy had AIDS and would maybe live a couple more years; that she would need to be kept as an outdoor cat only; that she could never be around my other cats because she would pass the disease onto them; and all of this was true only if I decided not to put her to sleep, which one vet tech recommended because “FIV is a death sentence.” I left the vet with Sassy, sobbing and unsure of what to do next. As soon as I got home, I took to the internet and began reading anything and everything I could find that had to do with FIV. That is how I learned that everything the vet had told me was so, so wrong…
Having FIV means that a cat’s immune system might not be able to fight off an illness or infection as well as a non-FIV cat would be able to. It does NOT mean that an FIV+ cat will constantly be sick. If an FIV+ cat does happen to get sick, it is important that they are taken to the vet and given proper treatment as soon as possible because a simple cold could turn into something more serious without the appropriate care and attention. As a personal testimony, Sassy has never once been sick or even shown any signs of having any illness in the 5 months that I’ve had her.Misconception #2: FIV+ Cats Will Only Live for a Few Years
FIV is a virus that takes a long time to affect a cat’s immune system. The virus attaches itself to specific cells in the immune system and reduces the number of these cells. However, it takes several years for the number of these cells to be reduced to a low enough number that will have any effect on how the immune system works. With many infected cats, the immune system goes on working just fine with no signs or symptoms that the cat has a weakened immune system at all. Some cats may live their entire normal-lenghthed life without their owners ever even knowing the cats were infected. As long as an FIV+ cat is given proper care – healthy diet, stress-free environment, appropriate veterinary care – the cat can live just as long of a life as any other non-FIV cat.
Misconception #3: FIV Can Be Passed to Humans and Dogs
FIV is a feline ONLY virus – it cannot be spread to any other species.
FIV is not like a cold – it cannot be passed through casual contact. Many may confuse FIV with FeLV, which can be spread through casual contact. The only real way that FIV can be spread from one cat to another is through a serious bite wound in which the virus is injected directly into the bloodstream. While the virus is present in a cat’s saliva, it cannot get passed through shared food and water bowls or through mutual grooming. The reason for this is because FIV does not live long outside of the body. It dies within seconds. Also, the mucus membrane in a cat’s mouth is a strong and effective barrier to the virus, meaning that even if the virus does enter a cat’s mouth, it is unlikely to cross the mucus membrane into the blood stream and will die in the stomach. Even kittens that are born to an FIV+ mom are rarely infected with the virus. For the virus to pass from one cat to another, a bite wound must occur in which the skin is broken and contact is made between saliva and blood.Misconception #5: FIV+ Cats Cannot Coexist with FIV- Cats
Because so many believe that FIV can easily be passed between cats, it is commonly suggested that FIV+ cats be kept separate from FIV- cats or that FIV+ cats be kept as only cats. This is simply not the case. This is a point in which the temperament of the cat needs to be taken into consideration. Obviously not ALL cats are going to get along. However, as long as proper introductions are made, all cats in the household are spayed/neutered, and no cats in the household are aggressive, there is a very minimal risk that the virus will be spread.
Since I rescued Sassy, I have talked to many, many FIV+ cat parents. Every one of them has given me a personal testimony of successful integration and coexistence between their FIV+ cat(s) and FIV- cat(s). Some have even given me positive testimonies of their formerly aggressive FIV+ cats that were once kept separate being successfully integrated with their FIV- cats.
While there are cases in which FIV+ cats should be kept separate from other cats, that is not a blanket statement that can be applied to all cases.
Misconception #6: FIV+ Cats Should be Euthanized
Unfortunately, this is a common belief. My vet (my good vet, not the one that gave me all of the incorrect information about FIV) strongly urged me to get Sassy microchipped ASAP because if she were to get out and get picked up by a shelter, she would be put down as soon as she tested positive for FIV. The vet tech at the first vet I talked to even suggested that I put Sassy down because she didn’t believe that an FIV+ cat could live a normal and healthy life – she believed that FIV is a death sentence. That belief is absolutely not true, for all of the reasons stated above.
Connie says
Thank you so much for sharing this. The more we get the word out, the more lives can be saved.
Kitties Blue says
Emily, I loved seeing Sassy sleeping “on” your head. I have never had an FIV+ cat but know several bloggers who do. This was a most excellent post. It provided so much information, and I know if everybody had this information, they would not shy away from these cats. What a very terrible vet you had. So glad you have found a smarter one. I’m sure with your love and care that Sassy will live a long healthy and happy life. Thanks, Janet and XO, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo with extra nose-kisses for Sampson from Astrid
Kitty Cat Chronicles says
Thanks, Janet. I hope that articles like this will indeed help spread the word and educate more people on FIV. It breaks my heart to know that kitties like Sophie can’t find loving homes for no good reason.
Angel AbbyGrace says
Excellent post of FIV and than you for all the information.
Kitty Cat Chronicles says
Thanks for reading!
Chelsea Price says
This is a VERY important post! More people need to be aware that this is definitely not a death sentence for a cat, as well as the fact that FIV is different from FeLV. It’s unfortunately all too true that shelters almost immediately euthanize a cat when it is found to be FIV positive, and this is just not necessary. Thank you for this post! 🙂
The Island Cats says
Such important info! We hope lots of peoples see this so they realize FIV is not a death sentence for a cat. Thanks for sharing.
Tamago says
This is such a great post! Oh, I’m so upset with your vet. But you are so caring and wise to do your own research. FIV+ kitties can live long and happy life with proper care.
LP says
Loved the photo of you and Sassy at your head. Lucky Sassy for finding a loving home with all of you. It was a very informative and revealing article. Thank you. Crazy that even vets seem to get all the facts around FIV muddled! Ack!
the critters in the cottage xo
Kitty Cat Chronicles says
The fact that vets even have their facts wrong is the scariest part. I’m so glad that I now have a vet that knows better and is supportive of Sassy being a part of our family.
Judy & C.A.T.S says
Thank you for all of this useful information. It’s great that you are spreading knowledge about FIV. Hopefully people will be less afraid to adopt FIV+ cats. Love, Cali, Andy, Tater and Shelly (C.A.T.S)
Laila and Minchie says
Mom had a FIV+ cat once. She was very passive so it never was spread to the other cats. She did have one UTI after another and peed all over the place when she had them. As long as the cat isn’t agressive and not a biter, they can live safely with others.
Kitty Cat Chronicles says
I love hearing of happy FIV kitty stories. Thanks for sharing that – it is encouraging to us. So far we haven’t had any trouble with Sassy and any sort of illness, so hopefully it stays that way!
Rascal and Rocco says
I hadn’t heard about that. Thank you for sharing the info. And for sharing the Pet Parade as well
Jenna "HuskyCrazed" Drady says
wow that was really great info! I actually did not know anything about this, so I am glad you shared. Thanks for linking it up to our parade as well!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Julie says
Hi – I totally agree with everything you have said about kitty FIV. I’m a kitty parent to 7 wonderfluffs right now – and up to 10 at one time and have seen the same things you are saying.
My Reddi had FIV and when I started giving him a small sprinkle of the herb powder Cats Claw in his wet food every day, he improved so much. Cats Claw is great for fighting infection – virus or bacterial.