Feline Immunodefiency Virus (FIV)

The Facts

FIV is a virus in cats that is similar to the human virus, HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). However, FIV does not infect humans and HIV does not infect cats.

About 3-6% of the UK cat population have been infected with FIV. The virus is present in the blood, saliva and other blood fluids of infected cats. The virus is very delicate and cannot survive for long periods outside of the cat. For example, it cannot be transferred from cat to cat on people’s hands or clothes. It is transmitted primarily by cats fighting, but it can also be passed from an infected female cat to her kittens. The virus is very similar to HIV in people, it may in months or years lead to having a weakened immune system. However, the incubation period before the disease develops can last for many years. Many infected cats have years of normal life and may die from something else entirely before their FIV infection causes any problems.  

Signs of FIV are varied but usually result from a weakened immune system and therefore a vulnerability to other infections. Once disease develops infected cats may: 

•  Become repeatedly ill, for example, with cat flu, sore gums, skin disease or digestive upset
• Simply seem “off-colour” or have a high temperature 
• Take a long time to recover from infection
• Lose weight
• Develop tumours

Cats with FIV may be more susceptible to secondary infections or tumours and may be a risk to other cats. For these reasons, it is important that they are kept indoors so they are separate from FIV negative cats to protect them from other infectious diseases and to stop them giving the virus to other cats.

FIV is diagnosed by blood testing a cat. Vets can quickly perform a test that detects the antibodies to the virus in blood. It is recommended that positive results (particularly those from otherwise healthy cats) are sent for confirmation using a different test at an external laboratory, as false positive results can occur. Kittens less than five to six months old many have had antibodies passed on to them by their infected mothers, but not the virus itself. Only a third of kittens born to FIV-positive mothers actually have FIV themselves. Special tests to detect the virus should be performed on such kittens or antibody tests should be repeated when the kittens are five to six months old.

Unfortunately, there is currently no vaccine for FIV in the UK although, getting your cat neutered reduces their chance of contracting FIV through fighting.

FIV positive cats should be kept indoors, away from contact with cats that do not have the virus. However they can live alongside cats with the same condition. They can live long and fulfilled lives and make fantastic companions.

Sirius - Adorable boy 

Currently here at the Isle of Wight Adoption Centre we have a lovely FIV boy called Sirius. The poor lad came in with lots of war wounds and one of them has become infected. He is currently on a course of painkillers and anti-biotics. He is such a friendly, loving cat and he is very talkative too. So please come up to the centre to meet this charming boy. He would be purr-fect for someone living in a flat with no access to a garden. All he needs now is someone's love.