A. The Cornell Feline Health Center (FHC), a veterinary medical specialty center that is devoted to improving the health and well-being of cats everywhere, notes that feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is quite limited in the ways it can be transmitted to cats, the only animals the virus is known to infect. The bite of an infected cat is required to transmit disease to an uninfected cat. There is absolutely no evidence that any person has ever been infected with FIV.
A. Although it has been documented, transmission of FIV from mother to kitten is rare, so kittens are not as likely to be infected as adults.
A. FIV is spread contagiously from cat to cat, typically through biting and fighting, making intact, aggressive male cats that spend time outdoors more susceptible to the disease.
A. Yes, FIV can be a very serious problem for all cats, especially for cats that spend lots of time outside, unspayed/unneutered cats and cats that live in multi-cat households with cats of unknown FIV status.
A. Early signs of infection are often subtle. Commonly cats show signs that they are "simply not feeling well." These signs include decreased appetite, decreased grooming and low energy.
A. As FIV infection becomes more advanced, you may see the following signs:
A. Testing helps negative cats stay negative and positive cats get the treatment they need.
A. Spaying and neutering your cat can help to reduce the tendency for your cat to fight and/or mate, thereby decreasing the chance of spreading the virus. Keeping your cat indoors as much as possible can prevent exposure to other cats of unknown FIV status as well as from cats that are infected with FIV. Isolating your uninfected cats from other cats in the household if they are infected is recommended by the American Association of Feline Practitioners.
A. While there is no cure for FIV infection, there are many things you can do to help an infected cat lead a normal life. Keep in mind that your cat may appear healthy when there may be an underlying condition such as anemia. Your vet can run tests to know what's really going on. If you have an FIV positive cat, you should visit your vet twice a year to track your cat's progress and to make sure your cat is getting the proper nutrition. Keeping your cat indoors and isolated from other cats in the household will greatly reduce the chance of contracting a secondary illness. Spaying or neutering your cat will also reduce the tendency for your cat to fight and/or mate, thereby decreasing the ability to spread the virus.
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