Cat FIV: what you need to know

FIV in cats is a lifelong viral infection of the immune system that occurs worldwide. The virus affects the cells that protect the body from illness. It is a cat-specific disease. It cannot be spread to people, and there is no risk to anyone in contact with an FIV-positive cat. 

The virus only affects cats, so there’s no risk of infection for people or other species in contact with FIV positive cats.

An FIV-positive cat will remain infected with the virus for life. After a period that may last several years, the virus may damage the cat’s immune response and lead to signs of disease. Infected cats who receive supportive medical care, a good diet and are kept in a stress-free environment can live comfortable lives with a normal lifespan.

How does FIV spread?

FIV is most commonly passed between cats through bite wounds, or occasionally through mating. Male cats that are not castrated tend to roam further and fight more, which increases their risk. A mother cat infected with FIV can potentially pass the virus on to her kittens.

It’s worth knowing that everyday contact such as grooming, sneezing, and sharing food bowls or living spaces is considered unlikely to spread many cases of FIV between cats, as the virus does not survive for long outside of the body and needs to enter the bloodstream.

Signs of FIV

Many cats with FIV show no signs at all, particularly in the early years, as the virus can lie dormant for a long time before symptoms appear.

First stage

Initial symptoms include loss of appetite, fever, lethargy, diarrhoea, swollen lymph nodes and a low white blood cell count. Cats become listless, stop grooming themselves properly and are more prone to picking up other infections.

Second stage

Cats often recover and show no symptoms for months or even years, but remain lifelong carriers of the virus during this time.

Third stage

As the immune system struggles to keep up, more persistent signs emerge, slow or steady weight loss, recurring fever, inflammation of the mouth and gums, sore or smelly mouths, drooling, a poor coat from lack of grooming, ongoing diarrhoea, and toileting changes. Secondary infections also become more frequent and increasingly resistant to treatment.

How long do FIV-positive cats live?

Many owners worry that an FIV diagnosis will significantly shorten their cat’s life, but this isn’t necessarily the case. Not all cats will go on to develop serious symptoms, and many infected cats maintain a healthy lifestyle for years.

FIV-positive cats who receive supportive medical care, a good diet and are kept in a stress-free environment can live comfortable lives with a normal lifespan.

Regular vet check-ups are especially important to catch any secondary infections early and keep your cat in the best possible health.

How is it diagnosed?

Your vet can diagnose whether your cat has the FIV infection using a blood test.

Caring for an FIV-positive cat

An FIV-positive cat with no additional illnesses needs much the same day-to-day care as any other healthy cat, but a few extra precautions can help protect their weakened immune system.

Treatment itself focuses mainly on extending the symptom-free period or, once symptoms do set in, on easing the secondary effects and infections of the virus.

• Regular vet checkups are especially important – take your cat for a health check at least twice a year, where your vet can also advise on appropriate vaccinations and parasite control.
• Monitor your cat’s health and behaviour at home – cats are very good at hiding signs of illness, so keep an eye on weight and appetite (an easy check is feeling your cat’s ribs; if they become easier to feel over time, it may be an early warning sign). Speak to your vet about any concerns
• Maintain a regular flea control programme – it’s not known whether blood-sucking parasites like fleas can spread infection, so it’s wise to keep on top of this as a precaution.
• Do not feed raw food – raw diets carry a risk of bacterial infection that an FIV-positive cat may struggle to fight off
• Watch for signs of illness – recurring infections, mouth inflammation, or persistent diarrhoea should always be checked by a vet promptly

A note on treatment and vaccines

There is currently no specific cure for FIV, and no vaccine is available. Treatment focuses on managing any illnesses that arise as a result of lowered immunity, and on keeping your cat as healthy as possible for as long as possible.

Things to remember when living with an FIV cat

• Your cat may need regular vet checks more often than a cat that has not been infected with FIV, so you’ll  possibly have higher vet costs
• You need to ensure your cat is kept away from other cats that don’t have FIV
• FIV cats have a compromised immunity, so any wounds or ill health may need urgent veterinary treatment.

If you’re thinking of adopting a cat with FIV

Make sure you review the clinical history of your new cat and ask for more details on how his particular case of FIV has been treated. Every FIV cat rehomed from Woodgreen will be assessed and rehomed to a suitable environment for their welfare as well as those in the areas they are being rehomed to. Any cat who’s had treatment is likely to have pet insurance exclusions, so it’s worth discussing potential ongoing costs with your vet.