Although cats with FIV can live long and happy lives, it is extremely important that they are not allowed to go outside or be in contact with other cats.
Any cat that has the FIV virus can spread it to other cats, which is why it's so important to keep them indoors as soon as you know they have the infection (or suspect infection and are waiting for confirmation from the vets).
Likewise, cats infected with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) should be kept inside the home and only allowed outside in a safe, enclosed garden so they can't come into contact with other cats. So what can you do to keep an indoor puss happy and safe?
Street Paws opposes euthanizing any feral/street cat simply because he or she tests positive for FIV (feline immuno-deficiency virus) or FeLV (feline leukemia virus). If the cat shows no active signs of ill health, we believe he/she should be released back into his colony regardless of the test results.
Keep them indoors to avoid potential contact with infected cats. Put a leash on your cat when you walk them outside. Verify that any cats that will be around your pet for prolonged periods have tested negative for FIV.
Confine cats indoors to prevent the spread of FIV infection to other cats and to reduce exposure to disease-causing organisms. Control internal and external parasites like fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal worms with a preventative medication. Feed a nutritionally complete and balanced diet.
FIV infection sometimes leads to gingivitis, painful inflammation of the gums. Some antiviral therapies have been shown to help FIV-infected cats suffering from inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) and mouth (stomatitis).
These days, it's not unusual to find FIV+ cats reaching 15 years or more. One american study showed that FIV+ cats are far more likely to lose their lives through being euthanised, because no-one was willing / able to adopt them, than from any effects of the virus.
FIV typically does NOT spread through cats grooming each other, sharing food and water bowls, or sharing a litter box. A cat who tests positive for FIV can live with a cat who tests negative as long as they get along and aren't aggressive toward one another to the extent of serious (not play) biting.
According to estimates, the cost range from $150 to $2,000 per treatment. This cost varies depending on the medications your veterinarian prescribes, whether or not you have pet insurance, whether or not your cat needs surgery, and the time in which your cat undergoes treatment.
FIV itself will not kill your cat, but it does put him at increased risk for other conditions. It's these secondary infections and illnesses that cause the cat discomfort and will eventually lead to death. The chronic illness in end-stage FIV infections is sometimes referred to as feline AIDS.
FIV infection was significantly linked to extreme aggressive tendencies and the extremely aggressive FIV‑infected cats were more likely to have an unhealthy status compared to the non‑aggressive individuals (p = 0.022).
FIV-infected cats spent 50% more time awake than the sham-inoculated controls and exhibited many more sleep/waking stage shifts--i.e., 40% more than controls. In addition, FIV-infected cats showed approximately 30% of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep reduction compared to controls.
Yes, as long as the cats get along and do not fight. The risk that a FIV-positive cat could spread the virus to a FIV-negative cat can be minimized by having them live in separate rooms until you are confident that they will not fight with each other.
FIV simply means a cat's immune system MAY be compromised somewhere down the road. FIV is a lentivirus, which is very slow acting and usually won't affect a cat for 7 to 10 years. Most FIV cats live long, healthy, normal lives with no symptoms at all. FIV cats need the exact same good care you give to ANY cat.
Firstly the virus is very fragile, and does not live for long once outside the body - it is destroyed by drying, light, heat and basic detergents - normally the virus will be long-dead before any surfaces come to be cleaned, it is the initial drying that sees off the vast majority of the virus, and this will normally ...
Even normal harmless bacteria (normally present on the body) that healthy cats can fight off can make your cat sick due to immunosuppression. Thankfully, FIV+ cats can live for years (up to a decade or longer)—but ultimately can succumb to death from secondary infection or even old age-related causes in cats.
Question: Can FIV be spread through casual contact, such as cats sharing the same food or water bowls, or cats grooming each other? NO! FIV is transmitted to other felines primarily through deep, penetrating bite wounds.
Cats infected with FIV should never be euthanized, unless they are actually experiencing a severe, debilitating illness that cannot be treated (as we would with any other cat).
Although the ability of FIV or HIV to establish a latent infection in the CNS is controversial, several studies have reported a sustained proviral burden in FIV-infected cats in the brain [72,89] even in the absence of significant viral RNA.
Another viral disease which can be a culprit is FIV, or feline immunodeficiency virus. Closely related to human immunodeficiency virus, FIV is a chronic, not necessarily terminal, condition where a cat's immune system doesn't work like it should and can result in not gaining weight, despite eating as per usual.
Symptoms & Signs
The signs of FIV infection and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection are very similar. Chronic oral infections occur in approximately 50% of cats with FIV-related disease. Cats may show pain when touched on the face, have difficulty eating or refuse to eat, and may have a bad odor around the mouth.
For cats, these diets should be 80 to 90% meat. The remainder of the diet being a mixture of whole grains and fruits and vegetables. Other things to consider for the FIV positive cat: minimal vaccines, minimal use of chemicals, and avoid heavy cleaning products in the house.
Feed a species-appropriate, minimally processed, grain-free canned or homecooked diet. Raw diets are not recommended for FIV+ cats. Add quality supplements to boost the immune system, such as probiotics, digestive enzymes, and antioxidants.
The cat may have a mild fever for a few weeks and there may be enlargement of the lymph nodes (the little lumps often referred to as “glands”). But often, cats infected with FIV appear completely normal. Months or years later, as infection progresses, the cat may develop fever, lethargy, poor appetite and weight loss.