FIV cats will need prompt veterinary assistance for even minor symptoms. With good care however, many FIV+ cats can live normal lifespans. These days, it's not unusual to find FIV+ cats reaching 15 years or more.
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.
Cats with FIV often have similar life spans to cats without it: Studies conducted in 2010 and 2022 found that an FIV diagnosis wasn't associated with decreased lifespans. In fact, cats can remain asymptomatic for years or even their entire lives.
Though there is no known cure, FIV is far from a death sentence. They have weaker immune systems, but cats who test positive for FIV can live fulfilling and happy lives like any other cats, and can live for many years, often without harmful symptoms.
FIV initially results in a short-lived illness that's often not even noticed by a cat's owner. Cats then enter a stage of progressive immune system decline, but many remain without symptoms for many years. In fact, research shows that FIV cats may have a similar life expectancy to uninfected cats.
FIV has three stages: acute, asymptomatic, and clinical. In the acute phase, generally one to three months after exposure, the cat may have enlarged lymph nodes and run a fever as the virus establishes itself. Some cats may also have a poor appetite during this time. Most cat owners never notice that anything is amiss.
While FIV itself does not typically result in death itself, it does cause increased susceptibility to diseases that can sometimes be fatal, especially in cases where the virus has progressed to feline AIDS.
There are three phases of infection with FIV - the acute phase, the asymptomatic (or latent) phase, and the progressive phase. The acute phase of infection generally occurs 1-3 months after infection.
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.
Absolutely not! Although HIV belongs to the same family of viruses as FIV, the two viruses infect different species. HIV infects only humans and FIV infects only cats. The viruses are very specific for their species and there is no risk of cross-infection between the immunodeficiency viruses of cats and people.
Feline Leukemia (FeLV) is much more devastating than FIV. This is because FeLV typically results in cancer (e.g., lymphoma), leukemia (e.g., cancer of the bone marrow or circulating white and red blood cells), and severe bone marrow suppression (e.g. anemia) in young cats.
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.
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.
Again, the life span is not easy to predict. It is suggested that after contracting the disease, 20% of positive cats will live only four to five years. But over 50% of the cats will not show any signs of the disease. There is a vaccination for FIV, but many veterinarians tend to shy away from it.
In a follow-up study in naturally FIV-infected cats, the rate of progression was variable, with death occurring in about 18% of infected cats within the first two years of observation (about five years after the estimated time of infection).
The cost can also vary depending on the size and age of your cat, veterinary bills, and the stage of FIV. With the soaring cost of veterinary care, you can expect high veterinarian bills if your cat contracts feline HIV.
The terminal phase of FIV infection is commonly associated with moderate to severe periodontal disease, lymphoplasmacytic stomatitis (Figure 21-4 ), gingivitis, and feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions,52 which may result from opportunistic bacterial and viral infections.
Eventually a terminal AIDS-like illness develops. Natural FIV infections result in death as a result of secondary infections of the oral cavity, upper respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, skin or urinary system. Neurologic signs have also been described.
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).
While the VBSPCA promotes indoor living for cats, it is especially necessary for FIV positive cats to be kept indoors, where their immune system will be less exposed. An examination at the vet twice a year is very important, and they will require blood and urine tests to monitor their immune system.
Spay or neuter your cat. 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.
While there is no specific antiviral treatment currently available for FIV, your vet may recommend some types of therapy to help keep symptoms at bay and manage her condition. These include anti-inflammatory and antibiotic medications, parasite control and immune-enhancing drugs.
FIV is primarily transmitted through biting from infected cats. Casual contact between cats is VERY unlikely to cause transmission. FeLV can be transmitted through saliva, tears, nasal secretions, urine, and feces.
FeLV stands for feline leukemia virus, and FIV is feline immunodeficiency virus. Although caused by distinct viruses, these diseases have similarities: both are contagious and incurable; both are more likely to be acquired by a cat that is allowed outside.
Sharing a litter box, sleeping area, toys, water bowl or other items will NOT transmit FIV between cats. Can humans or other pets get FIV? No, FIV is a feline-specific disease.