Although cats infected with FIV may appear normal for years, they eventually suffer from immune deficiency, which allows normally harmless bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi found in the everyday environment to potentially cause severe illnesses.
While these cats may be prone to a variety of common diseases, there are no specific symptoms for FIV cats. An FIV positive cat may be more prone to chronic respiratory infections, skin problems, mouth inflammation and certain types of tumours, but there's no definitive rule.
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.
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.
A cat who tests positive for FIV at a veterinary clinic or shelter should not be euthanized unless she is already ill or suffering beyond what can be treated. FIV testing should be done with a plan to help the cat if she tests positive, not to end her life.
First, FIV is no big deal, it's simply a virus. Most FIV cats live long, healthy, happy lives when given loving homes. FIV cats will live as long as other cats and die of the same old-age diseases.
During this stage, FIV cats are generally asymptomatic. Phase 3: In the final stage, the virus progresses to its fullest point. It is known as Feline Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (commonly referred to as FAIDS or feline AIDS). It is similar to how HIV progresses into AIDS in humans.
Average Cost of Treatment
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.
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 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.
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.
Months or years later, as infection progresses, the cat may develop fever, lethargy, poor appetite and weight loss.
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.
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.
FIV-infected cats should ideally be separated from other cats, but this can sometimes be difficult in a multicat household. As the risk of transmission by social contact such as sharing food bowls and mutual grooming is low, some owners elect to keep the household as it is.
FIV is most common in outdoor, aggressive, male cats
Outdoor cats fight more frequently over territory, and male cats in particular can be very aggressive. If you have a male cat who likes to go outside, consider neutering your cat: This tends to reduce aggression.
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.
A good mixed diet is important for the health of any cat, and FIV cats are just the same. Best avoid a limited diet of one type or brand of food; give good quality, with some variety is the basic advice. This will help keep any cat in the best of health which, in turn will maintain the immune system at its strongest.
The efficacy of vaccination seems to depend on the stage of FIV infection. It has been shown that FIV-infected cats in an early stage of infection are able to mount appropriate levels of protective antibodies after vaccination [44,45], but responses can be impaired during the terminal phase of infection [46].
Cats Protection recommends that FIV-positive cats are kept indoors and only allowed outside in an impenetrable garden or safe run. They should not be allowed direct contact with FIV-negative cats.
This means that even vaccinated cats may not be fully protected against FIV. Despite its low incidence in the United States, FIV is a dreaded disease. 3 While cats can live a good quality of life for years, it is ultimately fatal.
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).
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).
Also, any wounds that occur could be quite slow to heal. The same is true for respiratory infections; they may linger much longer than would be normally expected. A cat with FIV might also struggle with persistent diarrhea. Ultimately, widespread organ failure can occur.
Many shelters would euthanize cats that tested positive for feline immunodeficiency virus, because they were considered unadoptable. However, new research proves that cats with FIV can live long, healthy lives and can even cohabit with FIV-negative cats.