Caring for an FIV+ cat isn't necessarily expensive upfront, but costs can rise if secondary infections occur, as FIV weakens the immune system, requiring regular vet checkups (every 6 months) and careful indoor living to prevent opportunistic illnesses, with total costs varying from minimal to significant depending on health issues, though many FIV+ cats live long, healthy lives with good care.
FIV-positive cats can live a long time without suffering any related illness. That's why many veterinarians, including the feline medicine experts at the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), suggest owners never opt for euthanasia based on a positive test alone.
If diagnosed with FIV, a cat can live a good life -- even co-existing with FIV-negative cats -- with a little extra TLC. By managing their stress, providing good nutrition and regular vet visits and monitoring for illness, an FIV-positive cat can live the spoiled, adored life they deserve.
FIV is not contagious to humans or other animals.
Sharing food or water bowls, litter boxes, or grooming one another does not spread FIV. It's mainly transmitted through deep bite wounds during serious fights—often among unneutered male cats.
Unfortunately, there is currently no definitive cure for FIV. However, it is important to realize that while it is impossible to predict the survival of a given cat infected with FIV, cats infected with FIV can live very normal, healthy lives for many years if managed appropriately.
While FIV is related to HIV in humans, there's no way that the cat virus can cross between species and infect people. FIV only affects cats, cannot be transmitted to non-felines.
The signs of FIV infection and FeLV infection are very similar. Oral Infections: 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.
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.
If your cat was just diagnosed with FIV, I recommend getting ALL the cats in your household tested. Ideally, FIV+ cats should be kept indoors and separated from the other cats to minimize transmission and keep everyone safe.
Casual interactions, such as sharing food bowls, grooming, or even touching an FIV-positive cat and then an FIV-negative one, are highly unlikely to transmit the virus.
New Cat? Set Realistic Expectations! You can expect that it will take your cat some time to get used to the new routines and environment. The 'Rule of Three' means that you can gauge the time it might take for your cat to fully acclimate to his home in threes: three days, three weeks, and three months.
One of the biggest aggravators of poor health in any animal is stress, and the stress of keeping a cat indoors against its nature could have health implications. For these reasons we would suggest that, from a health point of view, access to the outdoors, for at least part of the time, would be best for FIV cats.
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.
The top "silent killers" in cats are Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), often progressing until 75% kidney failure, and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), a heart muscle disease, both often showing few symptoms until advanced stages, along with Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) and Hepatic Lipidosis (Fatty Liver), leading to sudden illness or organ failure if undetected. Early detection through regular vet check-ups, blood tests, and monitoring for subtle changes like increased thirst/urination, weight loss, or hiding is crucial for managing these common, often hidden, feline diseases, says this article.
New Agria research reveals that 63% of UK rescue centres say black cats struggle most to find homes – a lasting effect of Black Cat Syndrome. Despite their beauty, adopters are more likely to be put off by their appearance and colour (28%) than illness (18%) or behaviour (15%).
Insuring your FIV cat
Most pet insurance companies should agree to insure an FIV positive cat, however they may add extra 'exclusions' in the policy for anything they might consider to be FIV related. Ask around different insurance companies, to compare what they will cover.
FIV is not easily passed between cats. It cannot be spread casually in litter boxes, water and food bowls, or when snuggling and playing. It is rarely spread from a mother to her kittens. The virus can be spread through blood transfusions, badly infected gums, or serious, penetrating bite wounds.
Most catteries will accept FIV-positive cats if they are not showing other signs of infectious disease – aggressive, close contact is required for the virus to be transmitted.
Cats with FIV have a lowered immune system, but this does not mean that they will get sick more often. They do not require special medical care or medications because of FIV alone. However, it does mean that they can catch a 'cold' easier than a cat without FIV.
FIV at is a virus that only occurs in cats — it cannot spread to humans or other species. It is only transmitted from cat to cat through a deep bite wound or exchange of blood. Cat fights that lead to deep bites are a common cause of infection.
Common signs a cat is dying include weight loss, lethargy, vomiting, loss of appetite, reclusiveness or hiding, and a decline in alertness. If you notice physical symptoms or an obvious change in behavior, contact your vet immediately.
Dry food. Gold-D dry food is grain free and contains many extra ingredients beneficial to cats and especially to FIV and Felv cats. It is grain free and contains salmon oil, Antartic Krill to boost immune system. The cranberry is a source of anti oxidant.
At least one such study has been conducted (and I was one of the guinea pigs), and no evidence of infection was found in anyone, even those who'd been bitten by FIV infected cats or accidentally injected with virus.
Since FIV requires high-quality veterinary care, expect your bills to go higher. However, always remember that there is no problem paying for an expensive cost as long as your cat is safe and healthy. You will spend lots of money, but rest assured that all possible treatments will be applied to your cat.
FIV is not passed through open wounds. And, FIV is not passed casually such as in sharing of food or water dishes or toys, mutual grooming, snuggling, mock fighting, shared litter boxes, scratches, not even sneezes.