What Is FIV And How Can I Prevent My Cat From Catching It

There is one very specific virus that you should look out for when owning a cat. This virus is called Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, or commonly referred to as FIV. This cat virus is the equivalent to AIDS in humans. Cats that become infected with the FIV virus can attract a range of other illnesses such as ringworm, cancer, bacterial infections, etc. When your cat has FIV, it becomes almost impossible to treat the multiple diseases that he attracts at one time.

The only way that we can control this disease is to test and isolate cats that are infected with the virus. Unfortunately, similar to the AIDS virus in humans, there is no cure for FIV in cats.  In addition, the tests that are available are unreliable when done on kittens. Feline experts recommend that every cat should get tested for FIV once they reach the age of six months. This is the only way to know if your cat has attracted and will suffer from this disease. If gone unchecked or untested, your cat could soon become sick with no chance of recovery.

Because this disease can affect other cats that live within the same confines of the infected cat, it makes adopting small kittens, as well as adult cats, quite risky.  Most kittens that are brought home are typically three months and younger. Although there is nothing you can do at this young age to know if you're kitten as infected with FIV, be sure that he gets tested at the age of six months.

If Your Cat Tests Positive For FIV

When your cat is tested positive for FIV, this means that he has been infected and that this infection has started to stimulate the production of anti-bodies to that virus. In other words, your cat may be infected but not yet sick.  This rings true even if your cat seems to be sick during the time of testing.

There is some good news, however, if your cat has been tested positive for FIV. He still may live for many months or even many years before becoming ill, so there is no reason to treat him differently or change your daily habits and playtime. However, keeping him indoors and not allowing him to play or hang around other neighborhood cats is important. You do not want him infecting anybody else's pet with this virus.

Lastly, despite what you may read or heard rumors of, there is no evidence that suggests that Feline Immunodeficiency Virus can infect humans. This virus may be the same as AIDS for cats, but as far as up-to-date studies are concerned, no person has ever become infected from this type of feline virus.

Boo & Squeakers

Photo by Roberta Cabanaw