Feline Immunodeficiency Virus is a viral infection that affects cats. A cat with FIV will have a weaker immune system compared with a non – FIV positive cat.
Cats that are FIV+ will be susceptible to a variety of common diseases but can live for many years without showing any symptoms.
Unneutered male cats are the most likely to be FIV+ as they tend wander in search of a mate and fight for territory. The virus has to enter the body and into the blood, usually through biting. Kittens can negative.sometimes be infected through their mum but usually their immune system can cope and if after six months they are tested clear then they will be FIV negative.
FIV+ cats can be kept with other pets eg dogs but not with other cats. They must be homed in a single cat home and preferably kept indoors. A FIV+ cat requires a good quality, well balanced diet but no raw food or diary products as the risk of contracting bacterial and parasitic disease is greatly increased
Meet Monty, a FIV cat that came into the Rescue in very poor condition having spent most of his life on the streets fighting and surviving. His health did improve and he had 2/3yrs of relatively good health until he passed away aged 10yrs. Monty will almost certainly have contracted HIV through his fighting being an unneutered male on the streets. His final years were happy and comfortable and he is an example of a HIV cat that given the opportunity can have a good life.