FIV and What Does it Mean for Your Cat?

BCR is home to quite a few cats who have tested positive for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), like Sargent, Bear, and Rusty, to name a few.  If you've watched any of BCR's 24-hour cameras, live tours or chats & boxes, you know that FIV+ cats live happy lives and play just like other cats do.  So why do so many states have laws that condemn these cats and cause them to be euthanized right away in shelters?  It's because they are considered unadoptable and too risky to place.  Are they really?

Let's first define what it is and how cats get it.   FIV attacks a cat's immune system, making it vulnerable to lots of other very common infections.  It's most often spread by deep, bloody biting during cat fights involving an infected un-neutered male cat who has to fight for food or resources.  Fixed, exclusively indoor cats are much less likely to get FIV.     

Statistics say that 1.5 to 3% of cats in the US are infected with FIV, which is carried in a cat's saliva. Knowing that deep bites from infected male cats spreads FIV helps debunk several myths that never seem to go away.  It's true that FIV:
     * does not transfer in the air.
     * cannot be spread to humans.
     * can't be spread from cat to cay through human petting.
     * can't be transferred through shared food, water bowls or litter boxes.
     * cannot be transmitted to dogs.

In rare cases, a positive mother cat can give it to her kittens when they nurse but studies have shown that kittens exposed this way tend not to become infected.  FIV can also be spread through sex if a male cat deeply bites the female during intercourse.

The happy reality is that FIV+ cats can live long and happy lives.  They will, however, be more susceptible to other common viruses and bacteria that could cause severe illness.  Some FIV+ cats may get recurring illnesses over their lives and could be prone to cancer or other serious blood diseases.  

In addition, studies now prove that FIV+ cats can live happily with cats who are not positive for the virus.  While some vets are up to date on this research, sadly, others have not kept up and have limited experience with FIV+ cats, which can lead them to give unrealistic advice. At BCR, we've had positive and negative cats live together for eight years and never had a negative become positive.  BCR cats are tested for FIV every year.   

As with many things that impact cats, FIV is diagnosed with a blood test your vet can give your cat.  The elisa, or snap test, is not always 100% reliable.  Some of the BCR cats have had false positive tests using this method.  Much more accurate is the Western Blot test.  Getting this test done will establish whether or not your cat has FIV and, if so, you'll know to keep a close eye on your cat's condition and health.

If you think your cat might be at risk and you haven't gotten a blood test yet, the signs to look for include
     * slowly progressing weight loss
     * gingivitis
     * stomatitis
     * recurring infections of the skin, eyes, urinary tract and respiratory tract
     * persistent diarrhea
     * seizures
     * behavior changes
     * neurological disorders

Looking at BCR's FIV+ cats, many of  whom have reached senior status, it's clear that FIV should not be a death sentence for any cat.  We hope that, as more and more people understand how it is spread and its effects on cats, shelters will start to understand, too, and give these very deserving cats a chance.