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FIV: CATCHING A BAD CASE OF RUMORS
When cats are diagnosed with FIV, nobody wants them. You'd think they were an unexploded bomb or an X-rated movie. Make that "FIV-rated".
People are always surprised to see how healthy many FIV cats are. But that's the way most of them are!! Despite what many people think, cats with FIV can live perfectly long, happy, healthy, normal lives. If you go back 15 years, before anybody tested for FIV, all of these little guys would be in homes living long, normal lives. But we've discovered something we can put a name to - even if the cats never get sick!
FIV stands for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. It's a lentivirus, meaning that it progresses very slowly, gradually affecting a cat's immune system. It is passed through blood transfusions and through serious, penetrating bite wounds - mainly by stray, intact cats. The most well-known lentivirus in humans is HIV. But the two ARE NOT at all the same. |
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FIV IS NOT AN AUTOMATIC DEATH SENTENCE!!
MANY FIV CATS LIVE LONG, HEALTHY LIVES
AND NEVER SUFFER ANY ILL EFFECTS.
It is impossible to accurately predict the life expectancy of a cat with FIV. FIV positive cats have tested positive for the virus but the virus is not necessarily active. If the cat is young and healthy, it could be completely symptom free for several years. As long as cats with FIV are not exposed to diseases that their immune system can't handle, they can live perfectly normal lives. |
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THE FEAR OF FIV IS SIMPLY UNFOUNDED
Surprisingly, many vets are not up to date on FIV. When FIV was first discovered, the HIV scare was in high gear. A lot of vets didn't want to take any chances, so the rule of thumb was: "FIV cats should immediately be separated from non-infected cats. If you can't do this in your home, then find a place that will take them or have them euthanized." |
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THE ONLY THING ABOUT FIV THAT YOU CAN CATCH IS A BAD CASE OF THE RUMORS.
FIV is a cats-only infection and is not transmissible to dogs, children or humans in any way. There is no threat to families even if an infected cat scratches you.
FIV cannot be spread casually - like in litter boxes, water and food bowls, or when snuggling and playing.
FIV can only be passed on to other cats through a serious, penetrating bite wound. So unless your cats at home routinely tear each other to pieces, it's not a problem. (And if your cats are tearing each other up, that's probably a bigger problem!)
If properly introduced, a neutered FIV cat in a home is extremely unlikely to infect other cats. It is not necessary to isolate an FIV cat in a multiple cat household unless the FIV cat is likely to fight with the other residents. |
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FIV FACTS
1. FIV is a slow virus that affects a cat's immune system over a period of years.
2. FIV is a cat-only disease and cannot be spread to humans or other non-felines.
3. FIV cats most often live long, healthy, and relatively normal lives with no symptoms at all.
4. FIV is not easily passed between cats. It cannot be spread casually - like in litter boxes, water and food bowls, or when snuggling and playing. It is rarely spread from a mother to her kittens.
5. The virus can be spread through blood transfusions, badly infected gums, or penetrating bite wounds. (Bite wounds of this kind are extremely rare, except in free-roaming, unneutered tomcats.)
6. A neutered cat, in a home, is extremely unlikely to infect other cats, if properly introduced.
7. FIV-positive cats should be kept as healthy as possible. Keep them indoors and free from stress, feed them a high-quality diet, keep and treat any secondary problems as soon as they arise.
8. Cat-to-cat transmission in multiple-cat households where there is no fighting among cats appears to be quite uncommon.
9. Isolation of an FIV cat in multiple cat households is not necessary unless the FIV cat is likely to fight with the other residents. |
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ADOPTING AN FIV CAT
When potential adopters hear that a cat has FIV they often glaze over and don’t even want to listen to how healthy, loving, and wonderful the cat is. But FIV kitties need homes, too. Sure, you have to be careful and introduce the new cat properly to the others. But most of the FIV cats adopted from HEART have blended into homes just fine.
One important thing is to keep your FIV cat healthy. (That, of course, is good advice for all your cats!) You keep an FIV cat's immune system strong with a high-quality, nutritious diet and an indoor, stress-free environment.
The cat should receive regular vet care and be seen at the first signs of illness no matter how insignificant it seems. Make sure they get regular vaccinations.
If you can open your HEART and home to an FIV feline, HEART will pay for any veterinary costs resulting from FIV related health issues. |
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Now that you know about FIV and that there’s absolutely no reason why these wonderful kitties shouldn’t have a chance to be loved & cherished, please call us about adopting an affectionate ball of furry love!!
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