Cats that test positive for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) are often considered unadoptable. In fact FIV+ cats can live a long happy life without any health problems just like any other cat if they are well cared for.
How is FIV diagnosed?
A blood test is used to diagnose FIV infection. The test checks for antibodies against the virus that are produced by the cat in response to the infection and are present in the blood stream.
Can a cat ‘recover’ from FIV?
Sadly you can never get rid of the virus. However, it is a manageable condition and not a death sentence. FIV+ cats can easily live for many happy years.
How is FIV transmitted?
FIV is not easily passed between cats and cannot be spread casually. It is not passed by sharing food and water bowls, sharing litter boxes, grooming each other and play-fighting, small scratches and sneezing. FIV is only transmitted through deep blood-drawing bite wounds.
FIV does not mean feline AIDS
Being infected with FIV is not the same as having feline AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). Feline AIDS (FAIDS) describes the terminal stages of disease associated with the FIV infection that may not occur for many years and does not always develop in all infected cats.
So as you see FIV cats are positively adoptable. 38smiles is a small nonprofit animal rescue group that believes every animal deserves a chance to be happy. They strive to help the strays of today become the pets of tomorrow. Email info@38smiles.com.
Here is Romeo, 38smiles’ FIV+ cat looking for a forever home
ROMEO ‘like a Phoenix from the ashes’
I had a home once, and I was very happy until one evening I found myself next to a big smelly box that ‘street smart’ cats call the dinner table - but to me it was all just rubbish that I couldn’t eat. Not being used to life on the streets, I couldn’t make any friends and got chased away time and time again by the bullies. Very soon I started to starve and lose weight, my fur started falling out (to be honest that was better as it was so hot and I’m a Persian), my hips became very sore and I was finding it hard to walk and my heart also wasn’t working very well.
I had given up when one day help came; I was rescued and taken to the vet. The vet did all sorts of tests and x-rays and everyone was quite amazed as to how I was still alive. I had an enlarged heart, very sore back hips, no fur at all, weighed only 2 kilos and was FIV positive.
After a few months at the vet I doubled in weight, my hips were not sore anymore and I started walking just fine, and my fur started growing back. Unfortunately my heart is still enlarged but I have no symptoms and no trouble with it, I guess I was just born that way. I’m FIV positive but the good news is I cannot transfer it to humans, and as long as I live indoors as an only cat I can be a happy healthy puss for many years.
My foster parent says I’m chilled, cuddly and most importantly, a purring machine!