The Truth About FIV Positive Cats
You may have seen the term “FIV” on an adoptable cat bio or on a cage card at Rescue Village. Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) can sound scary. People equate it with HIV or AIDs in humans, but it poses NO danger to humans and shouldn’t stop
a responsible pet owner from considering adoption.
Here’s why:
- FIV positive cats may not show symptoms until years after the initial infection occurred. It weakens the cat’s immune system which can make them susceptible to various secondary infections. However, infected cats kept in a stress-free, indoor environment can live relatively comfortable lives before the disease reaches its chronic stages.
- FIV is passed from cat to cat mainly through deep bite wounds. This disease cannot be transmitted from cat to human or even to other cats unless there is an aggressive cat fight involving deep bites. While it
is a personal choice as to whether or not an owner wants to introduce an FIV positive cat to an FIV negative cat, they are perfectly capable of cohabitating without spreading the disease.
- While there is no antiviral treatment for FIV, cats can live with this virus a very long time before symptoms even appear. Veterinary treatment usually focuses on extending that asymptomatic period or, if symptoms have set in, easing the secondary effects of the virus.
Ludwig (pictured above), a 3-year-old handsome boy, came to Rescue Village FIV positive. Friendly to all, playful, and always sun bathing, he was recently adopted to wonderful owners who looked past this disease. We are so happy for Ludwig.
We currently have another FIV positive cat who is just like Ludwig except he hasn’t found his happy ending yet. Opie (pictured left) came to us as an owner surrender. He and his former owner had an extremely close bond and he followed her wherever she went.
Opie would like nothing more than to find another owner who can be his partner in crime. He’s very affectionate, sweet, playful, and quiet. You can learn more about him here.
County Dog Warden. Butter sat on the adoption floor for over a month but the shelter environment stressed her out and was just too much for her after a while. One of our rockstar fosters reached out and agreed to be an Adoption Rover for Butter.
Butter was a fan of her toys even at the shelter and would do just about anything for something squeaky. Her foster says that has only increased since she’s been in a home! She would play with her toys or chew on a kong all day long if it was up to her.
This hound dog is ready to find his forever! Gambit was another dog who got very stressed in the shelter environment but is doing fantastic in his adoption rover home! He is an energetic 2-year-old with a goofy smile and floppy ears.