Feline AIDS: What Cat Parents Should Know

Learning your cat has feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) — commonly referred to as “feline AIDS” — certainly sounds scary. While the condition weakens a cat’s immune system, many cats with FIV can live healthy lives with proper care.¹ Let’s consider FIV in more detail.

What Is FIV in Cats?

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a disease that attacks the immune system. Over time, it can lead to immune deficiency, which can increase the likelihood of cats developing serious illnesses.¹ It is also one of the most common infectious cat diseases worldwide.¹ It’s similar to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) — the cause of AIDS in people — and there’s no cure.²

Many of the illnesses related to FIV come from secondary infections instead of the virus directly. While a cat with an FIV infection may appear normal for years, the virus will eventually compromise their immune system, and the cat may develop severe secondary illness from normally harmless bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi.¹

FIV vs. Feline AIDS

The terms FIV and feline AIDS are often used interchangeably. However, they technically aren’t the same thing. FIV can lead to feline acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) over time as the infection develops.² (The progression is similar to how HIV can lead to AIDS in humans.) Just because your cat is diagnosed with FIV doesn’t mean it’ll develop into feline AIDS.²

How is FIV Transmitted?

FIV is primarily transmitted through bite wounds.¹ That’s because infected cats shed the virus through their saliva.² Cats who are more likely to fight are at a higher risk of contracting FIV. Non-aggressive contact, like grooming or sharing water bowls, is unlikely to spread the virus.^1,2

It may be possible for the virus to be transmitted via sexual contact, but that isn’t a significant means of spreading FIV. ^1,2 However, it’s possible for kittens to contract the virus from their infected mothers. Somewhere between 25% – 33% of kittens born to infected mothers are likely to also be infected. They are most likely infected through the mother’s milk or by transmission across the uterus during pregnancy.²

FIV Symptoms in Cats

You may not know immediately if your cat contracts FIV. They can be asymptomatic for months or even years. Some of the symptoms a cat with FIV may exhibit include:¹

• A poor appetite and weight loss
• Recurring upper respiratory problems or urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Minor illnesses that frequently recur or never go away
• Inflammation of the mouth and gums with severe dental disease
• Signs of cancer
• Seizures
• Behavioral changes

How is FIV diagnosed?

FIV is diagnosed by a blood test that looks for the presence of special antibodies that develop to fight the virus.^1,2 It’s a good idea to have a cat tested for FIV when they first join your family, if they get sick, or if they have an ongoing risk of exposure to the condition. Because it may take several weeks after infection for a cat to test positive for FIV, your vet may recommend additional blood tests at least 60 days after the initial test.¹

FIV Treatment

There is no cure for FIV. If your cat is diagnosed, the key to helping them have the best chance at a relatively healthy, normal life is to reduce their risk of acquiring secondary infections. It should also be a priority to prevent them from spreading the virus to other cats.

Here are some recommended strategies for accomplishing both goals:¹

• Spay or neuter your cat. It will eliminate the risk of spreading the disease through pregnancy and reduce the tendency to roam and fight.
• Keep your cat indoors. This protects them from secondary infections and limits their interactions with other cats.
• Schedule wellness visits every six months. It’s especially important to monitor the health of the gums, eyes, skin, and lymph nodes.

Medical treatment options are limited; however, certain immune-stimulating or antioxidant drugs may prove helpful, and some cats have received treatment with human anti-HIV drugs, such as AZT.²

Preventing feline immunodeficiency virus

Indoor cats are at lower risk for FIV infection, so the best prevention is keeping your cat indoors and limiting their contact with other felines who may be infected.¹

Frequently Asked Questions About FIV

Is FIV in cats contagious?

Only cats can contract FIV, and it can’t spread to humans or other animals. FIV is mainly transmitted through deep bites, like those a cat may receive in a fight.¹

Is it OK for cats with FIV to live with non-FIV cats?

It’s generally fine for an FIV-positive cat to live with uninfected cats, provided that you keep them indoors, ensure they interact peacefully, and spay or neuter all cats.³ Spaying female cats may help lower the risk of transmission during birth, while neutering male cats may make them less likely to roam and engage in fights that may spread the disease.¹

What’s the life expectancy of cats with FIV?

Many cats with FIV can live healthy, practically normal lives if the disease is properly managed. In fact, they often have life spans similar to uninfected cats^.1,3 Still, once multiple problems develop during the disease’s progressive phase, the cat’s survival time is usually only a matter of months.¹

MetLife Pet Insurance May Cover FIV Costs

The costs of diagnosing and treating FIV and resulting secondary infections may quickly mount. However, if you have pet insurance from MetLife Pet, your policy may cover many of these costs. Consider the case of Apricot. Her policy covered $280 of a $315 bill for an FIV exam.⁴

Be sure to get cat insurance before your feline friend gets FIV. If you wait, the condition may fall under a pre-existing condition exclusion and not have coverage. Coverage may be especially important if your cat goes outside. Getting a quote on a fully customizable policy from MetLife Pet is easy and free, so find your purr-fect plan today!