About Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) or Feline AIDS is a lentivirus that affects cats all over the world. In fact, up to 4.4% of cats in the whole world are infected with this virus.FIV was first discovered in 1986 in a northern California cattery.

FIV is related to the HIV virus affecting humans. While FIV is the only non-primate lentivirus to manifest an AIDS-like syndrome, it is not typically fatal for cats. Infected cats can live relatively healthy for many years, being carriers and transmitters of the virus. Although FIV and HIV are both lentiviruses, they are species-specific; meaning, humans cannot be infected by FIV and cats cannot be infected by HIV.

How FIV is Transmitted

FIV can be transmitted through deep bite wounds and scratches. When an infected cat’s blood-tainted saliva enters the bloodstream of another cat, the latter becomes infected. Since FIV is transmitted primarily through saliva, most of those infected with the disease are outdoor male cats as territorial battles typically happen between them. While it is not proven that the disease can be transmitted by mating, a female cat that becomes infected during pregnancy may pass the virus to her unborn kittens.

The Stages of the Disease

Just like the stages of HIV in humans, FIV progresses on the same stages. The initial stage, or acute phase, is where mild symptoms like lethargy, anorexia, pyrexia, and lymphadenopathy manifest. Next is the asymptomatic stage where in the cat does not demonstrate any noticeable symptom for a few months or years. The disease will then progress into the final stage where in the cat becomes extremely susceptible to secondary diseases that will inevitably cause death.

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