What does it mean if a cat is FIV positive?

‘FIV-positive’ means that your cat has been infected by the virus, but if it is not showing signs it may be years, if ever, before the cat develops the clinical signs referred to as Feline AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome of cats). Just being diagnosed with the FIV virus does not mean your cat has feline AIDS.

How long can a kitten live with FIV?

Cats infected with FIV may live for months or years. On average, life expectancy is 5 years from the time of diagnosis depending on how active the infection is. There is a FIV vaccination given twice initially, then yearly thereafter for outside cats or cats exposed to outside cats due to the potential of cat bites.

Is FIV fatal to kittens?

FIV is the only non-primate lentivirus to cause an AIDS-like syndrome, but FIV is not typically fatal for cats, as they can live relatively healthily as carriers and transmitters of the disease for many years. A vaccine is available, although its efficacy remains uncertain.

What if my kitten has FIV?

The virus works by killing or damaging cells in a cat’s immune system, often targeting white blood cells. The ongoing damage of FIV in cats eventually leads to a weakening of the immune system. Once that happens, cats with FIV can become vulnerable to secondary infections.

How do you care for a cat with FIV?

Feed a nutritionally complete and balanced diet. Avoid uncooked food, such as raw meat and eggs, and unpasteurized dairy products to minimize the risk of food-borne bacterial and parasitic infections. Monitor your cat’s health and behavior very carefully – alert your veterinarian of any changes as soon as possible.

Are FIV cats expensive?

Treatment for the feline immunodeficiency virus is quite expensive. According to estimates, the cost range from $150 to $2,000 per treatment.

Is it expensive to have a cat with FIV?

How common is FIV in kittens?

FIV-infected cats exist worldwide, but the prevalence of infection varies greatly. In North America, approximately 2.5-5% percent of healthy cats are infected with FIV. Rates are significantly higher (15 percent or more) in cats that are sick or at high risk of infection.

What are the final stages of FIV in cats?

FIV progressively disrupts normal immune function. Cats exposed to the virus may go through three stages of infection: the acute stage, lasting 3 to 6 months; the subclinical stage, lasting months to years; and the chronic stage, which may also last months or years.

How common is it for a kitten to have FIV?

Prevalence of the disease- FIV in itself is pretty rare with an average prevalence of 2.5% overall and actually was found to be less prevalent in cats tested at shelters than in veterinary clinics.

Can you tell if a kitten has FIV?

Diagnosing FIV Since there are no obvious signs of FIV, a blood test is used to determine if a cat is FIV positive. Infected mother cats can transmit FIV antibodies to nursing kittens, which can cause kittens to test positive for a few months after birth. However, most of these kittens aren’t truly infected.

Do FIV positive cats need medication?

There’s no cure for FIV, nor is there a specific medical treatment for the disease, even as the cat’s health declines. 1 A vet might try anti-inflammatory drugs, immune-enhancing drugs, and medication for secondary infections to keep the cat as healthy as possible.