Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Management

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is a retrovirus causing progressive immune deficiency in cats, and while incurable, infected cats can live long, comfortable lives with appropriate management, dispelling the myth that FIV diagnosis warrants euthanasia.

Key Facts

FIV affects approximately 1-4% of cats globally, transmitted primarily through deep bite wounds in fighting tom cats
FIV is species-specific and cannot be transmitted to humans or other non-feline species
Many FIV-positive cats remain asymptomatic for years to a decade or more before immune deficiency causes clinical problems
Clinical signs of advanced FIV disease include recurrent infections, chronic oral disease, weight loss, and neurological signs
FIV-positive cats should be kept indoors to prevent transmission to other cats and to protect their compromised immune systems from infections
Regular veterinary monitoring including bloodwork every 6-12 months allows early detection of immune decline or secondary disease
Vaccines for FIV have been available but are not universally recommended due to interference with testing and uncertain efficacy

Welfare Considerations

FIV-positive cats have historically been euthanised upon diagnosis, a practice that is no longer supported by evidence. The majority of FIV-positive cats live for many years with normal quality of life, and many die of causes unrelated to their FIV status. The welfare priority for these cats is access to regular veterinary monitoring, prompt treatment of any secondary infections, good dental care (as gingivostomatitis is particularly common), and an indoor lifestyle that protects both their health and the health of other cats. Shelters that euthanise FIV-positive cats rather than adopting them out with appropriate owner education are making a welfare decision unsupported by the current evidence base.

What You Can Do

Adopt FIV-positive cats from shelters — they make wonderful companions and deserve loving homes
Keep FIV-positive cats indoors to protect their immune systems and prevent transmission to other cats
Schedule twice-yearly vet visits for FIV-positive cats to catch secondary infections early
Advocate for shelter policies that adopt out FIV-positive cats with education rather than euthanising them
Neuter tom cats to reduce the biting that transmits FIV in outdoor cat populations