Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) positive cats can live long, good quality lives with appropriate management, and the outdated approach of automatic euthanasia at diagnosis is no longer supported by evidence.
FIV-positive cats that are well-managed have welfare equivalent to uninfected cats for years following diagnosis. The historical practice of euthanasing FIV-positive cats at diagnosis was not supported by evidence and represented unnecessary loss of life and welfare potential. Current guidelines support continued monitoring, indoor management to prevent transmission and secondary infection exposure, and prompt treatment of any opportunistic infections that arise as immunity gradually declines. The most welfare-relevant aspect of FIV management is early detection and prompt treatment of secondary infections — FIV-positive cats that develop dental disease, upper respiratory infections, or skin infections progress more severely than immunocompetent cats and require aggressive treatment.