Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) requires careful long-term management, and FIV-positive cats can live full lives with appropriate care and monitoring.
FIV-positive cats deserve quality care focused on maximizing quality of life rather than merely monitoring decline. The immune suppression caused by FIV makes these cats vulnerable to secondary infections that cause acute suffering - prompt treatment of these infections is the most impactful welfare intervention available. FIV itself progresses slowly, and many cats live comfortable lives for years post-diagnosis. The welfare-centered approach recognizes that FIV is a chronic condition to be managed rather than an immediate death sentence, and focuses care energy on preventing secondary illness and maintaining positive daily experience.