Companion Animals

Companion Cat Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Management

Management of cats with feline immunodeficiency virus and welfare of FIV-positive cats.

Key Facts

FIV is a lentivirus causing progressive immune deficiency in infected cats
Transmission occurs primarily through deep bite wounds between cats
FIV-positive cats can live for many years with appropriate management
Indoor management reduces exposure to infections FIV-compromised cats struggle to fight
No commercial FIV vaccine is available in the UK

Welfare Considerations

FIV-positive cats can maintain good welfare for years with appropriate management, and unnecessary euthanasia based on diagnosis alone is not justified by evidence.

What You Can Do

Do not euthanise cats solely on the basis of FIV diagnosis without clinical signs
Keep FIV-positive cats indoors to reduce infection risk
Ensure FIV-positive cats receive regular veterinary monitoring for opportunistic infections