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For many years there has been a widespread misunderstanding around the topic of FIV+ cats. However, a recent long-term study conducted by Purdue University’s College of Veterinary examined FIV+ cats in shelters and drew two important conclusions: FIV-positive cats can live with FIV-negative cats and not infect the FIV-negative cats during normal day-to-day interactions, and mother cats infected with FIV don’t pass the virus on to their kittens.
While this has been a widely known and accepted fact among cat experts, the general public is generally misinformed when it comes to FIV+ cats and the risk of transmission to other household cats. The study confirms that there is no reason for FIV cats to be adopted only into homes with other FIV-positive cats. The disease is transmitted only by deep bite wounds, which happens only if the cats get into intense fights, which can usually be easily prevented by taking the necessary steps. The incorrect belief that mother cats can pass FIV on to their kittens is widely believed by cat owners. As a result, many thousands of cats and kittens have been unnecessarily euthanized. These otherwise adoptable animals are destined for euthanasia because of the false beliefs perpetuated by stereotypes and misinformation. Compounding this issue is that cat owners often confuse FIV for FeLV (the feline leukemia virus), which is transmissible through cohabitation and casual contact. These two diseases are retroviruses and both affect the immune system. However, there is a critical difference. FIV does not easily cross the mucous membranes (the lining of the mouth, nose, eyes, genitals, and intestines), which is why it’s so difficult for FIV to be transmitted to other cats. Ultimately, this study confirms what cat advocates have known for years - FIV+ cats can live a long and healthy life in the company of other cats in the home, without significant risk of transmitting the disease. It is time to end the stigma surrounding FIV and FIV+ cats, and place them in loving homes just as all cats deserve. References: https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/cat-health-vet-study-fiv-positive-cats-living-together
8 Comments
5/13/2021 11:48:43 am
Thank you so much for this informative post on FIV+ cats living with FIV- cats. I just adopted/rescued a stray cat who is the sweetest, gentlest and playful cat...he is six years old and was abandoned behind my apartments. I took him to vet after deciding to bring him in to my family of cats...I own four girls, 16yrs old/6yrs.old/5yrs old/3yrs old...and was excited about this. The vet checked him, his name is Jax, and he tested positive with FIV through the snap test...ELISA. I was heartbroken. Until I read your article, I too believed all the misinformation on this type of cat disease. I couldn't let Jax mingle with my girls and I wasn't ready to just let him go back to being an outdoor cat...I was hoping his test was a false-positive and am waiting the 60 days for him to be retested. Your article is great news for Jax! I can supervise their play time and their socializing after he gets his booster to the immunization shot. Thank you...SO much...for this article.
Casey
11/10/2023 02:55:02 pm
Hi - Can I get a follow up on how Jax is doing and your other cats pls? I am in a similar situation with a stray who is very sweet, 4 yrs old, FIV and I have my indoor cat who is 11, not FIV. I am, too, very happy to have found this article but would like to hear more from you to see how the experience has been. Thank i’m advance! 7/6/2023 10:16:55 am
I have been reading your posts frequently. I need to say that you are doing a fantastic work. Please keep up the great work.
Casey
11/10/2023 02:54:48 pm
This article gave me such great hope because we have a sweet stray, no chip, but was tested FIV+ when we took him in to be examined and vaccinated. We have an 11 yo tabby who is healthy and the vet said they shouldn’t co-habitat because it can be transmitted if they share food and water bowls. We were soo devastated. But this article is such an eye opener and gives me so much hope that we can take him in. Breaks our heart daily to see him outside, wanting to come in but can’t. Thank you!
Cheyenne Williams
5/7/2024 09:58:45 am
I have 9 FIV- cats living with 3 FIV+ cats. They all mingle no issues. Two of the FIV+ ones are feral. It is really not an issue. They all are fixed and thus don't get into severe fights. It is not transmitted through food and water bowls or casual contact.
Cheyenne Williams
12/2/2024 10:00:17 am
Please tell the vet to get his continuing education about FIV. It's mind boggling how behind some veterinarians are. feLV can be transmitted through shared water bowls and food bowls, FIV CANNOT!
Pierce
12/1/2024 06:02:08 pm
The study you link in this article actually recommends NOT to house FIV-positive cats with those that have not contracted it. Here is an excerpt from the conclusion:
Cheyenne Williams
12/2/2024 09:58:01 am
Pierce, that's outdated information! My father was a veterinarian. I have 5 FIV+ cats living with 16 FIV- cats. There is no risk because they get along. The virus is ONLY transmitted via very deep vicious puncture bites which happen between uneutered males fighting for the females to mate with and during mating when the male bites hard on the female's neck. I am fed up with misinformation about FIV. You are causing FIV cats not to find homes. Leave a Reply. |
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