Is FIV highly contagious?
FIV is often confused with Feline Leukemia Virus (FelV). While Feline Leukemia can also cause immunosuppression, Feline Leukemia also leads to the development of cancers, anemia, kidney disease, with a much worse prognosis than FIV. FIV is only contagious among cats and difficult to transmit.
How does FIV get from cat to cat?
However, the virus stays deep inside the cat’s mouth gums, so in fact, “FIV is mainly passed from cat to cat through deep bite wounds, the kind that usually occurs outdoors during aggressive fights and territorial disputes,” according to the ASPCA. The virus is very fragile, and does not live for long once outside the body.
Is it safe to adopt a FIV positive cat?
However, new research has shown that FIV-positive cats are in fact very adoptable, and can live the same lifespan as an FIV-negative cat. This research has also debunked the myth that FIV- positive cats cannot safely live with non- infected cats.
When to re-test a kitten for FIV?
Tests can result in a false negative or positive, which may occur for a variety of reasons. Due to the false results that occur it is important to re-test a kitten within six months after the first test, as it can take up to eight weeks or longer for a cat to develop FIV antibodies.
Can You euthanize a cat with a FIV test?
That is why many veterinarians, including the feline medicine experts at the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), suggest shelters and owners never opt for euthanasia based on a positive test alone.
However, new research has shown that FIV-positive cats are in fact very adoptable, and can live the same lifespan as an FIV-negative cat. This research has also debunked the myth that FIV- positive cats cannot safely live with non- infected cats.
Can you adopt a cat living with FeLV?
We hope that this information could help influence a cat lover to consider adopting a cat living with FIV or FeLV. They deserve to live out the rest of their days–however long that may be–in a loving home rather than a lonely shelter. Do your part for cats in need living with FIV and FeLV!
What does it mean when a cat has FIV?
Being FIV-positive means that the cat has antibodies that have been exposed to the virus, although it can take years, if ever, before the cat develops any FIV infection and clinical signs referred to as Feline AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome of Cats). If a cat has FIV, it does not necessarily have Feline AIDS. How is FIV transmitted?
How old do kittens have to be to get FIV?
Since it is possible for an infected mother cat to transfer FIV antibodies to her kittens, these kittens may test positive from their mother’s antibodies until they have cleared them from their systems, which happens by six months of age.