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FIV Feline Immunodeficiency Virus.

Myth: My kitty cat was diagnosed with FIV, now my Mom says we have to have her put down because she doesn’t want our dog to get it, or other people’s cats. My kitty is strictly an indoor cat and doesn’t even look or act sick. Is Mom right on this?

Fact:

• FIV is a cat ONLY disease and cannot be spread to humans or other NON-feline species.
• The Feline Immunodeficiency Virus is a slow virus that affects a cat’s immune system over a period of years.
• FIV cats most often live long, healthy, and relatively normal lives with no symptoms at all.
• FIV is not easily passed between cats. It cannot be spread casually as in litter boxes, water or food bowls. Or when snuggling and playing with each other. It is even rarely spread from a mother to her kittens.
• The virus can be spread through blood transfusions, badly infected gums, or serious, penetrating bite wounds. (Bite wounds of this kind are extremely rare, except in free roaming, unneutered tomcats.)
• A neutered cat, in a home, is extremely unlikely to infect other cats, if properly introduced.
• FIV-positive cats should be kept as healthy as possible. Keep them indoors and free from stress, feed them a high-quality diet, treat any secondary problems as soon as they arise.