How long can an FIV positive cat live?
Cats infected with FIV may live for months or years. On average, life expectancy is 5 years from the time of diagnosis depending on how active the infection is.
What does FIV stand for?
FIV (Feline immunodeficiency virus) is a viral infection that affects cats. It causes affected animals to have a weaker immune system in comparison to non-FIV positive cats. FIV initially results in a short-lived illness which is often not noticed by a cat’s owner.
Is FIV positive contagious?
FIV is only contagious among cats and difficult to transmit. It is also slow-acting, so cats generally do not show any symptoms until years after being infected.
How do you treat a FIV-positive cat?
Feed a nutritionally complete and balanced diet. Avoid uncooked food, such as raw meat and eggs, and unpasteurized dairy products to minimize the risk of food-borne bacterial and parasitic infections. Monitor your cat’s health and behavior very carefully – alert your veterinarian of any changes as soon as possible.
Do FIV positive cats live shorter lives?
False! Although FIV cats are at a higher risk for developing illness, many of them live very long lives just as long as a non-infected cat. There is a high incidence of cats that never develop clinical signs from being infected with FIV.
Do FIV cats need medication?
There’s no cure for FIV, nor is there a specific medical treatment for the disease, even as the cat’s health declines. 1 A vet might try anti-inflammatory drugs, immune-enhancing drugs, and medication for secondary infections to keep the cat as healthy as possible.
How much does it cost to treat FIV?
Average Cost of Treatment Treatment for the feline immunodeficiency virus is quite expensive. According to estimates, the cost range from $150 to $2,000 per treatment.
Can FIV be transmitted through saliva?
FIV is transmitted via saliva between cats that fight and bite their competition. Mothers can pass it onto their kittens. It cannot be transmitted when holding, petting, or cuddling a FIV-positive cat, and the virus cannot live on surfaces or clothing.
Is FIV a big deal?
Kitties who test positive for FIV CAN have reduced immune function, and MIGHT be at greater risk for respiratory infections and dental issues; but those conditions are easily treated. With normal veterinary care, cats with FIV live long and healthy lives.
When does a FIV test show a false positive?
False-positives are when the test show a cat as positive for FIV but they are not. Many shelters, unaware of these test errors, use these tests results and label a cat as ‘FIV’ which in some shelter means a death sentence. Estimates of the magnitude of this travesty range from 20% to 32%. * But the problem is bigger yet.
What kind of blood test do you do for FIV?
The ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) test is the most common one done to screen cats for FIV. If this test is positive, a second type of blood test may be recommended to confirm your cat’s infection. This test is known as the Western blot test. What If Your Cat Tests Positive for FIV?
Can a stray cat test positive for FIV?
Positive FIV test results are a fairly common occurrence. Stray cats, old cats, and even kittens oftentimes test positive for FIV.
Can a kitten be born to a FIV positive mother?
“ Kittens born to FIV positive mothers are at low risk for infection,although they may initially test positive due to the presence of maternal antibodies. ” “Infected mothers rarely, if ever, pass the infection to their kittens.” Dr. Niels Pederson, part of the team that discovered the FIV virus.
