Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is a viral infection that affects cats. The virus infects the cells of the cat’s immune system making them vulnerable to other (secondary) infections.

FIV is spread through salvia and is usually passed to other cats via deep bite wounds inflicted during fights. FIV is not spread through cats grooming each other, sharing food and water bowls, or sharing a litter box and cats may live together for years without ever transmitting the disease. FIV positive cats can live in households with other non-infected cats. It is very rare for desexed cats living in the same household to fight aggressively so the risk of FIV transmission is low.

SPCA recommends that cats with FIV are prevented from leaving their property at all times through provision of an enriched indoor environment and/or safe enclosed outdoor space. This will prevent the risk of them infecting other cats and reduce the exposure of the FIV cat to other infectious diseases and parasites.

(See ‘Keeping Cats Safe and Happy at Home’ for more information)

SPCA opposes the routine testing of FIV for cats entering the shelter.

FIV is common and widespread throughout the world. Once a cat is infected with FIV they will remain infected for the rest of their life.

SPCA supports FIV testing where it forms part of cat’s diagnostic plan. For example, where a sick cat is not responding to treatment as might be expected. However, routine testing of all incoming cats can be unreliable in the shelter environment. The lengthy incubation period of up to 60 days between when a cat contracts FIV and when testing is able to detect the disease. Some cats passing though shelter care will return a false negative result on routine testing because they are still in the incubation period. Cats can also return a false-negative result when they are in the later stages of the disease. Cats can return a false-positive test if they have had some maternal antibodies to the disease passed down from the mother cat.

SPCA opposes the routine euthanasia of cats who test positive for FIV.

An FIV infected cat may live free of FIV-related symptoms their entire lifetime, therefore a decision for euthanasia should never be based solely on whether or not a cat is infected, but on the severity of any secondary disease process and likelihood for full recovery. FIV cats may have a similar life expectancy to uninfected cats.

Preventative health care is essential for FIV positive cats. SPCA recommends that FIV positive cats have annual or bi-annual health checks with a veterinarian, are provided with good nutrition and dental care, and in a low stress household.

(See ‘Euthanasia’ for more information)