Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) causes a fatal disease in cats that is like HIV infections in humans. Thus, it is also called feline AIDS. Fortunately, the disease is not contagious to people or other animals. A cat can be positive be FIV for many years before they manifest any symptoms of the disease process. Like HIV, there is no cure for FIV and cats found to be infected are recommended for euthanasia especially in shelters. The virus is transmitted from mother cats to their kittens. The predilection site of the virus is the immune system, affecting the cat’s ability to fight off disease caused by bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and other pathogens. FIV-positive cats that are exposed to stressful conditions are also at high risks of acquiring other diseases because their immune s ystem has been compromised.
If your cat has been found to be FIV positive, you should work closely with your vet Frisco, TX in helping manage your cat’s illness.
