FIV Cats Can Live Long, Healthy Lives

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is as misunderstood an illness as its human counterpart, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Just like humans with HIV, cats with FIV can live long and healthy lives. Contrary to popular belief, carriers of the virus may not necessarily fall victim to the symptoms associated with the disease, and they are not always destined to succumb to the virus. In fact, cats with FIV can often thrive in a healthy, caring environment.

The virus is extremely difficult to transmit from one cat to another. The only proven method of transmission is through bite wounds and in vitro (from pregnant mother to kitten), though many kittens who are born with FIV can shake the virus during adolescence. A small percentage of Tree House admittees test positive for FIV (although the numbers are growing), and we believe that these cats deserve as much of a chance as any other. With the expansion of our attic space, we will be able to move the FIV cats into the former Step Up Room and begin an aggressive program to find homes for these less fortunate cats.

Tree House encourages families and individuals to consider adopting an FIV cat. We offer a health guarantee to help ensure that the adopter will be able to provide the proper care to their cat. And although Tree House cannot recommend uniting FIV and non-FIV cats in a household, we have heard numerous reports of cats living their entire lives with FIV positive siblings without contracting the virus.

The following story is proof of the benefits of adopting an FIV cat:

Melinda Fisher has been a long-time supporter of Tree House and her own local shelters in northern California.

My husband Richard and I have had an FIV positive cat for the past four years. Monty showed up on our property as an underweight stray, and he was obviously suffering from upper respiratory infection. After some time, we were able to trap him and bring him to our veterinarian, where he tested positive for FIV. Initially, we considered having him euthanized. However, when he responded to treatment for the upper respiratory infection (URI) we decided to find out more about the illness. While waiting for the results of the Western Blot test for FIV to be sure of his status, we read some information from Tufts University Veterinary School , and we were encouraged by the information. We decided to give Monty a chance.

In the first eight months, Monty gained weight and certainly seemed happy as an indoor cat. However, he had recurring bouts with upper respiratory infections, so we took him to a veterinarian who has had success with FIV cases, Dr. Ahmed of the Hesperia Animal Hospital . We started treatment with a combination of immunostimulants and within the first five months, Monty had only two episodes of URI and they were much less severe than before. In the 2 ½ years that followed, Monty had only one minor URI incident.

Today, Monty maintains good weight and is very playful and active at ten years of age. He is fed Eukanuba and a vitamin supplement. He is allowed to spend time with our other cats under our supervision. Since the disease is transmitted through deep bites, and considering that Monty is very easy going and non-aggressive, we decided to give him the run of the house when he can be watched carefully (otherwise he has his own room).

One of Dr. Ahmed’s other FIV patients received the same treatment as Monty and this cat lived for 11 years as a known FIV positive cat (he died at age 17). In talking to the Dr. Ahmed and the guardian of this cat, I was told that three things are very important in caring for FIV cats:

• Immunostimulant treatment
• Aggressive, prompt treatment of any illness or dental problem
• A stress-free, indoor environment

Since adopting Monty, I have consulted other people with FIV cats and found that most people have had success with their cats. Interestingly, nearly all of their cats had been rescued as unneutered males with battle scars. And all of them stressed the fact that they were happy they had given their FIV cat a chance in their homes.

For more information see:

Steve Dale's FIV vaccine article