Only on rare occasions, an infected mother cat may transmit the infection to her kittens. As a result, cats in households with stable social structures where housemates do not fight are at little risk of acquiring FIV infections. Casual, non-aggressive contact, such as sharing water bowls or mutual grooming, does not appear to be an efficient route of spreading the virus. The primary mode of transmission for FIV is through bite wounds from an infected cat.

Though there is no cure for FIV, recent studies suggest that cats with FIV commonly live average life spans, as long as they are not also infected with feline leukemia virus. Although cats infected with FIV may appear normal for years, they eventually suffer from immune deficiency, which allows normally harmless bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi found in the everyday environment to potentially cause severe illnesses. In infected cats, FIV attacks the immune system, leaving the cat vulnerable to many other infections. Lung Ailments: A Widespread Source of Feline Woeįeline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is one of the most common and consequential infectious diseases of cats around the world. A sk Elizabeth: Can I catch FIV from my cat?įeline Vision Problems: A Host of Possible Causes

White tabby kittens