How to Care for a Cat With Feline AIDS

The diagnosis is devastating: Your cat has Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), often incorrectly referred to as Feline AIDS. FIV is a lentivirus, a slow-acting organism in the same viral family as HIV. Like HIV, it compromises the immune system. But that's where the similarity ends. Cats with FIV can live long lives. And since it's transmitted mainly by deep bite wounds, infected cats who don't fight can live with uninfected cats without threatening their health. FIV is not transmitted to humans or other animals. Here are some suggestions for caring for your cat with FIV.

Things You'll Need

• Western Blot Test High quality wet food Buffered vitamin C, Lysine and other supplements Interferon A, especially if the cat has herpes

Instructions

Caring for your FIV Cat

1. Confirm the test results. If the SNAP test done in your veterinarian's office is positive, ask your vet to send the blood to a laboratory for a Western Blot test. SNAP tests can return false positives.

2. Feed your cat well. A cat with a compromised immune system needs the best diet you can afford. Cats are carnivores and need animal protein and moderate amounts of fat. Wet food, which contains mostly meat, is best for all cats. That's especially true for cats with FIV.

3. Add supplements. Buffered Vitamin C boosts the immune system and kills bacteria. Bone meal helps to recover bone mass as FIV leaches calcium from the system. And a probiotic like acidophiles restores the healthy bacteria present in the cat's gut. Most health food and pet supply stores sell probiotics.

4. Treat any illness immediately. Remember, your FIV cat does not have the resources to fight infection, so never take a "wait and see" approach if he shows signs of illness. Upper respiratory infections and stomatitis, which affects the cat's gums, are especially common in FIV cats.

5. Watch for herpes. Many FIV cats are prone to herpes infections. Lysine can give your cat's immune system a boost and keep the herpes virus in check. Most health food stores sell lysine. Crush the tablets in a coffee grinder and mix the powder in with your cat's wet food. Or ask your vet for "Rx Vitamins for Pets Liquid Immuno," which contains lysine and other supplements.

6. Ask your vet about Interferon A. The low-dose protocol used for cats stimulates the immune system. In a cat prone to herpes, it can prevent flareups.

Tips & Warnings

• Stress can trigger illness in cats. If your FIV cat is used to being outside and he doesn't fight with other cats, let him continue his indoor/outdoor lifestyle. Making him a strictly indoor cat will be too stressful for him, and there's no reason to force him to stay inside. Feral cats who test positive for FIV should be neutered, vaccinated and returned to their colonies. Don't let your vet talk you into euthanasia for an otherwise healthy cat just because he tested positive for FIV.

• Do not vaccinate your cats for FIV. Once a cat is vaccinated, he will always test positive, even if he doesn't actually have the disease.

References

• Winn Feline Foundation
• Cornell Feline Health Center
• Every Creature Counts

Resources

• Winn Feline Foundation
• Bud's FIV Therapy