What is feline immunodeficiency virus and how is it spread?
Feline immunodeficiency virus is similar in many ways to the feline leukemia (FeLV) virus. Both viruses are retroviruses and both viruses are contagious to other cats. However, the FIV and FeLV viruses are two completely different viruses. Feline immunodeficiency virus is normally passed from one cat to another through contact with body secretions. Bite wounds from cat fights are the most common means of transmission. The virus is passed infrequently through sharing food dishes, water bowls, litter boxes, grooming, and other cat-to-cat contact. What are the symptoms of FIV in cats? Symptoms of feline immunodeficiency virus can be extremely variable. The FIV virus has the ability to depress the immune system of an infected cat, leaving the cat susceptible to secondary infections. Symptoms will depend on the type of infection present, but basically any time a cat becomes ill, FIV is something which needs to be ruled out as the cause, particularly if the cat’s lifestyle puts the cat at ri
