The aim of this site is to provide information about FIV
(Feline Immunodeficiency Virus)
We will also include information about FeLV (Feline Leukaemia Virus)

The site is provided by Catwork, which is an independent sanctuary for cats with special needs. We have a number of FIV cats in our sanctuary, some of which have been with us for some years and are, in general terms, both healthy and happy and living a full (but protected) life.

We know that FIV is a much misunderstood virus, which leads to many otherwise healthy cats being euthanased - in our view, unneccessarily.

The FIV virus reduces a cat's immune system, and leaves it more vulnerable to other feline infections,
that is all - in itself is not life threatening.

FIV CANNOT be transmitted to humans

The numbers of cats with FIV, mostly undetected, is almost certainly enormous. We at Catwork cannot possibly directly help more than a handful. We feel that the problem is exacerbated by a general lack of understanding, and, by trying to dispel the myths, we aim to spread a change of attitude towards the sufferers.

In our experience, FIV positive cats can have, and deserve to have, a long and healthy life. They need careful attention to their general health and diet, and protection through currently available vaccinations against flu and leukaemia are essential. But this is no more than any cat should receive. A properly cared for FIV cat need not have a shortened life expectancy. The effectiveness of all cats' immune systems reduce with age. Not many would recommend euthanasia just because a cat is getting elderly, so why so with FIV?

The main problem is that the virus can be transmitted to other cats (only cats - no other species). In the vast majority of cases, it is transmitted through biting. Cats fight for three main reasons: food, territory and mating. By providing a regular food supply and neutering, the need to fight is dramatically reduced, making the transmission of FIV far less likely. We believe that euthanasia of FIV cats is a vast over reaction.

There are many, unidentified FIV cats everywhere, and most cats will come in contact with ones carrying the virus at some point, but, without fighting, there is no reason for them to become infected.

Eradicating the virus is not currently a realistic objective; and, putting to sleep a few individuals, identified with the virus but otherwise healthy, seems to us to be a futile reaction.

The plan for this site is to provide information for anyone who needs, or wants to know about the virus; what to do to help prevent your cat from catching it, what to do if your cat has already caught it, and generally to dispel the myths about the virus. Information which is accurate, and practical, but without pulling any punches is, in our view, the best way to help the unfortunate cats that have been infected.

If you would like to contact us, either with an input to the site, or with questions about FIV, or would like to be notified when the site has the content we wish to include, please e-mail us at info@fivcats.com

We are not vets, nor do we have any scientific training, but we have several years' experience helping cats with FIV and we are in close contact with vets and scientists who are well versed in the virus.

FAQ (Frequently asked questions) about FIV

Just to give you an example of an FIV cat:

This was Patrick when he arrived at Catwork in spring 1999

Patrick came to us in a very poor state, very little fur on his back, and half starved. He tested positive for FIV and, with his other problems, stood little chance with the normally accepted way to deal with such cats.

After initial treatment, much TLC and recuperation, Patrick improved, and is now living a happy life in our enclosed FIV adventure garden with his FIV friends, he has not needed to see a vet at all (apart from his regular vaccinations that any cat should have). He is also taking part in a testing programme, which is being run by the Feline Virus Unit at Glasgow University (we hope to be able to include results from this programme as the site develops) -

see pictures below of the new Patrick - healthy and happy
(even though he is FIV positive).

FAQ (Frequently asked questions) about FIV

To visit the Catwork main site, click here