FIV positive. For many cat owners, those are two of the hardest words to hear at the vet. The reassuring part is that a diagnosis of FIV in cats rarely means the end of a happy life, and it is one of the more preventable feline infections we see across Northeast Adelaide. Feline immunodeficiency virus spreads mainly through cat fights, so a few sensible steps at home and an up to date vaccination plan go a long way.
This guide covers what the virus is, how cats catch it, how we test for it, and the care a positive cat needs. It also explains FIV vaccination, the main way to lower your cat’s risk. The information here is general, and every cat is different, so book a check with one of our vets for advice that fits your pet.
Feline immunodeficiency virus, or FIV, is a virus specific to cats. It works in a similar way to HIV in people, gradually lowering the immune system so a cat becomes more prone to other infections and illnesses. Cats carrying the virus can be more susceptible to abscesses, gum disease and some cancers such as lymphoma. Many cats live with FIV for years and stay well, particularly when their owners manage their health closely and keep other vaccinations current.
FIV passes through bite and scratch wounds during fighting, which is why it mainly affects outdoor cats. A single bite or claw wound from an infected cat can transmit it. Indoor cats still carry some risk, since many slip outside when they get the chance, and a house cat can be bitten through the mesh of an outdoor run by a passing stray. Around one in six outdoor cats in Adelaide carries the virus, so the risk is real for any cat that roams. Pregnant cats can pass FIV to their kittens in the womb, during birth or through nursing, though most do not.
The virus is fragile and does not survive long outside the body. Cats are very unlikely to pick it up from shared food or water bowls or litter trays, and it does not travel through coughing or sneezing unless that happens directly into an open wound. Because it spreads through fighting, cats that share a home calmly rarely infect one another. FIV stays within the cat family too, so it poses no risk to dogs, rabbits or the people in your household.
FIV testing is done with a simple blood test. We generally recommend a test for any cat that has been in a fight, usually around three months afterwards, since the virus can take time to show up. Testing is also a smart step before you introduce a new cat into a home with existing cats. Kittens under six months can be harder to test, because a mother cat can pass FIV antibodies through her milk without passing on the virus, and those antibodies affect the result. Our team can talk you through the right timing as part of a routine check-up or through our diagnostic services.
A positive result means some lifestyle changes rather than a crisis. An FIV positive cat is best kept strictly indoors, both to protect other cats in the neighbourhood and to reduce fight wounds that can be slow to heal. Dental and mouth health need closer attention, as these cats are prone to gum inflammation and mouth ulcers, so regular checks matter. Keeping other vaccinations current helps support the immune system against illnesses such as cat flu. With that kind of steady care, many FIV positive cats enjoy full and comfortable lives at home.
Vaccination is the main way to reduce your cat’s risk, alongside limiting fights. For kittens, the FIV vaccination is given as an extra vaccine at the same visits as their core vaccines, at eight, twelve and sixteen weeks. Adult cats need a starter course of three FIV vaccines, one primer followed by two boosters, each about two weeks apart, and then a yearly booster after that. Cat vaccination in Adelaide is simple to organise, and our nurses can set up a reminder schedule so the dates do not slip.
Until the end of the year, our clinic is covering the two booster vaccinations for adult cats getting up to date with FIV, when you pay for the initial primer vaccine. Contact the clinic for the full details and to check when your cat is due.
Para Hills Veterinary Clinic has cared for local pets for more than 50 years, and many of our clients now bring in their own pets after growing up visiting us with the family cat. Our team of seven vets and eighteen nurses looks after everything from kitten vaccinations to complex surgery, with in house interests in dentistry, exotics and geriatric care. We are locally and family owned, so you see familiar faces who get to know your pet. Families come to us from Para Hills, Modbury, Salisbury, Pooraka and Ingle Farm, and we treat every cat like one of our own.
If your cat roams outdoors, has been in a fight, or is due for vaccinations, the simplest next step is a check with our team. Call us on (08) 8258 4838 or visit 523 Bridge Rd, Para Hills. You can also book an appointment online at a time that suits you. For trusted background reading on feline health, the Australian Veterinary Association is a reliable place to start.
Often, yes. Because the virus spreads through fighting, cats that share a home calmly rarely pass it between each other. The main precaution is to avoid situations that trigger fights and to keep everyone’s health monitored. Your vet can help you weigh up your particular household.
No. FIV is specific to cats and does not infect people. It also poses no risk to dogs or other pets in the home. The virus only passes between cats, mainly through bite and scratch wounds.
A blood test is the standard way to check. We usually suggest testing around three months after a fight, and before you bring a new cat into the household. Kittens under six months can give unclear results, so timing matters, and our team will guide you on when to test.
There is no cure. The aim of care is to keep an FIV positive cat healthy and comfortable for as long as possible. Indoor living, close dental care, good nutrition and current vaccinations all help, and many cats live well for years with this kind of management.
After the starter course, cats need a yearly FIV booster to maintain protection. Kittens receive it alongside their core vaccines, while adult cats begin with a course of three. Our nurses can set up reminders so the annual booster is easy to keep on track.
It is worth discussing with your vet. Many indoor cats slip outside at some point, and even one fight can pass on the virus. Your vet can help you decide based on your cat’s lifestyle and how much outdoor access it has.