Fiv is a serious disease with no cure, but by supporting the immune system with alternative therapies, you can help the infected cat live a normal life.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) comes from the same family of retroviruses as Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV). It is classified as a Lentivirus by virologists because it moves very slowly. FIV is a virus that directly attacks the immune system, with 2%-3% of cats infected worldwide. The infection rate of sick and at-risk cats can be as high as 15%.




How is FIV spread?

FIV is spread mainly through bite wounds, so aggressive street cats that are not neutered are at high risk. The incidence of the disease in house cats is low. Studies have shown that the virus is transmitted to kittens through mother's milk. Transmission through mating is rare. If an FIV-positive cat lives in the same house with other uninfected cats, there is no transmission unless there is fighting or mating. The virus is not transmitted by conventional contact. FIV has a similar structure to the HIV virus in humans. It cannot be transmitted to humans or other animals.


FIV disease


When an infected cat bites another cat during a fight, the viruses in the saliva enter the bloodstream through the wound. Through the blood, they enter the nearest lymph nodes and multiply inside the lymph cells. From there it spreads to other lymph nodes, causing all the nodes to enlarge. At this point, a fever may be observed, but if the lymph nodes are not very enlarged or if the cat does not have obvious signs of the disease, this condition is not noticed. In most cats, FIV cannot be eliminated for a long time, and the virus continues to slowly destroy the immune system.


Secondary Infections are a Great Danger


Many cats infected with FIV can live for years without showing any symptoms. But because of the attack of the virus on the immune system, as a result the cat is unable to overcome the common bacteria, viruses and parasites in the environment. Many clinical symptoms of FIV are caused by secondary infections. Years after the cat has been infected, you may experience the following signs of immunodeficiency



📌 Loss of appetite

📌 Chronic weight loss

📌 Diarrhea

📌 Fire

📌 Weak hair structure

📌 Malignant tumors

📌 Inflammation in the mouth and gums

📌 Recurrent chronic bladder, skin and respiratory system problems

📌 Neurological problems such as seizures and behavioral changes

📌 Bleeding disorders and bone marrow problems



Holistic Healing is the Best Solution



Keeping an FIV-infected cat at home is the best solution to prevent it from spreading the virus. It is recommended that such cats are regularly checked and neutered. If it is not possible to keep them at home alone, fights between cats should be prevented to minimize the risk of transmission. It is difficult to predict how long an FIV-infected cat will live. If it shows no clinical symptoms, it can continue its normal life, but if weight loss, fever and secondary infections are observed, the life span may be shortened. There is no classical treatment for this disease. There is a vaccine but its use is controversial. Holistic treatment is based on the needs of the cat;



📌 Stress reduction is very important,

📌 Homotoxicology and homeopathy can help support the body's resistance. The availability of homeopathic nosodes in FIV is promising.

📌 Astragalus and indigo herbal formulations are suitable for use due to their antiviral properties. Wild West and Chinese herbal mixtures are formulated with these herbs as they help to restore immunologic function.




📌 Feeding cats a high value, high quality diet is very important for their immune system and avoiding raw foods is recommended.



Should you test every cat?


For the diagnosis of FIV disease, blood can be taken from the cat and tested for antibodies to the virus. If antibodies are found, the cat is infected. If the test result is positive, the test should be repeated, as false positives can sometimes be seen.


If there is a possibility of infection through a bite wound and the test result is negative, the test should be repeated after 60 days. Kittens born to FIV-infected mothers sometimes have FIV antibodies but are not infected with the virus. To detect this, cats should be tested 6 months after birth.