Facts on Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is in the same family as feline leukemia, and while cats can live for 5 years after FIV is diagnosed, the infection is debilitating. Try to prevent it by keeping cats indoors, where carriers of the virus can't bite them, and have a new cat tested before bringing him into your home. If your pet has the virus, never feed him raw meat or eggs, because his immune system can't handle the bacteria in contaminated food. Take him to the vet at least twice a year, and monitor his weight (weight loss is an early sign that FIV is progressing).