Is feline AIDS airborne?

Question

That's what my vet says but I find that VERY hard to believe. Thanks to anyone who can confirm or deny this statement.

Answer 1

Well, it's certainly not what I've understood from my vet, or from what I've found on the internet. As far as is known, FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) is passed in cats ONLY through bites, i.e. a cat bites another one who has FIV, gets blood in its mouth and thus contracts FIV.

http://www.yorkcats.org.uk/fiv.htm contains the following: "FIV is a fragile virus, living for only a short time outside the cat's body. For this reason, it cannot be transmitted indirectly (that is, on food bowls, litter trays, hands, etc). Transmission appears to be mainly by biting. FIV is commonest in feral cats and older, free-roaming male cats who tend to have lots of fights.

Sexual transmission has never been demonstrated, but it must be remembered that the tom holds onto the scruff of the queen with his teeth during mating and can easily puncture her skin."

This is just one of very many websites saying much the same thing. So - frankly, your vet is wrong.

Answer 2

Did you misunderstand the vet? Feline AIDS is not an airborne disease, it is transmitted through exchange of bodily fluids, i.e blood and saliva. I suppose if one cat sneezed directly into anothers open wound....

Chalice

Answer 3

No. It's either hereditary or transferred by feces, or spit (sharing the same food). It is the same as humans. Some cats are carriers but don't actually have the disease.

Here is an excellent article about it:
http://www.hdw-inc.com/healthfiv.htm

Answer 4

This is completely false, all forms of AIDS can only be transmitted through mixture of bodily fluids