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My 13yr old cat was recently diagnosed with FIV I've heard and read differing opinions on whether FIV cats can live with healthy cats. What is your opinion?

My 13yr old cat was recently diagnosed with FIV I've heard and read differing opinions on whether FIV cats can live with healthy cats. What is your opinion?

Updated On February 23rd, 2020

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 12 lbs

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Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA

Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

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FIV is transmitted through biting. If all of the housecats are kind to each other 100% of the time, then transmission of FIV to the other cats is unlikely, though not completely impossible. FIV suppresses the immune system, so it is important that the other cats remain healthy so as not to expose Sebastian to disease.

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