If you own a cat, you might want to get it tested for the feline equivalent of HIV. Scientists now say that your beloved pet could be carrying the infectious disease. The Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) was detected in 1986 and manifests in much the same way as the HIV virus in human beings. It lowers immunity leaving the cat vulnerable to opportunistic diseases. Ultimately, it degenerates into a full blown version of feline Aids and kills the cat through opportunistic infections. The virus can't be transmitted to human beings. Cats should be protected from the virus by keeping them indoors to prevent them from coming into contact with free roaming cats that carry the virus. Casual non aggressive contact between cats has not been found to transmit the virus.
| 
