Feline Immunodeficiency virus (FIV.) , is a virus similar to HIV which causes AIDS in humans. FIV is most commonly found in free-roaming outdoor cats, especially in un-castrated male cats. Un-castrated male cats pose a threat to other cats as they are more likely to fight due to territory and especially when females come into season. FIV is hard to spot at an early stage, but it is suspicious if your cat is lethargic, has no appetite and is losing significant weight. Other signs of infection is chronic mouth ulcers, persistent diarrhoea and vomiting, chest and eye infection and severe anaemia in some cats. The average age of a cat infected with FIV is 7 years, and up to 15% of all cats are tested positive for FIV. Transmission is mainly from biting and humans cannot catch FIV, so don't worry as it poses no threat to us. Please keep infected cats indoors and away from other cats to reduce the risk of spreading. Treatment can be disappointing as there is no cure for FIV but secondary infection can be controlled with basic antibiotics and intravenous fluid. Other ways of therapy can also boost the cats immune system to increase the cats life.